Introduction - on this page you will find links to
details of Italian villas for sale,
Italian holiday rental accommodation and shared housing in
Italy. Italy, in southern Europe, is a peninsula jutting into the
Mediterranean Sea. It is easily located on the map as it is shaped like a boot.
The islands of Sicily and Sardinia are also part of Italy. Italy’s total land
area is 294,000 km2. Surrounded by sea on 3 sides it has 7600 km of coastline.
In the north it has borders with France, Austria, Slovenia, Switzerland and San
Marino. Italy’s main geographical regions are the Alps in the north, the
Po-Venetian Plain to the south east of the Alpine area, the Apennines, which
stretch 1200 km down the peninsula, forming its backbone and Sicily and
Sardinia. Approximately 35% of its landmass is mountainous. Since 1871, Rome, on
the Western coast has been the capital city. Other major cities include Venice,
Milan, Florence Genoa, Turin and Naples.
How to Buy a Property for Sale in Italy -
buying property in Italy is becoming more popular. Getting there is so easy in
the age of budget airlines and wherever you choose to buy it will be easy to get
to. There is a huge choice in the types of property for sale and whatever your
budget there will be something to suit. With process rising about 10% a year
buying in Italy is also a great investment. The legal process Buying
property in Italy is a completely different process than in the UK. Firstly it
is essential to appoint a lawyer in the UK with expert knowledge of the Italian
property market as well as an Italian lawyer. As in the UK, you may identify
property that you wish to buy and make an offer. This will usually include a
payment of a small deposit (5% - 10%) to show your commitment. The offer is
binding but only for the buyer, meaning that the seller can pull out but you
can’t. Therefore it is crucial to make this offer subject to certain
requirements. . You will have to use a public notary or notaio and maybe also an
avvocato which is similar to a solicitor. In Italy the notaio acts for both
parties. The notaio will carry out the usual tasks of local searches, checking
deeds, planning permission, rights of access and so on. He can witness and sign
documents and contracts. He will also register the sale at the land registry. He
is paid a fee dependent upon the sale price and he is a public official.
Although independent and impartial, it is the vendor who appoints the notaio and
therefore it is advisable to appoint an avoccato or solicitor in the UK to act
for you. . When the vendor accepts the offer a binding deal is in place. From
here legal advice is necessary. The contract states that both parties agree on
the terms of the sale. It is the estate agent who prepares the contract, but a
third party (solicitor) needs to check this document carefully. At this point
either party could pull out but with severe financial consequences.
One of the things to watch out for is
Prelazione. A neighbour with adjoining land has the right to buy the property at
the asking price. Once the contract prepared by the estate agent is signed
copies are sent to all the neighbours who then have 30 days to decide if they
too wish to make an offer (the same or higher as the agreed price). Others also
have a right to buy – being sitting tenants or people who may run a business
from the property. With rural properties it is not uncommon for them to belong
to a number of siblings and this can add difficulties to a sale where, unable to
agree, the property lies unoccupied but unable to be sold. To be sure, all
owners of a property need to sign the contract.
Aside from this the usual considerations
apply. Is there a mortgage on the property? Are there any development plans in
the vicinity and so on? Quite often the notaio will under state the purchase
price of the property to reduce any tax liability. It may be seen as being
slightly on the wrong side of the law but remember this is Italy and things are
done differently here. The last stage is the completion . If the buyer cannot be
present he or she can appoint someone to act for them instead – either a friend
or an agent. At this stage it is imperative to have the necessary funds in place
to complete the purchase as this is when the balance is handed over usually by
banker’s draft. Remember to take into account other costs in addition to the
purchase price when budgeting your purchase of property in Italy. Tax is payable
at 3%, stamp duty at 7%, a local tax of up to 1%, estate agent fees and fees to
the notaio. Other payments need to be made to utility companies to connect the
services. All in all allow for 15% of the price. The notaio will now register
the property in your name and pay the tax due.
Climate of Italy - Italy has a temperate climate but with quite
considerable regional variations. In the north summers are warm with some
rainfall, the central regions are humid and the south very hot and dry. In
winter the mountainous areas and the north can be cold and wet. It is less cold
in the south but snow is not uncommon. The mountain regions see heavy snowfall
and provide for a thriving skiing industry.
