Time to skedaddle

ABOUT

Time to skedaddle is designed to help customers locate their dream home in Italy. Imagine owning a home where life feels like a postcard--fresh air, stunning views, beautiful piazzas with cafes. Moving to Italy is more than a physical journey, it's a transformation. Ready to take the leap? We will guide you step-by-step through the property selection process and ultimately help welcome you to your new home. Let us be your (Italian leather) boots on the ground to help you find your own slice of la dolce vita!

For many Americans, life in Italy is the ultimate dream--a slower pace, healthier food, and a focus on family and wellness. That's where we come in! Our relocation service is dedicated to helping you find your perfect Italian home, whether its a countryside villa, coastal retreat or a cozy apartment in the heart of a city. Italy can be surprisingly affordable, with a large selection of homes from $20,000 to $70,000 that are good value. Add to that Italy's very low cost of living with fresh, inexpensive produce and $2 cappucinos. Select the area you are interested in and the size of home you desire, along with your budget. We will find the properties closest to your criteria and send photos or videos. If you decide to visit Italy for a viewing trip, we can help with that.

REAL ESTATE CONSULTING

We will guide you through the process of finding, visiting, purchasing and then moving into your new home. As an interior designer, I can even help you to decorate and furnish your new home (for a fee). We will find you properties within your budget, with some starting as low as one euro ($1.20)! Let us do the legwork and you can start dreaming of your new life!

PRICING

Pricing will be based on the number of regions you would like us to visit. For now, we specialize in Tuscany and Umbria, but will be expanding to the whole of Italy over time. Each location will be priced as follows: Tuscany alone $250 15-25 listings Umbria alone $250 15-25 listings Both regions $450 30-50 listings

Can’t I just do this on my own?

Absolutely! We encourage you to visit Italy (we suspect you will just fall more in love with it!). But our experience with buying Italian property is that as many as half the properties you end up seeing are by word-of-mouth (the friend of a friend’s cousin, for example). These do not appear on any listing sheet, but are often better priced and more negotiable.

How soon can I realistically expect to purchase my new property?

Once you have selected a property and want to proceed with a purchase, anticipate up to 6 months to actually obtain ownership. During this time, you must set up an Italian bank account, select a real estate attorney, and we would encourage you to also consult with an immigration attorney on Italian law regarding your ability to stay in Italy long-term. The closing will take place in Italy and they will require you to pay for an interpreter to be present. Any liens on the property must be settled that day, often delaying the procedure by a few hours.

Doesn’t property hunting work just like in the United States?

Not exactly! The biggest (and most frustrating!) part of property search in Italy is that they have no equivalent to the MLS (multiple listing service) that Americans enjoy. Instead of a single agent able to show you all properties in one town, each agent there can show you 1-2 properties and then another agent can show you an additional 1-2, and so on. You must contact multiple Italian-speaking agents just to see all the properties in a single location. It’s highly inefficient and requires a lot of time to set up appointments.

What exactly am I receiving for my payment?

In addition to finding multiple properties, we will take photos of not just the living areas, but also of structurally important things such as the roof, foundation, or masonry. We will photograph any evidence of water damage. We will also take photos or a video of the village itself. Are there restaurants or coffee shops, bars or a grocery store? Is there bus or train service? We’ll provide everything you need to know in determining if a property could be right for you.

What are the costs associated with purchasing property in Italy?

Taxes and professional fees will be additional to the purchase price. Four main taxes you will pay are: stamp duty, cadastral tax, land registry tax and VAT tax and other fees. Typically, the additional costs can add anywhere between 10-15% of the original purchase price. In addition, professional fees will be added and these include the notary fees for checking if there are any liens on the property, the estate agent who usually charges 3% of the price, but this is split between the buyer and seller, and fees for a translator (must be present for any language interpretation). They charge between 250-350 euros. If you choose to hire an estate attorney, these fees are negotiable and we recommend you interview several before choosing one. Their fees will vary depending on their experience and level of services required.

What are the best areas in Italy in which to purchase property?

Italy is one of those countries that offers culture, beauty and affordability! Its beautiful landscapes, delicious food, and rich history make it an excellent place to consider having a second home or even a permanent residence. There’s alpine skiing in the north, sun-drenched beaches along its nearly 5000 miles of coastline, kayaking and diving on one of its roughly 450 islands, and good eating everywhere often dictated by the geography of the region.

Below are some of our favorite places in Italy, but trust us when we say this barely scratches the surface of your choices!

