Very important opening statement Brad and I think you should occasionally insert it into videos in the future. Italy is not dying but it is losing population and some places will see a slight increase and some a big decline. My short philosophy is, make your money in America, have a life in Italy.
@@BradsWorld this statement sounds like you see Italy as a cheap living opportunity, but I would be curious to learn what efforts you have made to understand Italien and/or European culture, learn the language, etc?
@@m4rtin419 I have followed this channel since its inception. Brad and his wife have both learned the language. Opened a local business. Interact with the local community extensively. You can see this if you follow all his RUclips posts. Just my two cents.
Price vs amenities I believe! 🤣 Gotta show a range. Thanks for the great comment like always. Maybe next weeks will be better for you (same town, crazy nice palace apt).
Amen. The last thing Italy needs right now is real estate speculators making it impossible for locals to buy a home. Look at the disasters they have caused in Australia, Canada, NZ and America. You buy a home in Italy as your forever home, you keep it in the family and pass it down to your kids.
And I doubt speculators will be driving up prices much, except in very limited (and I mean VERY limited) areas. I know a large number of locals and I have yet to hear someone say they couldn’t buy a house when they wanted to. Most people do not want to live right in the historic district of towns, and that seems to be the number one thing that Americans and other foreigners are buying… Reason so many homes here sit vacant is because there’s no carrying cost, meaning there’s no meaningful yearly taxes to be paid. And the homestead vacant because there’s no one in the family that wants to take them over. Sometimes that’s because of the cost to bring them up to modern standards and sometimes it’s just because there’s more than enough homes to go around.
As a New Zealander (and especially in view of the ridiculous rises in house prices in the last decade and the extreme difficulty, many people have getting somewhere to live now)... I totally agree. Housing that can be bought 'for good' and even passed on to family, makes sense.
Yes your introduction statement is necessary as it puts things in perspective for anyone looking to buying a house in Italy. Much appreciated. This place is nice and could work for anyone who does not mind the split and the neighbor between. One other thing I liked so much about the video is the fact that you mentioned that there is a hospital in Frosinone which is nearby.
Brad, thanks for mentioning prices for updates. And how the home may be hard to sell once you buy it. But the thought of buying it as your last home, paying cash, and not paying rent sounds like a good idea!
I would design a small kitchen on the second floor, ( while improving on the first floor kitchen and adding a small bathroom on first floor ) and if the municipality allows this, then, I would have two small apartments. One on each floor.
Great opening and real money talk. I will look around for quite sometime, hang out in some places for a while to see what time it is, so to speak. Searching is half the fun.
I think you could add a kitchenette on the upper space and try to reconfigure the lower level to add a bathroom and make this 2 small studio type units.
Planning our move to southern Italy in the Spring 2025 from US - so much to learn but with all the help you and others in the business provide makes it possible - thank you😊
Sir, thank you for explaining the truth of property ownership in Italy, the other posts aren't honest and one could make a bad business decision without knowing the truth when leaving their home country. I also commend you for establishing room rentals in you beautiful home in Tuscany. Happy Holidays and Happy NEW YEAR
Ha ha...im quite keen on the 'shabby chic' and colouring of the walls in this home and can appreciate the ideas and anesthetics of it. However I probably would plaster over the exposed terracotta (?)ceiling if it were mine. 🌈
That’s absolutely a must as we said in the video… I don’t mind an unfinished look, but the ceiling they took down and never finished the project. This place is definitely Bohemian! Thanks for the comment…. - Brad
A designer I knew once said, "if you cannot improve it enough to quantify the renovation dollars, pull the ugly into an artistic expression".....perfect example of that. But easy to upgrade and it a GREAT place..
L'Italia non muore! Italy has one of the most stable governments in the EU. Its GDP is growing. Brad, what you say is so true, especially in the small paese. It's not the case in Roma or Milano. If you want to stay, it's better to buy. There are not many properties that have 4+4 rental contracts. I had been in real estate in the NY suburbs for almost 40 years, so I know what you are talking about. You give great, and above all, truthful advice.
Nice place, a bit small, wish it had a cantina; I would open up part of that thin wall between the kitchen and dining room and have a long pass-through, with a nice marble countertop, so you can see from the kitchen into the dining room.
