Le Marche property blog

2009-06-30T10:48:00.000-07:00

It's a marvel
That's what it is!
Just by chance today I met a guy in town who is a kind of property scout. He tells me of this little gem for sale near Cessapalombo; so we zoom over there with him. And look! A gorgeous garden too with the most magnifient oak tree. The main house is very old and has the original oak beams. There is an annexed addition which contains a huge lounge above which there is a most striking terrace. Views on the Sibillini mountains too. And the main thing? It's very very well priced. A steal in fact

2009-05-30T01:56:00.000-07:00

Restoration

I very seldomly write about house restoration. Now this is undoubtably because I have this infuriating habit of telling people the truth about the difficulties of rebuilding a house. Can't help myself. And so I usually put them off the idea entirely. Probably it's because I've done it twice myself and can taste the cement dust sandwiches as I write. Occasionally however something really tasty turns up and I find myself thinking 'Hmm, I could take this on, it would be worth the cement dust sandwiches ...or maybe just one'
This is such a place. Equidistant from both the sea and the mountains, set on a hill above the Aso valley, with four hectares of arable land and two of woodland, this robust and quite beautiful Marchigiana farmhouse ticks every box; price-wise too because the owner wants e240k for it. Excellent value when you consider that the land is worth about e70K. It's just below the pretty towns of Montalto and Montedinove, set on a hillside with gorgeous countryside views; private but not remote.

It is in fact technically habitable, but only in a very rustic sense, and it has water and elec connected.

A very very pretty place in a commanding position and well worth a cement sandwich.

2009-02-06T04:06:00.001-08:00

Yes this one really is exquisite.
Not only for its architectural splendour, but also its location and most wondrous views across the whole breadth of the Sibillini mountain range. Just a few minutes drive from the pretty medieval town of Amandola with its festivals, culture and amenities and only 1hr15 from the airport at Ancona with Ryan connection to Stansted and Dusseldorf. Structurally sound, the main buildings has new roofs and work has only to be done of a cosmetic and interior nature. A must to see!

2009-01-11T07:49:00.000-08:00

My walk with Bessie.
Yesterday was a despicable day, grey from end to end a damp and cold, with a mixture of snow and sleet. Mud everywhere. which the cats trailed through the house all day. In fact nobody about at all, so a shopkeeper told me this morning as I went to buy a panino and a can of coke (our lunch) for a walk up the Gola d'Infernaccio (the Throat of Hell) with Bessiedog.
Like an idiot, I though I could drive up the final two K, but I got as far as two metres before I realised it was a nogo (what was I thinking?). So we hiked it and as we got nearer to the gorge below, the snow got deeper and I could see even a 4X4 wouldn't have managed it.
And what a difference a day makes! Today is gorgeous and so it is.
And here's a pic of Bess along the track. You can't see it, but she's picking up deer spore; there was a time when she would've been off at the slightest scent but today she's more intent in getting her half of the panino, i.e the bit with the prosciuto.

And here it is on a vidclip

2008-12-29T07:50:00.000-08:00

Not the best climate, physically or economically to being selling property..look at this!

http://it.youtube.com/watch?v=N8uTZwGIgFk

OK, the weather here in Le Marche can swiftly change: the wind can swing to the south and we could be sunbathing again in a day or two.
But the economic climate? Sure. everybody is betting on Obama to be the economic Sirocco. Poor guy, such a responsibility.
If you ask my advice for 2009 in Real Estate?
I'd say try and go and live where you really feel like living, where you'd feel happiest...and plant lots of potatoes.

2008-12-18T03:31:00.001-08:00

The Mystic Chestnut Forest

Haven't ever seen a chestnut wood like this in Le Marche, Used to have one close to where I lived in Tuscany. They are such magnificent trees: beautiful right now in winter and incredibly more so in full summer where they let only small shafts of light pass between them.
So, here you are...26 hectares of them (actually 23 with 3 hectares of arable land). A private entrance and road up to the house and complete seclusion...yet, yet, only ten minutes from Sarnano, that medieval town which never closes.

