A. Buying a house in Italy is no more complicated or less safe than buying a house in the UK or US. Generally, there are 3 steps involved in buying a property: the purchase proposal, the preliminary purchase and the final purchase.
Step 1
The first step relates to the selection of the property, survey, legal and planning searches and initial negotiations. With our assistance you will need to select the property, obtain some basic information and documentation and negotiate the general terms of the purchase. At this stage it would also be necessary to organise a survey and all the necessary checks with the local authorities, as far as local planning and building regulations are concerned. This work is usually undertaken by a local surveyor (Geometra).
Step 2
The second step is usually spent in negotiating, drafting, signing and exchanging the preliminary contract (Compromesso). The preliminary contract specifies the items and points of agreement made in the offer and turns it into a legally binding private contract. This contract also details all the relevant data of the property, fixes the purchase price, the payment method and sets a date for the final contract.
Step 3
This last step 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 (Rogito) and to ensure the proper execution, registration, and payment of all Italian taxes relating to the completion. Here, in front of the state appointed Notary (Notaio), you will be asked to pay the taxes, stamp duty and fees on your purchase, and on final signature you become legal owner and receive the deeds to the property and the keys.