Finding a real estate agent

I'm just in the research phase myself. There are a number of YouTube videos and house finders if you Google the area you're after. Also a number of expat in italy Facebook groups that may be worth joining too.

Hi, I have been living in Sicily for 3 years now (parco delle Madonie close to Cefalù ( and I am helping friends and friends of friends to find and buy properties in the area. If you need further information, I will be happy to help

Hi Diane,

you will find a list of recommended real estate agencies in Italy in our business directory.

To all those who have promoted their services on this thread, you should register in our business directory. Advertising is not allowed on the forum, as explained in our code of conduct - your posts will be removed soon.

Thanks

julien

Congrats on the upcoming adventure...you'll love it here.

Renting is a good first start.  Take your time to find a good realtor and one that speaks your native tongue, which will help when going to purchase.

There are several documents you will want to acquire as soon as you can...the first is the Resident Permit (permesso di soggiorno).  Apply within the first few days of arriving in Italy so that you can stay in Italy for longer than a regular "tourist".  Here's a website that may help with the other documents:
https://www.thelocal.it/20210927/the-fi … -to-italy/
The easiest document to acquire is the codice fiscale.  There are several websites, so simply google them.

We (my wife and I) arrived in Italy mid-summer and by Christmas-time we were settling on our new apartment.  So, it can happen quickly!  We had been searching online for months before the summer so we did A LOT of research.  As with all things real estate...location is extremely important!  Visit as many websites and individual properties as much as you are able and try to imagine how you want to live when here in Italy.

Good luck and welcome to Italy.  Ciao!

Willawonghill wrote:

Also a number of expat in italy Facebook groups that may be worth joining too.

Watch out for Facebook groups. There are massive number of scammers and other assorted criminals on there who make it their pleasure to take your cash.
I you meet them on Facebook, assume anything they say is a lie until you can prove it's true.

Hi there! I've worked with a few realtors, and to be honest, I have preferred to work without them because of the conflict of interest. I think that renting before you buy is a great way to get a feel for the culture and zone to maake sure it's a move you want to make permanently.

I give some house hunting tips on my YouTube channel ([link moderated]), as well as some real estate advice. You're more than welcome to watch and ask questions!

Hi how are you doing today

@benjaminal639

Welcome to the forum.
Do you have some information about the subject matter of this thread ? If so then please post it here.

I am a real estate agent in Sicily, the only english agent in Sicily.    You will find on the forums that everyone is an expert,  because they once bought a house somewhere.   They will know the exact value of a house in a place they have never been to, they will know the planning problem the house you have fallen in love with has.  Except they won't.    Read as much as you can about the area, the buying property in Italy.   Look at the online portals for an idea of prices -  but ignore the 'valuations' of big sites like immobiliare.it, as they are hopeless.  They will give you a square metre price for 'Florence'  or 'outer London'.  Hopeless.
One of the above posters - says she prefers to work without agents because of the conflict of interest.   She is 100% wrong.  She 'works '- and presumably wants paying - the conflict of interest is hers,  (an agent in ITaly must have a licence and it is illegal to ask for commission if you are not a legal agent)  An agent, must be law, be independent and have no conflict of interest.    That's why lawyers, geometras, architects cant be agents - as they have an evident interest in what you buy.

So in your case it depends where in southern Italy you are looking.   If you can check out the local agencies - and try and find one who is a member of FIAIP the professional agents body.  At least you will know they are operating legally.   Most agents do not share properties in Italy.  You will go to a certain agent to see a certain property. 

Renting is a good idea if you dont know the area.   However, most rentals in the south dont go via agents.  You need to be on the ground, and looking around, asking at the bar etc.  Any rental contract over 30 days must be registered at the tax office.   You would want a contratto transitorio which is up to 18 months, but you will need to specify with the landlord that you will want to take residency at the address - as it is up to the owner if they allow it.

Hi,

I am looking for Independent Agent in Central Italy, speaks English and Not affiliated with a Real Estate Company who  have experienced in helping foreigners purchase properties.

Thank you

Lu

@ichi916

Our independent agent, Marco Galasso at Folignio Umbria, www.galassorealestate.it is a member of  Fiaip association and understands a lot of English, uses sayit on his phone if we loose track and is responsive to Whatsapp and emails, unlike many who just don't bother to reply.

We are certain if you contacted him with an idea of the type of property you are looking for, price and location, he would be able to assist you finding what you want.

I must say we had firm ideas about what we wanted, a property in walking distance of shops and cafes good road and rail links, no pool, manaeable garden and bought a large tuscan farmhouse, pool and 1 ha of land, which has been manageable, 15 mins to main station and town, so don't be surprised if your heart take you to something unexpected

Good luck

Marguerite

@M Hunt

Hi Marguerite,

Awesome, can you give me me his contact number?

Thank you.

Regards,

Lu

@DDIPRETE ***

I need a private reksstate agent thst will help me find a appartment in reggio emilia this would be rental.

Thank you

@Modicasa Hello, we just returned from Sicily and have an idea of where we would like to purchase a property. I would like to communicate with you if you are still available to assist.

Thank you- Domenic

Hi Dominic,

Ive sent you a pm.

Be aware of the British agent that operates in the Amantea (CS) area, unscrupulous, narsasitic not nice to deal with.

Hi @DDIPRETE. We had a fantastic agent. We

were looking at properties all over Sicily and mainland Italy for a couple of years with his very useful assistance. In the end, we found a place ourselves but the Agent still took care of everything - and for a much reduced fee. bit of a steal, really. And save me a fortune in the price negotiations (around €10k on a €150k property). Couldn’t recommend him highly enough: Tony La Porta of La Dolce Vita (UK & Sicily). Send me a DM if you want an intro

And did this agent appear in the act of sale as the agent or did you pay him/La Dolce Vita in the UK?   

The law requires your agent to be inscribed in the Register with a numero REA.  He must be named in the act of sale with the payment.  If you dont it's illegal  and worse still, you have no comeback because the law says he's never existed.   

Modicasa, there are plenty of so called agents plying their trade that are not registered like the Brit near to Amantea (CS) I believe.  Probably not insured either.

@cotentin78

I’m hoping to find someone to help me buy a summer home in Sicily.

you can reach me