Oh and the House!
Not much to speak of is it?
Looks like a solid block of concrete.
But actually it's in every sense habitable inside and quite well finished too.
Needs an insulated roof but that's no big deal and the outside needs glamorising. But the whole place is really about the outside and I can imagine it with a gorgeous garden. A delight.

More info on our site www.lilianapivato.com

2008-12-06T06:45:00.001-08:00

I personally really like this house. If it wasn't so big, I'd buy it. You can feel you are close to the sea, smell it even, let alone see it all around; the trees and the almost tropical flowers and plants. There are in fact very few of such properties
avaiable in this (now)quite exclusive area. Most have been done up and brought to an almost Tuscan level of poshness sad to say. Now if it were mine, I'd simple redo the interior. 'That's a bit French isn't it?' you would no doubt say. To which I would reply 'Yes' or 'Mai oui', according to my mood.
Then I would throw all the rest of my energy at the garden, organise a sophisticated irrigation system and turn the surrounds into a little paradise; the sort of thing you can do in a micro-climate such as this

But alas, alack, la vie n'est pas toujours facile and I have to put up with seeing these places and just wishing. The lament of a property consultant indeed.
Seriously though (although in fact I am being quite serious) this is a quite special place and a prime example of coastal real estate in Le Marche

The property is near Recanati, home of our famous poet Leopardi.
More details on our site www.lilianapivato.com/

2008-11-25T06:56:00.000-08:00

Seldomly in this property business do you get to find a 17th Century Villa in a habitable condition. (And what's more a castle is a pretty hefty piece of real estate, let's face it). And to have a Count as your next door neighbour? A cantina and cave to store your fine wines? And a view which stretches right across to the Conero and the Adriatic?

If you've got this far and are still reading this, your probably a snob and your American too...which is fine, which is fine! Because it's great place to wow your friends in; to woo your business colleagues or even to bury yourself in and escape from the hurly-burly.
The photos don't do justice to this property. The roads are too narrow to photograph from outside and the interior more about feeling and 4 dimensionality. It's on four levels and 400 mq altogether with a part of the roof which can be turned into a terrace for those majestic views.

Smack in the middle of Le Marche it is, less than an hour from the airport at Falconara and only 20 mins to the sea.

Just look at the ceiling!! It's in perfect condition, as are all the rooms.

You simply must see this one, you really must!

For further details www.lilianapivato.com

2008-10-30T06:25:00.000-07:00

It's not very often we're invited to look at a monastery for sale. Now, I know ex monasteries are not to everyone's taste. For one thing they are large (this one 300mq) and for another they are unusually shaped; not your run of the mill family house. We were shown over the property by a man who was born there some seventy years ago when it had already been taken over as a private villa; always nice to share memories.The view eastward from the top floor (it has three) is outstanding; a vast landscape where you can see as far as the Conero Peninsular, that famous Le Marche National Park. My immediate thought was that if a terrace were allowed on the roof area, that this would open up a whole new prospect...

It needs restoration of course but we have architects and engineers who'd kill to get their hands on it as a project

Check out our website www.lilianapivato.com for further details of this delicious and unusual piece of real estate. By the way, it's in Penna San Giovanna, that famous town between the mountains and the sea

2008-09-22T00:42:00.000-07:00

Bargain of the week.
Naturally the credit squeeze has its repercussions here in Italy too, although not quite in the same fashion as in USA and UK. Quite by chance we were out with friends last evening in a local restaurant and the waiter happened to tell us that he's lived for twelve years in Florida, had a house there and was a typical victim of the financial disaster that had hit the housing market in the USA; he'd taken a mortgage at a low rate of interest, which had doubled whilst the value of his house had dropped by 25%. Couldn't sell it either.
Not quite the same here. Principally because the sub-prime mortgage option was never available; and what's more it was/is never easy to get a mortgage here, in that a high deposit was/is always necessary (usually 25%) plus exhaustive scrutiny of an applicant's income. I remember until only recently how I used to condemn the stringency of the Italian system and boast how easy it was in UK to get a mortgage...not any more I don't.
To sum up the real estate situation here currently, however, I would say that the Italian property market is just about static in terms of inflation. The international market, however, is following the age-old principles of supply and demand. There is a glut of property (and I'm talking about the sort that foreigners buy here in Le Marche) and very few buyers. Any property selling is where offers have been made and accepted at about 12.5% less than asking price.
It's a buyer's market indeed...and here's an example; a pretty cottage near Force where the owner has dropped the price by 10%.
You can find it ref 5171 on our site www.lilianapivato.com

