The investment potential of the Brand
Increasingly, the northern dialects of investors from Turin and Milan are heard in the Marche region, next to Umbria. The British, Scandinavians and Dutch join their ranks. An important role is played by prices that are significantly inferior to the requests of sellers in neighboring areas: according to realtors working in the Brand, real estate here is 40% cheaper than in Tuscany, and 30% cheaper than in Umbria. In addition, unlike hard-to-reach Tuscany, the connection with the world is provided by the airport of the city of Ancona (its service is provided by Ryanair), and Umbria loses due to the lack of access to the sea and such stunning beaches as in Marche.
Justin Figgins, head of Rightmove Overseas, notes: "Bordering Tuscany, Marche resembles its lucky neighbor in many ways. But unlike Tuscany, the interest in this area from foreign investors is quite modest. However, since Ryanair opened regular flights between European countries and the Brand, the market has been booming for several years now: over the past two years, real estate prices have increased by 15-20%. For most investors, the Brand remains a virgin land that has yet to be mastered. Judging by the fact that prices for various objects range from $60,000-320,000, there is no doubt about the brilliant prospects of the market."
Emma Holyfield from Property Frontiers confirms the growing popularity of the area and adds: "This area is famous for its doll towns of Urbino and Macerata. For $600,000 in the Brand, you can buy an enormous country house with 15 bedrooms that requires a lot of renovation. The price of a rural mansion for a family does not exceed $99,000 and assumes the same amount of restoration work. In the Brand, museums and centenarians are found literally at every turn, everything is amazing here – picturesque rural pastorals, amazing beaches and amazing wine and gastronomic abundance. In addition, the region has excellent transport links with other parts of Italy." Analysts consider the Marche as the most important area of economic growth. According to the roughest estimates, the undeveloped part of the market here is 25%, and the region has a brilliant investment potential.
Abruzzi's discovery
South of the Marche lies the Abruzzi region, another region of central Italy, which is only 110 km away from Rome. The region borders the Marche in the north, and the Lazio region in the west and southwest. To the southeast of it is the Molise region, and to the east are the waters of the Adriatic. Lying in the center of the peninsula, Abruzzi traditionally belongs to southern Italy.
It has the lowest population density in the country and the most favorable conditions for transactions on the purchase of holiday homes. So, prices for a two-bedroom country house start at $160,000. Two-bedroom apartments within walking distance of ski resorts and just an hour from the beach can be purchased for about $69,000, according to Rightmove Overseas. The attention of Art Nouveau fans is offered spacious three-bedroom properties for a maximum of $ 20,000, to which they will have to add another $20,000 for repairs and decoration.
Abruzzi is amazingly beautiful. This is the opinion of Philip Barker from Overseas Homesearch, who believes that this region is still not open to investors, and therefore real estate is cheap here. Philip Barker predicts the highest liquidity and steady growth in the value of real estate.
Overseas Homesearch is implementing two projects in Abruzzi with prices starting from $160,000. This is, firstly, the San Donato Golf complex with a golf course, located in the town of Santi, near the capital of the region – L'Aquila. If in Spain there are golf centers at every turn, then in Italy this is a rather rare phenomenon, and the prices for a studio apartment in such complexes are $ 150,000.
The second project with similar prices is Tassido Coda – luxury apartments in the lake district near the ski resort of Scanno. Both projects are already offered for sale.
To Calabria by plane
In the south of Italy, in the "toe" of the "boot", Calabria is located – the region south of Naples. The Italian government is investing a lot of money in the development of the region. New transport interchanges are being built, and an international airport is operating in Lamezia Terme. Currently, the market is replete with projects under development and objects for sale.
Michael Moody, Commercial Director of MRI Overseas Property (Italy), is confident that Calabria is a special area of the Mediterranean: "There is a low cost of living and affordable real estate prices. Satisfying all the canons of Italian beauty, Calabria with its stunning beaches is incredibly popular with Europeans."
Robin Barrasford of Barrasford and Bird, which specializes in the sale of promising real estate, points out: "The objects are diverse – from modern villas to apartments in old restored buildings. Apartments under construction in Calabria can be purchased at a price of $90,000. For $160,000, the buyer will afford a magnificent apartment in the Isca Marina coastal complex in 5 minutes. walking distance to the beach and 30 min. drive to the airport, which will ensure the resort has a regular influx of tourists on weekends."
For the same amount, an investor can buy a two-bedroom townhouse, a three-bedroom apartment in the city center or half of a four-bedroom house in a quiet suburb. Two-bedroom apartments in Calabrian resorts cost from $66,000.
Roses and thorns
When making investments in any country, including Italy, you should pay maximum attention to the smallest details. Make sure that the agents and developers you trust to handle the transaction are reliable. Preference should be given to specialists accredited by the World Association of Realtors – AIRR. At the same time, independently collect information about the state of the local real estate market.
According to Renato Tagliaferro, who is engaged in the development of projects in the Marche area, some investors who have invested in real estate in Italy, the repair and decoration of old housing may not be up to their teeth. The $100,000-$120,000 for which they bought a country house in Mark is just the tip of the iceberg. The work ahead is serious. And it should be taken up only by those who speak Italian brilliantly and have reliable connections.
Local officials are slowing down any initiative. It has happened more than once that the new owner of real estate in the Brand, who spent three years communicating with the local authorities, eventually lost all interest in it. Nevertheless, the spouses Jan and Orietta Shirlan ventured to invest in the construction of a house in Italy. They purchased a plot of land in the town of Sabotino, 1 hour's drive from Rome, for $110,000. The plot borders the family home of Orietta, an Italian by birth. The family plans to build a three-bedroom house, which will cost another $150,000. "We bought the land and after the construction is completed, we will be able to rent out the property for short–term rentals, for example for weekends," says Jan. – We are in love with the Italian way of life, landscapes, architecture and weather. Local real estate prices are growing incredibly fast – about 10-20% per year – in our opinion, this is a great sign"
