Question 1

What is my home really worth?

Accepted Answer

It is worth what an informed buyer is willing to pay today, not what you spent on it or what the neighbour is asking. I work it out from real sales in the area, the condition of the property, its paperwork and current demand. The online estimate is a starting point; the real valuation I do myself, free of charge.

General answers updated for 2026: for your specific case, your notary and accountant have the final word.

Question 2

Should I start high, since we will negotiate anyway?

Accepted Answer

Almost never. The first weeks are when a home gets the most attention: if the price is out of line, the right buyers skip it and later ones ask for bigger discounts. A correct price from day one usually leads to a better sale, not a worse one.

Question 3

How long does it take to sell?

Accepted Answer

It depends on area, type and above all price. A well-prepared, correctly priced home gets its first serious viewings within the first weeks; from accepted offer to deed it usually takes one to three months, the time needed for the mortgage and checks.

Question 4

Why should I give you an exclusive mandate?

Accepted Answer

Because a home offered by five agencies at different prices looks “hard to sell” and loses strength in negotiation. With one point of contact there is a strategy, one person managing viewings and someone accountable for results. Duration and terms are agreed in writing, clearly.

Question 5

Which documents do I need to sell?

Accepted Answer

Title deed, land registry extract and floor plan, energy certificate, building permits for planning compliance, system certificates where available and, in a condominium, the rules and the fee statement. If something is missing or does not match, better to find out now: we check it together before listing.

Question 6

Can I sell if I still have a mortgage, or if I inherited the home?

Accepted Answer

Yes, in both cases. The remaining mortgage is paid off at the deed out of the price and the lien is cancelled at no cost to you. For an inherited home the succession declaration and registry transfer come first; if there are several heirs, all of them must sign.

Question 7

How much do I need on top of the price?

Accepted Answer

Roughly 7 to 12% of the price, between taxes, notary, agency and mortgage costs; buying from a developer with VAT can cost more. With a mortgage, add the deposit the bank does not finance. The calculator on the Tools page gives you the exact figure.

Question 8

Can I offer less than the asking price?

Accepted Answer

Of course, negotiation is normal. An offer works when it is reasoned (condition, works needed, comparison with real sales) and when you can show you are genuinely able to buy. A very low offer with no arguments only risks closing the door.

Question 9

Is a purchase offer binding?

Accepted Answer

Yes: while it is valid you cannot withdraw it, and once the seller accepts it binds both parties. That is why it must be well written, with the right conditions (such as mortgage approval) and after the main checks. We read it together line by line before you sign.

Question 10

What if the bank refuses my mortgage — do I lose the deposit?

Accepted Answer

Not if the offer contains a mortgage condition: if financing is not granted by the agreed date, the agreement lapses and the money is returned. It is one of the safeguards I always include when a client buys with a mortgage.

Question 11

Who chooses and pays the notary?

Accepted Answer

By custom the buyer chooses and pays, since the notary also protects the buyer. If you have a trusted one, that is fine; otherwise I can suggest professionals I work with, including some experienced with foreign clients.

Question 12

What checks do you do before I sign?

Accepted Answer

Title and owners, mortgages and seizures, land registry and planning compliance, energy certificate, condominium situation and arrears, any restrictions. These checks make the difference between a calm purchase and a problem discovered at the deed.

Question 13

Can a foreigner buy property in Sardinia?

Accepted Answer

Yes. EU citizens buy on the same terms as Italians; for others the reciprocity condition with their country generally applies, which we check at the start. You need an Italian tax code, easily obtained even from abroad.

Question 14

Do I need to be in Italy on the day of the deed?

Accepted Answer

No. You can sign through a notarial power of attorney issued in your country (with apostille) or at the consulate, and be represented by a trusted person. If you come in person and do not speak Italian, an interpreter attends and the deed can be bilingual.

Question 15

Do I need an Italian bank account?

Accepted Answer

It is not mandatory to buy, but it is very convenient: payments must be traceable and an Italian account simplifies transfers, utilities, local taxes and a possible mortgage. I can help you open one if you wish.

Question 16

Can I rent the home out when I am away?

Accepted Answer

Yes, it is a common way to cover costs. Short lets require notification to the municipality and the national identification code (CIN) shown in listings; the flat rental tax can apply to income. Many foreign owners rely on a local manager.

Question 17

Can a non-resident get a mortgage in Italy?

Accepted Answer

Yes, some banks lend to non-residents, usually for a lower share of the value and with more documents on foreign income. It is worth checking before you start searching, so you know your budget precisely.

Question 18

Do you speak my language?

Accepted Answer

Yes. With my team we assist clients in Italian, English, Czech, German and French, from the first video call to the deed and beyond. We explain the important documents in your language, so you sign knowing exactly what you are signing.

Question 19

How much does your service cost, and when is it paid?

Accepted Answer

The commission is a percentage of the price agreed in writing before we start, with no surprises. It is only paid when the deal is concluded: if you do not sell or buy, you owe me nothing. The valuation and the first meeting are free.

Question 20

Why not sell privately and save the commission?

Accepted Answer

You can, but the saving is often only apparent: wrong price, paperwork problems found late, viewings with the merely curious, negotiating on your own and buyers without financing. My job is to sell better and safely; if your net result is not better in the end, I have not done my job well.

Question 21

What does being a licensed agent mean, and why does it matter?

Accepted Answer

It means I passed the exam required by law and I am registered with the Chamber of Commerce, with professional insurance. An unlicensed person cannot legally charge a commission and does not give you the same protections. That is why I co-founded AgentiImmobiliariAbilitati.it, where anyone can check it.

Question 22

Do you only work in Alghero?

Accepted Answer

Alghero is my base, but with La Boutique dell’Immobiliare we assist clients across Sardinia, with offices in Nuoro and Olbia too. The online valuation covers all 377 towns on the island.

Question 23

And after the deed, am I on my own?

Accepted Answer

No. I help you transfer electricity, water and gas, register for the waste tax, change residence if needed, and connect you with the right people for works, management or rentals. Many of the reviews I receive talk precisely about what happens after signing.

Question 24

Can I talk to you without committing to anything?

Accepted Answer

Of course. Book 30 minutes, by video call or at the office in Alghero, and tell me about your situation. You leave with clearer ideas and the next steps; whether you then want to work with me is entirely up to you.

Everything you never dared to ask an estate agent.

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