You can see the sea from the house

2008-09-08T05:54:00.000-07:00

Don't you just love infinity pools? Mmm yes, especially at night.
Clear Le Marche skies and the Milky Way standing on its head. This one (oh, it's attached to a house; see below) is between the mountains and the sea in those gorgeous hills south of Mogliano.

The house, a recently restored farmhouse, is to be seen to be believed. Finished to the very height of good taste; real estate to sigh for.

More details on our site www.lilianapivato.com

2008-08-08T01:18:00.000-07:00

Property of the week!
Have you heard of Santa Vittoria?
Sure you have; it's the town where the Ch4 programme 'Place in the sun' has been filmed and other programmes like it. It's because it's the perfect Marchigiana location. Sweeping views of the sea from its walls, a Tuscany like main street and a perfect model of a historic centre.
This beautifully restored property is right in the middle of this central part and is a delight indeed. Tranquil and with always a freshening air from the sea (I was up there yesterday when it was hot outside but there was a delightful cool breeze on the terrace)It's on four floors and has two terraces and a courtyard. Look for it on our site www.lilianapivato.com

This is the terrace facing south for that winter sunshine.

And this the terrace with views and breezes from the sea.

2008-07-14T07:16:00.000-07:00

PROPERTY OF THE DAY (now ref 5369 0n our site below)

For Sale.. A Yoga Centre!

Imagine that...a Yoga Centre!
Don't actually suppose that a Yoga Centre is one of your immediate Real Estate options but there it is, perched just on the edge of the beautiful Le Marche town of Potenza Piceno, tucked away in a cul-e-sac and only a few miles from the Adriatic Sea. Currently it is set up for Yoga and meditation (and you can feel the tranquil atmosphere) but is readily changed back to being a property with three bedrooms, kitchen bathroom etc. Gorgeous mature garden and wide views of the open countryside towards the sea

The current kitchen

The countryside looking towards sea (only 7K away)

All this and lots more on www.lilianapivato.com

2008-07-03T13:51:00.001-07:00

Property of the day

You must buy this cottage...you must!
It's gorgeous! Just below Sant Angelo in the Macerata Province of Le Marche it is, and in the most beautiful of settings. And the garden, although slightly unkempt, still echoes its former beauty within this little nook of a micro-climate

It's about 200mq with 5 hectares of land containing 90 olive trees and some 200 poplars which are ready to market.

And you can see the sea from the garden

....needs restoration but that's fun when you fall in love with a place (which you will when you see it!)

You want to see it? You will soon on www.lilianapivato.com

2008-07-01T07:15:00.000-07:00

Puglia

Ah Puglia!

To me it's more like a chunk of Africa that lost its way. And so very different from our home territory of Le Marche.
Never have I experienced a sea so clean and turquoise blue. This property is ten minutes from the famous white walled town of Ostuni and set in a valley full of trulli.

The Real Estate market is pretty active still in this region and you can still find bargains to restore. This delicious property has been restored and lived in for a few years and the quality of restoration is of the very highest order. Its ready to move into and the current owner successfully rents it out throughout the year, which makes it an ideal investment opportunity. Look for it on our site www.lilianapivato.com

2008-06-27T02:46:00.000-07:00

Eco Houses.
There the future lies. Houses which are carbon neutral, which take energy from the ground and the sky and which also sell surplus energy to the National Grid.
Here is one such house (indeed one of many Giancarlo is constructing in Le Marche)

You'll see from the info doc attached that although such houses cost 20% more to build, that they recoup this extra investment within five years (probably much less is my guess, the way energy prices are spiralling)
Then, remember, that solar energy technology know-how is advancing rapidly and that panels will soon be wafer-thin and will be located everywhere and anywhere.