Hello dear, brad & olivia! First of all i just want to say that i havent forgotten about you two. I have been in colombia, south American for almost a month and coming back to usa the 15th of this month Thats why i havent been watching your channel lately. ( i do missed it, though). Regarding your intro on this video what you said are wise words You cant buy property in italy, expecting to flip it for a profit in a couple of years, much less in a couple of months. So whatever you buy, there it better be with the thought of buying something to retire on, and live in it till you die, or to give it to your children when you do. America is for making money ( if you can) italy is to have a wonderful life and enjoy it the rest of your life. On a different note, i havent been in colombia in vain. I havent missed the opportunity to ask friends & family to subscribe to your channel. A big hug for both of you. I'm looking forward to seeing you guys in person relatively soon. ❤
Very good advice regarding the nonliquidity of most Italian real estate. Such a different market from Maui. The window hardware in Italy is far better than most I have seen in the USA. The quirkiness of the apartment would suit me for a vacation. I admit it...I've been stealing those toilet seats! I have walls and walls of them. 🤣
I suspected as much…! The trail ran cold when we hit the Pacific… on a serious note, the stuff you find here for like bathrooms, windows and doors, the stuff that’s made here in Italy, which is most of it, is fabulous and the prices are really very reasonable.
A very good point and something I've also noticed in my research. There's a coupe properties I've liked and noticed recently they are still for sale after a couple years. Those walls would kind of go with restoration hardware furniture.
Brad, don't kill me but I love the walls exposed like that BUT the look was ruined with the patches from the electrical work and lack of trim. I think, pulling that look off, the shabby walls/ ceiling, a nice high ornate baseboard and crown molding would work. I did like the light fixture in the "dining area" but, again, the design of the room would need to work with it, I think. For that room, I'd say an over exaggerated gilt and crystal chandelier 😂 The place does look like an attempt at shabby chic but incomplete. I do love the opportunity and look of the place but..... the shared hallway to get to each part? Like you said, buying in Italy is basically buying for life... I do not know that I could do that for life! 😂 would there be a way to just make two separate units? Like 2 motel rooms? I was thinking the back half of the kitchen into a bathroom and maybe just a coffee/ drink bar, like a motel room. I do agree about the bathtub - it really is just a grandiose foot soak. 😂 additionally, I just heard that famous/ royalty travel with their own toilet seats. 😂😂 maybe everyone is royalty in Italy.
Just HAVE TO SPEAK REGARDING THIS PAINTING IN WAITING.! I’d love having a room looking ‘beautifully tattered (?)’ as this apartment home offers... & with what I’d call the living room for TV & relaxation. As a fine artist... all I’d be able to do is look at the walls in that one room... is to see the creative possibilities that would make that horrible paint job... (or wall paper you said FOR REAL?) ... and no better place than Italy... home of frescoes. What artist would LOVE to do a fresco with this perfect backdrop background to work with. I’d use my water colors to create ‘ MY OWN PRIVATE MASTERPIECE!”.Friends out there... it actually could be done & refined to beautiful! Then comes furniture... which may need to have some custom, in order to actually make it all match & look beautiful. The rest of the home I’d want redone new everything, from floor to ceiling & also re-do kitchen & bath to my but conservative liking! . All walls Ned good baseboard & crown moulding... It could be nice place...but bit weird , odd, uncomfortable sharing stairway too!! You sure couldn’t make a midnight snack run to the fridge in your undies!! But 2nd thought, maybe it’d be good way to diet... no more midnight snacks! Claudia, real estate agent, absolutely is a most incredible class act! She handled your question brilliantly !
Thanks for the video. How does it work with the other flat/apartment in the building, I mean who is responsible for what (the roof, external walls, foundations etc)?
Brad, I've often wondered, here in the states, the in floor heating is becoming more popular. Would it make sense there? Only if the floors do not already have gorgeous tiles, obviously. ❤
I’m telling you that’s the best plan! A gift that keeps on giving. One of my daughters came and stayed for two months and one of our rentals before it went on the nightly market. Gave her a great introduction to learning Italian and lifelong memories.
