Working with a Realtor in Italy

Whether you are renting or buying a property in Italy, choosing the right realtor can make a considerable difference to the experience. This is particularly true if you are relocating from abroad and are unfamiliar with the local property market, the language, or simply the way things tend to work in Italy. Property searches here can be quite different from what international clients are accustomed to. Listings are only part of the picture, agents frequently collaborate with one another, and the quality and scope of service can vary considerably.

A good realtor does much more than arrange property viewings. They can become an important part of the team helping you navigate the process, particularly when you are trying to coordinate a property search alongside all the other practicalities involved in relocating to Italy. Finding someone who understands both the local market and what you are trying to achieve is therefore a good place to start.

Start with the right realtor

Make sure you are dealing with a properly qualified real estate professional who understands the local market and keeps up to date with the laws and procedures affecting property transactions in Italy. Personal recommendations can be particularly valuable, so if you know people who have recently rented or purchased in the area where you are looking, ask about their experience. Other professionals working locally may also be able to point you towards established realtors with a good reputation.

Local knowledge matters as well. The person who is excellent at finding an apartment in central Rome may not necessarily be the right person for a country property in Umbria or a villa on Lake Como. Property markets in Italy can be surprisingly local, and someone who understands a particular area will often have knowledge of pricing, individual neighborhoods and properties that may not be immediately obvious from looking at online listings.

You probably don’t need several agents

It is common in Italy for realtors to collaborate with other agencies, both for rentals and properties for sale. This can give you access to properties represented by other agents without requiring you to establish separate relationships with numerous agencies yourself. For this reason, I generally prefer working with one good realtor who understands what you are looking for, communicates openly and is prepared to collaborate with other professionals when appropriate.

Working independently with several agents can quickly become confusing, particularly when the same property is being presented by more than one agency. You should also establish from the beginning how the commission will work. If another realtor becomes involved, that should not result in an unpleasant surprise later. Make sure you understand, preferably in writing, the total commission and any other fees you will be expected to pay if the transaction is completed.

Be clear about what you actually need

The more prepared you are before beginning the search, the more productive the relationship is likely to be. Have a realistic idea of your budget, preferred locations, approximate timing and the type of property you are looking for. If you are buying and will require financing, investigate your mortgage possibilities early rather than waiting until you have found a property you love.

I also encourage clients to distinguish between their needs and their wants. Your needs are the things that really are non-negotiable. Perhaps you require three bedrooms, outdoor space, proximity to an international school, an elevator, parking or easy access to an airport. Your wants are the features that would be nice to have but would not necessarily rule a property out. This distinction sounds obvious, but it can save an enormous amount of wasted time. Your realtor cannot conduct an effective search if everything on the wish list is presented as equally important.

Communication matters

Discuss how you prefer to communicate from the outset. If WhatsApp works best for you, say so. If you prefer email because you want a written record of important discussions, make that clear as well. This becomes particularly important in competitive markets where an interesting property may require a quick response.

At the same time, expectations need to be realistic. Communication styles and response times in Italy may be different from what you are accustomed to elsewhere. What matters is that you establish a working relationship in which you know how and when important information will be communicated. You should also feel comfortable asking questions. If this is your first property transaction in Italy, there will probably be quite a few, and a good realtor should be comfortable explaining the process.

If you are buying

A good realtor should be able to explain the basic process and help coordinate the various stages of the transaction. However, remember that the realtor is not a substitute for the other professionals you may need. Depending on the property and your circumstances, this could include a notary, surveyor or geometra, lawyer, accountant, architect or another specialist.

If you do not already have your own professional contacts in Italy, ask whether the realtor can provide referrals. You are, of course, free to appoint professionals independently, and for a significant purchase it can be sensible to have advisers whose individual roles and responsibilities are clearly defined. The important thing is to understand who is advising you on what rather than assuming that one professional is overseeing every aspect of the transaction.

If you are renting

For international tenants, there are several additional details worth discussing before signing a lease. Ask whether the realtor provides, either as a courtesy or as an additional service, an English synopsis of the lease outlining its principal clauses. This should not be confused with independent legal advice or an official translation, but it can make the practical terms of the tenancy considerably easier to understand.

I also recommend having a thorough walk-through of the property at the beginning of the tenancy, supported by photographic evidence of its condition. Ideally, the condition report and photographs should be acknowledged by the relevant parties. This can prove extremely useful when the tenancy ends and questions arise about damage, existing defects or the condition in which the property should be returned.

If work needs to be completed before you move in, establish who will monitor it. This becomes especially important when the property has been sourced through collaboration between two agencies. You need to know who is actually responsible for following up with the landlord, checking progress and making sure that agreed work has been completed on time. As with other important aspects of the rental, commitments of this nature are better put in writing.

Ask what happens after you find the property

Another question that is often overlooked is where the realtor’s service actually ends. Some agencies offer assistance after the contract has been signed, while others consider their work complete once the transaction reaches a particular stage. For someone arriving from abroad, practical assistance with utility connections, transfers or other property-related formalities can be extremely useful, particularly where there is a language barrier.

It is therefore worth asking what is included in the realtor’s standard service and what may be available as an additional service. There is nothing wrong with paying for additional assistance if you need it. What matters is knowing in advance what you are receiving, what it will cost and who is responsible for doing what.

Don’t be afraid to change direction

If you begin working with a realtor and the relationship simply isn’t working, don’t be afraid to reconsider it. A property search requires a certain amount of trust because you are discussing budgets, priorities, family requirements and sometimes quite personal considerations about how you intend to live. You need someone who listens, communicates clearly and is transparent about the process.

If you constantly feel that you are being pushed towards unsuitable properties, cannot get straightforward answers to reasonable questions, or simply don’t feel comfortable with the relationship, it may be time to find someone else. Finding the right property can take time, and working with someone you trust makes that process considerably easier.

The value of having the right person on your side

It is certainly possible to search for property in Italy independently. Online portals have made that considerably easier, and some people enjoy doing much of the initial research themselves. But finding a property is only one part of the process. A good realtor interacts with owners and other agencies, arranges viewings, provides local market knowledge, helps manage negotiations and coordinates many of the practical steps surrounding the transaction.

For someone relocating internationally, that can remove a substantial amount of unnecessary stress. Working with a realtor is not simply about gaining access to property listings. It is about having someone locally who understands the market, understands what you are trying to achieve and can help you navigate a process that may be unfamiliar. When you find the right person, that local knowledge and support can be considerably more valuable than the time or money you might save by trying to manage everything yourself.