A Second Home in Italy?

It is something I never considered. A second home in Italy? You must be joking. However loveable Italians are, Italian bureaucracy drives even Italians crazy!

I was thus mildly surprised when my monitoring system started showing extraordinary foreign interest in Italian holiday property.

The searches on the Internet for “second home in Italy”, “Ferienhäuser (or ferienhaeuser) Italien”, and “Italy vacation homes” were just too high to ignore. I reasoned that the interest rates in Europe are so low that people are looking at other investments. I knew for some time about the huge interest in the US for rural property especially in North Carolina. But why would Americans be looking at “Italy vacation homes”? Not for rental as I initially thought!

It was time for me to investigate. Whenever we visit some rural area in Italy away from the main tourist routes I looked for the local property agent. Offers on renovated rural homes with all creature comforts are in good supply. Prices are reasonable depending on the area. I noticed that the advertisements in the shop window were often in German and sometimes even in English!

We looked initially at rural areas in Toscana and Umbria, but it was soon clear to us that we missed that boat! Then we “discovered” the Montefeltro region of the province of Marche in Italy which borders on Toscana and Umbria. We fell in love with this region and its people.

If you want to have a second home in Italy you’ve got to get some intense exposure to the Italian Language and Culture. The Montefeltro Language and Culture Centre offers just that. A course than makes you virtually a member of the community. The word “course” is too cold and clinical. It is more like a visit to dear distant family that embrace you with passion and introduce you to their language, culture, and way of life. You can read about our experience at http://www.food-italian.com.

The last apartment available in the tiny walled medieval city of Frontino sold for €125,000. The foreign buyers had to spend some money to get it renovated. Two bathrooms and three bedrooms. (The community helped them through the purchase and renovation before they even attended the Language and Culture course!) Spacious lounge with dining area and kitchen and a lovely balcony. When the Montefeltro area becomes fashionable, which is inevitable, this property will sell at three times the price.

Nearby Carpegna and Villagrande have developments of modern apartment-blocks with apartments for sale.

A second home in Italy’s Montefeltro region is a viable purchase. Do it before the crowds arrive. But even if you never want to own a second home in Italy, treat yourself and your spouse to a course at the Montefeltro Language and culture Centre. Where you can literally live your dream about Italy. Where you will discover a well preserved ‘old Italy’ in all its dazzling facets.

Kind regards.

Philip de Bruin