Up until the moment you, the client, finds the perfect house our service is completely free. First of all, and most importantly, we will listen to you: every client's requirements are different, it is our job (and one which we do well) to find the right property for each client. There is nothing to be gained from us showing you properties that are too small, too expensive or any other variable that doesn't closely match your criteria.

We will then accompany you on viewing trips to visit the selected properties and supply you with basic information and documentation about the various properties to help with your search. Our sales team, all of whom have lived in the area for some time, will use their expertise and knowledge of Italy and its diverse regions as well as everything connected with buying a property here to help guide you through the process and make the experience as simple and stress-free as possible. For all of this we make no charge.

On your behalf we will negotiate with vendors and prepare offer letters in English and Italian. Once an offer is accepted we will carry out a number of searches and checks on the property, such as:

• - Is the property (buildings and land) registered correctly?
• - Was the property built with approved planning permission?
• - Was all work carried out with official approval and according to current regulations?
• - Does the vendor match the Land Registry Office details as the owner of the property?
• - Are there any outstanding mortgages or debts?
• - Are there any claims or liens on the propert

In addition we will:

• - Obtain an Italian fiscal code for our clients, without which one cannot buy a property
• - Help clients to open a local bank account
• - Through our restorations team advise on costs of any work needed
• - Provide advice on foreign exchange, finance and mortgages

Once this process is complete, we will prepare a preliminary contract known as a 'compromesso' again in both English and Italian. This is a binding legal agreement setting out the terms of the sale including a final closing date: it is a commitment to buy the property and pay the agreed price at the time of signature and is accompanied by a deposit which, should either party decide to pull out of the sale, is forfeited by the buyer or repaid double by the vendor. At this stage agency commission of 3% of the agreed purchase price is due to Italian Property.

The final stage is closing or the 'rogito': this takes place at an agreed time and place infront of a Notary and usually requires both parties to be present. The Notary has a duty to ensure that all documents are correct and accurate, that the buyer is clear about the size and location of the property he is buying and is responsible for the payment of all taxes relating to the purchase.

The purchaser is liable to pay the following:

• - Registration Tax - 10% for non-residents, 4% for residents and 18% for land other than that which immediately surrounds the property. These rates are applied to the cadastral value of the property and not the sale price.
• - The Notary's fees.
• - Bank transfer charges.
• - Geometra fees (if applicable) for survey reports etc.

Included in the services of Italian Property are:

• - Conveyance fees including all searches and related documentation.
• - Translation costs of contract documents.
• - Post sales support for the first 6 months including the re-assignment of all utilities bills, registration for ICI (annual house tax), advice on insurance etc.

At the time of purchase we will provide you with a complete list of the costs that will be incurred: as a rule of thumb you should allow between 12% and 15% in addition to the purchase price to cover all the costs.

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