Q: Could I pay less for my new home elsewhere?
A: No, just the opposite. Kayden Estates offer your new home at the lowest list price. Whether you go direct to the vendor or through a third party, the price will not be any less, and in some cases, you will actually pay more, whilst being offered a vastly inferior range of homes compared to those we can provide.

Q: Do I need permission to purchase a property in Calabria?
A: No, as Italy is in the EU like the UK.

Q: What other costs on top of the purchase price can I expect?
A: There will be additional charges, fees and taxes, as you might expect when buying your new property. Your lawyer will be able to give you an estimate of these costs when they know more about your plans. As a guideline around 12% -15% will give you a good indication. These include property tax, notary charges, bank fees and your lawyer’s fees.

Q: Do I have to be in Italy to complete the purchase?
A: In the event that you will not be able to attend the signature of contracts and deeds, you can give your lawyer power of attorney to sign all necessary documents on your behalf. Any information you need can be requested direct from the developer or from your appointed legal representative.

Q: Can I transfer money in and out of Italy?
A: Yes

Q: In whose name should I purchase the property?
A: There are a number of ways to purchase property
1. In your own name.
2. In joint names of you and your spouse or co-purchaser (s).
3. In the names of your adult children or in the name of somebody who will eventually inherit the property from you.
4. In the name of a UK or Irish limited company, or a company incorporated in an approved jurisdiction.

Q: Should I make a will for my property in Italy?
A: It is strongly recommended that once you have purchased a property in Italy in your own name, you instruct a solicitor/ lawyer to prepare a will. You are allowed to have a will for your Italian assets only, without replacing the main will you may have in your own country. Most common types of will are also signed at the Italian Notary and are strictly private.

Q: Is there inheritance tax in Italy?
A: In October 2001, the Italian government approved law no. 383/2001 abolishing inheritance tax and gift tax between spouses and other relatives to the limit of the fourth degree of the relationship. This law is known as succession tax. Where the beneficiary is not related to the donor, gift tax will be payable if the asset transferred is worth more than 180,760 •. In this instance, the tax payable ("impostra di registro") will be payable of the value of the asset exceeding the above amount.

Q: Do you have any resale properties I can view?
A: Not at the moment, we have chosen to concentrate on low cost new build off plan properties within this area.

Q: Will the property in Calabria I purchase be freehold?
A: Yes

Q: If I buy a new property in Calabria, will I be able to inspect it before I complete?
A: Yes, you will usually be able to make inspections at any time. On your completion, you will be invited to inspect your property and make the builder aware of anything that is not to your satisfaction. Until the full terms of the contract have been met, you are not required to make your final payment. Even after you have the keys, anything you may subsequently discover that requires rectification should be brought to the developer’s attention for correction.

Q: Are mortgages easily available in Italy?
A: Yes, normally you are able to borrow up to 70% of the valuation from most Italian banks.

Q: Can I use my electrical appliances in Italy?
A: Like most of continental Europe, the electricity supply in Italy is 220 volts AC with a frequency of 50 Hz. If you are bringing any electrical appliances you will need an adaptor.

Q: What about annual running costs?
A: As in the UK or Ireland, this depends on the price of your property and when you buy. As a guideline, running costs for a two / three bedroom property will be around £1,000 to £1,500 per annum. This will include gas, electricity, water, local rates, community fees and insurance.

Q: As I am buying in Euros, and the exchange rate fluctuates, how can I protect my capital?
A: If you're buying a property overseas, one of the main concerns may be the fact that you have to pay for the property in a foreign currency. But with everything that has to be done before you even get to this stage; it's all too easy to leave your currency exchange to the last minute and hope that the exchange rates fall in your favour.

This can put your capital at risk, so it's wise to plan ahead and take the necessary precautions. Once you know the price of your home, start to shop around for the best rates by calling the bank or one of the specialist foreign exchange companies or allow us to arrange without obligation a currency quote to compare prices and terms.

Although banks are traditionally the first port of call, it certainly pays to talk to the commercial foreign exchange companies as they usually offer better rates and sometimes a superior service. In most cases, their dealers will watch the markets for you and keep you informed of any significant changes. The commercial foreign exchange companies are also able to offer you a number of options for transferring your money:

Some specialist exchange companies also offer the option of regular pension and mortgage payment transfers at commercial rates.