Recently I connected with a business woman, Nikki Taylor who is an Aussie expat living in Monopoli, Italy who is the Founder of Italy Property Consulting. I was in Italy at the time and chatting on post in a Business Women’s Facebook group (LMBDW) that Nikki is also a member of. We connected straight away, chatting about all things Italy! I began to ask questions about her work and got very intrigued as to her journey to this point in her life?.  I realised just how fascinating her story is for it’s complexity regarding her move from Australia to Italy and starting her own consultancy in the property industry.  

Nikki’s fascination with Italy started in 2001 when she visited Florence on holiday. Living in London at the time, Italy was easily reachable for a quick break and upon arriving she remembers being totally captivated by the beauty. ‘I said to myself I am going to retire here one day’, she recalls yet what seemed like a forgotten pipe dream came to fruition some ten plus years later.  In 2014 she found herself burnt out working in the corporate banking industry in Sydney and her soul yearned for something more.  ‘I wanted a life, not to be stuck working in an office 12 hours a day but to really throw myself in a new culture, language and take on a whole new lifestyle’, Nikki says.

Nikki’s career was spent working in the banking and financial planning industries and upon arriving in Italy in 2014 she honestly did not really have a plan and speaking very little Italian she was unsure what her options where.  However, she was fortunate to find work at a global luxury real estate firm called Engel & Völkers in their marketing department. ‘I have always had a real passion for property and had renovated many a home back in Australia and the real estate industry in Italy fascinated me’, she recalls.  Then three years later Nikki started freelancing for a real estate company in Apulia working as a Business Development Director and managing all the international client property transactions and assisting with their enquiries and the sales process.  That was when Nikki saw an untapped niche in the market.  ‘I noticed that there was a recurring theme with the types of enquiries that I was receiving from overseas buyers; many of which shared their doubts & fears about buying property in Italy’, she says.  

It was this that inspired Nikki to create a global community on Facebook called “How to Confidently Buy Property in Italy” where she coaches overseas buyers to navigate their way through the property buying procedure in Italy through her signature program also named “How to Confidently Buy Property in Italy” (which, I might add sold out in 1 day!) 

Her group and program is purely focused on helping buyers avoid the common costly pitfalls when looking to buy property in Italy.

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Many of the members of the group already have Italian heritage and reside in Australia and the United States and they are so excited to be looking to purchase property in Italy with Nikki’s guidance so they can get back to their Italian roots.  Many buyers are interested in purchasing a home they can use for investment or a holiday rental or a home they can move back to when the time is right. With the help of industry leaders such as a property lawyer, accountant, currency specialist, visa expert and financial planner, Nikki is providing her audience a complete holistic service. The program guides them each step of the way so they gain confidence and ease, knowing that they have a team of professionals throughout the entire process. 

‘I feel that I am acting as a bridge between the two cultures, both English and Italian and guiding the community is proving to be an invaluable service and the group is growing rapidly each week with many members writing to me regularly stating their gratitude for me creating such a group and community which has helped alleviate their fears about investing in Italy’, Nikki states. 

The reality is, whilst tourism has always been a big drawcard for Italy and it’s economy, the smaller villages gain with this type of influx of new investment.  

‘The fact that there is such a consistent interest in Italy, not only in the popular tourist areas but also small villages will help boost the economy in areas that are less populated and potentially create an expat trend and revive some of the villages that are lacking in a community feel and presence’, Nikki identifies. 

Nikki is receiving such positive feedback from her members of her group which has been so encouraging thus far and is devoted to supporting those who are passionate to own their own slice of La Dolce Vita. 

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Italy is famous for its beauty and is equally famous for its bureaucracy. So it’s really no surprise that many people dream of buying property in Italy but never go through with it for the fear of what could go wrong.

The internet is rife with conflicting information, horror stories about shady estate agents and deals going wrong. Imagine trying to manage a real estate transaction whilst you’re in your own country and above all, not speaking the language?

And considering that most properties need some sort of home improvement or renovation, how do you even begin to start to think about that?

>Terrifying right? Well it doesn’t need to be.

After many years of working in the real estate industry in Italy and coming across countless clients expressing their fears and doubts about purchasing property in Italy, I decided to create a bespoke program.

Before I delve into this, let me give you a background about my journey and how I ended up living in one of the most beautifully chaotic countries in the world; Italy, or as the Italians call it “il bel paese”.

