Central Italy is a place of many markets. Prices and demand vary wildly from area to area, depending on communication links, closeness to an airport and appeal to the second home crowds. If Tuscany remains the most prestigious and most expensive buy, Umbria is fast closing the gap, whereas Abruzzo and Le Marche offer more affordable alternatives, and Lazio is a law unto itself—it is perhaps less known to the international market than other central regions, but proximity to Rome makes it appealing to Italian second homers. So while a budget of €280,000 buys you a small cottage or a house pretty much anywhere in Central Italy, size and condition may vary. To give you an idea of what is available, we have selected three different Central Italian homes at this price point.
Casa Vacanze, Casperia, Lazio
This whitewashed village house stands in the heart of Casperia, a small medieval town in the Rieti province. This is Sabina, a hilly stretch of land north of Rome, wedged between Umbria and Abruzzo. It is a place of Romanic churches and narrow cobbled streets, stone houses and sturdy town walls, green shutters and luxuriant country vistas. It is hardly surprising then that this bright, airy two-bedroom house, which affords far reaching views over the hilly countryside towards the Monte Soratte, is already geared up as a B&B. That said, it would also make a pretty private home. It has been exquisitely renovated, blending contemporary and country style, with some interesting details such as beamed ceilings, marble flooring and a concealed wrought-iron spiral staircase linking the ground, first and second floors. The house also has a cellar with external access. For sale through Immobiliare Polidori (+39 0765 576477, www.immobiliarepolidori.it).
Villaggio Al Lago, Piegaro, Umbria
The Villaggio al Lago is a gated development of 40 cottages set in seven hectares of oak and fir tree woods on a panoramic hilltop close to Lake Trasimeno and the Tuscan border. Made of stone, the cottages echo the traditional Umbrian style, with wooden floors, terracotta tiles and exposed stone walls. They have four bedrooms—two of which have direct garden access while two have sloping ceilings—and a living room with fireplace. There is a lawned garden at the front, and a patio with barbecue area at the back. Owners also have access to a communal swimming pool, a tennis court and a football pitch. A caretaker lives on site. The cottages are sold furnished and could provide a short-let investment opportunity. For sale through Welcome Service (+ 39 339 653 1677, www.welcomeservice.it).
Podere Castello, Castel Focognano, Tuscany
This stone farmhouse stands on sunny hilltop among the forested slopes of the Casentino Toscano. It was renovated in 1981, and has since undergone maintenance work, but it originally dates from the 18th or 19th century and retains some period details such as the stone thresholds and windowsills, and the stairs linking the ground floor to the stone porch and the upper floor. Outside, a woodshed and stone porch could potentially provide additional accommodation. The land extends to 1.3 hectares of woodland, arable and gardens peppered with centuries-old oak trees. “This property offers great value for money,” says Giancarlo Segantini of selling agents Bella Toscana Immobiliare. “The fact that it is a stone property is an additional asset, particularly when it is in an interesting location with good views, and its own grounds, where it is possible to set up a swimming pool.” For further information contact Bella Toscana Immobiliare on +39 0575 352928 or www.immobiliarebellatoscana.com.