Lucca, Tuscany
Lucca is just a 20 minute train ride from Pisa and enjoys a historic center with a Roman amphitheater, surrounded by a 2.5 mile town wall that encircles the city. People stroll, exercise, and bicycle on the walking path on top of the wall at all times of day, but especially at sunset. Its relative flatness (compared to hillier areas of Tuscany abutting it) makes for bicycling treks into the countryside to visit wineries and local farms. Florence is just over an hour away and makes a great day trip, as does the Cinqe Terre coastal region on the other side of Lucca.

Italian Lakes, Lombardy
For breathtaking views and excellent outdoor activities, head to Lombardy where the main four lakes are Lake Como, Lake Maggiore, Lake Garuda, and Lake Iseo. Historic mansions and palaces dot these islands which can all be visited by ferries that regularly ply the alpine waters. Weekly markets are held in area town’s that are well worth a visit for the designer fashion that comes from nearby Milan. Flying into one of the three airports that Milan offers makes it easy to visit. See why George Clooney and other A-listers have chosen to have homes here!

Olbia, Sardinia
Sardinia is Italy’s second-largest island after Sicily (just slightly larger). Jet-setters flock to the beaches of Costa Smeralda, a gorgeous stretch of coastline located between Olbia and Palau. The turquoise clear water has beaches that are backed by granite, lush foliage, and marinas that accommodate the luxury yachts that ply this stretch of fine sand and emerald color water bordered by trendy clubs, bars and restaurants.

Florence, Tuscany
Florence is considered the crown jewel of Italy’s Renaissance masterpieces. With museums housed in spectacular historical residences such as the Uffizi gallery or the Pitti Palace, the cultural relevance of Florence’s art collections is unmatched! Beautiful red rooftops can be seen from balconies that dot the cityscape, with romantic small restaurants down every winding straight. Market stalls selling leather, exquisite paper products, trendy clothing, famous cheeses and cured meats can be encountered all over the city located on the Arno River. Because Florence is so centrally located, day trips are easy and transportation choices plentiful.

Where do expats go that want a healthy lifestyle?

Italy isn’t just a destination-it’s a lifestyle. Walkable cities, a Mediterranean diet, and numerous outdoor activities make Italy a place to really amp up a healthy lifestyle.

Tuscany
Known for vineyards, rolling hills and olive groves, Tuscany boasts a mild climate with plenty of access to outdoor sports such as hiking and cycling. It has a diet rich in fresh produce and locally sourced foods and also offers a slower pace of life.

Umbria
Umbria is often called Italy’s “green heart.” It’s less touristy than nearby Tuscany and offers a more secluded lifestyle. Farm-to-table restaurants abound here, especially those featuring its celebrated truffle. Property prices are also lower than in Tuscany.

Liguria
Liguria is home to the Italian Riviera and Conde Terre, the five villages nestled in the heart if its coastline. An easy train offers the ability to get off at one or all of these charming villages. Fresh seafood is on every menu and swimming, diving and kayaking are favorite pastimes in this delightful area.

Sardinia
Home to one of five areas in the world called the Blue Zone, where people routinely live to the age of 100, this island boasts stunning beaches, mountainous villages, along with clean air, solitude and fresh seafood and produce. Its off-the-beaten path lifestyle allows for plenty of non-crowded environments in which to enjoy a host of healthy activities, such as swimming, boating and diving. Marine parks have been created in areas around the island that help Mother Nature to protect the sea mammals and fish teeming around the island.

Puglia
This southern region boasts whitewashed villages and unspoilt seaside resorts. The area is known for its heart-healthy olive oils and fresh produce. Ostuni, Lecce and Bari (a gateway for ferries to Greece) are a few of its must-see towns. The region is famous for its cone-shaped houses that dot the landscape and nearby beaches are wonderful for swimming and relaxation.

Lombardy
For a mixture of luxury with nature, this northern lakes region offers alpine hiking, boating, kayaking and swimming. The clean air makes hiking a pleasure with stunning lakeside views the reward. It’s proximity to Milan’s healthcare institutions makes any necessary medical care easy and close.

Le Marche
This hidden gem of an area boasts stunning beaches, a vibrant cultural scene and great local wines, making for an affordable, healthy lifestyle. Prices here are some of the lowest in Italy and yet it’s central location makes it easy to access the rest of Italy.

Yardley, Pennsylvania, United States

Please determine the size of property you want, location you prefer and budget. We will set up a meeting with an intake interview and then on our next property-hunting visit, generally ever 4-6 weeks, we will send you a list of homes, with photos, that fit that description. It really is that simple!

Time to skedaddle

Move to Italy, where the cost of living is lower, the food is healthier, the air is cleaner, stress levels are lower, and daily grind refers to your espresso.

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