SCALEA PROPERTY (REAL ESTATE) AGENCY. FORUM, PHOTO, VIDEO. SCALEA (CALABRIA ITALY). BUY OR SALE SEASIDE HOUSE, APARTMENT, VILLA IN SCALEA (SOUTHERN ITALY)

Normally buying freehold property in Italy is arranged in two stages:

Stage One

Either directly or with the assistance of an agent (Mediatore/Agente) the foreign buyer will need to select the property, obtain some basic information and documentation and negotiate general terms of purchase (time and price). The buyer will be asked to sign a reservation agreement and pay a deposit (usually 10% or 6000 Euros which ever is greater) to the agent. Also, at this stage you’ll can open own Italian Bank Account and need to obtain Codice Fiscale. When this is completed buyer returns to his home Country.

Property checks and searches

At this stage it will also be necessary to organize a survey, local land registry searches, and all necessary checks with the local authorities (Commune), as far as local planning and building regulations are concerned. This work is usually undertaken by a local surveyor (Geometra) and Public Notary (Notaio), which usually organised by Agency. If these searches reveal any problems regarding the sale of the property then the sale cannot be completed and you will get your deposit back in full. Usually these checks and searches take around 1–2 weeks to carry out.

Checks carried out by Geometra:
— The property matches the Land Registry definition
— The property was not built without planning permission
— Any work done, have received approval and have had the relevant taxes paid
-The owners as Land Registry Office are same as stated by the vendor

Checks carried out by Notary:
-The vendor is the legal owner of the property and is Entitled to sell the house
-There are no debts or mortgages on the house
-There are no written liens or burdens
-The vendor is aware that they must declare any outstanding private agreements regarding the
property, For example is the vendor has agreed to allow to someone to build or extend within the
minimum laid down by Italian law or has given a friend a right of way across the property

Stage Two

The last stage relates to the completion formalities which normally take place in the offices of a Local Notary. Notaries have a special duty of drafting the Purchase Deed and to ensure the proper execution, registration, and payment of all Italian taxes ancillary to the completion. Before this stage you will need to transfer balance to seller, or to own Italian account or to Agency’s account so funds are cleared BEFORE you are going to Notary.