- Tutti
- Buying Property in Italy
- Common Questions
- Cost and Conditions
- Documentation
- Security
- Selling a property with Immobil Oikos
- Strategy and Marketing
Why choose Immobil Oikos?
At Immobil Oikos, we don’t just sell properties, we create tailored experiences for international buyers looking to invest, relocate, or enjoy the Italian lifestyle.
With deep local expertise in Abruzzo and a strong focus on foreign clients, we guide you through every step of the process with clarity, transparency, and care. From property selection to legal support and post-sale assistance, our goal is to make your journey seamless and stress-free.
We combine authentic Italian knowledge with an international mindset, ensuring you not only find the right property, but also truly understand the value of your investment and the beauty of the territory.
With Immobil Oikos, you’re not just buying a home, you’re embracing a new way of living.
What is the cost of living?
The cost of living in Abruzzo is significantly lower compared to many other regions in Italy and most major international destinations.
Everyday expenses such as groceries, utilities, dining out, and transportation are generally very affordable, allowing for a high quality of life at a reasonable cost. Property prices are also more accessible, making the region particularly attractive for both investment and relocation.
Of course, the exact cost of living depends on your lifestyle and specific location, but overall, Abruzzo offers an excellent balance between affordability and authentic Italian living.
Here, you can enjoy more while spending less.
How do you protect buyers?
Protecting our clients is one of our top priorities.
At Immobil Oikos, we guide you through a secure and transparent purchasing process, working only with trusted professionals such as notaries, lawyers, and technical experts. Every property is carefully checked from a legal and urban planning perspective to ensure there are no hidden issues.
It’s also important to know that in Italy, real estate agencies are legally required to act as impartial intermediaries, protecting the interests of both the buyer and the seller. This ensures a fair and balanced transaction for all parties involved.
We support you in understanding contracts, local regulations, and all necessary documentation, especially if you are buying from abroad. Our goal is to eliminate risks and give you full clarity before making any decision.
Throughout the entire process, we act with transparency, professionalism, and integrity helping you make informed and confident choices.
With us, you can invest with confidence and peace of mind.
How do I know the property is safe?
Ensuring that a property is safe and compliant is a fundamental part of our work.
At Immobil Oikos, we carry out thorough checks on every property before presenting it to our clients. This includes verifying legal ownership, urban planning compliance, cadastral conformity, and the absence of debts or liabilities tied to the property.
We collaborate with qualified professionals such as surveyors, notaries, and legal experts to guarantee that all documentation is accurate and up to date. This process helps prevent any unexpected issues before, during, or after the purchase.
Additionally, we guide you step by step, explaining every detail clearly so you always know exactly what you are buying.
Our role is to remove uncertainty and ensure your investment is secure from every perspective.
Can foreigners get a mortgage in Italy?
Yes, foreigners can apply for a mortgage in Italy, and many banks offer financing options for international buyers.
However, the process and conditions may vary depending on your country of residence, income, and financial profile. Typically, Italian banks finance a percentage of the property value (often lower than for residents), and require documentation such as proof of income, credit history, and identification.
At Immobil Oikos, we assist you throughout this process by connecting you with trusted financial institutions and helping you understand the requirements step by step.
With the right guidance, obtaining a mortgage in Italy is absolutely achievable.
What does the notary do?
In Italy, the notary (notaio) plays a fundamental and impartial role in the property purchase process.
The notary is a public official appointed by the state whose main responsibility is to ensure that the transaction is legally valid, secure, and fully compliant with Italian law. They verify the identity of the parties, check the legal status of the property, and confirm that there are no mortgages, debts, or legal issues affecting the sale.
The notary also prepares and officially registers the deed of sale, ensuring the correct transfer of ownership from the seller to the buyer.
It’s important to know that the notary acts as an independent third party, protecting both buyer and seller, and guaranteeing that the transaction is fair and legally sound.
The notary is your legal safeguard in the purchase process.
Are there hidden costs?
No, in Italy, the property purchase process is transparent, and all main costs are clearly defined in advance.
However, in addition to the property price, there are standard additional expenses to consider, such as purchase taxes, notary fees, agency fees, and any potential legal or technical services. These are not hidden costs, but necessary components of the transaction.
At Immobil Oikos, we make sure you have a complete and clear overview of all costs from the very beginning, so you can plan your investment with confidence and avoid any surprises.
Transparency is key, you will always know exactly what you are paying for.
What taxes do I pay when buying?
Taxes in Italy depend on the type of property and how you plan to use it.
In general, if you are buying from a private seller, the main tax is the registration tax, which is typically:
- 2% of the cadastral value if the property will be your primary residence in Italy
- 9% if it is a second home or investment property
If you are buying from a developer (new property), instead of registration tax you will usually pay VAT (IVA):
- 4% for a primary residence
- 10% for a second home (or higher in luxury cases)
There are also fixed minor taxes (cadastral and mortgage taxes), usually a few hundred euros.
At Immobil Oikos, we explain all taxes in detail based on your specific situation, so you have a clear and accurate estimate from the start.
No surprises, just a clear understanding of your investment.
- registration tax
- notary fees
- agency commission
We provide a clear breakdown before proceeding.
Can I cancel the agreement?
It depends on the stage of the process and the type of agreement signed.
Before signing any formal document, you are generally free to withdraw without obligations. However, once a formal offer (proposta di acquisto) is accepted or a preliminary agreement (compromesso) is signed, both parties are legally committed.