With its sunshine levels and environmental consciousness, and with promised Govt assistance by way of cheap loans an tax incentives, there is every reason why Le Marche should take the lead in this initiative.

Carbon neutral Real Estate... just love the phrase.

details...

Heating, 22C all year through
100% elec self sufficient, excess elec from solar panels fed into National Grid.
Gas only for cooking
Fireplaces also heat water.
Heat transfer from 7 metres under ground 20C…100mq tank of water
Under floor heating
Roof double insulation
Costs 20% more to build but repays in 5 years. Carbon neutral. No radiators
Rain catchment for garden water.

2008-06-25T11:59:00.000-07:00

Le Marche Property of the day

I'm putting this farmhouse up although it's already on our site http://www.lilianapivato.com/viewdetails.php?id=205&lang=en
Just happened to be there today with clients and realised we've had it on our site for almost a year and it's odd it hasn't sold. Difficulty is (not that it's any difficulty at all)...problem is that owner has it for sale with 6 hectares (15 acres)of land and won't sell one without the other. And it works out that the land is worth about the same as the house. But what a gorgeous situation and location. A whole valley in view with the beautiful town of Petritoli on the hill above and only ten minuted from the sea at Pedaso. Has lots of olive trees and room for hundreds more.

2008-06-24T09:22:00.000-07:00

still photography

Nothing like it...not sure I go for this video stuff. So here's a correction on yesterday's blog. Now you can see what a pleasant and robust property it is, typical of the sort of house built in this area of Le Marche just after the war.

The terrace is gorgeous and adds massively to its real estate value, as well as being a year-round sunshine hide-away from domestic demands.

2008-06-23T07:59:00.000-07:00

House of the day!
Terrible video, but I'll get better, I'll get better. In fact it really couldn't be worse...just looked at it. But it's a trial!
But you'll see this house (which I've just been to measure up) on our site in a few days. It's in a little hamlet just below the town of Force and I sold it to the current owners some five years back. They have restored it delightfully, and, most importantly, have added a terrace which is large and offers a gorgeous view of the open countryside across to Montefalcone and part of the Sibillini mountains

The owners were telling me about the state of the UK housing market but we pretty well keep up to date on it all. Knew in fact a year ago that a collapse had to take place. It's the nature of capitalism. With today's Guardian telling us that there are now a million homes in UK on market and only 150,000 buyers, do the sums yourself. Something has to give. And how will it affect us here in Le Marche? With a mainly foreign clientele, prices are going to have to be eased too. Same problem, too many houses, not enough buyers.
It really is a terrible video, I'll change it I will.

2008-06-17T13:01:00.000-07:00

Property of the day

This property is described by my architect friend Giuseppe Gentile as a most incredible example of Marchigiane architecture. It's near the Abbey of Fiastra (also near a golf-course) and is just itching to be turned into a hotel or country house.
Upstairs it has up to five bedrooms and the downstairs part (yet to be restored) would make a dream of a restaurant. Three hectares of land too in this delicious piece of real estate in a beautiful area of Le Marche.

2008-06-16T05:08:00.000-07:00

House of the day

On restoration...a real estate option
It's quite common here for developers here in Le Marche to leave a house 'al grezzo' This means that it is 80% finished. And this means property is structurally rebuilt with new roof, floors and walls, but that plumbing, electrics, doors and windows have yet to be put in. Why would anyone do this? Two reasons; one being that often buyers like to do the finishing themselves and make the property more theirs
Or at least this is the presumption by the owner. But I think that more often it is to disguise the final cost of these latter aspects (i.e. they are costly) Big advantage is that you get to see the property more or less as it will be without all the hassle and stress of doing the re-building yourself. Worth checking out this option, but make damn sure you are aware of final costs

2008-06-14T09:33:00.000-07:00

Ruin of the day.
Just following on with my ruin tales.
this property, an abandoned farmhouse is a real a corker, near the pretty town of Porchia and only some 20 mins from the coast at Grottamare, above San Benedetto in southern Le Marche

What's amazing about this tasty bit of real estate is that it has a large stretch of its 3 hectares as building land. In other words the property could be restored and then other buildings put up to accompany it; stables, barns, studios or even residential cottages. Could make an interesting project; an agritourism ranch with horses and ornamental goats (I thought).Town itself very pretty too

2008-06-13T13:56:00.000-07:00

Ruin of the day
This one is near Urbisaglia in Macerata Province. Restoration seems to be becoming popular again. Eco-housing that's what it's all going to be about in the future, I'm sure.
And we are just the Real Estate Agency to specialise in this energy consciouness.