My Journey to La Dolce Vita

My love affair with Italy began nearly 20 years ago. At 21, I had moved to London from Perth, Australia and knew nothing of the world. My only foray into travelling was a trip to Thailand and the idea of Europe seemed so far-fetched that I had never seriously thought about it until moving to London with the idea of staying a few months and seeing how it went. I ended up staying 12 years.

I always had a fascination with Italy, but it wasn’t until I went to Florence on a weekend getaway that something switched inside of me. The beauty at every angle, the architecture, the elegantly dressed women with their high heels clicking away on the cobbled stones — not to mention the incredible food, wine, and handsome men—made me fall in love with it. I was hooked.

Growing up in Australia, which is a very young country from an architecture and historical aspect, I was totally in awe of Italy. I remember marvelling at the Duomo in Florence and saying to myself, one day I am going to retire here. Considering I was 21 at the time, retirement was a long way off. It all seemed like a pipe dream and was quickly forgotten

I travelled a few times to Italy in the 12 years I lived in London and each time my love affair for this beautiful country grew and grew. The idea of living there seemed so out of my reach but I knew I wanted to make it happen.

It wasn’t until December of 2013 when things started to fall into place. I was living back in Australia; I had moved to Sydney in 2012 and pretty much had the perfect life: An amazing apartment with harbour bridge view, an excellent social circle, a secure six-figure income working for one of the world’s top investment banks. But I was dissatisfied with my life and felt extremely burnt out from working in a high stress environment. My health was suffering.

I felt like my soul was craving cultural nourishment. I wanted to live my life instead of being cooped-up in an office environment twelve hours a day. I wanted to immerse myself into a new culture, learn a new language, I wanted to fall in love with a dark-haired devastatingly handsome man. In my heart, I knew Italy was the answer.

I was 34 at the time and knew if I didn’t make the move now it would never happen. I didn’t let the fact that the only Italian I knew was “ciao bella” and various swear words that I won’t mention stop me. I signed up for a six-week Italian course at the local language school in Sydney and started putting my plans into action.

Most of my family and friends thought I was absolutely crazy to leave my secure life in Sydney to move to Italy where the economy is famously unstable and there was no guarantee that I could find work.

But lucky for me, and for you, I didn’t listen to my head but my heart and at the end of 2014 I sold all my furniture and arrived in Italy with four suitcases.

I relocated to the charming mountainous town of Bolzano, which is situated in Italy’s far North-East, on the Austrian border.

Upon arrival in Bolzano, I was lucky enough to find a job, which required me to speak English working for a global luxury real estate firm called Engel & Völkers in their marketing department.

The Call of the Sea

As much as I absolutely loved the village and the stunning mountains of Bolzano; I missed the beach.  I guess that is the Aussie in me, I grew up by the beach and its part of my soul.  I knew that the best beaches in Italy were in the south so I started doing some research. My Italian teacher from Sydney was from Apulia, the far south of Italy, which is the heel shaped part of the boot of the country.

I remember Googling Apulia and being totally in love with the stunning coastline and quaint Baroque style seaside towns. I moved down to Monopoli, and started working for a real estate and luxury holiday rentals firm as a Business Development  & Marketing Director. My role was to oversee all the international client real estate transactions and manage them smoothly.

It was then that I realized a common theme that was occurring with the clients that I was managing. Many of which had the same questions, doubts and fears about purchasing a property in Italy, the process and how they could manage this whilst living overseas.

An idea was born

This is what inspired me to create a free online global community on Facebook called “How to Confidently Buy Property in Italy” and my signature program also named “How to Confidently Buy Property in Italy”. My vision was to alleviate the fears and doubts concerning the property purchase process in Italy and provide useful and valuable information to the members of the community.

I wanted to provide a totally holistic service and thus undertook lengthy due diligence and created a network of industry leaders. Professionals such as property lawyers, visa and immigration specialists, accountants, currency experts and financial planners have all become part of my community, where we guide the members how to navigate their way through the Italian property system with ease and confidence. There are so many people who have fallen foul to the common costly pitfalls that arise in the Italian real estate industry. Our mission is to help our members avoid these mistakes.>/p>

The next logical step after a property purchase is to start thinking about restoration or improvement, and my masterclass “How to Confidently Renovate Property in Italy” was created.

As many people want to purchase property to utilize as a Holiday Rental I have created a bespoke masterclass on Property Management and Home Staging where we discuss how to correctly identify your ideal client and “stage” your Holiday Rental property accordingly to ensure customer satisfaction and repeat bookings!

I receive messages regularly from my community members sharing their gratitude to me for creating the group and program which thrills me no end that my idea and vision is helping hundreds of people around the world create their own slice of La Dolce Vita like I did and live out their dream.

