For what ever reason, blowing my own trumpet is way outside my comfort zone and I don’t normally ask clients for references or testimonials. Some of the ones below are comments that people left when I wrote about their project. However I have recently been asked for references by a couple of new clients and I also realise that there are now a lot of people offering similar services to me, which is a new development. While I am outside my comfort zone I would say that I think it is unlikely they have as much experience as me as I have been doing this for 17 years!

So here goes….

Property finding/due diligence/project management and design of outside areas – Glenn and Sue Barnes

Caroline Edwards helped us find a house to buy near Locorotondo and was there to help at every step of the way, guiding us through the confusing Italian system, through the process of making an offer, opening a bank account and the sale itself (where she signed for us as we were in Australia). She obtained quotes for all the work necessary at the house and supervised all of the work, making sure it was completed to a high standard and on time. Always willing to go the extra mile, Caroline worked tirelessly to make sure we had everything exactly as we wanted it and was very good at understanding and interpreting our vision for the house. The first time we came to our new house, and saw the transformation already under way I said it was as if I had been there myself the whole time! I moved to the house after a couple of months and Caroline was always there at the end of the phone to answer questions, resolve problems and help smooth my transition to a new country.
We went back to Australia before the work on the outside spaces was finished and while we were gone the outdoor spaces were transformed and the pool installed – the final result was a wonderful surprise and even better than we had hoped. In our absence Caroline kept us updated with photos and reports,as well as regular accounts and bank statements as she was a signatory on our account and paid all bills.We now have a beautiful house in Puglia and could not have done it without Caroline – we were lucky to have met her and had her expertise, help and support.

Property finding/due diligence/project management and design of outside areas , ongoing consultancy over the years – Fred and Kathryn Seth Smith

When buying in Puglia patience and  unshakeable  confidence one is doing the right thing and sufficient money to complete the mission are necessary qualities to have, but not enough. Add speaking Italian. Understanding – really understanding –  the property market and the region. Knowing how to open bank accounts.  Navigating the bureaucracy of obtaining a codice fiscale. Planning permission. Negotiating with builders, plumbers, surveyors, electricians. Advising on how to restore a property, the best materials, prices etc. Project Management . Giving contractors  grief when they fall behind.  Even recommending the right plants for a garden.

Caroline very simply was the difference between having a nice (and by now probably abandoned) idea of buying a property in Puglia and being where we are now. Owners of a  converted former restaurant with vaulted ceilings, three bedrooms, a newly fitted kitchen, a beautiful bathroom where there had once been extractor fans and strip lights, a courtyard, a baroque church looking down on the back of our house and sitting next to the city walls and 15th Century castle in Nardò.

 All achieved between viewing in February, concluding the purchase in April and walking into what we thought was an Interior design  magazine page spread in July-  right down to chilled wine and a puglian feast when we arrived. All in less than six months.

Caroline bridged the gap between theory and practice again and again, and firmly  steered us away from many daft whims that possessed us along the way.

Has it been a good step for us? Absolutely. And Caroline was a significant reason for that. She has a great eye for design, a tremendous sense of humour and awesome work ethic. Fred and Kathryn Seth-Smith

Property finding and due diligence project management then ongoing consultancy – Jane Clegg

My partner and I first met Caroline on one of her webinars. She talked through buying property in Italy and the Salento and we were impressed by her knowledge and experience of the process here. We decided to take things a step further and arranged for her to show us some properties, over a few days, later in the summer.

We provided her with details of what we thought were looking for in a holiday home and how we imagined using it. Caroline is very good at helping clients work out what they actuallyneed and what will work for them , not always what you first thought !

We based ourselves in Nardo and viewed properties with Caroline there and in several nearby towns. Some of the properties were suggested by Caroline and sourced from local agents and other contacts she has, some we saw online and asked Caroline to make viewing arrangements for us with the agents/sellers. Caroline’s knowledge of the local market, property values rental options and likely building costs was invaluable, she is able to make creative suggestions about how a property could be remodelled andrenovated and, perhaps most importantly, can help you avoid the pitfalls of serious structural issues or illegal past building work.

In the end, we bought a house in Nardo that we wouldn’t originally have considered. Caroline thought, after she got to know us a little, we would like it. We did ! The purchase process was relatively easy. We paid the deposit with Caroline’s help before we left on that first trip and the rest was managed remotely, again with Caroline’s help. Caroline was able to introduce us to a geometra and notary and we gave her a power of attorney to act for us at the closing or “atto”.

She has worked with clients on many projects and this experience helped us with the design of our house. We had a strong vision of how we wanted it to be but discussing options with her was very helpful.

Due diligence on property then consultancy – Nigel Hawthorn

I am writing to wholeheartedly recommend Caroline Edwards who has been an invaluable asset in supporting us with the renovation of our property in Italy,

From the beginning Caroline guided us not only through the renovation process itself, but also through the due diligence and property purchase stage. Her expertise ensured that we avoided potential pitfalls and made informed decisions at every step.er proactive approach and attention to detail

Caroline’s advice has been practical as well as strategic. She has provided us with cost saving recommendations, directed us to reliable suppliers and offered clear guidance on where to source the best materials and service. Her ability to combie technical insight with a strong grasp of the bigger picture has been instrumental in keepimg our project on track.

When timelines started to drift Caroline showed great initiative and persistence, pushing things forward, commitment and support. with professionalism and efficiency. Her proactive approach and attention to detail have made a real difference in ensuring progress was maintained. She continues to support us on a consultancy basis, remaining avaiablewhenever we need guidance. Quite simply, our renovation would not be moving forward as smoothly or successfully without her knowledge, commitment and support.

I have no hestitation in recommending Caroline Edwards. She brings not only expertise and dedication but also a reassuring sense of partnership to any project she is involved in

Property finding and consultancy – Liz Potts

We had an idea for a project and on meeting Caroline she understood it and us immediately. She has thrown all her energy and commitment into introducing us to essential contacts on the ground and helping us to get to know beautiful Puglia. We feel that we would not be where we are now without her sound knowledge and friendly and comforting presence on the end of the phone or email offering practical and grounded solutions when the buying-going feels tough.

Property finding, project management, interior and exterior design – Lorna Cairney

https://personalpuglia.com/2018/08/03/palazzo-cairney-a-buyers-perspective-before-and-after/

Property finding, due diligence than ongoing consultancy – Kirsten Hadley

Meeting and working with Caroline was an essential part to realising my long held dream of buying and restoring a prpperty in Puglia. She had an incredible gut feel for what would be right for me and expertly assisted me through the buying process. She is extremely knowledgeable about Italian properties, not only in terms of the legal complexities of the buying process but also the subsequent restoration. She has years of experience in the region, fluent Italian and great connections and her advice is absolutely invaluable. I can’t recommend her highly enough.