Reliable like the bus and train services! There’s a bus depot right in downtown in this area and a train station is 10 minutes away. They will take you directly to Rome.
Not something like this. Not a real strong market where you will be rented a lot. Great place to buy something for €30-90K and use it for the rest of your life!
And like I always say, it’s cheaper than buying a decent used car here. If you want a footprint in the country of Italy, there’s lots of neat places you can find for under €50,000.
I must confess, this looks like a pretty desperate proposition. I don't mind working on and renovating a property, but this configuration and this town is not my cup of tea. I took what you said about "spending your life here in Italy" to heart, and I prefer your other properties.
Absolutely understood! Each town is somewhat unique. (although if I dropped you in the middle of one historic district without any landmarks, I doubt you’d be able to tell me what town we were in). But yes, every place is different and everybody’s looking for something different as well. There’s tons available here. You’ll find your forever home.
IF you are a resident of Italy in your primary home you do not pay property tax. Generally... Just check with the agent on anything you are buying. IF you buy a luxery property it can be different.
There is no property tax. Tell my if I bought a house out right there could I afford to live there say on social security of about 1300 to say Hopefully 1500 a month plus my 401 k
@davidparrish; an Elective Retirement Visa (ERV) requires you to show about $32,000/yr passive income to live year round. After 5 years, you have permanent residency and no more requirements. After 10 years, citizenship. Check it out. Good luck!
1). Love and plan to live in Italy upon retirement. I HAVE BEEN THINKING THO... what can I do to contribute to this place. Brad has done this providing not only homes to live, but tourism as well. So HOW IS IT that we Ex-Pats can contribute to this nation losing some of its population? Entrepreneurs with a bit of effort & care. I think of Spanish nations ElSalvadore, Columbia.... or Philippines & India... WHY NOT us Americans moving in... join together in school of thought to build this nation anew & create jobs etc. Possibilities are surely there... us ExPat oldsters will die off... possibly buildings a home for our families abroad... BUT also why not Italy become remote work nation and a tele-customer service for other English speaking nations, such as America. Curious if ANY out here thinking this direction as I recently find my own mind now beginning to consider.
You should speak Italian, but it’s not a prerequisite. I think for most people the ability will come naturally with a little study at the very least. As for the money, I guess it depends on your interpretation of what “lots“ of money is. For most people wanting to immigrate here, you need to show that you have about €40,000 a year in passive income through retirement or pension, etc. I think you can easily live here on 2000 a month especially if you don’t have a car.
Exactly. I think some people have a skewed sense of what you can really get in Italy for under €50,000. It’s nice to see a place that’s at least livable although quirky. It’s hard to find a nice car here for less than €20,000.
In the North you can't find anything less than 100k (a small awful place ) .but for a nice small house in a small town, not a touristy one, you need 200k euros
Very important opening statement Brad and I think you should occasionally insert it into videos in the future. Italy is not dying but it is losing population and some places will see a slight increase and some a big decline. My short philosophy is, make your money in America, have a life in Italy.
Americans and other foreigners are in a very good position to liquidate in their home country and come here and live like a king.
@@BradsWorld this statement sounds like you see Italy as a cheap living opportunity, but I would be curious to learn what efforts you have made to understand Italien and/or European culture, learn the language, etc?
@@m4rtin419 I have followed this channel since its inception. Brad and his wife have both learned the language. Opened a local business. Interact with the local community extensively. You can see this if you follow all his RUclips posts. Just my two cents.
I just can’t get passed having to go upstairs and passed neighbors to get to the rest of the apartment…Thanks for showing!
Price vs amenities I believe! 🤣
Gotta show a range. Thanks for the great comment like always. Maybe next weeks will be better for you (same town, crazy nice palace apt).
@@BradsWorld the perfect situation would be to buy the neighbors place and have a big place to work with.
Amen. The last thing Italy needs right now is real estate speculators making it impossible for locals to buy a home. Look at the disasters they have caused in Australia, Canada, NZ and America.
You buy a home in Italy as your forever home, you keep it in the family and pass it down to your kids.
