JKM Real Estate Agency

20/11/2017

15th November 2017. Flowers in my garden. Life is so beautiful in Tuscany.

02/11/2017

Never ending summer in Tuscany
This year the summer season does not want to leave us. Look, what I picked in my vegetable garden yesterday, the 1st of November - tomatoes, aubergines, peppers and different kinds of lettuce as well as wild mushrooms. A glass of good Chianti wine and lunch is ready. Healthy, tasty and very cheap.

21/08/2017

2017 Boom of Italian tourism
Some of the most popular tourist destinations – including Spain, France, Turkey, Greece and Tunisia– have all been classed as dangerous due to recent events. Italy remains today the only country in the Mediterranean area considered to be reasonably safe.
This summer incredible increase of tourism was registered. About 60% of Italian citizens have chosen to spent their holidays in Italy, while for many previous years, the trend was to travel abroad. Also, foreign tourists, who in the past preferred lower season and rather cultural centres than the coast, this years arrived in large numbers in July and August and many of them opted for the Italian seaside. First time in many years hotels, motels and self-accommodation apartments were fully booked. Italy is expecting to surpass 400 million hotel occupancies this year and overtake other European countries.
The boom of tourism is also due to the change of mentality of the local operators. Many services in the cities and smaller towns remain open – restaurants, museums, shops and stores. Additional attractions are offered in seaside resorts and in the countryside. Archeologic sites have been upgraded and improved to modern standards.
Italy finally understood that tourism is its great chance for development. With so much to offer in terms of environment, art, history, culture and cuisine it is bound to become number one in Europe. Catch this opportunity. Invest in Italian tourism today. There many hotels, accommodation and catering facilities for sale on the market after the crisis suitable for all fascia of clients. From period villas which could become luxury resorts, to farms with self-catering apartments, B&B as well as country houses for rentals.
Enquiries regarding this kind of properties are increasing which shows evident interest of international operators. This chance will not last for ever. Most interesting properties will be sold in short time and the prices of others will increase.
Have a look of some suitable properties we offer in this sector http://www.houses-in-tuscany.com/t14-hotels

31/10/2016

The terrible earthquakes which occurred recently in Italy alarmed the entire world. We all know that Italy is a country with quite high seismic risk as many other places in the world. As usual, the mass media gave large coverage about the event, almost always quoting Central Italy as the area affected, creating a certain panic amongst those who have relatives or friends living here or who are just considering buying a property. [ 122 more words ]

https://tuscany1708.wordpress.com/2016/10/31/earthquakes-in-italy-august-october-2016

The terrible earthquakes which occurred recently in Italy alarmed the entire world. We all know that Italy is a country with quite high seismic risk as many other places in the world.  As usual, th…

31/10/2016

Over one billion investment of Ryanair in Italy Ryanair, the biggest low cost airline, announced huge development in Italy which involves 1 billion Euro investment in Italian tourism. This will inc… Sorgente: Ryanair bets on Italian tourism

https://tuscany1708.wordpress.com/2016/10/31/ryanair-bets-on-italian-tourism-2

Over one billion investment of Ryanair in Italy Ryanair, the biggest low cost airline, announced huge development in Italy which involves 1 billion Euro investment in Italian tourism. This will inc…

31/10/2016

Earthquakes in Italy – August & October 2016.

The terrible earthquakes which occurred recently in Italy alarmed the entire world. We all know that Italy is a country with quite high seismic risk as many other places in the world. As usual, the mass media gave large coverage about the event, almost always quoting Central Italy as the area affected, creating a certain panic amongst those who have relatives or friends living here or who are just considering buying a property. Telephones started ringing followed by e-mails, asking about the situation.
I think it is helpful to indicate that the earthquake occurred in the area near the regional borders of Marche, Abruzzo and Umbria and the waves developed towards East and North-East, along the Adriatic coast down to the Lazio region including Rome, but much less towards Tuscany and the North-West. In the Arezzo Province, which is the closes part of Tuscany affected areas, it was felt slightly by several but not all citizens. Moving north towards Florence and West towards the Tyrrhenian coast, it was less noticeable. Thankfully no serious structural damages were reported in the entire region of Tuscany.
Attached illustrations were elaborated by IGNV – Italian institute of Geophysics and Volcanology