Light relief
But by way of light relief, here's a photo of a lonely hillside in Le Marche just below the wondrous ex-convento of Sant'Ippolito, a property which I wrote about two days ago. Le Marche. They say it's all of Italy in one region. It's almost true.

2008-06-12T13:41:00.000-07:00

Le Marche property of the day

The house on the lake. Lake Rufino to be exact. It's a nature reserve where there are great areas and paths to walk and cycle around the lake. This house has been completely restored and is indeed a quite beautiful property. The interior is exquisitely finished: a typical Marche farmhouse originally, it is now a very comfortable family home with a mature terraced garden with a swimming pool and wondrous lake and mountain views

2008-06-11T14:01:00.000-07:00

Property of the day

As we are in Treia, take a look at this magnificent property. It's a 16thC building which has been restored on the outside to its original state. Now this is where restoration gets interesting if you ask me.

Look at this photo of the interior, contemporary or what? Yes indeed, the owner is an architect and the interior was gutted to allow for an ultra modern interior. I wondered how a 16th century architect (travelling through time of course) would be bowled unconcious simple by walking through the front door. Time shock it would be
It's just 3K from Treia town, which itself is just north of Macerata in the middle
part of Le Marche and about twenty minutes from the coast.
It's got land too and wide country views.
A rather delicious piece of real estate.

2008-06-10T12:57:00.000-07:00

House of the day
Well,a Villa really, which we came across the other day near Treia, just north of Macerata
You think it's Tuscany don't you? But it's not.
It's a restored monastery with a wondrous parkland of a garden and is rented out usually to groups of people.
Putting it up because it's a classic example of the sort of high quality restoration work which has been done mainly by foreigners, English in this case but also Dutch and German in these wonderful rolling hills north of the town, and positioned as they are only a short distance from the sea.
So restoration is still a thriving concept in these parts, especially when you consider that Le Marche only has less half its original population of the between war years and 50% of its countryside property still abandoned, just ripe and waiting for restoration.

And as your Real Estate Agent we'd be happy to show you a bunch of them in need of restoration. And then supply you with builders, architects, the whole shooting match
to enable you to do it. Good we are. Oh, and this one is for sale by the way... Four million Euros is the asking price.

2008-06-09T14:07:00.000-07:00

House of the day!
This is Sambuco, an up and running 6 bedroom B&B; an ex 15thC convent with the most incredible views of the Sibillini mountain range. gorgeous mature garden, broad band, sat TV, four bathrooms, two kitchens...a wonder indeed.

SHOCK HORROR!

UK Traders predict house prices will fall by 50% in four years

· Investments based on property 'fall off a cliff'
· Job losses hit estate agents and mortgage firms
(guardian 9th June)

So why not consider investing in Le Marche property instead? No property price bubble here, thus none to burst. Pure clean air and water, hardly any industry and you'll live longer.....you bet!

2008-06-08T08:18:00.000-07:00

These 1940s mountain homes are quite fascinating. Ignored by many in the quest for property in Le Marche, where the preference has up until lately been for stone houses; these 'Lege da Montagna' house were built during the latter years of the Second World war to house displaced families here in Le Marche. They were pretty uniform in design but robustly built and they have certainly stood the test of time. Easy to restore, once beautified, they lose all their original plain-ness. This particular property is for sale and it's opposite the hilltop town of Montefalcone of which it ha sthe most splendid view.

There are many to be found in the open countryside close to the mountains and are worth taking a serious look at.

