When buying, renting and selling property in Italy, it can be hard to get your head around all the red tape, not to mention the language barrier. However, things are easier than ever now thanks to Italian real estate apps and websites, such as idealista, but it still helps to have someone who knows the ropes and can guide you through the labyrinth that is the Italian real estate market.
Luckily, there are loads of real estate agencies in Italy who can provide this service for a fee, including English speaking real estate agents in Italy. This is how to find the best real estate agent in Italy, including tips and tricks, and what you should look for in a good agent.
- A good estate agent is there for you: One sign of a quality estate agent in Italy is that they’ll reply to your emails, answer your phone calls and send you any information you ask for straight away (plus information you didn’t even ask for, but they often send it to you anyway because they’re thinking of you). If you’ve already viewed a property, for example, and want to go see it again or need more information, a good estate agent will help you. They can also instantly recommend any property in their portfolio that will suit you down to the ground. In general terms, they are there for you whenever you need it.
- They’ve got a good online presence: Given that almost all property transactions happen online nowadays, you should be looking for an estate agency in Italy that has its own website, as well as a strong social media presence. This means they will have more contacts and will also be more likely to be able to find you what you’re looking for. This should be the case, whether you're looking for land for sale, an Italian villa to buy, or a buyer for the home you’re selling.
- They're fully licensed: You should only consider serious, professional Italian real estate companies with official accreditation, registered in the Chamber of Commerce (Camara di Comercio), and that are part of an association of estate agencies in Italy, such as AICI, FIMAA or FIAIP. An expensive estate agent doesn’t necessarily mean they’re better, but at the same time don’t go for the cheapest one you can find that charges the least commission because they’re not likely to offer a very comprehensive service.
- They’re used to working with ex-pats: Your Italian estate agent should know the local area, the market and the legal framework, but also how best to deal with your specific needs as a foreign buyer or seller. There are lots of English speaking real estate agents in Italy. Preferably, try to find a commercial estate agent in Italy that deals exclusively and specifically with expats and that speaks both English and Italian so they can navigate both side of the market, and remember there’s nothing wrong with asking them about their previous experience. They should be happy to give you all the information and references you ask for.
- They offer other services: Finally, try to choose an agency that can take care of the whole sales or rental process for you. Find out if they can help you with your mortgage application, whether they have their own legal department or whether they can give you a special deal with a notary. It’s a good idea to talk to friends who have used similar services and look the companies up on web forums to get a better idea of if they’re truly recommendable or not.
To make your search just a little bit easier, idealista has lists of real estate agents in each and every Italian region. Here’s a small selection of real estate agencies in some of the most popular destinations for expats in Italy:
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