25/08/2016

Over one billion investment of Ryanair in Italy Ryanair, the biggest low cost airline, announced huge development in Italy which involves 1 billion Euro investment in Italian tourism. This will include 10 new aircrafts and 44 new routes, with foreseen 3 million new passengers next year. The number of total passengers flying with Ryanair from and to Italian airports is estimated in 35 million. [ 106 more words ]

https://tuscany1708.wordpress.com/2016/08/25/ryanair-bets-on-italian-tourism

Over one billion investment of Ryanair in Italy Ryanair, the biggest low cost airline, announced huge development in Italy which involves 1 billion Euro investment in Italian tourism. This will inc…

25/08/2016

DO NOT MISS THE CHANCE. BUY VINEYARDS IN ITALY NOW
Prices of Vineyards in Italy Will Change – It Is Your Last Chance for Sound Investment
For several years it has been easy to find vineyards or wineries for sale in Italy for quite low prices. This was caused by two factors which succeeded each other. First, when the wine sales were doing very well, several people decided to invest in this sector of agriculture with bank financing. In that period banks gave credits quite easily and without too many precautions. Then, in 1986 the scandal of wine with methanol caused great reduction of exports and lower local consumption of wine.
With less sales, the owners of vineyards and wineries found it difficult to pay back the banks. In order to save at least some of the investments made, they decided to sell their businesses. The offer was much bigger than the demand, which lowered the prices. And yes, we had several extremely good opportunities on the market. The first were bought by Russian clients, later by large international groups, interested only in large estates. Several smaller businesses remained on the market and still are available, but not for long.
First of all, the sales of Italian wines are continuously growing and the exports expand to new markets. The value of Italian wines sold abroad amounts to 760 million Euro. Wine making is again a solid business in Italy.
Another important issue is the fact that as from the 1st of January 2016, Italy adopted the European regulations regarding the permits to implant wineries. Before it was possible to buy such permits from old farmers who were giving up their wineries and could sell the authorizations to replant to third parties. Now it is no longer possible. With the new EU law, it is only the government who can give a limited number of permits (equivalent to approx.1% of total vined areas in the country).
Until April this year, 2,528 applications were submitted for the permission to plant 66,197 hectares of vineyards. 1038% more than the plafond available for 2016.
Bigger sales and limited possibility to plant new vineyards obviously will result in higher prices of vineyards.
Already in the end of 2015 some of the Tuscan vineyards reached very high prices – up to 400,000 Euro for one hectare of Brunello. The prices depend on the location and state of the plantation. Montalcino is the highest with prices ranging from 350,000 to 400,000 Euro, followed by Bolgheri with prices between 250,000 and 300,000 Euro. In Montepulciano they are between 130,000 and 150,000 Euro. Chianti Classico sells for prices from 150,000 Euro to 80,000 Euro per hectare.
If today, you can buy a property in one of these areas with a registered vineyard for a good price - go for it. In a very short time, the value will increase substantially. Have a look at some of our wine estates for sale.

01/07/2016

Real Estate taxes in Italy is quite complicated. In this article I will try to represent the main issues. There are two types of taxes. One is paid only once, when you purchase the property. The second is due to be paid each year. PROPERTY PURCHASE TAX (land transfer tax) The taxes are usually calculated by the notary. They depend on several aspects. [ 432 more words. ]

https://tuscany1708.wordpress.com/2016/07/01/property-tax-in-italy

Real Estate taxes in Italy is quite complicated. In this article I will try to represent the main issues. There are two types of taxes. One is paid only once, when you purchase the property. The se…

01/07/2016

Unique residence where perfection meets history, art and great interior design. The property consists of the major part of a 17th century farmhouse (185 sm), annex (105 sm) and fenced 6000 sqm. park with swimming pool. It is located on a slightly hilly position with unique views of the lake which is only few hundred metres away. The main house develops on two levels. [ 316 more words. ]

https://tuscany1708.wordpress.com/2016/07/01/lake-front-villa-in-tuscany

Unique residence where perfection meets history, art and great interior design. The property consists of the major part of a 17th century farmhouse (185 sm), annex (105 sm) and fenced 6000 sqm. par…

13/03/2016

Many USA citizens choose apartments with terraces or gardens within historic centres of hilltop Medieval hamlets in Tuscany

