To purchase a house in a country with an unfamiliar nature, culture and life-style requires some extra thought. The limitations in experience might make it difficult to know what you will appreciate and what in the long run will cause irritation. It requires thought, experienced advices and probably also some time in the purchasing process. It can be wise to take that tour together with someone who has the same background and references, and who has made some experience along the way.
We love the Sicilian temper, but to quietly stand in the background and calmly await a process taking its time – no, it’s just not their thing.
Another problem is that it simply is not possible to get information regarding houses for sale in another language other than Italian. A bitter experience soon to learn is that real estate brokers do not speak English on phone and that the email address posted on the web site does not fulfill any purpose at all. Dead end.
The next available alternative is to go there, do some sightseeing and look for real estate brokers in the areas of interest. Much better, but… the communication is still in Italian, the purchasing procedure is complicated and the possibility of understanding the procedure for buying and many more important points are limited. Are there any rural development plans for the neighbourhood? What about taxes for the property? Why should I pay half the brokerage? etc.etc.
We have agreements with a number of brokers in Sicily, but we also sell properties directly from the seller. You tell us your needs and priorities and we make a selection of suitable properties for you. Together we organise a “viewing tour” and go with you to look around both the properties and the area.
Our fee structure:-
We work on a flat fee in order to guarantee that we will do our very best to help you achieve best price on the property. These are based on a sliding scale rate as follows:
Properties of up to 100.000 Euros = 5.000 Euros
100.000 – 150.000 Euros = 7.500 Euros
Over 150.000 and thereafter Euros = 10.000 Euros
Prices are exclusive of VAT charges.
These charges include our advice and help throughout the complete buying process, if needed to achieve financing here in Italy and the opening of Bank and Utility accounts.
We can, if necessary, also make an introduction to Barclays/Woolwich Bank in Palermo in order to facilitate a Mortage facility on the property chosen.
Take your time to think your priorities through. A first step is to fill the contact form out. We will then search for suitable properties and email descriptions and pictures over. Think once more to see if the feeling is right. Then we can have a discussion over the phone to be even more precise. When you feel ready, we decide together a date when you can come to Sicily to have a look at the properties we have chosen. There is no obligation to buy, we just want you to fall in love with the island just as we did!