And I doubt speculators will be driving up prices much, except in very limited (and I mean VERY limited) areas. I know a large number of locals and I have yet to hear someone say they couldn’t buy a house when they wanted to. Most people do not want to live right in the historic district of towns, and that seems to be the number one thing that Americans and other foreigners are buying…
Reason so many homes here sit vacant is because there’s no carrying cost, meaning there’s no meaningful yearly taxes to be paid. And the homestead vacant because there’s no one in the family that wants to take them over. Sometimes that’s because of the cost to bring them up to modern standards and sometimes it’s just because there’s more than enough homes to go around.
As a New Zealander (and especially in view of the ridiculous rises in house prices in the last decade and the extreme difficulty, many people have getting somewhere to live now)... I totally agree. Housing that can be bought 'for good' and even passed on to family, makes sense.
Thank you for finally answering the missing toilet seat issue! I had no idea squatting was something people did in well-developed countries.
IT's pretty rare now but you still see it in some public places like old bars etc.
Bus stations in third world
In other words, you may want to rent first! Thanks for the straight talk Brad! I like the property, but if Claudia is married, I'm gonna rent!lol!
Yes your introduction statement is necessary as it puts things in perspective for anyone looking to buying a house in Italy. Much appreciated. This place is nice and could work for anyone who does not mind the split and the neighbor between.
One other thing I liked so much about the video is the fact that you mentioned that there is a hospital in Frosinone which is nearby.
Super important. We haven’t been here long and we have used ours a few times. Mainly for general appointments for scans etc. Bloodwork too! ❤️🇮🇹💪🏼
Brad, thanks for mentioning prices for updates. And how the home may be hard to sell once you buy it. But the thought of buying it as your last home, paying cash, and not paying rent sounds like a good idea!
The freedom it brings is great!
The weathered green walls are really nice design
I would design a small kitchen on the second floor, ( while improving on the first floor kitchen and adding a small bathroom on first floor ) and if the municipality allows this, then, I would have two small apartments. One on each floor.
Great opening and real money talk. I will look around for quite sometime, hang out in some places for a while to see what time it is, so to speak. Searching is half the fun.
I think you could add a kitchenette on the upper space and try to reconfigure the lower level to add a bathroom and make this 2 small studio type units.
I had the same thoughts.
Planning our move to southern Italy in the Spring 2025 from US - so much to learn but with all the help you and others in the business provide makes it possible - thank you😊
You are welcome! We look forward to having you in Italy!
Sir, thank you for explaining the truth of property ownership in Italy, the other posts aren't honest and one could make a bad business decision without knowing the truth when leaving their home country. I also commend you for establishing room rentals in you beautiful home in Tuscany. Happy Holidays and Happy NEW YEAR
I actually love those walls, with a few touch ups I would keep that artistic look. 💕 💙
Very important opening comments Brad. 😊
Thanks! Thought people should know my thoughts. 😬. Still a great place to buy!
got a sub for the opening 6 mins stay blessed
Thanks!!
Loving the green
Look is different!
Ha ha...im quite keen on the 'shabby chic' and colouring of the walls in this home and can appreciate the ideas and anesthetics of it. However I probably would plaster over the exposed terracotta (?)ceiling if it were mine. 🌈
That’s absolutely a must as we said in the video… I don’t mind an unfinished look, but the ceiling they took down and never finished the project. This place is definitely Bohemian! Thanks for the comment…. - Brad
A designer I knew once said, "if you cannot improve it enough to quantify the renovation dollars, pull the ugly into an artistic expression".....perfect example of that. But easy to upgrade and it a GREAT place..
And pass through the common area just to use the bathroom? 😅😅😅😅😅
L'Italia non muore! Italy has one of the most stable governments in the EU. Its GDP is growing. Brad, what you say is so true, especially in the small paese. It's not the case in Roma or Milano. If you want to stay, it's better to buy. There are not many properties that have 4+4 rental contracts. I had been in real estate in the NY suburbs for almost 40 years, so I know what you are talking about. You give great, and above all, truthful advice.
Hello. I'm seriously looking for a grandma house. The one you go to always. A garden a must. Trees, yes.
Ok
Great shots!