An apartment, perhaps with a terrace, portico or private garden, can be the right choice to enjoy Tuscany. Several couples from US have opted for this solution and enjoy every minute of their permanence here. There are several reasons for this. If you are still active professionally home, you can spent only few weeks in Tuscany and the plane fares, although much lower than in the past still represent a considerable expense and the journey is long.
Living far away, it is difficult to manage a larger property, while having an apartment gives you practically no worries. You arrive, open the door and enjoy your holidays. Once your vacation is over, you only need to close the doors and windows. The utility bills can be paid by the bank and very random there are other expenses. Life is still safe in small towns and you do not have to worry about security. Your neighbours will be the best alarm system. Once you have decorated your apartment you have all the time to enjoy the Tuscan life, which as a lot to offer. You may travel around - by train, bus or a car exploring the most interesting, worldwide know sites or discovering smaller and less know places where you can find important pieces of art or monuments. Everywhere you will find great wine and good restaurants. The further you go away from the main touristic areas, the easier it will be find a really homemade Tuscan dishes served with local wine at affordable prices. But you will also enjoy living in your small town, where people you have seen only once or twice will great you. What a change would it be to buy food in local, small groceries or bread made minutes before in the wood oven, instead of going to huge supermarkets. Every small has a market day once a week, where local farmers sell their products harvested only few hours ago. What a change from the veggies and fruit closed for day in plastic bags. Having a cappuccino and cornetto in the morning at the local bar for only 2 Euro - how does it sound? Or enjoying your drink sitting on the terrace and enjoying the sunset behind centuries old buildings? Well, this is what living in a small Tuscan town offers you. But most of all it is the friendly and welcoming attitude of the local people, who just love to welcome you in their community. For this reason perhaps you will encounter other foreigner who found their second home here. Some of them even decided to move permanently to Tuscany. There must be a reason for this. Here you will find examples of town houses in Tuscany:
JKM-135 two bedroom apartment in historic building for 98,000 Euro http://www.houses-in-tuscany.com/t11-apartments/JKM-135
JKM-752 four bedroom apartment in Castiglion Fiorentino - 380,000 Euro http://www.houses-in-tuscany.com/t11-apartments/JKM-752
JKM-877 two bedroom apartment in Tuscan countryside - 150,000 Euro http://www.houses-in-tuscany.com/t11-apartments/JKM-752
JKM-902 two bedroom apartment with terrace - 100,000 Euro http://www.houses-in-tuscany.com/t11-apartments/JKM-902
JKM-905 luxury apartment with panoramic terrace - 480,000 Euro http://www.houses-in-tuscany.com/t11-apartments/JKM-905

13/03/2016

Prices of properties continue to go down in the Tuscan countryside.
Italy's economy is registering a slight improvement after four years of crisis. In spite of this fact, the real estate market is still suffering and shows no or very little improvements. Perhaps a slight recovery is observed in bigger cities such as Rome, Milan and Florence, while sales of countryside homes is still struggling. Tuscany, once a region where finding a house in the countryside was quite difficult and where prices reached its peak in the nineties, experiences now a large number of properties for sale. This is due to the fact, that many Italians decided to give up their second homes due to slightly higher taxes on real estate. Also foreign citizens, facing high Euro exchange rate, found it quite expensive to maintain their houses in Tuscany. The banks, which once gave credits quite easily, now require 100% guarantees. They also became strict in the repayment of the credit rates. Many smaller investors, who placed their savings in real estate, and successively lost their jobs, find it difficult to face the repayment of loans. This causes price reductions, which in some cases reach up to 50%.
This is the time when you can find real bargains on the market. Of course, you may wait to see if the situation is going to become even more favourable, but it is difficult to predict the future.
With the latest experiences which involved some of the small and medium clients of certain smaller banks, the trend might be to invest once again in houses - the once traditional and most popular way of investment. Also the fact, that the prices went back to realistic values might drive the Italians to invest in real estate.
See some of our properties, which prices have been substantially reduced in the recent months:
JKM-875 from 340,000 Euro the price went down to 170,000 Euro http://www.houses-in-tuscany.com/t10-farmhouses-and-farmsteads/JKM-875
JKM-682 from initial 60,000 Euro, the asking price today is 30,000 Euro http://www.houses-in-tuscany.com/t10-farmhouses-and-farmsteads/JKM-682
JKM-863 price reduced to 650,000 Euro http://www.houses-in-tuscany.com/t10-farmhouses-and-farmsteads/JKM-863
JKM-884 price reduced from 260,000 Euro to 240,000 Euro http://www.houses-in-tuscany.com/t10-farmhouses-and-farmsteads/JKM-884
JKM-869 from 450,000 Euro initial price down to 380,000 Euro http://www.houses-in-tuscany.com/t10-farmhouses-and-farmsteads/JKM-869
JKM-865 - fantastic house with infinity pool reduced by 100,000 Euro. Today's price: 700,000 Euro http://www.houses-in-tuscany.com/t10-farmhouses-and-farmsteads/JKM-865