Property agents make it easy to enjoy la dolce vita - Telegraph

Property agents make it easy to enjoy la dolce vita - Telegraph

Italians enjoy more than their fair share of beautiful landscapes, historic buildings and stunning art. Traditionally, however, foreign buyers seeking to share in these charms have come up against a wall of bureaucracy.

That’s all changing. There is a clutch of new firms, buying agents, offering to help Britons cut through the legendary Italian red tape and find exactly the right home in the right place.

Italy’s buying system is radically different from Britain’s. Buyers and sellers both pay fees to the same estate agent, with a deposit of 10 to 20 per cent. This is often paid up front, and purchasers usually need local bank accounts. Worryingly, outstanding debts linked with a property must be cleared before a deal goes through, otherwise the debts transfer to the new owners.

On top of all that, there are occasional disputes over homes allegedly built without planning consent. And, of course, relatively few British buyers understand colloquial Italian. The potential for mishaps during a property deal and subsequent renovation work are obvious.