Palazzo Lillo is a historic Palazzo, in good structural condition, with a wealth of original features, including high, star vaulted, ceilings, and original floors. Covering 300 sqm (3229 sq feet) excluding outdoor space, the first floor will provide a four-bedroom, … Continue reading
Kathryn, Fred and their daughter Kitty (one of four children) came on one of my Puglia property trips last February. We had spoken a couple of times and exchanged countless emails and two things were immediately clear to me; firstly … Continue reading
I haven’t written for ages as I have had my hands absolutely full running the fabulous Palazzo Cairney, as well as restoring a charming property in Nardò for a family to use as a holiday home. I have decided to … Continue reading
This is the first property newsletter in a very long time – mainly because I have been rushed off my feet finding and restoring properties for people! I now have more help, however, and will try and make it at … Continue reading
Before I came to live in Nardò, I had been backwards and forwards from Monopoli for about six months. I certainly fell in love with the place and thought it extremely beautiful (see Nardo who knew for pictures and description of … Continue reading
In early October we took a stand at the A Place in the Sun show in Birmingham – the first time I had ever actively promoted our property search/project management service. Up until now most clients have either come via word of mouth, or because they were existing holiday clients. It was slightly daunting jumping in at the deep end but the fair turned out to be busy, informative and thoroughly enjoyable.
It was encouraging to see so much interest in Puglia, and there were definite trends: by far the majority of visitors had a modest budget (under 150,000€) and people mostly wanted properties that were either in a small town, with an outdoors space, or on the outskirts of a town or village. Even those looking for a rural property wanted basic services within walking distance. Everyone wanted to be close to the sea, but in Puglia that bit is easy! Continue reading
The property market in Puglia is interesting at the moment. Due to the economic climate, Italians aren’t buying, but demand from foreign buyers is keeping prices steady in popular areas. Even in those areas you get the occasional bargain, with a vendor needing to sell quickly, but these are snapped up almost immediately.
There are still many ‘undiscovered’ areas and here prices are dramatically lower. All of the properties in this article tick all the usual boxes – amenities within walking distance, within 25 minutes drive or less, in most cases, from the sea and within an hour’s drive from an airport. They are also all near better-known towns, making them a good buy for anyone wanting to rent out to holidaymakers. Continue reading
One of the challenges of project managing the restoration of a holiday villa and then equipping it – is to keep, not only the owners, but also all future holiday makers, firmly at the forefront of your mind while making choices and decisions.
Outdoors spaces are important, and a shaded area for dining, an outdoors kitchen with gas rings, sink and barbecue and, space permitting, another shaded area for lounging, all add to the desirability of the rental. A pool is pretty much essential. Continue reading
In May last year I booked a holiday villa for an Australian couple, who told me, once they had arrived, that they were also looking for a house to buy in the area. The challenge started there; everyone, including estate agents, moves rather slowly here unless pushed – and it took a few days to line up a selection of properties to view – with a bit of advance notice it would have been possible to arrange more viewings.
Once we started viewings it became clear to me that, in a lot of respects, Sue and Glenn were the ideal clients. Coming from a real estate background, they were able to see the potential in a selection of ‘unglamorous’ properties and ended up with a bargain, a four bedroomed villa, with a separate one bedroomed apartment, and spectacular views down over the valley. The location was also good, with a shop within walking distance, two pretty little towns within a 10 minute drive and the sea a further 10 minutes away. Continue reading