Colletta di Castelbianco, Liguria property

Colletta di Castelbianco is medevial e-village overlooking a splendid valley surrounded by the lush Ligurian hills, is just 12 kilometers from Albenga, result of a painstaking rescue work that preserved its beauty and original style, turning it at the same time, into the very first Virtual Hamlet in Italy.

The unique project was to refurbish the deserted village with a strong hi-tech angle. Homeowners have given the hi-tech perspective to the laidback life style via a business centre in the village. It has 150sq meter building providing two business rooms and cybercafe with Broadband Internet to owners and guests alike. The launch of the business centre enhances the renovation project more sustainable. The business centre provides a chance for those who are looking for a break but also need to have regular contact with their businesses, family and friends.

Liguria-s fabulous coastline with sandy strands, rocky bays and pebbly beaches, lemon trees, almonds and pines send forth heady sweet-smelling breezes attracts tourist to this place all round the year. The place is easily accessible via Nice or Genoa. Within 90 minutes drive from Colletta di Castelbianco is Genoa airport. This is, therefore, a highly desirable place to buy property as a holiday home or a permanent residence.

Wonderfully restored homes are now available; each property in the Village has a high-speed internet connection, satellite TV and a telephone connected to the Village switchboard. Besides, the Village offers well maintained gardens, community swimming pool, a sauna, and open-air summer theatre. The gross rental return of around four - eight per cent pa is anticipated.

Studios are priced from €137,000 (approx £92,549),
One-bedrooms from €184,000 (approx £124,300),
Two-bedrooms from €318,000, (approx £214,823)
Three-bedrooms from €416,000 euros, (approx £281,026).

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New tax laws changes Italian property market

With the recent changes in tax laws, Italy has all the right ingredients for property investors to cash in that opportunity.

Fly-2let.co.uk reports that the situation favors amateur investors and non-residents who wish to buy a holiday home in Italy as it provides attractive investment asset that returns sustainable return potential.

The website explains the benefits of investing in property in Italy like the duty on the property purchases is now 4 percent whereas previously it is 17 percent, there is no stamp duty threshold as in other countries, and no capital gains tax on property profits and reduced purchase costs by using residency.

Sarah Ferrara, director of Garda Homes, clarified that the new tax changes would lure the property purchasers back to Italian shores. The changes in tax laws will definitely change property investment in Italy, with no restrictions on non-residents purchasing Italian property, which will further boost the Italian property market.

Italy has number of UNESCO world heritage sites like the historic centre of Venice and Florence. Overseas Property investors are lured by Italy's valued properties, good accessibility, and potential capital growth and top tourist markets.

Properties in unspoilt countryside of Italy

Property-Abroad.com states that properties in unspoilt countryside of Italy have been especially popular in recent years.

Italy has all the right ingredients to support the holidaymaking interest so it is anticipated that property investors can cash in that opportunity. When purchasing property in metropolis such as Rome or Milan, apartments are smart choice for the property investors. Traditional buying areas, such as Sicily, Milan, Venice and Florence also continues to appeal investors as it is incredibly affluent and offers excellent returns. Sicily, Puglia and Campania are the areas to look for the property investors as there is Considerable capital growth and Rental potential.

Property prices depend on the location and nature of the property. Countryside properties are lesser priced than buildings designated for particular architectural purpose. Prices for fully finished property in Milan range starts from €8,000 per square meter for a city apartment to €24,000 per square meter for duplexes with luxuries like terrace and well maintained swimming pools. Sicily is a fast emerging property market to look for the property investors. Still the property prices are comparatively affordable for the investors and infrastructure facilities are good. Sicily has the unspoilt Italian life that has started to sense the full effects of the international property boom.

Carrol, property investment consultant, has said that the fulcrum of investment shifts to refurbished property rather than new ones. Pessi, believes that as subprime mortgage crisis is an ongoing problem, the future of property market is still hard to predict. Italy is a tried and tested favourite among overseas investors which has provided stable environment over the years. But still, it is advisable for investors to upgrade and rent a few properties rather than purchasing an abundance of homes.

Jewel of the Sea in Calabria

The 'Uso Fruto' law ensures that there is no inheritance tax on property in Italy. Purchasers decide to sell their property within 5 years of it being completed then have to pay 12.5% capital gains tax to the Italian government. But if they sell it after 5 years, presently there is no Capital Gains Tax. Italian law states that if a developer is building off plan they need to provide the customer with an Insurance Bond or Bank Guarantee for their initial deposit. If the builder goes bankrupt this insurance bond covers the full amount of the deposit.

Calabria's exclusive atmosphere of chirpiness perfectly blended with the tranquility and serenity of the Italian countryside and the fantastic Mediterranean climate continues to win over the hearts of overseas property investors. Property investors are lured by Calabria’s valued properties, good accessibility, and potential capital growth. Calabria has the unspoilt Italian life that has started to sense the full effects of the international property boom.

Jewel of the Sea, Situated just south of Naples is spectacular, ultra-modern development of beachfront properties consist of one to four bedroom apartments, townhouses and villas. This area has become easily accessible and the development is within walking distance from the unspoilt white sandy beaches. The development has well maintained gardens and surrounds, private parking and apartments are decorated to high specification .The prices of one bedroom apartment just £59,000 and the same in beachfront hideaway is priced at £77,000.

Why investors have to go for Italy?

Donald J. Carroll, vice co-chair of the ABA Committee on International Investment in Real Estate said in an e-mail interview that overseas investors who looks for stable and secure market opts for Italian property market which inevitably has excellent infrastructure, legendary countryside and quite outstanding value for money.

