Any advice appreciated

Hi,
we are comming over to Scalea soon with a view to looking to buy a property and wondered if there is any advice anyone would give us with regard to buying there in terms of the legalities etc, and would we need someone in the UK to advise us?

JP

Hi JP,

We didn't use anyone in the UK to advise us but there is the likes of John Howell & Co (http://www.europelaw.com/) that offer that sort of service if you would feel happier with an English Solicitor on your side. The website is very comprehensive and does spell out all the steps but bear in mind they are likely to point out all the 'what could go wrong' scenarios as they are touting for business!

When I did some research it seemed to me that the things they offered were very valuable but some of them were duplications of the things that the Notary would be doing as part of their service (and being a skinflint! I decided to just 'go with the flow' and let the process take it's course).
If there was anything unusual about the purchase I would say it would be advanageous to have an English solicitors input (for instance if there is anyone with pre-emptive rights over land - which usually would only be relevant if you were buying a very large acreage) but it is important to do whatever makes you feel most comfortable.

It is quite a leap of faith to go through a legal process that is different to anything you will have experienced before and we did have some stress along the way (mainly because of worrying that something would go horribly wrong - and the Italians seem so laid back) but it all comes together and is really very straightforward.

If we can help you with anything else (as someone who has 'been there and got the T-shirt) just post a message, we'll be happy to help.

So far our experiences have been nothing other than positive.
Good luck with your search for your ideal property - I'm sure you won't regret it!
Best wishes, Lesley & Brian

Hi Lesley and Brian,

Thanks for your response as it was quite reassuring and has taken a bit of the anxiety and trepidation away.

I was told by an acquaintance that a Giometro (not sure on spelling) is needed and acts in the buyers interests in the same way a surveyor would in the UK.

Did you use this service or just the notary?

Lat question if that’s OK …….. How do you like Scalea as we have not been there before and it sounds ideal from the descriptions we have read and pictures we have seen but hearing it first hand would be nice?

Kindest regards

JP

[richard]

Hi JP

We have just come back from Scalea and agreed to buy a property there in the centro storico. We enlisted the help of David and Tony, contactable through this website. Without their help I would say buying in Italy is a daunting prospect if you don't speak the language. I have bought and sold many UK properties but italy has its own peculiarlties that could put off a buyer that was used to the formality of the English process. Tony speaks fluent Italian and will arrange viewings through local agents and guide you through the negotiations with the seller, he does this with great tact and diplomacy, we always felt he was on our side even though he has all parties to keep happy. I would reccommend buying an e book called Italian Property Secrets, some of its content is stating the obvious but we found it to be pretty true to reality and it reassured us that our experience was the norm. Scalea itself is a great little town with just the right amount to do without being over busy (except August) Good luck with your search. Richard and Helen

Originally Posted by jpfable

Hi Lesley and Brian,
Thanks for your response as it was quite reassuring and has taken a bit of the anxiety and trepidation away.
I was told by an acquaintance that a Giometro (not sure on spelling) is needed and acts in the buyers interests in the same way a surveyor would in the UK.
Did you use this service or just the notary?
Lat question if that’s OK …….. How do you like Scalea as we have not been there before and it sounds ideal from the descriptions we have read and pictures we have seen but hearing it first hand would be nice?
Kindest regards
JP

Hi jpfable (Do you have a name 8-) ?)
We also used Tony & David of Scalea Property Services http://www.scalea-property.com/
to help us find our villa and their assistance was absolutely invaluable as we do not speak Italian. Tony helped us with translation in dealing with the estate agents, at the notary and at the bank.
David spent ages with us at the furniture shop helping us make sure we ordered the precise kitchen we wanted as again we would have struggled with the language.
Prior to that they arranged accommodation for our viewing trip and the trip when we were awaiting the notary and we were delighted to meet up with them recently when we were there for the first time to stay in our new home.
Anyway, enough of my testimonial (I couldn't praise them highly enough and would class them as trusted friends now too) and back to the question.
No, we didn't engage a geometra as we didn't think a geometra would point out anything that wasn't obvious (and it would be another expense). Our house is fairly recently built and I would have thought differently if it was a ruin for restoration as the requirements for bringing an old building up to present day standards (ie for being able to withstand earthquakes etc) would have benefitted from the input of a Geometra - and in that case the appointment would have been needed to oversee the restoration.
Also the Notary is legally obliged to act impartially and will carry out various searches to confirm things such as:
Ownership and status
Local land registry to check for registered charges or other burdens
The presence of easements or servitù as they are called in Italy
Company searches if buying from a company
Compliancy
Local authority and planning

Having said that, again I would re-iterate that it is important that everyone does whatever they feel is important to them and what will make them feel most comfortable - at the end of the day the hope is that the purchase of a dream home should be a pleasure not a trial 8-)))

I hope this helps, i can only speak from my own experiences and in cases of doubt would always advocate seeking profesional advice,
If there is anything else you'd like to know just let us know.
Very best wishes, Lesley & Brian