We are just about to walk into a new decade, why not listen to that niggling sensation that is in your soul about Italy and delve in to creating your dream life and purchasing your dream home? I would love to be able to guide and support you on this.

Your Dolce Vita awaits you!

Get in touch

If you have been inspired by my story and are looking to purchase property in Italy, please click on the link below to join our free community “How to Confidently Buy Property in Italy” where you will gain access to an abundance of valuable information along with a network of professionals helping you achieve your goal. https://www.facebook.com/groups/2433791586902154/

My Kindle Ebook

I have written a Kindle Ebook about my journey, and delving further into the progam I offer and giving some absolute golden tips about the property purchasing process here in Italy and things to look out for.

I wouldn’t blame you if when you thought about the €1 homes and the condition they might be in, you might envision a pile of bricks on a block of land resembling something like Hadrian’s wall! But, upon closer investigation it is most certainly not the case. 

There are some beautiful old homes that are still intact, that simply require a light renovation and lots of TLC. 

Yes it is obvious that you will need to invest money into a renovation project, therefore the €1 home is not for everyone, but if you have a creative eye, and a passion for transformation then this would be the ideal project for you. 

To be able to purchase your own slice of La Dolce Vita for less than a cup of coffee has had many people wondering whether this is some kind of scam. But many towns in Italy have been using the €1 home initiative to revitalize their villages and inject new life. 

La Dolce Vita on a shoestring

There is something quite enchanting about immersing yourself into “vera Italia” or real Italy, and living life like one of the locals. A total change from the chaos of your normal life of which you might be itching to get away from and adapt into a slower pace, where “dolce far niente” (the sweetness of doing nothing) is an art form. 

Imagine walking to the nearest farm to collect fresh eggs and milk, to pass by the street vendor displaying all his seasonal fruit and vegetables and then the local baker, picking up warm bread fresh out of the oven.

Countryside living in Italy, where the journey from farm to fork is a short one and they don’t say the Mediterranean diet is the number 1 in the world for no reason. 

Now that I have painted the romantic vision for you of a dream life in the Mediterranean, let’s get down to the facts of what it really means to purchase a €1 home, where they are and what kind of condition they are in.

The Buying Procedure 

The buying process for a €1 home is generally the same as buying a normal property. It will be split into 3 phases:

1.    The proposal of purchase (or reservation offer)
2.    Preliminary Contract
3.    Deed of Sale

However there are a few differences. If it is sold through a comune (municipality) the contracts will have specific rules to complete for deposits etc. 

If it is sold directly from the owner, it is a straight private sale between the buyer and the seller.  The buyer will pay all the closing costs and for any missing documents (should that be the case). 

Where they are

Let us take a trip to Nicosia, a little town in Sicily perched up high on the hill with panoramic views all around the forest and greenery which surrounds the town. Nicosia has a handful of €1 homes on offer and also “gift houses”. A gift house is a good quality but low cost property where the owner(s) no longer wish to have the property and are willing to sell it for a minimum of €1.

Many properties are handed down through inheritance and may be of no interest to the newer generation but continue to cost the family money in taxes and repairs. Often it is better to sell the property onto someone who is willing to restore it and live in it as its intended. 

The beauty of the properties in Nicosia, is that they hold no restrictions. There is no time frame in order to complete renovations and you are not required to set up a residency there. So anyone looking to create a rustic Italian retreat on Airbnb then this could be right up your street! 

The €1 homes are also located in other parts of Italy such as Sicily, Puglia, Campania with other regions soon to be announced. 

What kind of condition are the properties in?

The properties are all in need of some sort of renovation. It would be naïve to think that you could purchase a property for €1 or low cost and not imagine that there would not need to be some sort of investment to restore it to its former glory.

Now as mentioned above, some of the properties are in need of light renovations not a complete overhaul and totally bursting with character which is yearning to be brought back to its original state. 

It’s not exactly the promising hope to the summer season that we had expected. Sadly, many have had to cancel their holiday plans and property buying trips to Italy. Nonetheless we are all in this together as a collective around the world and we hope and pray that we see a light at the end of the tunnel as soon as possible.

Everyone around the world is going through an extremely delicate and difficult time right now so we would like to write this message with the view of creating inspiration and casting some vision with regards to your dream of purchasing a property in Italy. 

The Coronavirus has spread its way throughout our beautiful country and has left a trail of despair behind it but one thing we are most grateful for is that no matter what hardship this virus is causing here, it does not have the capacity to ruin what makes our beloved Italy so well sought after.