If the buyer decides to withdraw after this stage, the deposit paid is typically lost. If the seller withdraws, they are usually required to return double the deposit to the buyer.
At Immobil Oikos, we explain every step clearly before you sign anything, so you fully understand your rights and obligations.
Our goal is to ensure you move forward with clarity, confidence, and no surprises.
What if the owner does not sell?
If the owner decides not to proceed with the sale after accepting a formal offer or signing a preliminary agreement, they are legally responsible for breaking the contract.
In most cases, the seller must return double the deposit (caparra confirmatoria) paid by the buyer. This is a legal protection designed to ensure fairness and commitment from both parties.
Additionally, depending on the situation, the buyer may also have the right to take further legal action to enforce the agreement or claim damages.
At Immobil Oikos, we work to prevent these situations by dealing with serious and verified sellers, and by managing the process with professionalism and clarity from the beginning.
Your position as a buyer is protected by law and by our guidance.
How is payment handled?
Payments in Italy are handled through secure and fully traceable methods, ensuring maximum transparency for all parties involved.
Typically, payments are made in stages:
- An initial deposit when submitting the offer
- A second payment at the preliminary agreement (compromesso)
- The final balance at the notary during the deed (rogito)
All transactions are carried out via bank transfers or certified checks, in compliance with Italian regulations. The notary also oversees the final payment, ensuring that funds are correctly transferred at the moment ownership is officially passed to the buyer.
For international clients, we often use the price deposit service (deposito prezzo) through the notary’s dedicated account. This adds an extra layer of security, as the funds are held by the notary and released to the seller only after all legal conditions are properly met.
At Immobil Oikos, we guide you through each step, explaining clearly when and how payments are made.
A structured, secure process designed to protect both buyer and seller at every stage.
How do you verify buyers?
Every buyer is qualified before viewings or negotiations. We assess genuine interest, financial capability, and reliability.
Which countries do your buyers come from?
We mainly work with clients from Europe and the United States.
Do you work with international clients?
Yes, we specialize in working with international buyers, which significantly expands the pool of potential purchasers.
How do you promote my property?
We use an integrated strategy that includes:
- Italian and international property portals
- targeted social media campaigns
- video content and storytelling
- qualified client database
- international network of contacts
This approach increases visibility and attracts serious buyers.
What if there are urban planning irregularities?
Any discrepancies must be verified and, if necessary, resolved before the sale.
We carry out preliminary checks to avoid issues during the final deed, protecting both seller and buyer.
Is the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) mandatory?
Yes, it is legally required and must be available before listing the property.
If you do not have one, we can help you obtain it quickly through qualified professionals.
What documents are required to sell a property?
To sell a property in Italy, you typically need:
- title deed
- cadastral documents and floor plan
- Energy Performance Certificate (EPC / APE)
- any relevant building permits or records
We assist you throughout the entire process, helping you obtain or regularize all required documentation.
Are there any upfront costs?
No, we do not require any upfront payments. Our work is fully results-oriented.
When do I pay the commission?
The commission is due only when the sale is successfully completed.
How much does it cost to sell a property with you?
Our commission is clearly defined from the first meeting. There are no hidden costs or surprises.
Working with a structured agency increases the chances of selling and achieving better conditions thanks to professional management of the entire process.
What happens if the price is too high?
A property priced above market value tends to remain unsold for longer, losing visibility and interest over time. This often leads to price reductions and a negative perception among buyers.
For this reason, we define a realistic and competitive pricing strategy from the start.
How do you determine the right selling price?
Our valuation is not a simple estimate but a detailed analysis based on:
- real data from recent transactions
- comparison with similar properties
- current demand (both local and international)
- specific features of the property
The right price is the key factor in a successful sale. Our goal is to balance speed and maximum return.
How long does it take to sell a house in Abruzzo?
The time required to sell a property depends on several factors, including price, location, condition, and the quality of the marketing strategy. On average, a properly valued and well-promoted property can be sold within 2 to 6 months.
Our approach goes beyond simply listing the property: we use targeted strategies, including outreach to international buyers, to increase demand and reduce selling time.
I have to make a choice between an updated home in an older neighborhood or a newer home in a more modern neighborhood. The home in the older neighborhood has almost everything I want and is much larger, but which makes the most sense as an investment?
If your goal is to buy a home for it’s resale value and the one you are thinking of buying in the older neighborhood is at the upper end of values for that neighborhood, then it may not be the wisest choice. If it is similar or lower in price to the others, then there should be no problem, because pricing should be considered in relation to the local neighborhood and not compared to homes in other neighborhoods (for the most part)
Plus, is it a neighborhood on the decline, or are others going to be fixing things up, too, so that it is a neighborhood that is improving? It could turn out to be a very good deal as long as you don’t “overpay” because of the recent improvements.
Remember that you also buy a home for it’s value to you as a “home,” and that is something else you should consider. Which neighborhood would you AND your family feel most comfortable in?
When buying a new home, what upgrades should we go for? What holds the most value? Do we upgrade the lot? Pick more square footage in the house? Add an extra bedroom?, etc.
A lot depends on why you are buying the house. Are you buying it mostly as a home or mostly as an investment? There is a difference.
For the most part, upgrades are high-profit items for builders. They aren’t designed to enhance the value of the house, but make you happier with the house you do buy.
If you are looking at your home as an investment, then you buy from the smaller to medium size in the tract and spend only a minimal amount on upgrades. If you are looking at your purchase as a home, then you select upgrades that will enhance your quality of living.
One rule of thumb is to always upgrade the carpet and padding.