Originally Posted by jpfable

Hi Lesley and Brian,
How do you like Scalea as we have not been there before and it sounds ideal from the descriptions we have read and pictures we have seen but hearing it first hand would be nice?
Kindest regards
JP

Hi again JP,
Answer now re Scalea.
We think it is a super place as it has lots of places to eat, drink and shop but it's not like a typical English or Spanish seaside resort (thank goodness!!).
I suppose it will depend what you are looking for.
We were keen to find a spot that wasn't influxxed by English trying to create another English place abroad (so I haven't seen any cafes along the beach offering 'English All Day Breakfasts' or happy hour pubs - phew).
It is real Italy - and that won't suit everyone - but from the place we stayed first visit we could see mountains in one direction and the sea in another - and the drive across when we left the mountains and then hit the coast has to be seen to be believed. The hill towns perched high are spectacular and the centro storico in Scalea is amazing.
Similarly the centro storico in our town (Belvedere Marittimo) is beautiful (PM me and I'll send you yet more photos).
The thing that sold it to us was the friendliness of the people and that has been borne out on our last visit when our neighbours arrived on our first morning with a box full of freshly picked peaches, aubergines and peppers from their orto (vegetable garden) to welcome us.
If you pick up a copy of the latest Italia magazine http://www.italia-magazine.com there is a feature on Calabria (including Scalea) and you might recognise a certain couple in the article 8-(

Very best wishes, any other questions please get in touch - we are more than happy to give the benefit of our particular experiences - and would also like to address any potential downfalls.
Very best wishes, Lesley & Brian

Hi Lesley and Brian,
I did PM you yesterday but not sure if it worked.
I had asked if you would send some pictures as it would be nice to see more of the area.
I am now the proud owner of Italia Magazine and have seen the stars of the article on Calabria. It was a nice piece and again helpfull
Look forward to the pics.
Kindest regards
JP (John)

Originally Posted by jpfable

Hi Lesley and Brian,
I did PM you yesterday but not sure if it worked.
I had asked if you would send some pictures as it would be nice to see more of the area.
I am now the proud owner of Italia Magazine and have seen the stars of the article on Calabria. It was a nice piece and again helpfull
Look forward to the pics.
Kindest regards
JP (John)

Hi Jp,
Message received and I replied earlier today (or tried to).
Am a little worried that because I attached quite a few pics then it may be a very large message in terms of kilobytes or whatever they are.
Shall try again with just a couple of photos.
Can you let me know if it gets to you, please?
Thanks for the kind words re the Italia mag article and our 15 minutes of fame 8-) ...
Lesley & Brian

Hi JP(John)

When are you coming to Scalea on a viewing trip? I am coming on the 6th. of october..

Kind regards Susanne

Hi Susanne,
Sorry, I missed your posting as not logged on for a few days and you will be in Scalea as I type I guess.
Please mail me when you get back and tell me what you think of your visit as I am not going over until end of October.
Kindest regards
JP

Hi Susanne,
Sorry, I missed your posting as not logged on for a few days and you will be in Scalea as I type I guess.
Please mail me when you get back and tell me what you think of your visit as I am not going over until end of October.
Kindest regards
JP

Hi this is my first time to use the info.I bought in Scalea in Feb 07. David Mel & Tony from Scalea Prorerties arranged everything.I didnt use a solicitor.I was told I could pick the deeds up in about 6 months.I was back in October called to the Notary Office and collected them. It was as simple as that.Annette La Terraza

[Lynn]

We love Scalea. I can't recommend it enough. The people are wonderful and the area has lots to offer.

Originally Posted by Annette Darcy

Hi this is my first time to use the info.

Hi Annette!
Welcome to the forum
Did we meet you at D'Aprile D'Aprile in Belvedere and drag you back to our place for a drink earlier in the year?
Lesley & Brian

Yes I did meet you both in the restaurant and had a great night back at your place.I was over in early October and went in to the restaurant to book a table for dinner but it was closed and I couldn't read the sign. Because of my lack of Italian I didn't know if it was closed for the day or the of week.I was just there for a few days to get the apartment finished Now that its finished I can look forward to been able to enjoy my time in Scalea.Look forward to joining in to Scalea Forum and getting all the info about the area. Annette

Hi Annette,
I thought it must be you :lol:
D'Aprile D'Aprile is usually closed in the winter on a Tuesday (not sure if that would have been the day you called by).
But also the businesses tend to take their holidays at this time of year (after the mayhem of the busy summer period) so that might also have been the case.
I will be writing up a separate post about this restaurant as it is one of our favourites (as well as, luckily, being one that is very close to us 8-)) and I will add it to the Restaurants and Eating Out thread.
Maybe when you get back here again, and if you manage to eat there, you could chip in with your thoughts and additions?
Best wishes, see you soon in Italy, Lesley