Sicilian Real Estate: What Kind of Buyer are You?

First there are the adventurers. They’re drawn by the kind of value found in those famous (and rather overdone) ‘Homes for €1’ promotions and looking to capitalise on the migration away from small villages and towns of the island which has been seen since the middle of the twentieth century. Adventurers search property listings by price first, and they’re looking for character, authentic Sicilian culture and maybe a bit of a challenge. They won’t shy away from a renovation project, as long as they feel inspired by the surroundings.

Valerio’s tips for Adventurers

“Buyers like this will find incredible value in Medieval villages in the Madonie Natural Park. In Gratteri and Pollina, Gangi and Collesano there are beautiful stone buildings being sold for next to nothing. A narrow cobbled alleyway may not be the easiest setting for the work of a restoration, but what’s that except a challenge to overcome, making the finished product – a mix of traditional charm and modern comfort – an even sweeter prize.“

“So shop local for bargains on raw materials and artisanal finishings. Keep the oak beamed ceilings, showcase some of that ancient masonry, but let’s pair the handmade majolica tiles with some under-floor heating in the bathroom! If you’re smart you can buy – and polish – a gem of a townhouse here for as little as €60-80,000.”

Whichever Sicilian dream fires your imagination, check out Valerio’s carefully selected offerings at Property in Sicily today.

Then there are the Unwinders. If you’re looking for a ready-to-go property with luxurious touches and plenty of space, then Sicily is the perfect place for you to relax, chill out and, yes, unwind.

Features that will appeal most to Unwinders include a large estate with an olive grove or perhaps a vineyard, a mix of open terraces and covered verandas, hillside or sea views and, best of all, a private swimming pool. Increasing numbers of vendors in Sicily are seeing the value of selling large houses fully furnished, ready for immediate occupation, and this is always a popular draw for unwinders who want to keep the moving process as simple as possible.

Valerio’s tips for Unwinders

“You can find amazing Tuscan-style villas and converted farmhouses in the countryside of the natural parks, Trapani is a great region for this. Places that would cost well between one and three million Euros in Tuscany or Umbria are selling in Sicily for around €400-700,000.

If this is your budget then the location is everything – look at the areas outside big cities, where wealthy local families have bought summer villas for hundreds of years, to get away from the humidity for a few months. If you go to Portopalo in the south-east, you can find yourself with real life rock stars for neighbours, like Mick Jagger for instance. Another spot I love is the peninsula around Bagheria, just east of Palermo. It hasn’t really been ‘discovered’ by the international market yet, but it’s really brilliant for this kind of property.

If you find a place that’s almost perfect, we love to support our clients after they buy, and help them manage projects to create something truly special. People are super excited when we tell them they can build a beautiful swimming pool in Sicily for under €30,000 – and a bit of local knowledge is gold dust in Sicily.”

Whichever Sicilian dream fires your imagination, check out Valerio’s carefully selected offerings at Property in Sicily today.

The Go-getters are the most recent group to emerge in the Sicilian market. Arising out of the modern world’s capacity for remote working and the incredibly favourable tax climate for professionals who relocate to Sicily and bring income with them, this type of buyer has become a really key player in the urban markets of Palermo and Catania.

Reliable high speed broadband, international schools, a low cost of living and ever-more regular flights from all over Europe and even the US (the airline NEOS just announced that they will be offering direct connections from the Sicilian capital to New York from 2024), have made neighbourhoods like Palermo‘s La Kalsa magnets for freelancers and remote employees alike.

Valerio’s Tips for Go-getters

“La Kalsa is a great example of somewhere where the prices will shock you. You can get a spacious loft or split-level apartment in an historic Palazzo building for the price of a garage in London or Berlin. You’ll find yourself in the middle of a thriving neighbourhood with cute boutiques, great nightlife and the city’s legendary market culture, with all the space you need to make Sicily your year-round home.”

“Best of all is how much you can save on your tax bill by moving here. Sicily is really trying to set itself apart from competitors like Spain and Portugal by offering a ninety per cent tax free allowance for new arrivals if they take residence here. You can save a fortune and get a massive bump in quality of life. Even the Italians say that Sicilian hospitality is legendary, and it’s here waiting for you!”

Whichever Sicilian dream fires your imagination, check out Valerio’s carefully selected offerings at Property in Sicily today.