Getting ready for relocation to Umbria in 2022

My husband and I are retired from the States. Just bought a townhouse in Ugento. Can recommend an incredible agent who walked us through the whole process in English without charging us. We paid small amounts for the power of attorney and geotecca (inspector) as we bought the house sight unseen. He videotaped everything for us and posted it on his you tube site, David Mengoli. His business is called Salento with Love. Couldn’t have done it all without his assistance. Good luck. We live in a city of 12,000 with all the essentials. One minor mistake: no train station stops  there, but next town over with one is 18 min drive away

Good information.  I'll check it out.

Hi Stumper,
I’ve just completed a purchase on a property in Umbria - I was lucky enough to view in person but everything else was done virtually using a POA. I could put you in touch with my realtor if you do decide to buy. She was incredibly patient and worked really hard to find me my dream project for renovation - brilliant!
Linda

Always open to suggestions.  Where in Umbria?

http://www.ilcastelloditara.com/

This is a link to Tara’s website - she speaks fluent Italian.
I’m in (or will be, eventually!!) Petrignano which is north of the historic town of Castiglione del Lago and the beautiful Lago di Trasimeno.
Some stunning sleepy towns as well as the better known Panicale, Citta Della Pieve, Orvieto and Perugia, and good train links close by, plus it’s only 45 minutes from Perugia airport.
I’m so darned excited! It’s a soul project for me - lots of work needed...

MJ, Sure! We chose the inside heel of the boot because our first priority was to be as far South as possible so we could enjoy nice winter weather! The winters are colder in the mountains and hills of central Italy. Our close beach is the Ionian Sea and lovely. We couldn't have done it without the step by step help of our agent Davide Mergoli of Sarento with Love. He started his business after he retired and loves what he does. He's into history and architecture big time. You can go to his site or even A Place In the Sun to get ideas for where you want to live. He didn't charge us anything except small fees for obtaining a POA and filing fees etc... He will get a 1 1/2% percent of the sale from us and 3% from the seller. We close in September when we will be there to get the keys. He arranged everything for us. Important to get a geotecca (inspector) to be sure all improvements were done to code and with city approval. Small fee I think of 400 euros. Well worth it! Anyway, I can't give Davide enough credit for all he has done for us. He has lived in the UK for 25 years but also still in Salento as well. I would encourage you to watch his You-Tube videos of how to buy property in Italy. They are succinct and easy to follow and he doesn't miss a thing! Good luck! Because we are retired and older, we had so many gorgeous villas to choose from with pools and olive groves etc., but had to be realistic. We decided we wanted a townhouse so we were able to walk out the door and across the square to a cafe or restaurant in a small city. We had to give up some things. Instead of grounds and pools that would require maintenance, we chose a place with a beautiful rooftop terrace and the beach close by.  We wanted nothing modern or contemporary but wanted Italian features so we felt like we were in Italy! We lucked out and found just the right place ending up with a lovely townhouse just a 10 min bike ride to the beach. Good luck!

Small world.  We emailed with Tara on one of her apartments.  Have heard good things about her.

Just to point out that it is illegal to pay commission for a purchase or sale  to someone who is not a registered real estate agent.   If you dont declare the sum in the act of sale (which you cant as there is no agent to cite), then you are committing perjury and can be open to a fine of around 10-15000 euros and now you can even go to jail.    Im sure this company is great and helpful, but if there is not a registered agent who is named in the act of sale/compromesso, you could end up in big trouble.

@louloumura70

sounds ideal, which town/village are you living in? I'm thinking of a town house as it seems a more sensible choice for retiree.  Although lovely to have a garden and pool, the maintenance would be a worry 

I am planning on buying property in Umbria.  I’ve researched the area for many months, just waiting on the realtor.  If there is anyone out there that could help with ins and outs of buying property in Italy.  Whether to get a lawyer, wiring the money, get an Italian bank, finding bilingual notary etc etc.  I appreciate any information, to have this process go smoother.  Thank you!  Also the listing agent is pretty slow at getting back to me and I don’t want this property slipping through my fingers.  😬

Hi Cindy,

Glad you found the ''green heart of Italy'' and understand your frustration with your agent as we experienced similar issues until we changed agent's, some are very bad in communication skills, we're selling so it happens both ways but often it is the owner who holds things up or the notary (as the buyer you choose the notary as you are paying them) but understand they are not lawyer to be on your side but functionaries of the law to collect taxes and oversee the sale is correct and the transfer made and registered.

If you go to the gov.co.uk site you can find a list of English speaking notaries as it is illegal to sign anything you don't  understand 100% if you cannot find one in your area we know f a legally registered translator of official documents  (done  via email).

Ensure the compremesso (1st signing and deposit paperwork. The deposit is around 10% and if you pull out of the deal the owner keeps it, if they pull out then you get 2x back, however if the purchase is dependant on a survey, planning application or other check of say the sewage/ legality you can stipulate that the deposit be returned in the event of failure to comply but it must be written into the contract) includes all the fixtures and fittings, lights, showers etc as it is usual for the home owner to strip the place including fitted kitchens if you don't specify them) it may seem odd as fixtures and fittings are always included in UK sales but this is Italy and the rules change.

The agent, if a correctly registered one, ought to ensure all is correct with the property prior to selling, comune taxes paid, gas boilers serviced, sewage, tap water ( some places are on wells so the water must be tested as drinkable or not) planning regulations followed, fire certificates if there is an gas tank, and so on.

If the property has land the notary/agent must send a registered letter to the surrounding neighbours to give them the 1st option to buy the property, its the law, and have to wait for a registered letter reply, which can take a lot of time if the neighbours are slow in responding, or its a second house and they're not there.

Never ever pay cash the transaction to purchase must be made through a bank transfer, its the law, and usually banks do this between 12 and 1pm, if you are buying furniture that is between you and the owner as notary's only deal with buildings and car.

Just remember Italy is a bogged down with paperwork, the wheels turn slowly and patience is required and its the same for everyone not just expats, so your not being singled out as a foreigner, take a deep breath and wait a while and if something goes wrong try to be understanding but firm about your position, its a buyers market and if the property falls through there are others.

Hope you are successful soon as this is a wonderful place to live and we've never regretted moving here. Good luck

Marguerite