No virus can destroy the centuries old architecture that makes Italy so breath taking. The thousands of kilometres of stunning crystal clear coastlines, the iconic cities such as Rome, Florence, Venice andNapoli. The rolling hills of Tuscany, the famous trulli houses in Puglia, the Alps of the Dolomiti and so on and so on. 

No virus can destroy the agriculture that makes this land famous for its gastronomy or the vineyards that produce award winning wines. 

Purchasing a property in Italy will always be a hot topic for millions around the world, virus or no virus. And why is that? The answer is simple. Because it’s Italy.

Yes, the tourism industry in Italy is going to be highly affected this season, and all around the country but this is only a temporary blip. 

Millions of people have been coming to Italy or dreaming about coming to Italy and that will never change. In fact, for the many people who’s holiday or property searching plans have been thwarted because of the virus, it hasn’t deterred them from wanting to visit, it has only enhanced the desire.

People all around the world have been watching Italy with great interest of late, since the virus has taken over our country and have been admiring the strength and resilience of the Italian communities, all coming together to unite in joy and cheer through these difficult times. 

Italy is becoming a role model for other countries around the world with the way in which the locals are consciously uniting together to protect their country.

Like this article? Don’t miss our series sharing “True Stories of Buying Properties in Italy” 

It is this patriotism that has inspired people even more to want to have their own slice of La Dolce Vita and create their dream life here in Italy. 

It is highly likely that due to these difficult times with the global economy, that the real estate market will in fact decline here in Italy, which will only make it more appealing for overseas buyers to invest here. 

So whilst you are at home staying safe, use this spare time to study the real estate property portals, and start dreaming about your new life in Italy, with the view of turning those dreams into a reality when the world has gone back to normal. 

For those of you who are wanting to learn Italian, there are some excellent online apps that you can use such as Babbel or Duolingo which are really useful or you can check out Italy Magazine’s dual language series. Tap into those and start visualising having conversations with the locals here in Italy. 

As for me, I am enjoying the extra home time having quality time with my family. 

Stay healthy! 

A presto! Italy is waiting for you. 

Could it be the stunning coastline which connects the Adriatic Coast with the Ionian Sea; hundreds of kilometres of crystal clear warm turquoise waters, the iconic trulli houses, the historical sea side towns with charming city centres, the Baroque style architecture and did I mention award winning wines and delectable gastronomy?

Sound convincing enough? I think so! 

I have been living on and off in Puglia for the past few years; my journey to this beautiful region started off in Monopoli. I was immediately enchanted by this beautiful coastal town for various reasons. The historical centre is a labyrinth of little alleyways and nooks, bustling with a variety of local restaurants, bars, coffee shops and boutiques. 

So what is the price of living in such a beautiful place? Not as much as you may think! Independent terraced properties in the historical centre, some with roof terraces offering uninterrupted sea views can start from €150,000 (to be restored). 

For those of you who wish to live on the outskirts of the city, villas and trulli in the countryside of Monopoli start from around €180,000.

Monopoli is a hugely popular tourist town, so many properties for sale have been designated in mind for the overseas investor looking to rent the property out a Holiday Rental and generate a seasonal passive income. 

Long term rentals in Monopoli are extremely difficult to come by. Due to the demand of holiday rentals, many landlords have opted against having long term tenants in favour of renting out their properties only in the summer months at a much higher rental premium.

However, if you are lucky, you can find a 1-2 bedroom apartment in the city centre from around €600 per month. 

The cost of dining out in Monopoli is relatively inexpensive. An aperitif in a local trendy bar can cost from €3 onwards and is usually accompanied by local produce such as “taralli” and olives, for which Puglia is famous for! 

Dining out in a local pizzeria for two could set you back approximately €20 and there is also some higher end restaurants which specialise in local seafood which has a more expensive price tag. 

Fruit and vegetables at the local markets are incredibly reasonable and every Tuesday there is a street market where you can buy a wide range of household items, clothing and local produce at excellent low cost prices.

So what about some of the other towns in Puglia?

Let us take a look at Ostuni, otherwise known as The White City. Ostuni is incredibly popular as a summer tourist destination, it is pretty quiet during the winter months. Ostuni is perched up high on the hill overlooking the coast, which is approximately 6km away. 

One bedroom apartments located in the historical centre which need restoration start from as low as €30,000 and can range up to €99,000 for a one bedroom restored apartment with roof terrace and sea view.

