How to sell a house privately in Italy

Selling a property on your own, without an agency, is not an easy task and you need to evaluate the time, effort and stress you need to invest, especially if you're not an Italian native and selling property in the country for the first time. One small mistake could be costly, both in terms of time or even money. Before making this decision the seller has to consider different variables such as setting a competitive price, publishing the property listing online or being physically available to meet potential buyers.

It is generally best to rely on an estate agency that knows the market and can offer you professional assistance throughout the selling process. However, if you decide not to and to sell the property by yourself, it is important to be aware of the commitment required when selling a property privately in Italy.

Selling a house privately in Italy: the risks

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Before deciding to sell a house privately without an agency in Italy, it is important to be aware of the most common risks, such as:

1. Giving an incorrect estimate of the value of the property: to find out how much your home is worth you can make an estimate of the value of your property online at idealista;
2. Not making the most of your home: not knowing how to create a property listing that highlights the qualities of the property;
3. Low visibility of the listing: to obtain visibility you must carefully choose the channel on which to publish the listing;
4. Many visits and no sales: the main reason is the inability to create a filter to determine the buyers who are really interested;
5. Incorrect management of negotiations;
6. Lack of urban and cadastral conformity: conformity is an essential prerequisite for being able to sell a home;
7. Lack of legality: if certain documents are missing, the prospective buyer could request termination of the contract and compensation for damages.

Selling a house privately in Italy: how to do it

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For a private individual looking to sell a property in Italy, it is essential to establish what kind of buyer might be interested in the home and whether the structural characteristics of the construction can match the needs of the potential client.

Before even showing your property to a potential buyer, certain precautions are necessary, such as:

• cleaning all parts of the house;
• carry out minor renovations such as painting some damaged walls;
• repairing damaged pipes or exposed electrical cables;
• taking care of the garden, which looks like a shop window: in this way it is enhanced in its best points.

Of course, in order to promote one's own property, it is necessary to know its strengths and weaknesses. It is also essential to take professional photos and to present a quality advertisement.

Some private individuals take advantage of the home staging method to make the property's surroundings as attractive as possible and consequently reduce the selling time.

Is it possible to sell a house privately without an agency? Yes, but it is advisable to ask for an opinion from an agent or an surveyor to confirm that the house is in order in all respects, otherwise you must present the documentation, including a new plan, to rectify the situation, after which you will need to set the selling price.

Documents needed to sell a house privately in Italy

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The house, before being sold, must be up to standard from the point of view of permits, practicability and energy certificate. If there are building abuses, it will be necessary to submit an amnesty.

The key documents for selling a house privately in Italy are:

• the title deed;
• cadastral and municipal plans;
• building permit;
• energy certificate (APE), installation certificate, habitability certificate;
• mortgage repayment statement;
• declaration of condominium expenses;
• cancellation of mortgages, foreclosures and injunctions.

In most cases, documents can be retrieved from your accountant (especially if the property is the result of an inheritance), or by referring to the Land Registry or the Chamber of Commerce in your city.

Sometimes, finding these documents can be complex and time-consuming, which is why relying on an agency can help you manage this task, as well as save you time and effort.

Fixing the sale price of the house

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Understanding the real value of the house is a primary element, as there is a risk, when selling privately, that the price will be overestimated.

The main elements that must be taken into account are:

• the market in the area;
• the condition of the property;
• the floor of the property and whether it has a lift;
• trends in the property market in general;
• redevelopment projects in the area that could increase the value of the property (e.g. a new metro line).
• location of the property, especially whether the location is strategic and close to public services.

It is difficult to establish the correct value of the property on one's own, also because the subjective aspect comes into play, which is why it is advisable to ask for an opinion from a professional who can evaluate the property and understand what pricing strategy to employ.

Once the property is put on the property market, it competes with others in the vicinity, so a price that is too high would make the house less competitive.

To be able to choose the right selling price for your property, find out how much your home is worth by using idealista's valuation tool. 

Selling a house privately without an agency: managing appointments

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After posting your property listing online, on websites such as idealista, a seller may receive numerous calls and emails from interested buyers: not knowing how to handle this flow risks turning potential buyers away.

In this case, a private seller must perform the same task as an estate agency, starting by skimming through potential contacts and enquiries.

Selling a house privately without an agency, however, requires commitment and dedication. The danger is to find oneself unprepared to handle unforeseen events or not being able to recognise good opportunities from those that, although they seem to be, do not turn out to be fruitful.

On the contrary, a real estate agency has a team of experienced and qualified professionals who are able to handle all enquiries across the board, identifying with greater certainty those buyers who are really interested.

Selling a house privately or with an agency: the most convenient choice

Selling your house in Italy privately is convenient in order to save on the expenses linked to using an agency, but the owner must also deal with numerous procedures and tasks without an expert in the field. In addition, the seller must also bear the costs of document collection and tax costs.

Relying on an estate agency to sell your home allows you to take advantage of the experience and expertise of professionals in the field, as well as an extensive network of contacts, support in managing the sale, greater exposure and a higher probability of selling the property at a higher price.

Closing the deal

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Since there is no real estate agency to act as intermediary for the negotiation, the sale of a house as a private individual presupposes the declaration of a purchase proposal and the execution of a preliminary purchase and sale agreement.

It will then be necessary to go before the notary for the conclusion of the notarial deed. Unless otherwise agreed between the seller and the buyer, the latter will choose the notary and pay the fee.

FAQs about selling property privately in Italy

These are the most frequently asked questions when it comes to selling property privately in Italy:

• How does buying and selling between private individuals work in Italy? The contract of sale and purchase between private individuals is the agreement between the seller and the buyer regarding the transfer of ownership against payment of a sum of money. The written contract regulates the sale between the two parties, setting out their obligations and rights.