05/05/2026
Thank you to everyone who joined our webinar last week! Participation was strong, and we received a large number of thoughtful and practical questions.
Because of time constraints, we were not able to answer all of these questions live live. We therefore promised we would be sharing our answers on social media. We will be doing so over multiple posts here so everyone can benefit from the discussion.
Below are the first questions and answers from the webinar.
1. "I am a new homebuyer in Palermo, Sicily, and would like to understand how complex the process of purchasing a home in Italy is."
Buying property in Italy is entirely possible for foreign buyers, but the process is quite different from what most U.S. buyers are used to. Understanding the steps involved and knowing where legal and technical risks typically arise is essential.
We previously wrote a detailed article that walks through the purchase process from making an offer to closing before the notary. We suggest starting here:
https://dolce-living.com/post/purchasing-property-in-italy/
2. "I’m looking for general information about buying a home, renovating it if necessary, and whether ownership can help me and my daughters obtain Italian citizenship."
In Italy, property ownership and citizenship are completely separate matters.
Owning a home does not create a pathway to Italian citizenship, and citizenship status does not affect your ability to purchase property. Each process follows its own legal framework and requirements.
Renovations, however, are a very common part of buying property in Italy, particularly with older homes. We have written extensively about renovation planning, risks, costs, and common challenges:
• Renovating a House in Italy
https://dolce-living.com/post/renovating-a-house-in-italy/
• Q&A with Italian Home Renovation Expert
https://dolce-living.com/post/challenges-home-renovation-italy/
3. "How can you tell fake listings from real ones, and why does pricing seem so inconsistent?"
This is one of the most confusing aspects of the Italian property market.
Many legitimate listings lack full details, such as an exact address, so incomplete information alone does not necessarily mean a listing is fake. That said, misleading or problematic listings often share common warning signs: very little information, only two or three poor quality photos, vague descriptions, or prices that seem unrealistically low.
Pricing itself is not random, but when listings fail to explain what actually drives a property’s value, such as location specifics, condition, and legal status, it becomes difficult for buyers to understand price differences.
This is why direct communication matters. Speaking with the advertiser or agent is often the only way to get meaningful clarity.
4. "How do you negotiate on a property in Italy while respecting local norms?"
Negotiating on a listed property is normal and culturally accepted in Italy. Making an offer below the asking price is not unusual and should not be a cause for concern. You will also find that, in competitive markets like some historic centers and high-trafficked tourist destinations, properties are sometimes sold at prices above asking.
How much room there is to negotiate depends on several factors, including the level of competition, how solid and well-structured your offer is, and the property’s fair market value. Determining fair market value can be challenging due to limited listing transparency and scarce comparable data.
Negotiations can take time, and this is typical. Patience and preparation are usually more effective than aggressive tactics.
5. "Is it possible to obtain a mortgage from an Italian bank if I live in the United States, and how much would I typically need for a down payment?"
Yes, U.S. residents can obtain mortgages from Italian banks, although availability, terms, and documentation requirements vary from bank to bank.
Non-resident buyers should generally expect lower loan-to-value ratios than Italian residents, which means a higher down payment is usually required.
We have covered this topic in detail in the below article. (Turns out you can learn many things by visiting our website!)
https://dolce-living.com/post/mortgage-in-italy/
More Q&A to come!