Countryside villas and trulli can range in prices starting from around €50,000 right up to the grand masseria (farmhouses) which go for well over €1,000,000.

For those of you who don’t mind getting your hands dirty with a renovation project there are plenty of opportunities to be had! 

Ostuni is also another tricky spot to find a long term rental due to the popularity of Holiday Rentals in the summer months, however a 2 bedroom rental property can set you back around €500-€600 per month.

If we take a visit further into Valle d’Itria, away from the coast, you will come across a town called Martina Franca, which is where I live. Martina Franca is a beautiful town with Baroque style architecture and an incredibly charming historical centre.

Property prices here are cheaper in comparison to Monopoli due to the fact you are at least a 30-minute drive to the coast.  One bedroom apartments in the historical centre start from around €30,000 (to be restored) and villas and trulli in the countryside also start from around the same price (also to be restored). 

Rents in Martina Franca are also cheaper and one can find a 2 bedroom spacious apartment for around €500 per month. 

Martina Franca is well known for its agricultural produce with meat being a popular choice. The city is full of butchers (macelleria) offering fine local meats all at extremely inexpensive prices. 

Local cantinas sell excellent wines for as little as €2 a litre. 

Puglia is famous for its olive oil, which has such a smooth texture and delicious taste, you could literally pour it over everything (and I do!).  There are many olive oil distributors in the region where you can purchase a 5 litre barrel of oil for as little as €20. 

If you are looking to move to Puglia, a car is definitely advisable as the transport links are rather non-existent, especially if you are living in a rural area. 

The one thing I love about my experience in Puglia is the community feel. The locals are welcoming and warm and always happy to help. 

It’s the Mediterranean lifestyle at its finest! 

As of the 16th July the “Decreto Legge” was confirmed that the Ecobonus will be extended until the end of 2022. 

So what is the Ecobonus exactly, and how can this benefit you and above all what do you need to look out for? Here is a general overview but it is prudent to obtain specific advice from a trusted specialist in this area; i.e. a qualified accountant who will be able to give more precise figures on the regime and what are the requirements to be considered eligible. Please note that certain details of the Ecobonus are NOT final and specialist advice on this subject will need to be sought. 

The Ecobonus is a regime that has been brought in by the Italian government to re-inject some cash flow into the construction and real estate industries here in Italy.

It is a special incentive that entitles the owner to obtain a tax reduction on renovation works but Italy being Italy, there are quite a few variables to consider. 

What does the Ecobonus entail?

In lamens terms the 110% ecobonus or “renovation” bonus is a tax deduction of 110% of the expenses incurred related to improving energy efficiency ratings and or seismic risk reduction. The bonus is valid for expenses incurred from 1st July 2020 until end of 2022. The 110% deduction can be recouped in 5 equal annual instalments or there are two other options which are a credit transfer or invoice discount. 

What works can claim the 110% ecobonus?

Works that compromise thermal insulation and replacement of boilers with centralized condensing systems are deductible should the costs be incurred in the time frame between 1st July 2020 to the end of 2022. 

All works must achieve an improvement in 2 classes of energy ratings to qualify for the ecobonus. 

What types of properties are exempt from the 110% ecobonus? 

Real estate units belonging to the following cadastral categories listed below are excluded from the new tax breaks: 

A/1 : Stately homes
A/1 : 8 houses in villas
A/9 : castles, palaces of eminent historical or artistic merits 

Under the latest amendment to the legislation, second homes are also included in the regime so this could be a very enticing regime for those looking to purchase a second home in Italy. 

What types of properties qualify for the Ecobonus?

Condominium apartments
Low cost homes (IACP – Istituto Autonomo Case Popolari)
One & two family villas (Ville monofamiliare e bifamiliare)
Second homes
Detached homes

Who can benefit from the Ecobonus?

People who are tax paying residents in Italy, can benefit from using the relief of the Ecobonus to offset against the costs involved with approved renovations. 

However, please note that it is recommended to seek specialist advice from your accountant before proceeding with any works, to get the precise idea of what you can and can’t claim relief for. 

Happy house hunting!! 

Let’s discover some of Calabria’s most famous towns and some undiscovered treasures. 

Tropea

Tropea is one of the most well known beaches in Calabria. It is lined with dramatic cliffs and a historic castle that looms over the coast, but the headliner is the deep turquoise-tinged water that laps its beaches and a scattering of dramatic grottoes. The historical center of Tropea is one of the biggest draws in the area, with an authentic air that reminds visitors of “la vera italia”, or real Italy. Exploring its cobblestone streets, grand palazzi, and pocket-sized trattorias tucked away in little alleys is one of the highlights of a visit to Calabria.