Thanks for your comments
Nice place, a bit small, wish it had a cantina; I would open up part of that thin wall between the kitchen and dining room and have a long pass-through, with a nice marble countertop, so you can see from the kitchen into the dining room.
Honest advice is hard to find these days!
Hello dear, brad & olivia! First of all i just want to say that i havent forgotten about you two. I have been in colombia, south American for almost a month and coming back to usa the 15th of this month
Thats why i havent been watching your channel lately. ( i do missed it, though). Regarding your intro on this video what you said are wise words
You cant buy property in italy, expecting to flip it for a profit in a couple of years, much less in a couple of months. So whatever you buy, there it better be with the thought of buying something to retire on, and live in it till you die, or to give it to your children when you do. America is for making money ( if you can) italy is to have a wonderful life and enjoy it the rest of your life. On a different note, i havent been in colombia in vain. I havent missed the opportunity to ask friends & family to subscribe to your channel. A big hug for both of you. I'm looking forward to seeing you guys in person relatively soon. ❤
Great. We will see you in Italy in 2025 I hope!
Very good advice regarding the nonliquidity of most Italian real estate. Such a different market from Maui. The window hardware in Italy is far better than most I have seen in the USA. The quirkiness of the apartment would suit me for a vacation. I admit it...I've been stealing those toilet seats! I have walls and walls of them. 🤣
I suspected as much…! The trail ran cold when we hit the Pacific…
on a serious note, the stuff you find here for like bathrooms, windows and doors, the stuff that’s made here in Italy, which is most of it, is fabulous and the prices are really very reasonable.
Love this one!
A very good point and something I've also noticed in my research. There's a coupe properties I've liked and noticed recently they are still for sale after a couple years. Those walls would kind of go with restoration hardware furniture.
Brad, don't kill me but I love the walls exposed like that BUT the look was ruined with the patches from the electrical work and lack of trim. I think, pulling that look off, the shabby walls/ ceiling, a nice high ornate baseboard and crown molding would work. I did like the light fixture in the "dining area" but, again, the design of the room would need to work with it, I think. For that room, I'd say an over exaggerated gilt and crystal chandelier 😂 The place does look like an attempt at shabby chic but incomplete. I do love the opportunity and look of the place but..... the shared hallway to get to each part? Like you said, buying in Italy is basically buying for life... I do not know that I could do that for life! 😂 would there be a way to just make two separate units? Like 2 motel rooms? I was thinking the back half of the kitchen into a bathroom and maybe just a coffee/ drink bar, like a motel room. I do agree about the bathtub - it really is just a grandiose foot soak. 😂 additionally, I just heard that famous/ royalty travel with their own toilet seats. 😂😂 maybe everyone is royalty in Italy.
Just HAVE TO SPEAK REGARDING THIS PAINTING IN WAITING.! I’d love having a room looking ‘beautifully tattered (?)’ as this apartment home offers... & with what I’d call the living room for TV & relaxation. As a fine artist... all I’d be able to do is look at the walls in that one room... is to see the creative possibilities that would make that horrible paint job... (or wall paper you said FOR REAL?) ... and no better place than Italy... home of frescoes. What artist would LOVE to do a fresco with this perfect backdrop background to work with. I’d use my water colors to create ‘ MY OWN PRIVATE MASTERPIECE!”.Friends out there... it actually could be done & refined to beautiful! Then comes furniture... which may need to have some custom, in order to actually make it all match & look beautiful. The rest of the home I’d want redone new everything, from floor to ceiling & also re-do kitchen & bath to my but conservative liking! . All walls Ned good baseboard & crown moulding... It could be nice place...but bit weird , odd, uncomfortable sharing stairway too!! You sure couldn’t make a midnight snack run to the fridge in your undies!! But 2nd thought, maybe it’d be good way to diet... no more midnight snacks! Claudia, real estate agent, absolutely is a most incredible class act! She handled your question brilliantly !
Ok! 🥳
Thanks for the video. How does it work with the other flat/apartment in the building, I mean who is responsible for what (the roof, external walls, foundations etc)?
wow love this
Nice one for sure. For the price!?! Absolutely.
