Le Marche
Notice Board and Guest book
Replies to Messages.
*To reply to an e-mail address you must change the -at- to the normal @
31 October 2007.
Hello,
I have a friend who comes from and still lives in Pesaro, who may be able to
help you. If you would like me to I can ask him if it is ok for you to email
him?
Sharon Gordon
19 March 2008
I don't know why people say that you should always offer considerably less than the asking price. As with everything there is a balance. If the house you choose is reasonably priced compared to others then a very low offer would be seen as an insult by the sellers and could cause lots of tension. I actually offered the full asking price on my house (Petritoli, Ascoli Piceno) as it was perfect! Though of course I do not
recommend doing that necessarily!
Have you had any joy in your house hunting yet?
Jo
******
21 August 2007.
Don't be scared to under offer on your property purchase, we
offered 22.5% less than the asking price and it was accepted- maybe we
should've gone lower. As for fees- the agents fee is normally borne by the
vendor - he will state the sum that he's willing to sell for and the property
will often be marked up by the agent to a sum he feels he can obtain. I'd be
wary of paying a fee personally to an agent. You should pay 3% (first Italian
home) on the stated value of the house and between 10-18% on the stated value
of the land depending if you wish to register as a farm or not. Beware- if you
buy a property in excess of ?300,000 then you may be liable to a hefty Luxury
tax (i think that this maybe 10% or more) and you only have 18 months to
register as a resident or else the 3% tax goes up to 10%.
We paid 3000 for solicitors. Then once you have had your plans agreed-
if you are converting non habitable spaces (barns or cantinas) then you pay
another tax- ours was ?66.7 per m2. You may also be liable for a fee if the
house needs to be registered on the urban register and has not yet been (again
I think that we paid 2000).
It sounds like a nightmare- but don't worry it's all pretty easy and including
all of these fees our rebuild came in at only 500/m2.
Try to find reputable estate agents- we know a few in and around Sarnano- or
ask around locally for houses- or look for vendesi signs and phone yourself.
Also be careful to pick the right Geometra/architect- most projects exceed
original timescales and budgets as the geo/archs profess to be project managers
and many are either simply juggling too many balls, or, are focussing on
Chiavemano projects that pay them many times more than a bog standard
project. As a rule of thumb, you shouldnt pay more than 10% and maybe lucky
enough to get a deal for 7%- stipulate exactly what the %age covers and source
elex & plumbing, windows/doors yourself & exclude them from the %age.
Good luck
Damien Conrad (info-at-villasanraffaello.com)
21 August 2007.
We got our beds which are wrought iron from a factory in Pesaro
called Vitali and we were very happy with them. I may be able to get you some
oldish rustic furniture such as tables or chests of drawers. They are not cheap
but they will last and look good in a country house or similar.
Robert.
(Note from Le Belle Marche. Hi Michael, Robert didn't leave us
with permission to publish his email address but we are willing to forward any
reply to him.)
25 August 2007.
Hi, I think it's gonna be a little complicate. You should take the bus from Ascoli to Arquata and then take another bus for Pretare. Here are the time tables. Good luck.
http://www.startspa.it/ascoliamatrice.htm
http://www.provincia.ap.it/provincia/Mobilita/ORARI_2007.pdf
(in this page look for: DIRAMAZIONE:ARQUATA DEL TRONTO - PRETARE).
Roberto Bruni
(brunis-at-infinito.it)
27 August 2007
Thanks for your reply. I have another question. What's the best airport to fly into for Ascoli Piceno?
Mary D.
28 August. Hi Mary, I have grouped the letter below from Giovanna (07/20a) because they are so similar. Why don't you get together on this one instead of having two threads running. Giovanna has published her address on the notice board. As regards airports, it will depend where you are flying from. Nearest airports are Ancona and Pescara but have few international flights. Rome Fiumicino is the nearest international airport. There's a metro connection to Rome centre (Termini). There's a bus service from Rome to Ascoli Piceno. Trains are not a feasible alternative because of the Apennines. You would have to go via Pescara or Ancona and the journey would be between 6 and 12 hours depending on the timetable. Why not a hired car from the airport? You will be very restricted using public transport. I can send you a nice simple route Fiumicino to Ascoli, all good road.
Tony, Le Belle Marche.
28 August 2007.
Hi Giovanna, I have grouped your letter with 07/020 as they are very similar. I hope you can get together on this. Please read the reply above about transport.