Property prices in Tropea are extremely modest, with one-bedroom apartments with a sea view starting from around €55,000. Tropea was the winner of “Italy’s Most Beautiful Town” national competition for 2021, and though it is just now popping up on the international radar, this seaside retreat has long been a favorite summer destination among Italians.

Pizzo

Pizzo Calabro is best known as home to the famous “tartufo” gelato and has an extremely quaint historical center perched up high on the hill overlooking the sea.

Historic palazzi are lined along the cliff tops overlooking the marina, which offers a packed promenade of restaurants, bars, and cafés. 

Property prices in Pizzo start from around €60,000 for a one-bedroom apartment in the historical center just 150 meters from the beach. Pizzo also qualifies for the 7% Flat Tax regime. 

Scilla

Scilla is a beautiful fishing village where the homes and businesses are perched directly along the water’s edge, earning it the nickname “Venice of the South”.  It is virtually unknown to non-Italian tourists, despite being one of the most picturesque villages along the coast with its deep blue water and views across the Tyrrhenian Sea to Sicily.

Detached houses located just meters from the waves start at around €90,000. Scilla also benefits from the 7% Flat Tax Regime. 

San Nicola Arcella

One of the most striking examples of Calabria’s natural beauty is the arched grotto in San Nicola Arcella, known as the “Arcobaleno”, or rainbow.

Located along the coast in the province of Cosenza, this delightful town is still relatively untouched by tourism and unknown by foreigners. 

With one-bedroom apartments offering a spectacular sea view starting at €30,000, it represents the opportunity to purchase a slice of “La Dolce Vita” for a song! San Nicola Arcella is also part of the 7% Flat Tax regime. 

The holiday season in Calabria starts up in June and finishes in October, with the peak months being July and August where holiday rentals fetch an above-average rental income. A new direct high-speed train running north-south between Turin and Reggio Calabria has made the region more accessible to both domestic and international visitors. Calabrese locals are extremely warm and inviting, don’t be surprised if you get an invite for an impromptu dinner….they are famous for it!! 

But many do not take that first step into owning their own home in this magical country? Why? Generally, fear and lack of knowledge creep in, and as the old saying goes “doubt kills more dreams than failure ever will”. 

What if you had a clear path to purchasing in Italy, a blueprint in order to ensure that not only your investment is protected, but that you had the opportunity to purchase your dream home UNDER market value. Yes, you heard right. 

Imagine owning a piece of Italy for a song? 

Right now, we are in a serious buyers market. Forbes wrote that Italy is the #1 country worldwide for under market value property.

Did you know that the International Living site saw a 945% increase in traffic on its “How to Move Out of the USA” page, which gives a clear indication of where people are at with regards to wanting to embark on a new change of life. 

I had the privilege of being featured in Forbes in December 2020 where I share my top tips for buying a property during a pandemic which are: 

A competitive market

The market is incredibly competitive right now. Just this morning I was calling various agents about properties for some private clients and each property I had called up about, had been sold.

Savvy investors are not letting travel restrictions stop them from grabbing a bargain. Be prepared to take action. 

A new way of purchasing property 

The “new normal” in the real estate market now is virtual tours in real-time instead of being able to have your feet on the ground. I have helped many of my clients purchase their dream home in Italy without even needing to leave their living room. It can be done. And if you have the right people behind you giving you unbiased advice, you can rest assured that your investment is protected. 

Be prudent

Don’t just jump at a property because it’s cheap. Cheap can be relative once other (sometimes shocking) costs become apparent.

Before thinking about making any sort of offer there is a series of steps that need to be taken in order to ensure that the property has had the required due diligence undertaken from both a legal and structural perspective. 

Purchasing a property just because it’s incredibly low cost or for example, the €1 homes scheme, can open up more problems than meets the eye from an investment and re-sale perspective. 

The fact that there is an abundance of under market value properties, means that buyers have more flexibility and freedom to choose areas which they had only dreamed of, rather than being forced to buy something in a remote town due to the cost factor.

Imagine stone cottages in Tuscany, villas near the coast in Puglia, quaint apartments in historical centres in Sicily and Umbria all severely under market value.

What I come across in my weekly research for my clients who subscribe to my magazine “La Dolce Vita Lifestyle Magazine + Membership” just blows me away as to the possibilities in the current market.