History of Italy - Italy has a varied and interesting history. In ancient
times, Rome, of course, was the centre of the huge Roman Empire which
encompassed the whole of the Mediterranean area and into northern Europe and
Britain. From around 400 AD, the Western Roman Empire began to decline as it
fell prey to invading tribes from the north of Europe. The Dark Ages and the
Middle Ages saw the dominance of the city-states and Maritime Republics. These
were politically independent from one another and feuding between them was
common. The Maritime Republics is the name given to a number of important
city-states; the 4 greatest being Venice, Genoa, Pisa and Amalfi. These competed
with each other economic dominance. They built fleets of ships for their own
defence and to support their respective trading routes across the Mediterranean.
Within the city-states it was the merchant classes who ruled. This independence
from central rule allowed artistic and academic freedom to flourish and has left
Italy with the huge wealth of art, architecture and literature that we enjoy
today.
Between the 16th and 19th centuries Italy was
largely controlled by foreign powers. It was the French King Charles VIII who
began this series of invasions in 1494. Subsequently France and, Spain battled
it out for control but it was Austria who dominated after 1713. During the 19th
century a revolutionary movement (Risorgimento) attempted to create a unified
Italy. Key to this movement was Giuseppe Garibaldi, the Italian’s national hero.
He personally led many of the campaigns that led to the creation of a united
Italy in 1861 under Victor Emmanuel II. Rome became part of this Kingdom in 1871
from whence on it became the capital. Parliamentary democracy came to an end in
1922 when the fascist dictator Benito Mussolini gained power. After defeat in
the Second World War the monarchy was replaced by the Republic that exists
today.
Italian People and Culture - the population of Italy is just under 60
million; 70% of whom live in towns and cities. The north is more densely
populated than the south with one third of the population living in the
Po-Venetian Plain. To Italians, the family is very important. In the south many
people live in the traditional extended family unit. First impressions count and
Italians consider appearance and clothing as extremely important. First meetings
are formal but once a relationship has been established the accepted form of
greeting is a kiss on both cheeks.
The main religion is Roman Catholicism. 96% of
natural Italians are Roman Catholics. Other important religions are Protestant,
Judaism and Islam. Rome is of course the worldwide centre of the Roman Catholic
Church and is the see of his holiness the Pope, who resides in the Vatican City.
Italian is the official language although a
significant percentage of the population speak a regional dialect. In the north
groups of French and German speaking people can be found. Italy is renowned for
its culinary delights! Ingredients and dishes vary by region. Cheese and wine
form a major part of the cuisine and vary from region to region. Coffee,
although not grown here, is an essential part of Italian culture. Influences on
a region include its proximity to the sea, other countries, mountains and the
local economy. Italian cuisine is not only regional, but is also determined by
the season. Great importance is placed upon the use of fresh, seasonal produce.
It is difficult to know where to begin with
the architecture of Italy. Ancient Rome and the Italian Renaissance has given
Italy a rich architectural heritage that has influenced building design around
the world. From the coliseum in Rome to the Tower of Pisa, the Ruins of Pompeii
to the Sistine chapel. Every region has something to offer. In ancient times,
the Romans copied and often improved upon ideas taken from conquered countries
such as Greece and Egypt. The start of the Middle Ages saw a renewed interest in
the architecture of ancient Rome. Rounded arches and carved doorways became the
fashion and were copied throughout Europe. The Italian Renaissance, or re-birth,
began in the 14th century. For the next two hundred years the ideas of the
Ancients inspired a new style of art and architecture. For example, in paintings
and sculpture, artists were concerned with portraying human beings as they
really looked. The main Renaissance artists were Michelangelo, Botticelli,
Raphael and of course Leonardo da Vinci. Rome is the capital of Italy. It is
packed with history throughout. From ancient monuments such as the Coliseum to
medieval churches to Renaissance palaces. In the past a link between East and
West, Venice is incredibly built on water in the middle of a lagoon. The centre
of Venice is the Piazza San Marco. The city is probably Italy’s most romantic
destination and one of the most visited by tourists. Florence, Tuscany is the
most important cities in terms of the Renaissance period. Under the patronage of
the Medicis, artists flourished here and tourists flock to see the Duomo and
Baptistry. Naples, a coastal city to the south of Rome is a lively city. Full of
character, it has recently been renovated and modernised in many parts. Genoa is
Italy’s main port and is found on the North West coast. Genoa is perhaps best
known for its association with Columbus.
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