Here are two very nice websites on Pretare with lots of info and photos.
http://www.pretare.it/ and http://pretare.altervista.org/index.htm
I have found very little on accommodation in Pretare although one of the sites above mentions a B&B. If you prefer staying in the larger centre of Ascoli, a web search would find you a hotel but why not consider "Il Carpino e L'Orniello"
You'll find it on our Accommodation page. It is run by Roberto Bruni who answered one of the letters above. It's a very nice place and there is also a bus from his place down to Ascoli centre. I know Roberto pretty well and I know he'd always do his best for you.
Tony, Le Belle Marche.
29 August 2007.
Grazie Tony. Your information was very helpful. I can
now formulate my itinerary and travel plans to visit le belle marche,
specifically Pretare my fathers birthplace.
Giovanna
31 August 2007.
Hi,
I have read your message in "le belle marche" notice board and I think that maybe this could help.
It's in italian but is easy to understand. I give you also this site: http://www.eventiesagre.it/cerca/Eventi/
good luck, Roberto Bruni (brunis-at-infinito.it)
MERCATINI
31 August 2007.
The above site is very good, you can change the category of events and months at the top of the page.
There's a publication on Le Marche events called Corriere Proposte published monthly and available in newsagents on the 1st of every month. You've got to be quick or order it as it seems to go very quickly.
The equivalent of Calgon in Italy is Calfort available in all supermarkets in powder or tablet form. Sorry, I don't know much about soap powder but there are plenty of non bios about and softeners if you like them.
Le Belle Marche.
10 July 2007.
Hi, I have a place not far from Ascoli, we have always hired a
car when visiting so not sure about Bus service in that area but I have to
admit that you don't see many on the roads. There are many hill top villages to
see and explore and having a car would make it so much easier, having to rely
on public transport would restrict what you could see in a short break. I have
found the driving in this area not as bad as some people might make out. Hope
you receive this before you depart.
Christopher Brownett.
29 May 2007.
Hello Nicole - Not a pinch of salt - an 80kg sackful wouldn't be enough. There is no such thing as a "friendly" developer - they are thoroughly rapacious and in cahoots with the estate agencies. If you find a property you want ok take their written estimate but also get independent detailed estimates. Compare prices at Chamber of Commerce (in Ascoli). Check check check and don't sign/pay anything until u r thoroughly satisfied. As to time to completion get a notaio to insert in the contract severe penalty clauses for failure to complete on time. Finally - whatever the asking price of the property make an offer substantially below and then walk away and see what happens. Be absolutely clear what you want before you arrive and stick to that.
John Gordon
25 July 2007
Hy Nicole
you have no doubt by now come to Italy, if not a few words of advice ,
when viewing a property that needs to be restored ( casolare old farm house etc) you can calculate from a very very small amount of 1000 euros per square meters to 1500 per square meters so ex 300m2 of house has to be
multiplied by ?1500,00 this is not a precise figure but near enough so there are no nasty surprises
again for a property that needs to be restored ( old farmhouse etc) you must also bear in mind electricity , telephone , roads and water if these connections are near they costs will be limited if not make sure you have an estimate .
Hope this has been of some help !
Best Wishes for you search
Laura (email vivereitaly-at-gmail.it)
16 March 2008.
Whatever you do, do not pay. Firstly, if you have a written quote
remind him of its legally binding nature. Secondly, unless he has made you
aware of any extra costs, then you have not agreed to them. The law in Italy
can be confusing but it is governed by the eu. Tell him that you are willing to
pay the agreed costs, but if he tries to extort more then he will be hearing
from your lawyer. Remind him that if you go to court you will be sueing him for
costs.
This should make him think. Anyway get yourself a property law lawyer. And
explain the situation. He will probably cost you a fraction of the 60%
increase. I have heard only good results from people who have been brave enough
to go to court.
The other worry is, that if you pay- he will come back with even more
additional costs!
My advise for what its worth is get a lawyer and accept the fact that this is
not going to be easy. But don't let it be easy for your builder. Do what you
would do in England.
Good luck.
John Skelcher
15 April 2007.
Hello Elaine, I really hope you get some help and advice on this
one. Going by the number of partially restored houses on the market I'm sure
you are not alone. It's time this sort of thing was stamped out. Le Marche builders
are now just about the dearest in Italy and certainly dearer than in the
capital Rome. They are now charging in the region of 150 euros per man day.
Please consider publishing your email address as I think many people wouldn't
like to openly reply to this question on this page.
Tony Weaver, Le Belle Marche.
.