Brad, I've often wondered, here in the states, the in floor heating is becoming more popular. Would it make sense there? Only if the floors do not already have gorgeous tiles, obviously. ❤
Lots of people put it in on new builds etc.
More Shabby, less Chic LOL! Love the intro, I am looking for something that I expect to be in the family forever.
I’m telling you that’s the best plan! A gift that keeps on giving. One of my daughters came and stayed for two months and one of our rentals before it went on the nightly market. Gave her a great introduction to learning Italian and lifelong memories.
This apartment is 1/3 the cost of 1 year of my son’s college tuition 😮
Ouch!
I would only buy to love and live there.
It was a great one.
If I don not drive, is there reliable transportation to get around to Rome and other areas?
Reliable like the bus and train services! There’s a bus depot right in downtown in this area and a train station is 10 minutes away. They will take you directly to Rome.
What about buying to rent is the market there?
Not something like this.
Not a real strong market where you will be rented a lot. Great place to buy something for €30-90K and use it for the rest of your life!
Nice place. The price is very good. Obviously you will have to spend money, but you will have a nice property.
And like I always say, it’s cheaper than buying a decent used car here. If you want a footprint in the country of Italy, there’s lots of neat places you can find for under €50,000.
Um cortiço .
Ok
I must confess, this looks like a pretty desperate proposition. I don't mind working on and renovating a property, but this configuration and this town is not my cup of tea. I took what you said about "spending your life here in Italy" to heart, and I prefer your other properties.
Absolutely understood! Each town is somewhat unique. (although if I dropped you in the middle of one historic district without any landmarks, I doubt you’d be able to tell me what town we were in). But yes, every place is different and everybody’s looking for something different as well. There’s tons available here. You’ll find your forever home.
I don't think it's even legal to be honest
WOW! you mean you never have another property tax bill if you are the owner of a house and it's your primary home?
IF you are a resident of Italy in your primary home you do not pay property tax. Generally... Just check with the agent on anything you are buying. IF you buy a luxery property it can be different.
Would owner take payments on the apartment?
Doubt it. Not when the price of the house is less than your average decent used car.
With that price? 😅😅😅😅
There is no property tax. Tell my if I bought a house out right there could I afford to live there say on social security of about 1300 to say Hopefully 1500 a month plus my 401 k
With your reserves, you could live very well in the Western Cape Province of South Africa .
@davidparrish; an Elective Retirement Visa (ERV) requires you to show about $32,000/yr passive income to live year round. After 5 years, you have permanent residency and no more requirements. After 10 years, citizenship. Check it out. Good luck!
You need to be able to legally reside in Italy first.
1). Love and plan to live in Italy upon retirement. I HAVE BEEN THINKING THO... what can I do to contribute to this place. Brad has done this providing not only homes to live, but tourism as well. So HOW IS IT that we Ex-Pats can contribute to this nation losing some of its population? Entrepreneurs with a bit of effort & care. I think of Spanish nations ElSalvadore, Columbia.... or Philippines & India... WHY NOT us Americans moving in... join together in school of thought to build this nation anew & create jobs etc. Possibilities are surely there... us ExPat oldsters will die off... possibly buildings a home for our families abroad... BUT also why not Italy become remote work nation and a tele-customer service for other English speaking nations, such as America. Curious if ANY out here thinking this direction as I recently find my own mind now beginning to consider.
Ok! ❤️🇮🇹💪🏼
Already a no for me at any price. I live in Florida and am spoiled I admit it.
Perfect!!
That's great, but you must speak Italian and have lots of money to move there!
You should speak Italian, but it’s not a prerequisite. I think for most people the ability will come naturally with a little study at the very least. As for the money, I guess it depends on your interpretation of what “lots“ of money is. For most people wanting to immigrate here, you need to show that you have about €40,000 a year in passive income through retirement or pension, etc. I think you can easily live here on 2000 a month especially if you don’t have a car.
Little ghetto but what you except for 30k
Exactly. I think some people have a skewed sense of what you can really get in Italy for under €50,000. It’s nice to see a place that’s at least livable although quirky. It’s hard to find a nice car here for less than €20,000.
In the North you can't find anything less than 100k (a small awful place ) .but for a nice small house in a small town, not a touristy one, you need 200k euros