F.A.Q.

Q. Why should I buy a home in Venice?

A. You may be looking for somewhere to spend your holidays or for a Venice apartment to rent out to holidaymakers. Or you even may be planning to retire to the place of your dream.
No need for a car, the airport 12 minutes away by boat, the history, the food, the art, the architecture, the language, the timeless charm, possibly the world’s most romantic city, Venice is certainly the most remarkable.
And don’t forget that property is an excellent capital investment in a city, like Venice, with endless prices increasing.

Q. Where to start?

A. First of all ask yourself:

• How much do you want to spend? What size of property are you looking for?
• Will it be a holiday home or are you planning to live there all year round?
• Are you thinking or renting out the property? Do you see the property as an investment?
• Do you want a property ready to live in or would you consider buying and restoring a property?

Q. Which is the best area of Venice?

A. Every area or Sestiere has different peculiarity, all are charming in their own way.
We will help you find the best solution for your needs, but it could be a good idea also spend some time in Venice to get to know the place, better in several different apartments: near san Marco, near Rialto, and in the main districts Cannaregio, Dorsoduro and Castello. So you’ll get a feel of which is the best for you. Why not start renting from us?

Q. Why should I consider a mainland “Country homes & villas”?

A. The Veneto is more than just Venice. Boasting a host of marvellous (and very ancient) cities. Verona with its rose-washed mediaeval buildings and Roman remains. Quietly unspoiled Treviso (which has its own airport), set within 16th century walls has much to offer the seeker after Italian real estate. And Padua is one of the most ancient cities in northern Italy, its big student population makes it a city with buzz and plenty to do.
Around Venice mainland there are some 5000 of the typical Venetian villas built between the 15th and 19th centuries. The Palladian style, in beautiful pink stone, was exported by Venice to its satellites. So you would find it well worth looking also at our “Country homes & villas” collection.

Q. Which are the steps of the property buying process?

A. Buying a house in Italy is no more complicated or less safe than buying a house in Britain or US. Generally, there are three steps involved in buying a property: proposal of purchase, preliminary purchase and final purchase

First Step
The first stage 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 will also be necessary to organize a survey and all 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).

Second step
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.

Third step
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 notaio or notary, 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.

Q. Must I speak Italian?

A. No, you don’t, if your cannot speak Italian, by law, the Notaio has to appoint a translator for you, the cost of which, will be included in the fees of the Notaio.
But start learning Italian can be useful.

Q. Which are the buy to let risk and opportunities?

A. The volatility of the international rental market and the rise and fall of exchange rates mean that the holiday rental market is prone to highs and lows at very short notice. So be prepared to take the ups and the downs if you want to rent, but in a good year a week holiday rental yield would more than cover any mortgage, running costs and rental expenses.

Q. Other questions?

A. Don't be afraid to ask: info@vovestates.com