When doing my property research for my clients my mind is always focused on two things:

1. How I can find a property that is of high quality but under market value (first win)
2. How this property can be utilized as a holiday rental thus generating my client a passive income (second big win)

I will be running my invaluable FREE 3-day, mini-course accelerator “Purchase the Dream” from 31st January-2 February where you will be given actionable steps to ensure you are getting the best head start possible for purchasing a property in Italy and creating a new life here. 

What you will learn in this FREE mini-course:

• The best places in Italy to buy
• The most common costly mistakes people make and most importantly how to avoid them
• The difference between €1 and low-cost homes vs Under Market Value Properties
• How to generate a passive income through a holiday rental
• How to be a savvy investor during the current climate

And MUCH more! 

To find out more about the mini-course and to register, click HERE to join my Community “How to Confidently Buy Property in Italy and live La Dolce Vita”. 

Looking forward to empowering you to take that first step of making your Italian dream an achievable reality!

That was back in 2014 and Puglia was still rather unheard of amongst foreigners. Today, it’s a totally different story.

Puglia Stealing the Spotlight

I remember my very first visit to Puglia was in April 2017. I had been living in Bolzano, which is the far northeastern side of Italy, bordering on Austria. 

Bolzano is a beautiful town but it did not feel like “la vera Italia” (real Italy) to me due to the Austrian style of architecture and the fact that most people spoke German.

Being from Australia, I missed the beach and so I decided to make my way down to Puglia and discover what it was like to live in the south of Italy. 

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I had heard amazing things about Monopoli from my Italian teacher friend and we went together over the Easter holidays. I remember walking through the historical center and I felt all goosebumpy and tears came to my eyes. I had found my “place”. This was where I was meant to be. If you have never been to Monopoli I highly recommend checking it out.

The little cobbled streets, the quaint piazzas filled with trattorias, cafes, and boutiques and scenic perch on the most crystal clear coast had me hooked. I was in love.

Pretty much the whole of Puglia has that effect on me and it is no surprise that the region has surpassed Tuscany as the number one area searched for both tourism and foreign buyers looking to purchase their own slice of “la dolce vita”. And why is that?

The Perks of Puglia

Let’s see: stunning Baroque-style architecture, mild climate all year round, crystal-clear waters that are warm and feel like a giant bath—they don’t call Puglia “the Italian Maldives” for nothing! Not to mention award-winning wines and cuisine…what’s not to love, right? Real estate prices are still extremely reasonable in comparison to regions like Tuscany, but this will not last long as prices have been on the rise. 

Luxury has also made headway in Puglia. High-end fashion house Louis Vuitton has purchased a masseria with 20 rooms which will become a €1,000 a night luxury hotel and the global hotel chain the Four Seasons is also building a 150-room hotel on the coast near Ostuni.  

The knock-on effect from this will also have an increase on the property prices here in Puglia….so really the time is now if you want to get a slice of the action and snap up a bargain.

Imagine centuries-old masserias and trulli houses just waiting to be restored to their former glory.

Quaint apartments in historical centers by the sea. 

Puglia has it all.

Purchasing Your Dream Home in Puglia

Now I know that buying a property in Italy without proper guidance can seem incredibly overwhelming and it stops many from taking action and making their dream a reality. 

If you are needing some guidance on how to confidently buy your dream home in Italy, then join my community “How to Confidently Buy Property in Italy and live La Dolce Vita” and ensure that you register for my FREE 3 day property buying course which I will be hosting the first weekend in May. Places on the course are limited so make sure you register to avoid disappointment! 

Looking forward to connecting with you to help you realize your dream of your own property in “la bella Italia”! 

Not the two-legged kind but the four-walled kind. 

I am doing my daily ritual of scouring through the property portals checking to see if anything new has come online that I haven’t seen…..you have to be quick these days especially in Puglia.

My name is Nikki Taylor and I am a real estate expert, specializing in helping foreigners purchase their dream home in Italy.

And now it’s my turn.

So I decided to document this journey, with the viewpoint of sharing, the good, the bad, and the downright ugly that goes hand in hand with property purchasing in Italy, along with some of my Aussie humor thrown in for good measure. 

It’s funny really as after years of helping people all around the world, just like you, purchase their dream home in Italy, I am now my own real-life case study.

And what I have come across in the very early days of my journey, being someone who not only works in the industry but speaks the language has shocked the hell outta me! 

I will be sharing an ongoing series with you all, of my findings, with the viewpoint of giving you all some invaluable tips as to what to look out for and what NOT to do.

