This article intends to assist non-Italian investors who may be planning to buy homes in the bel paese. We have taken time to put together tips that will guide you on your journey towards becoming Italy’s newest home owner.

1. Make lists and maps

It is essential to evaluate what in your perspective makes a house a dream home. As much as your budget is the key factor to consider, it is equally important to look at other issues such as the size, location, climate and future market expectations. This will come in handy when you are shopping around because from your preferences, you can be able to isolate the properties that meet your expectations from those that do not.

The length of your list should be determined by the duration of your visit and flexibility of your needs. We recommend that the list should be arranged chronologically from the most to the least qualified property. Gate-Away.com offers you a useful tool that gives you the chance to save a list of the preferred properties that you find on our portal so you can keep them permanently to hand from any device: “My Shortlist”.

Then, noting them on a map will further make your tour more organised and less strenuous.

2. Ask before leaving

To avoid surprises and/or disappointments, you should confirm that the properties that you are going to see with your eyes on are still on the market and that there has been no change in pricing. In the occasion of an alteration, a buyer can opt to either tone down his/her list by eliminating the affected property or to substitute it with another one.

3. Open up to the agent

Most foreign buyers employ the services of real estate agents. These agents generally expect that you are well aware of what you are looking for. But in the case that you are unsure of what best suits you or you have no idea about which are you’d like to live, it is prudent to open up to the agent and request for guidance. A good agent will have knowledge of properties that are on the market. From these, you can choose the ones that you think will be most ideal for you.

4. Visit the property first

Before you embark on a tour of Italy’s magnificent scenery, it is advisable to first visit the properties that you plan to buy. Doing this will allow you enough time to revisit the property that you find to be most interesting at the end of your tour. Most foreign buyers tend to get so captivated by this ‘boot-shaped’ country that they deviate from their initial schedule. This leaves them with little time to examine property leading to rushed decisions.

5. Experience Italy

Taking time to get acquainted with the culture and traditions of the community living around the location you want to invest in is a wise move. Most people overlook this forgetting that they will be part of the same community if they buy property in Italy. This is not to say that failing to do so will cause future strife. Italians are some of the most agreeable people in the world – but is it not just nice to know how to relate to your neighbours?

6.Take notes

Finally, make note of the features of properties that you like and dislike. If possible, take as many photos as you can so that when you go back home, they can aid you to make an informed decision.

Investing in real estate anywhere is a smart move; but investing in Italy’s is a brilliant move.

[Featured image by elevenItaly]