2008-06-07T03:46:00.000-07:00

Sometimes property pops up from out of the blue and surprises us.
This villa is in the final stage of restoration and will offer private accommodation as well as holiday apts or B&B for guests. What's unique about it is that it sits in a lovely valley not far from Mont Alto (in the new Province of Fermo), within 8 hectares of land. It has a bio swimming pool and 40 olive trees AND (and this is the wow part), building permission to construct two other buildings anywhere within the eight hectares.
State of the market? Pretty flat as you might imagine except from within the Euro zone where of course a euro is a euro (I bet the British regret not joining now, eh?)
But property prices here in Le Marche are bound to dip to a certain extent if only accommodate a fall in demand from the panicking world outside, although property values in Italy haven't ever bubbled as they had in US and UK real estate, so the fall will be minimal in our estimation.

2008-06-04T02:35:00.000-07:00

The other day we went to have a look at the plots for this villa project just below Campofilone- The land on which the villas will be built is just off the coastal road and just a few minutes walk from the sea itself (where incidentally a whole new beach area is being created with bars and restaurants and every facility imaginable). If you look up you see the pretty town of Campofilone itself which is just a hop away and there you can find restaurants too and banks and bars, all essential ingredients for living in Italy. Work begins in July on the first properties and a comprehensive portflio and brochure has already been printed for interested buyers (also available on-line) Prices range from €212K to € 435K, depending on number of bedrooms and size of garden and each property comes with other varying options, with or without swimming pool , courtyard, garage etc.

You can find out more about this excellent investment by clicking on http://www.lilianapivato.com/viewdetails.php?id=410〈=en

2007-11-10T03:34:00.000-08:00

The property market in Le Marche is never fully determinable or explicable. Currently, probably more than any other region in Italy, it is subject once again to change. Now this isn't surprising when you consider how it has been created by foreigners over the past eight years or so... and changes are happening again. Just six months ago, all interest in restoration had virtually disappeared. I'd put this down to the scare stories that abounded in newspapers and of course TV programmes. But now (and I honestly could not tell you why) once again it's what folks want to do. They want to be involved in the rebuilding of their homes. They want to work alongside architects in the internal and external design of the houses they have bought. And this I find exciting, principally I suppose because it's more fun for us in that we get involved in the early stages and then watch a project develop and in some small way become part of people's lives as they grapple with their new lives and their adopted culture.

What inspires me to write about restoration is a quite beautiful old Marchigiane farmhouse in the hills below Tolentino. Not only is the property wonderful but it commands almost 360 degree views of the mountains in one direction and the sea in the other. And you know, there are ruins and there are ruins! This one is robust and in fact has been standing for a couple of hundred years or so and it's walls are as sound as when it was first built. Here are some photos of this gorgeous place.

Tasty interiors too, just look at that fireplace, hmmm!

2007-08-21T07:24:00.000-07:00

Sometimes a little gem pops up and it suprises you.
This property had been on our books for a year as a project, to be started when somebody up and bought it.
This is a picture of it before work began a few weeks back

The building commands the most exquisite views of the surrounding countryside and even the sea and sits above the lovely medieval town of Force (which can also be seen from the house)
So. Work has began and you can already see how it is going to look.
We originally thought it was a tiny place but I measured it and it is 200 sq metres.
A wonder. It has been degutted inside and will provide more space than the original
building.
And what's more, it'll have a pool too.
Which is nice.

Claudio, it's owner, is also a geometra. So you can bet your boots it's going to be a sturdy little property when finished.

On our site, it's ref 5171

2007-05-31T03:08:00.000-07:00

Hadn't seen this house for some six months and at that time it was 80% finished and the weather was dreary with low cloud. Then I heard from the owner a couple of days back, that not only was the house finished and completely restored, but that the garden had been landscaped and a driveway put in too.
So I stopped by in passing and I must say, I was blown away by the sheer excellence of the quality of finish and care the owner has afforded this property. Here are some pics.

