With the summer season commencing in May, now is the time to start planning your home staging strategy to ensure your property is designed appropriately before your marketing campaign starts to kick in for the summer. 

Here are my top tips for a successful Home Stage:

1. Identify your ideal client

Now this might seem obvious but it would surprise you how many people try to cater for families when offering a tiny apartment, with a mezzanine bed and no living space! Know your market! Know your client! 

If you are looking to attract families, ensure that your property is adequately equipped with the essentials: cot, high chair and changing table. 

What are your client’s likes and dislikes? What are they looking to achieve when staying in a Holiday Rental in Italy? What kind of experience are they looking for? The more you can tap into the psyche of your ideal client, the easier it will be to tailor your property to their needs and generate repeat and recurring bookings. 

2. Don’t cram in too many beds

Now as much as the temptation to get as many sleeping spaces in your property to enhance your rental income may be, you may actually be damaging your holiday rental business in the long run. People do not want to feel on top of each other in a property, less is more. Create beautiful living spaces where you want to enjoy and relax in the property rather than feeling like you are all squashed in! 

3. A welcome basket is key

Imagine this. You are arriving into your holiday rental after your plane has been delayed for a few hours, you are arriving late and your holiday rental’s kitchen is empty. Nothing creates a better first impression than a welcome basket. It doesn’t need to be extravagant. But a little basket of water, a bottle of wine, pasta, tomatoes to make a sauce, olive oil, coffee, milk and basic breakfast essentials are key. 

You want your guests to feel looked after, that you are having their best interests at heart. Remember happy guests lead to excellent reviews and or repeat customers! 

4. A well equipped kitchen

Treat your guests to a beautifully equipped kitchen. It does not mean that your kitchen has to be exceptionally large, but more as to cater for the essentials. Pots, pans, plates, cutlery and wine glasses and let’s not forget a bottle opener for celebrating and entertaining guests whilst cooking up local gastronomic delights! 

5. Themes

Dress your property in a theme according to its location. Ideally if your property is by the beach, then opt for neutral tones. If your property is in the mountains, then opt for the traditional wooden like features throughout.

Don’t mix up the themes, it will only confuse your guests. 

6. Choosing of linens

When choosing bed linens, classical styles never go out of fashion. Fresh, soft and even lines are an excellent choice and always make sure your bed linen is matching! 

7. Services

Make sure that you provide the necessary services and items for an excellent stay; air-conditioning, heating, WIFI, TV, Cooker, kitchen facilities and excellent lighting.

8. Outdoor area

If your property has an outdoor space, make sure it is utilized to its maximum potential and create a beautiful space whether it be an outdoor dining area, so that your guests can dine alfresco under the stars, or some comfortable deck chairs so that they are able to watch the sunset from their terrace overlooking the sea.

Whatever your outdoor structure offers, make sure you are purchasing weather resistant furniture that is of a good quality! 

9. Photoshoot

Last but not least the photoshoot. Now how you present your property to the market, whether it be via the regular Holiday Rental portals such as Airbnb, or Booking, individually, your photos MUST take priority.

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.

‍

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. 

‍

• For the first time in 20 years, the dollar and euro are almost at parity
• As the summer winds down, so more property bargains appear
• Rental property demand remains high

Imagine, a year ago you would have had to exchange more than $71,000 to buy this gorgeous holiday home, but you only need to exchange about $60,000 today*.

For extra context, eight years ago you’d have had to exchange almost $84,000 to buy a €60,000 property.

If you really are serious about making your Italian property dream reality, the time to act is right now!

By exchanging dollars for euros while the dollar is so strong, you can make your money go much further. Do you really want to wait and risk having to exchange almost 40% more?

If you’re ready to start taking action, we recommend you speak to GC Partners. They’re experts in helping their clients get the very best exchange rates when making money transfers, ensuring you’re getting the most from money every time you make an exchange.

We may receive a payment from GC Partners if you visit their site from this link and complete a currency exchange using their service.

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!! 

In 2019 the holiday rentals industry exceeded $38B worldwide with more and more people opting to stay in a holiday home versus a traditional hotel.

But considering what we have gone through with the pandemic, the desire for holiday rentals has only increased. Holiday goers are preferring to stay in holiday homes with their families versus staying in hotels that are crowded environments requiring a more personalized touch and therefore the health risk is higher as opposed to staying in your own holiday home.

For this reason, some experts predict the short term rental industry is going to be one of the fastest growing sectors in the holiday rental industry.

So what does this mean for the prospective buyer looking to purchase real estate in Italy?

Forbes Magazine recently wrote that Italy is the #1 country worldwide to purchase a property that is under market value. You can read the article by clicking HERE. 

Right now we are in an extremely favourable buyers market. There are properties for sale in Italy at reduced prices in some of the most beautiful parts of the country. Think stone cottages in the rolling hills of Tuscany, seaside properties in Puglia, homes in historical hamlets in Umbria, all for a price tag less than €100,000.

These areas, and many more are areas in high demand for tourism in Italy. Therefore taking advantage of the buyers market, and putting the property on the holiday rental circuit, which can potentially generate you a long term passive income, is a win-win situation.

Buying an under market value property does not mean that you are buying a property that is completely in need of a full restoration, many properties on the market are completely habitable with some already being utilized as a Holiday Rental, generating an income. 

The opportunity to purchase your own piece of Italian history has never been more attractive and let’s face it, the attraction of Italy will never fade. Why? The answer is “cosi semplice” (so simple!)

Because it’s Italy of course! 

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!!