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We make sure that the properties we offer are certainly better than ruins and some are quite luxurious (we do have a few properties on our books that are in need of serious restoration but we have only taken them on because of their exceptionally beautiful locations). Our average property can be described as follows: detached, free of unpleasant noises or smells, in a very beautiful or spectacular position. It often overlooks slopes or is in a hilly position. Few are in valleys. It is often in natural stone (pink Furlo stone, boulders) or fired brick. Good quality building materials, intact roof, dry walls, terra cotta tile floors. Mains water and electricity. Size: 200 - 300 square metres. No modern infrastructure: eg. no heating. Water is available only at one point. Wiring consists of two flexes running along the wall (as is customary in the country). The upstairs is immediately habitable, but will need refurbishing. Downstairs are rooms previously used for animals or wine production, the cantina (wine cellar) and the place for storing firewood. These rooms need renovation. There is normally a spacious outbuilding, a pizza or bread oven and a well (providing water for the garden). The roof nearly always needs to be redone and the windows and doors are not of a sufficient standard for year-round residency. The price of such a property is at the moment around 150. 000 EUROS. Taking account of average local prices, another 150. 000 EUROS will have to be budgeted for extensions, renovation and modernisation. For example: complete reroofing with insulation for winter, guttering and copper rain pipes would cost between 15 000 EUROS and 20.000 EUROS for a house of this size. But it is often much cheaper because the existing materials (wooden beams, supporting masonry and tiles) can be re-used. A complete heating system costs about 8 000 EUROS ready installed . Rewiring so that cabling runs underneath the plaster work in compliance with modern regulations would also cost another 5 000 EUROS . A complete bathroom with bathtub, bidet, washbasin, shower cabinet and shower tray can be bought for about 2000 EUROS. Builders will charge about 22 EUROS an hour and their assistant will cost about half that. We list virtually no new buildings or small flats on the coast. On the other hand, we offer delightful houses, palazzi and apartments in the historical hearts of small medieval walled towns. And those looking for chateaux, churches, monasteries or presbyteries will find that we also have these. We also have an attractive range of completely and lovingly restored houses. A realistic price for a 200-300 sqm house that is ready to live in is from about 150 000 EUROS. This confirms our theory that when spending upwards of 150 000 EUROS to purchase a run-down property one needs to spend the same amount again for restoration. The top ceiling is about 1.200 000 EUROS for intact villas or 3. 000 000 EUROS for chateaux with outbuildings and park. |