The views, I should add, are quite breathtaking.
There is quite a lot of this type of property coming through now. It's been some seven years now since the boom-invasion started and many of these original pioneers, having restored countless properties, are now moving on to bigger or somtimes smaller properties as their life requirements change.
Quite what this means for the market in general, it is hard to say. But we have noted a trend towards restored property, usually with a pool...and that such property is commanding quite high prices, pushing on E3000 per mq. In fact almost Tuscan figures.

2007-03-16T02:04:00.000-07:00

Last week we were out on a property search near Cingoli on a day typical of those we have been experiencing this winter, warm and sunny and with the most fantastic jet stream clouds racing across the sky. One of the remarkable things about travelling around Le Marche is the change in the landscape, almost a sudden shift, as you round a bend and suddenly hit a view which takes your breath away. This day was no exception and suddenly we were up in the sky looking over the whole of Marche.. and this little cottage.

The pretty medieval town of Cingoli in fact is described as the balcony of Le Marche, where the land rises slowly to a height which gives views across to the sea at Conero and westwards too, to the Sibillini mountains.
This particular house needs restoring and we have contractors who can do so and have it key in hand ready in six months; a trend, incidentally, which is gaining currency here as contractors realise that clients are no longer willing to accept long waits and bureaucratic confusion.

We then zoomed down to a delightful little town in the hills some ten minutes from the sea at Porto Sant Elpidio (delayed somewhat by Giancarlo's erratic parking...in a ditch). Another house to restore and another perfect location. And what a view!

The town is Torre San Patrizio, and it's close to Fermo and to the autostrada and to the larger Civitanova. And the house another restoration, again possible within six month time frame.

We had a tractor drag his car out..poor chap.

2007-01-11T03:09:00.000-08:00

A town house in Altidona (ref 1178 on our site)

And not just an ordinary townhouse. This one is pure delight... restored to the very finest degree of taste and refinement.
Don't know if you know Altidona, but it overlooks the sea just North of Pedaso and is a very lively community (if their New Year's celebrations are an indication). The house is on three floors and has a pretty little garden with superb countyside views

It's equidistant from both Ancona and Pescara airports (less than an hour to each)
Has railstation and autostrada closeby too

2006-12-12T09:06:00.000-08:00

Hmm!
Full of surprises this job.
No sooner than you think you've seen it all and ....zonk! Something amazing pops up.
This villa has been run as an Agritourism centre for the past ten years and it is quite unique.

Stats.
It is about 500mq with annexes of 70 and 60mq. It has five bedrooms with bathrooms and an amazing 16 hectares of land (less if required), land which runs along the river plain and up towards the hills and Sranano ( 5K away). There is a restaurant area and a bar, music room and, well, just look at the pictures

2006-10-27T08:14:00.000-07:00

I've got this thing about Villas.
These palaces which were once the home of noble or aristrocratic families.
This is in the town of Rapignano, not far from Fermo and the sea. The middle part of this one is occupied by younger members of the original family and the top floor and the stalle (horse stables) and the cantina are no longer used but in perfect condition and exceptionally beautiful.
These images show the habitable middle part and the old stables. Altogether the villa is rather large at some 600mq and I guess it's for someone with rather particular or eccentric tastes, with a love of history and with some project in mind, maybe a hotel or a centre of some kind.

It's got the most enchanting vaulted stalle (stables), beneath, and quite beautiful frescoes in the upper and middle floors (where the descendants of the original family still live)

Just around the corner is the town terrace (although the Villa itself has its own terrace) with panoramic views of the countryside around)

2006-10-26T01:41:00.000-07:00

Amazing!
Really amazing!
This is a development in the town of Mogliano: a development of condominiums and apartments.
Mogliano is a beautiful medieval town which is only 15 mins from the sea and the same to Macerata, with the airport at Ancona about 45 mins.
There are ten apartments in all and most have a private terrace or garden. Half of these are finished already, the rest by next Spring. The quality of workmanship is superb and they vary in size and price starting at E145K.
The images show the complexes, which are in the historic centre of town, in various stages of development

