Hello, I'm looking for someone (not a realtor apparently) to show me a few properties in Southern Tuscany -- away from the HUGE crowds -- though I know nowhere is truly safe. Thinking just over the border from Umbria or maybe northern Umbria. Anyone have a recommendation for someone who might spend a day with me (even for a fee?) I'll be in Italy mid October.
You could use a realtor, but just go into it understanding the differences between realtors in Italy and in the US. Don't expect a lot, and maybe you will be pleasantly surprise. And if the service is terrible, at least you won't have been expecting much. On the other hand, I can think of one friend (American) who has lived in Panicale (Umbria, near Tuscan border) for about 20 years. This sounds like the area you are talking about and she might be helpful... can you WhatsApp me and I can pass you to her and you can ask...
Love the before and after photos! We just bought a little house in Umbria, with surprisingly few snags along the way. I’m hoping things keep going smoothly. There’s an unfinished cellar I want to turn into a little bookshop. 💕 So dealing with a renovation project is in my future. Fingers crossed!
Hi Sarah, Fantastic that you've not run into traumas! And a bookshop in your cellar sounds fabulous! Yes, finally arriving at the place where I can post before & after photos is a relief. Too bad I couldn't wave a wand in order to arrive at that place!
We just finished a fixer upper in the UK, doing most of the work ourselves, and that had its challenges enough. Kudos to you for creating a beautiful space for yourself and dealing with all the bureaucracy, etc.
I did not realize going into it how brutal it can be. Probably partly due to the romanticism about fixing up a house in Tuscany---a prevalent trope in books, movies, and in people's imaginings for decades. It's the prevailing view and it sure didn't help prepare me for how brutal it can be.
Oh you & I need to meet and have a loooong talk. We are going to need wine. Our buying process was a nightmare (a ridiculous agent, an angel of a seller) We put in radiant heating. We are now at the absolute worst part of the entire process. Our things arrived from Rome last week but the stairs are not finished, the kitchen is still in the cortile & there is no electricity downstairs. All that said, thank goodness for good engineers.
Sounds like a nightmare of frustration expense and HUGE learning curve. Our friends did it. 20 years ago with builders and an architect in Torrita di Sienna. A small town close to Montipulciano....the red tape and slow time-lines were their nightmare at the time.
You finally did achieve your dream Chandi in spite of all the obstacles. Another proud achievement for you. Bravo !!
Hello, I'm looking for someone (not a realtor apparently) to show me a few properties in Southern Tuscany -- away from the HUGE crowds -- though I know nowhere is truly safe. Thinking just over the border from Umbria or maybe northern Umbria. Anyone have a recommendation for someone who might spend a day with me (even for a fee?) I'll be in Italy mid October.
Hi Jane,
You could use a realtor, but just go into it understanding the differences between realtors in Italy and in the US. Don't expect a lot, and maybe you will be pleasantly surprise. And if the service is terrible, at least you won't have been expecting much. On the other hand, I can think of one friend (American) who has lived in Panicale (Umbria, near Tuscan border) for about 20 years. This sounds like the area you are talking about and she might be helpful... can you WhatsApp me and I can pass you to her and you can ask...
Love the before and after photos! We just bought a little house in Umbria, with surprisingly few snags along the way. I’m hoping things keep going smoothly. There’s an unfinished cellar I want to turn into a little bookshop. 💕 So dealing with a renovation project is in my future. Fingers crossed!
Hi Sarah, Fantastic that you've not run into traumas! And a bookshop in your cellar sounds fabulous! Yes, finally arriving at the place where I can post before & after photos is a relief. Too bad I couldn't wave a wand in order to arrive at that place!
We just finished a fixer upper in the UK, doing most of the work ourselves, and that had its challenges enough. Kudos to you for creating a beautiful space for yourself and dealing with all the bureaucracy, etc.
Thanks Anna Marie ☺️ My nerves were very much in tatters by the end.
So daunting! And yet so interesting about those strong cultural differences.
Hi Sarah!
I did not realize going into it how brutal it can be. Probably partly due to the romanticism about fixing up a house in Tuscany---a prevalent trope in books, movies, and in people's imaginings for decades. It's the prevailing view and it sure didn't help prepare me for how brutal it can be.
Great article about buying there!
Learned a lot.
You are a strong bad ass!
Hope you are relaxing and enjoying.
Thanks Lindy! Glad it was interesting for you 😃
Oh you & I need to meet and have a loooong talk. We are going to need wine. Our buying process was a nightmare (a ridiculous agent, an angel of a seller) We put in radiant heating. We are now at the absolute worst part of the entire process. Our things arrived from Rome last week but the stairs are not finished, the kitchen is still in the cortile & there is no electricity downstairs. All that said, thank goodness for good engineers.
I'm in Gillian! Sharing with someone else who has lived it is the only way to truly get the stress of it out!
Sounds like a nightmare of frustration expense and HUGE learning curve. Our friends did it. 20 years ago with builders and an architect in Torrita di Sienna. A small town close to Montipulciano....the red tape and slow time-lines were their nightmare at the time.
You finally did achieve your dream Chandi in spite of all the obstacles. Another proud achievement for you. Bravo !!
Ciao Margery, definitely a big learning curve! Thanks for your sweet comment 😀