Perhaps best known for its capital, Florence, home to a stunning array of Renaissance art and architecture, the region of Tuscany in central Italy also boasts diverse natural landscapes encompassing rugged mountains, idyllic beaches and rolling fields of olive groves and vineyards. Indeed, such is Tuscany’s beauty and charm that many people choose to purchase a second home here – be it for retirement, an occasional holiday home, or as a prudent investment.
(Photo: Sandra Cohen-Rose and Colin Rose via Flickr / CC BY 2.0)
While Tuscany boasts a long stretch of Mediterranean coast, most people looking to buy property here are drawn towards its gorgeous countryside with its perfectly kept towns and leisurely pace of life. The central swath of the region is home to some of Italy’s highest real estate prices, so if you’re looking for affordability, the periphery of Tuscany – in particular towns like Pistoia, Lucca, Pitigliano, and San Sepolcro – is your best bet. Wherever you choose, there’s usually an expat presence in even the smallest hamlets, so you should find a community of like-minded folk to help you settle in.
For anyone keen to purchase property in Tuscany the good news is that there’s plenty of help available to guide you through the process. One of the key things to consider before working out your budget is that on top of a property’s asking price, you’ll also need to pay taxes and legal fees for. As a general rule of thumb, you should expect to pay an extra 10-15 per cent of the purchase price to cover these fees. Also essential is to find a reliable, independent, and locally-based English-speaking lawyer – ideally one with experience assisting Brits with buying property. Based on our research, we’ve picked out three companies that we’d recommend for helping you find houses and villas for sale in Tuscany.
Special Tuscany
Special Tuscany is built on passion. Dutchmen Rob Landeweerd and Jeroen Macco fell in love with Italy, with its culture, food, art, people and, in particular, the hills and towns of Tuscany and neighbouring Umbria. Their enthusiasm tipped into buying a plot and building their home. This grew into a business, holding foreigners’ hands through the entire property process: searching, buying, building, designing, restoring, owning, managing and letting houses in this incredible landscape. Their team’s knowledge of location, and bureaucracy, is exemplary, and their passion for people as well as property is a buyer’s dream. Current listings include Villa Vergelle, a renovated house in Val d’Orcia, or Podere Mazzuoli, a restoration project near Città della Pieve.
Tuscan Homes
Since their establishment in 1989, Tuscan Homes have gained an unrivalled reputation among those seeking a property located away from the region’s well-trodden tourist path. Managed by owners Rosanna Marini and Corrado Biagi, whose passion for property imbues everything they do, their 30-plus years of experience has given them a flawless knowledge and understanding of the local market and how to work it for the benefit of their clients. The properties they offer range from villas and farmhouses to apartments and ultra-prestigious homes, all nestled around an area comprising idyllic towns such as Barga, Bagni di Lucca and Castelnuovo – or “hidden Italy” as it has been dubbed. They also provide plenty of logistical help and guidance, whether relating to legal, hereditary, planning or building approvals, all designed to make the process as seamless and hassle free as possible.
Casa Tuscany
Founded in 2002, Casa Tuscany specialise in the sale of property in Tuscany and other parts of Italy and pride themselves on bringing prospective clients the best and widest possible selection of properties on the market at any given time. All of their agents are experienced, qualified and fully licensed, experienced, and over the years have sold properties to clients of varying nationalities and budgets, from world-famous celebrities and international business folk, to those wanting a pied-a-terre, retirement home or rental investment. In addition to their core business, Casa Tuscany also offer a range of other services including obtaining permissions, building, restoring, buying at auction, renting for profit, decorating, and property management.