In the start of 2006, Italy was ranked fifth on the world tourism organization’s (UNWTO) list of top tourist destinations with 41.1 million tourists. Southern Italy, in particular, has been of great interest to holidayers. Apartments along the coast or in the Italian countryside are one of the most popular places for vacationers so even in quieter seasons the rental income in this region would be substantially good. Even though the capital gain for property investors is excellent, many investors are looking to buy holiday homes for the love of Italy itself.

Report commissioned by World Tourism Organization revealed that Italy remains in the top list from 2006 and is currently ranked fourth and is expected to become the world's top tourist destination in the future. Italy has wonderful culture and a history back to prehistoric era, delicious and world famous culinary tradition, excellent year round climate, pristine beaches, Alpine landscapes, lush green vegetation as well as beautiful countryside in the world making it as a first choice for investors and holidayers.

Marco Pessi, from McDermott Will & Emery located in the Rome office said that overseas investors enjoy the same property rights as Italian citizens so there are no restrictions on property ownership for US or any overseas investors. The main difference is that once the sale is over foreign nationals should pay an 11 percent purchase registration tax, whereas Italian citizens need to pay only 4 percent taxes.

Highlights of Italian property investment

NuWire Investor, the real estate news provider claims that the incredible culture, unspoilt countryside and the beautiful beaches all make this Mediterranean country an attractive place for investors.

Italy has all the right ingredients to support the holidaymaking interest so it is anticipated that property investors can cash in that opportunity.

Property in Italy is in demand and there are an increasing number of investors particularly targeting coastal areas and rural locations in southern Italy as the region is frequented by overseas visitors for its rugged coastlines, beautiful beaches, forest backed coves and picturesque countryside.

Traditional buying areas, such as Rome, Milan, Venice and Florence also continues to appeal investors as it is incredibly affluent and offers excellent returns

Donald J Carroll, a member of Pirola Pennuto Zei & Associates in Rome has said that fantastic culture, world famous Italian cuisine, historic cities and most desirably beautiful countryside in the world makes Italy a hot favorite and evergreen in its appeal.

Rightmoveabroad.com has said that southern Italy which remained under-explored is emerging strongly now and gives real threat to traditional destinations of France and Spain market in holiday home investment.

La Dolce Vita- The Italian Lifestyle

La Dolce Vita is a carnival of Italian lifestyle. The show takes place at Olympia on 13th - 16th March 2008. The exhibition includes finest Italian Food and Drink stalls, a catwalk fashion show, unique insights into Italian property and travel. This is an attempt to recreate a part of Italian life in a different context.

Italy's oft-mentioned 'La dolce Vita' is the largest Italian property offering in the UK. Good food and wine, Italian properties, travel to mild weather and beautiful landscapes all sell like hot cakes. From refurbished paper mills in Tuscan, to mountain retreats in Abruzzi and villas in Veneto, La Dolce Vita allows purchasers to find their dream home even before the trip.

Property purchase process in Italy

Steve Emmett, MD of Brian French and Associates has said that property purchase in Italy is unfamiliar for the British and may face hindrances in the process. But still the British, have been attracted to Italy for its pristine beaches, Alpine landscapes, lush green vegetation and Mediterranean climate. The Italian property market is entering a growth period.

Property purchase in Italy is totally different from British system and the laws often change in Italy but it is fairly streamlined. As Mr. Emmett explained that property in Italy is registered on the Land and Buildings Register and checking the titles can be done fairly quickly.

Bureaucrats of Italy modify the laws now and then to make things difficult for the investors and they have to keep an eye and update them regularly. There are certain purchasing processes in Italian system that is favored over the UK system. The entire purchase process can take one to six months depending on many factors including the nature and complexity of the searches, the mutually agreeable completion date, and the arrangement of mortgages etc., once the preliminary contract is signed means both the buyer and seller are committed but in UK investors never know what happens until everything is finalized.

Global Property Guide stats say that last year Italian property market showed 5.6 percent growth rate .

Gastronomic holidays with Italian hideaways

Simono mussio is basically an Italian travel and tourism management graduate and she is behind the innovation called Italian hideaways. Simona started her career in accounting was passionate for travel and tour operating so in July 2007 she set up Italian Hideaways. She inculcated her Italian background, fervor for macrobiotic food and ethical tourism in her company's approach and her sound knowledge of British tourism market came handy.

Italian Hideaways prides itself on offering week end or week long cookery themed holidays, in secluded and eco-friendly environment. The company arranges guided tours to Italy's most spectacular locations, like bergamo, nestled amongst the northern lakes of Como, Garda, Iseo and Maggiore with visits to local cheese and wine producers with tastings.

The holidays are based at Casa Gli Amici del Bosco, a four-bedroom secluded eco-friendly accommodations with the surrounding views of scenic woodland and crisscross roads .Heating water is powered by wood burner integrated with solar panels and the accommodation provides maximum commitment in preserving surrounding environment

Italian Hideaways offers holiday packages including secluded accommodation, private airport transfers in Mercedes limousine, continental breakfast, and daily cookery lessons with local chefs, free time for lunch and shopping, visits to local cheese and wine producers and unlimited drinks with dinner in the villa prepared by local chefs. Guided tours to Bergamo, Milan and Lakes Iseo, Garda and Como are arranged. An Italian Hideaways apron and a booklet of the recipes learned during the course will be distributed to the guests at the end of the stay.

Italian Hideaways can also tailor-make itineraries to suit guest's individual needs. Guests who don't want cookery lessons can rent a villa with some friends and can have a chef at their disposal and can enjoy horse riding, skiing, cycling, and golfing. Alternatively guests can rent the villa and enjoy dining out in the local area with Italian hideaways staffs will handle the bookings.