With its combination of culture, cuisine and cars, Italy is a good country to consider purchasing a property in, according to overseas finance and property expert, Simon Conn. But as always when purchasing overseas, make sure you take the relevant legal and valuation advice.

Italy is regarded as a country which has something to offer residents and tourists alike, with its mixture of high end culture, delicious cuisine, copious beaches and trendy fashion.

It is also famous for the production of luxurious sports cars such as Ferrari, Lamborghini, Maserati and Alfa Romeo.

Laying in Southern Europe, Italy (along with Greece) is said to be the birthplace of Western culture. People flock to vibrant cities including Rome, Venice and Florence to take in the history and culture and enjoy a different pace of life.

Although people usually associate Italy with the sun, the climate varies considerably from the north to the south and it can get cold in the winter months.

Around 61.3 million people live in Italy and most of the population is Catholic, although there is also a large number of minority religious communities. The country has 12 national holidays every year and the currency is the Euro.

The landscape is very diverse and mainly mountainous as the Alps and the Apennines mountain ranges run through most of it. Italy has the most UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the world and impressive art and monuments can be seen throughout the country.

Italy was the birthplace of the Renaissance, a period when cultural achievements were made in poetry, painting and architecture. Famous artists include Michelangelo, Raphael, Donatello and Da Vinci.

Italy has also played an important role in the history of architecture, with building techniques such as the arch and the dome first appearing there. These can be seen today on the Colosseum, Pantheon and Leaning Tower of Pisa.

The world famous Leaning Tower of Pisa was built in 1173 and it was not long before it began to lean, probably because of the poorly laid foundations. After a reconstruction project in 2008, engineers predicted that the tower should be stable for 200 years or more.

The latest lending terms in Italy are a minimum mortgage of €70,000, with a maximum of between 60% and 70% loan to value. Interest rates are from approximately 4.00% variable in €.

These lending terms can vary, dependant on the amount of mortgage, eventual loan to value and the client’s financial profile.

For more information please contact:

SIMON CONN – Overseas Property & Finance Specialist
PO Box 5282
Hove , Sussex
England
BN52 9QT

E-Mail: simon@simonconn.com

Tel: + 44 (0) 7739 033266