Finding Your Dream Home in Italy: A ViaMonde Success Story

Moving to a new country can be an exciting adventure, but it often comes with its unique set of challenges, especially when it comes to finding long-term housing. This is where ViaMonde steps in, transforming potential roadblocks into seamless transitions. Our client Cindy, originally from Washington state, found her ideal home in Trento, Italy. 

What Was Cindy Looking For?

Cindy envisioned a long-term home in a walkable, small to mid-size Italian city. She wanted something close to the mountains to satiate her hiking passion, while also being in a dryer climate. In her ultimate lifestyle, Cindy desired easy access to museums, cultural institutions, and a university to engage with local events in an affordable way. 

Her ideal home would be light, bright, and comfortable, situated in a clean, well-maintained neighborhood with services and shops within easy walking distance, as she didn't plan to drive. Train access for regional travel and easy airport access for visits to the US were also crucial. She needed a minimum of two bedrooms, fully furnished.

Cindy & Alonzo

The Roadblocks

The housing search presented several hurdles. Much of the available housing was geared towards Erasmus students or short-term rentals, including numerous Airbnbs. Finding suitable long-term housing for a mature, single woman proved difficult, with many properties being extremely noisy from both neighbors and environmental factors, or not generally being in good repair. 

Furthermore, as an American pensioner, property owners were often wary of renting to Cindy due to Italy’s strong rental laws that protect tenants rights. Although Cindy lacked a local work contract, she did have an Italian reference from her stay in Sicily when she applied for jus sanguinis citizenship.

How ViaMonde Made It Happen

Despite the challenges of this situation, ViaMonde found success for Cindy due to our experienced team and local connections. Our quad-lingual property consultant, Alonzo, was instrumental to achieving Cindy’s goal. He proactively contacted realtors, property owners, and leveraged his local network to find her the perfect rental. 

Despite initial rejections where Cindy didn't meet the owners' profiles, we continued the search, expanding the search area and price point. Alonzo even conducted preliminary in-person viewings before Cindy's arrival, narrowing the search to a few select properties. Within 24 hours of Cindy landing in Italy, she viewed the property of her dreams and signed the lease to her ideal home.

Behind the Scenes

In addition to working with realtors and landlords, ViaMonde's legal team meticulously reviewed and amended the contract before signing to ensure the contract met our client’s best interests. Our team also handled the contract registration with the tax agency (Agenzia delle Entrate). 

Within hours of signing, we had Cindy's luggage transported from her Airbnb into her new home. ViaMonde is now assisting her with setting up utilities, establishing residency, and signing her up for the national healthcare system, ensuring a complete and stress-free transition.

Our Best Advice for Long-Term Leases

When it comes to long-term leases in Italy, our best advice is simple: never do it alone. Italian rental contracts can be complex, and without a thorough understanding of Italian law, they can be predatory. Issues like exorbitant deposits or unresponsive property owners are not uncommon. 

Having the support of a local team is paramount. We have ‘rescued’ many clients who attempted the DIY approach. With over 100 rental properties arranged in the last few years, our local expertise allows us to build profiles that property owners desire and protect our clients from predatory situations, enabling them to focus on living rather than being burdened by bureaucracy.

What to Look Out For When Property Searching

Before signing any lease, it's crucial to:

• Know the neighborhood: If you can't visit in person, work with a trusted local expert to help you understand the area. Even street by street, the difference can be significant.

• Understand the process: Ensure you have all the steps in place, knowing what comes first and what to do next.

• Be realistic: Italy is not the US, you can embrace the differences while still being prepared and well supported throughout the process.

Moving to Italy should be about enhancing your life and trading hustle culture for the peace of slow living. Going it alone in a foreign country with unfamiliar laws and a language you don't speak can lead to disaster. As many expat horror stories attest, professional support is invaluable. Thinking of making the leap abroad? Book a complimentary consultation call now.