Italian buy-to-let market offers seasonal opportunities

Overseas investors have been urged to research Italian market before committing to a purchase and they should consider a range of options.

Mark Slaviero, director of Homes in Italy has said that the Italian buy-to-let market tend to be more seasonal. He advised purchasers to think on a smaller scale like renting property for a short-term basis over the summer for, on average, 15 weeks and the possibility of marketing it as a short term-winter let is also available.

The demand as a rental commodity and rental returns of the property depends on the area they have invested. Foreign investors really need to research their destination carefully before purchasing property. Rhiannon Williamson, director of independent property publication Amberlamb has said that cheaper properties doesn't mean it will be a good idea to buy a property in a country and investors are needed to do more research into the fundamentals driving a country's property market.

Mark Slaviero pointed out that Lake Como and Tuscany are areas with high rental returns and also had higher property prices and that some investors might want to compromise by looking at emerging tourist hotspots such as Puglia. Currency specialist HiFX has stated that overseas property investors are increasingly buying rental accommodation in Italian ski resorts.

The Earth Times said that the Italian tourist board spent about £3 million for promoting tourism in Italy last year. Moreover, this also means that buy-to-let investors in popular Italian holiday destinations will be seeing higher occupancy rates.