Five tips for engaging and working with Italian property agents.
If you put yourself in their shoes and appreciate that they probably get hundreds of enquiries from people abroad that are not really ready to buy. Plus the fact that they are possibly competing with other agents on the same property and they may not be the primary agent for the specific house that you are enquiring about. With that in mind, they need to know that you are ready and that you are serious. They are running a business and get paid on sales only.
Have you considered your position?
Questions to ask yourself.
Have you got all of your finances lined up and are you really ready to buy.
Do you know enough about the area and region to make a decision when you see the house of your dreams?
Have you found the house location on Google Maps so that you know a lot about the surrounding area and landscape before you spend hundreds, if not thousands, on an inspection trip?
If you are really ready and you have dates in mind to visit Italy to look at houses, I’d suggest that you set out your messages to agents with some or all of the following. I used Google Translate when I emailed agents. With this information, they all replied promptly. (Within a week…this is Italy, remember).
My top 5 tips.
Tell them that you know where the property is and that you would like to meet them at the house. Giving the GPS location shows that you have found the house.
Give the agent a specific day and time when you would prefer to meet plus one or two alternatives options should the dates not align.
Explain that your sole purpose of you travelling is to see houses that are on your shortlist.
Be clear that you are ready to buy and that you have the finances in place.
Tell them a little more about what you are looking for and ask they show you other properties that they think may be of interest.
Keep it simple and keep it clear. Window shopping is a waste of their time and, if honest, I think they know when people are seriously ready or are just researching.
Not many agents speak English so be ready with your questions and key words to understand. Don’t be scared to use translating tools as you meet and questions open up. If you are ready, and they can see that you are ready, a deal will be done and they will be very helpful.
Good luck with your search.
See my other posts for more tips on searching and buying a house in Italy.
Richard.