2006-09-25T06:23:00.001-07:00

Water.
That's what this house is about...water.
Lots of it.
Lots as in immeasurabale quantities of the clearest, purest, tastiest water you're ever likely to encounter.
So it follows that the garden (more like a park) is lush and fertile with every type of fruit tree imaginable.
The house itself (340mq)has been beautifully restored and its location (south facing and just below the medieval town of Colmarno) is super ideal and what'smore, a whisker away from the Superstrada and then the autostrada to Ancona and the airport at Falconara. Should mention, too, that there are three barns or annexes scattered around the property which could be for extra habitation, boy's rooms etc.
Ideal for a youngish couple looking for a green challenge

2006-08-14T05:01:00.000-07:00

Saw an amazing villa this morning near Gualdo. Huge at 700mq in one hectare of land.
Structurally sound and with only a thin film of plaster hiding what is beautiful old stone underneath...once restored to its former beauty, this will make a great centre for an activity or a collection of condominiums with shared land, pool etc, and as such a great investment. It's close to Gualdo with wondrous views

And frescoes!!
What a wonder!

Nice view eh?

It's also very near Sarnano and about an hour from Ancona airport

once thin cement wash is off...underneath there is old stone!

2006-07-12T01:53:00.000-07:00

Qualita!
E come!
Saw these three houses last weekend. Owned by three Patricia’s (unless they’re pulling my leg). Within the sacred golden triangle of Gualdo, Sarnano and San Ginesio, the owners have created a gem of a haven.

The houses are set within the same complex and share facilities such as the pool and the land. Access is down a private well-kept road and although the property is secluded, it offers wondrous views of Gualdo and the surrounding countryside and the Sibillinis as a backdrop in the West.

But the quality of the interior finish…mmmm!
Sort of fits within our new condominium ideas
(coming up soon on site)

2006-06-12T08:26:00.000-07:00

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Found an amazing Borgo the other day. It's nor far from Illice and in its time it must have been a wondrous complex of buildings, housing 60 or so people; a large aristocratic family and dozens of workers. It's now completely abandoned and if not rescued soon someone rich and eccentric, or maybe just mad and American, it'll fall down and be eaten by ivy (the plant that is).
Hey, you know, I've heard that Brad Pitt and Angelica whatshername are looking for a place to buy in Italy...so if you're out there reading this you two and you have time to spare withh all those babies and all...then here is the information.
There are five major buildings all in all, set on a hillside not far north of Ascoli Piceno. They nestle together in an almost random fashion and are constructed of local stone.

One of the old beams inside main building

My guess is that the overall size of the complex is getting on for 1,500 mq but it could be slightly less. No family is going to buy it that's for sure but it would make a great activity centre or a maybe just condominiums with a shared pool and restaurant.
It would certainly have to be restored to its authentic historical standard and this would cost a whacking amount, a million euros plus is my guess.

Great beams eh? which only I saw as the Italians I went with are scared of bats (all Italians are scred of bats) and dared not enter.
So there you are Brad and Angelica, or in fact anyone else who has a lot of money and wants something rare and special before time takes its toll.
Cost? Peanuts to buy...coconuts to restore.

2006-05-05T06:08:00.000-07:00

We were out on a property search this week with Bepe, our architect friend who specialises in drooling over historical properties and frescoes in particular. Remo (our property scout) had called us and said this one you will die for, or kill for. Show this to an American, he says, and they will faint on the spot. He does tend to talk like that about every villa or house he sees, but this time...this time, he's got it right.

So we drive almost to the coast, near Pedaso, that cheeky little seaside town, and drive up the hill to a town called Massignano. never been there before and well... it's very very pretty. Remo is late of course and we are chewing our fingers because Bepe has to get back to Sarnano for a very important meeting with the mayor. At last Remo turns, dressed up to the nines, but none of us asks why, we just presume it's got something to do with the Villa, like he dresses for the occasion.
The villa itself is next to the town arch and as we near it three other men turn up, one with the keys, and the others? no idea.

Suddenly we are inside and the beauty of the place hits us instantly. Bepe is super drooling. This is fantastic he says and insists I go around and photograph the terra cotta paving. Look, I say, I really must photograph the villa too, as we're in a rush.

Rush?, he says...no problem this is more important than the mayor.
So I relax and wander around snapping.

Nice afternoon out