How to sell property in Italy quickly

Selling property in Italy isn't always plain sailing, with emotional, logistical and bureaucratic factors taking their toll. We're here to help you with these tips from Building Production on how to sell property in Italy quickly and with as little stress as possible.

Give the right value to the property

Emotional attachment often does not lead to a clear vision of the real value of the property. Instead, it is essential, right from the start, to objectively estimate the value of the property on the market and to proceed consistently. Overestimating the value of the house or continually fluctuating the price will ruin the reputation of the property and could jeopardise its sale. The house must be valued according to precise professional criteria, such as: size, the area in which it is located, but also the state of the property and the year of construction.

Keep an eye on sales times

Entering the market with a realistic price is also important because the more time passes, the more the initial enthusiasm of potential buyers tends to wane. Putting the property up for sale at an excessively high price can lead to a general lack of interest in the long term. Six months after the publication of the first property listing, you will be forced to lower the price and lose credibility in the eyes of potential buyers.

Get all the necessary documents in order

Paperwork can be tedious but it is an essential part of the process of selling a house in Italy. It is important to have all the necessary documents for each stage of the negotiation so that you always have everything in order and ready to go. It should always be kept in mind that it is not possible to complete the sales process without complete and properly drafted documentation. Be careful, because if certain documents are missing, you may be fined.

Making your home more visible online

How do you stand out in the sea of online property listings? It goes without saying that the use of good quality photos is important, but the textual part must be given equal attention. Including not only technical information in your listing but also information that highlights the strengths and special features of the property can make all the difference. It is therefore an excellent idea to take advantage of every technological opportunity available, including panoramic photos, 3D tours and videos, to make the experience as interactive and involving as possible.

Presenting the house at its best during visits

It has been proven that the success of a sale is determined, on average, in the first 5 seconds of the first visit to the property. It is important to carry out all the maintenance work that has been put off for years. It may seem like nonsense to invest in a property that you want to get rid of, but if you want to sell a house well, you need to make it as attractive as possible. Use candles, scented air fresheners and fresh flowers to create a pleasant atmosphere that a buyer will want to live in and remember.

Don't be guided by emotion

Cynical as it may sound, selling a property requires strong nerves and not letting emotions and feelings get in the way. Try to remain calm at all times and take your time with each decision, avoiding hasty behaviour that you might regret later.

Manage negotiations carefully

Not all potential visitors to the property are genuinely interested in buying. The world of buying and selling is populated by many undecided and hesitant people who, in the best of cases, are a waste of time. It is therefore essential to use all your commitment and intuition to understand which appointments are really beneficial.

Take care when drawing up the preliminary contract

If you decide to sell without the help of an estate agent, it is up to the seller to draw up the contract. You can find several templates online that can be useful to start with. Once completed, the contract must be registered at the tax office at a cost that varies according to the amount of the deposit and/or the price of the property. Be careful, however, because if the registered preliminary contract turns out to be wrong, you will have to cancel the registration and then proceed with a new registration (both operations are subject to a fee).

Deeds: what to take into account

The deed is the final phase of the sale operation which confirms the transfer of ownership of a property and is carried out by the notary. However, it is important to carry out some preliminary checks before going to the professionals. If the deed is cancelled due to a failure on the part of the seller, the buyer has the right to ask for double the deposit and compensation for any damages, such as a lost mortgage.

What if the buyer changes their mind?

When the buyer's offer to buy is conditional on the success of their mortgage application, if they then don't get granted a mortgage, not only will they not be able to honour their offer but they will not have to pay any compensation to the seller. However, it may happen that buyers pretend not to have obtained the mortgage in order to "free themselves" from the preliminary agreement. In this case, the help of an agent working with their trusted credit intermediary, who is able to follow the file more closely, could prove fundamental in uncovering fraudulent actions and in order  to bring the negotiation to a successful conclusion.

Do not underestimate the work of professionals

If you want to negotiate independently, never underestimate the time and effort required to compensate for the lack of professional advice. The best option for those who want to approach the market "do-it-yourself" is to start with a professional valuation of the property, carried out by an agent with experience and in-depth knowledge of the area.