Capo Boi's activity

Thats quite a big spread but unfortunately price differences (maybe not as big as this) are quite common. The important thing is to identify who the actual estate agent selling the property is and approach them directly. Many companies providing "property services" are not in fact registered agents and make their money from people purchasing at inflated prices. Its very important to do your own research and drill down into whatever property you are looking at. (look at what comparable properties are selling at, on a m2 basis for example). Its hard, but many people are in denial that they initially paid over the going rate for their property.

You could well be right SirTK. Euro has been weak on Greece's bailout troubles.

alan h is correct. The initial EU grants which I believe have been heavily cut back since around 2001, were country specific grants designed to promote the production of high quality olive oil. They were based on actual production of the said oil, not on the number of trees farmed; otherwise anyone could start planting a run of the mill olive tree. (no-one would ever abuse the system!). Grants were passed down from central govt. to regional govt, eventually finding their way into the comune system administered by the local CopAgri. Best of luck, though, in applying.

As always, thats very good advice from Ram. Thats what I was trying to say but Ram expresses himself much better than me.

Correct, to the best of my knowledge, karenr. Also, persistent non payment (apart from fines) as with non submitance of legally obliged tax returns can lead to a "possession order" being issued on one's property. Its good that you have gone to a commercialista.

The role of the Notaio, is essentialy to transfer an unburdened legal property title to you. (ie free of existing mortgages unless otherwise agreed). That is the extent that they work on your behalf. Its not his/her job to point out that planning permission has been granted for a new road next to your property or that the local commune have a right to charge you €1,000 for your share of new street lights or that the local farmer still has a 50 year right to cultivate your land although he has not done so for many years. That is the role of the solicitor. They have a responsibility to the best of their knowledge and using all available information to point out any known elements that may adversely affect you in the future and have a potentially negative impact on your  property's value. You don't have to employ a solicitor to do your conveyancing in the UK but its strongly advised. Italy is no different despite most people not using one to save costs. Its up to you, but if you employ a regulated solicitor (UK or Italy)  then you will have access to the appropriate compensation fund if anything untoward happens that was not initially pointed out to you. For peace of mind, I would strongly advise using one.

www.national-lottery.co.uk/player/p/help/faqs.ftl#int_GetStarted3 My understanding is that although you can access the national-lottery from Italy, under Italian law its illegal to play here. So, for any large winnings, you run the risk that they will be forfeited if using Italian internet access. Have heard however, that small amounts are normally paid out.

Excellent, sprostoni.

Marco wanted to buy a parrot to keep his wife company. His wife being a bit of a gossip and not having too many friends, the idea of a talkative parrot appealed.   He sees two in the window of his local pet shop. "I'm interested in buying a parrot", he says to the pet shop owner. "How much for the one on the left?". "€5,000" replies the pet shop owner. "€5,000" says Marco. "Thats a lot of money. I know this is Italy but €5,000 for a parrot looks ridiculous to me". "It may seem that to you" said the pet shop owner "but the parrot can sing O Sole Mio better than Pavarotti ever could. Only one cornetto, he can do that as well". "What about the other one?" said Marco. "€10,000" said the pet shop owner.  "You astound me" said Marco "why such a high price?". "Every Verdi opera" the petshop owner said ,"whether its, Il Trovatore, La Traviate, or even Un ballo in mashera, the parrot can sing in a voice that makes the upper tier of La Scalla cry" (Ed. very high). "Have you anything else to offer says Marco?" (obviously impressed by what he's heard but not totally convinced about the prices). "Well as a matter of fact" says the pet shop owner," I've another parrot out the back, but I've never heard him speak. If you want him, his price is  €30,000".   "€30,000 for a parrot that you have never heard speak. How can you possibly justify that price?" said Marco.  "Well" said  the pet shop owner, "the other two parrots call him "Il maestro".

I completely agree with you alan h and mostly I agree with you as well marco-architetto (I've posted on this in the past). I will add, however, that if you are sterling based, then currency fluctuations easily outweigh property price movements in Italy (at least in the 'short term'). I personally know of one couple in the last twelve months who found their ideal property and had their bid accepted on it.  When the actual time came to complete, the price in sterling terms had risen by 8% because of sterling's fall. They still proceeded with the purchase but since then, sterling has rebounded and house prices in Italy have fallen by maybe 6%. Today they own a property that if they were to resell and convert the proceeds back into sterling, and when you include transaction costs, its quite possible that they would be looking at a loss of something like 25-30%. And this is all within one year. However, for anyone who's bought in the past, the euro's appreciation has easily outweighed domestic price falls. But the fact remains the same that currency movemements can have a huge impact on one's financial wellbeing. (And no, not connected to any FX company).