In my free community “How to Confidently Buy Property in Italy and live La Dolce Vita” I am also documenting a vlog of my experience which will be super informative and also giving a very satirical insight into what it means to purchase property in Italy.  I will be also running a FREE 3-day training course this month on buying property in Italy which is in high demand so make sure you join the group to get updates on how to get onto the waitlist! 

A little about me for those of you who do not know who I am. I am from Australia and have been living in Italy for over six years working in the real estate and holiday rentals industries. My work has been featured in some of the best publications in the world and I totally love what I do. Seeing others achieve their dream of a home in Italy is what totally lights me up and now finally it is my turn to be in the hot seat.

I thought that working in the industry and having a bunch of local contacts where we are looking to buy would really help me out. But it turns out that this has been the hardest property transaction that I have come across in the various properties I have purchased around the world.

We are looking to buy in Ostuni, Puglia. 

Puglia is going through an incredible boom right now and it really is no surprise. Properties are flying off the portals like hotcakes and the inventory isn’t being regenerated as quickly! 

Let me share with you a few pointers that I have come across in my search which you need to look out for that are little “traps” that most come across.

The concept of habitable space 

We are looking for one of those old Mediterranean-style villas with the stairs that go up on the side and the flat roof – aperitivo with a view, right? 

Being a family of four with two small boys, having some ample space to run around in not only outside but inside is of paramount importance to us so little poky rooms will not make the grade. 

It is really important to have your wits about you when reading the real estate ads. Especially when it comes to the square meterage of a property.

So here is a prime example. See a property that has 130sqm. I get all excited as our minimum is 120sqm and upon further inspection, the property is split into two parts. The main house and the “deposito” underneath. The deposito usually is extremely large in size and they count that as part of the sqm footprint of the house.

But be careful that this does not constitute “habitable space”. The deposito is usually transformed into either a second living area or other bedrooms but if you have intentions of using this property as a future holiday rental then you are not legally able to have non-habitable space listed as bedrooms, you can get into a lot of trouble! 

So what I am seeing is really 80sqm for example of a living space with a 40sqm deposito. That is not going to be big enough for a family of four. 

The concept of “casa abusiva”

So when you see these depositos being made into habitable space this taps into the “casa abusiva” process. Where there has been some sort of modification made, but without the approval of the local council. It is imperative that before you make any official house purchase that you make sure you send a reliable “geometra” (surveyor) to the property to inspect whether the house is actually legal.

Here is a prime example of a “casa abusiva”. I was doing some property finding for a 1:1 client and we saw this property that was INCREDIBLE. It had 3 bedrooms in the main house and an attached trullo with a fourth bedroom. The problem was, is that the two bedrooms downstairs were actually originally the garage (deposito). A garage does not classify as habitable space and using the space as two bedrooms make that a “casa abusiva”. If you are planning on utilizing the property as a holiday rental, which was the goal of my client, it is a big no no to state that a property has X amount of bedrooms when in fact two are illegal. It is these sorts of things you really need to be on the lookout for. 

If you purchase a property that has issues due to the fact that it is illegal, you inherit those properties as the new owner if you have not rectified them pre-sale.

Due diligence is key! What does that mean? It means having the rightteam behind you; i.e. lawyer, surveyor, etc who do all the preliminary checks before you are putting down money to purchase the property. You want to be 100% sure that what you are buying, is not riddled with issues. 

The elusive estate agent that does not call back

Now, this is something that riles me, a lot. In Australia and the UK where I have lived, it is totally inconceivable to think that you would be calling a real estate agent repeatedly wanting information on a property only to get totally ignored. I honestly do not know why some agents just do not call back, or even email back for that matter but I come across this a lot and this is one of the things I hear the most in my community,

But it happens a lot here. In my bespoke mastermind group, I take the stress of my clients having to call the agents and I do it all on their behalf because it can be downright hard not only getting through to them but also asking the vital questions that you need to ask, not knowing whether they speak English.

Having a bilingual representative on your behalf can save you thousands of costly errors.

I thought the other day that I came across “the one”. I must have called the agent no joke about 25 times on his mobile and to this day, more than 2 weeks later he has never called me back. 

It’s mind-boggling!

Same property, different listing prices

Now, this is where being attentive to the portals really does come in handy. As it is very common for the same property to be listed by multiple agents here and with different listing prices so you really do need to scour through the portals with fine detail! Some owners do not want to be tied to one particular agent and prefer the multiple listing option, hence having various agents list the same property. 

I’m hoping that my next update to you all will have some good news!! I continue to search multiple times a day for “the one”…..it is out there just waiting for us.