02 June 2007
Elaine, you are not alone - your situation is all too common. Ask for a written explanation of the differences. Price increases alone
wouldn't account for such a hike. Maybe they didn't inform you of additional works. If they wont give you written details tell them you are not paying and that you will see them in front of the giudice. Go to a lawyer and get him to handle the matter. Ask for damages and legal costs. I think you will find that your
geometra will want to settle out of court and you can then bargain.
D.Henderson
.
24 July 2007.
Not all stories are tales of woe, many people are very happy with their purchase in Le Marche and thrilled by the work carried out by their geometra and builder.
Take a look at this small website under construction (Casa Edera) for inspiration.
Le Belle Marche
12 April 2007.
Thanks Tom. Nice to hear from you.
Regards,
Tony Weaver, Le Belle Marche.
26 April 2007.
Robert
I have a house near Comunanza which might be suitable. Contact me at anne-at-bewicke.freeserve.co.uk if you are interested
Anne Copley
8 April 2007.
Hello
Darius,
You will find lots of information and photographs of Le Marche by clicking on
the links on the left hand side of our pages.
Regarding education in Italy, you may find the reply to Ref 06/008 interesting.
The following link will give you a list of music schools in Le Marche:-
SCUOLE_E_CORSI/SCUOLE_DI_MUSICA_CANTO/MARCHE
Regards,
Tony Weaver, Le Belle Marche.
6 April 2007.
Hello Gill,
The article that I inserted was a direct translation which appeared in the
Corriere Adriatico (Adriatic newspaper) on the 9th February.
I can't tell you very much about it. I have just done a search on internet
and found a few websites with reference to it but there is nothing on the
Comune di Fermo official site. The original article said it was being held
in Piazza Dante but one site suggested that it was being held in the vecchio
consorzio (restructured covered market).
I have forwarded the original story in Italian from the Corriere Adriatico
archives.
No dates were given, it just said 'over the Easter period' but that
certainly wouldn't include Good Friday.
I hope you are not disappointed and if you do discover something I'd love to
hear from you.
Regards,
Tony Weaver, Le Belle Marche.
14 February 2007.
Pretare is a small frazione in the comune of Arquata del Tronto in the Province of Ascoli Piceno. It is situated on the road between Arquata del Tronto (13 km) and Montegallo (10 km). 34 km and nearly 40 minutes drive from Ascoli Piceno. At 938 metres above sea level it is quite high in the foothills of Monte Vettore. Close to the ski slopes of Forca di Presta and Forca Canapine.
Best known for the ancient furnace situated in the hills outside of the village and the fiesta held in mid August "discesa delle fate" where the children are all dressed as fairies. It is associated with the legends which abound in the Monti Sibillini area.
See the Viamichelin map. You can see a photo here.
Tony, Le Belle Marche.
*
13 March 2007.
TONY,
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE INFO REGARDING PRETARE. MY GRANDPARENTS WERE FROM THERE. ITS A THRILL TO FINALLY SEE THE LOCATION ON A MAP. NOW IF I CAN JUST FIGURE OUT HOW TO CONTACT MY REMAINING
RELATIVES !!
THANK YOU,
DIANE (Email DSD032-at-AOL.COM)
25 January 2007.
Hello Dawn
You may find our reply to message 06/008 interesting. See below.
Le Belle Marche team.
10 December 2006.
Hello Barbara - regarding your enquiry. Christmas in this part of
Italy is very much a religious/family holiday. Most churches have Midnight Mass on Christmas eve and there is a big family feast. The next day is family
visiting and more eating. In the days leading up to 25 Dec there are
Christmas markets in the larger provincial towns such as Porto S. Giorgio,
Fermo and Macerata. From the 26th onward there are many village events such as the living presepio. i.e. a costumed enactment of the nativity. There are
also competitions for presepio displays (i.e. manger scenes). Apart from
some of the coastal towns there is very little evidence of the gross
commercialization as seen in the UK, USA and northern European centers.
Early into the New Year there are concerts in the larger churches and of
course the major opera houses. When you arrive you can obtain from your
local newsagents a booklet called Corriere and Proposte which is a local
"Whats On" which covers all of Le Marche region. Hope this helps.
Gordon, Le Belle Marche.
18 August 2006.
Sant'Elpidio a Mare is about 8 km inland from the coast.
If you are looking for a property to buy, you may wish to consider ours, which is for sale.
It is about 40 minutes from the coast near Gualdo, with stunning views of the Monti Sibillini.
We live here permanently, if you wish to contact us, please e-mail to :-
owner-at-sunnycountryhome.com (*See note at top of page re- email address)
John Powell
11 June 2006.
Sant'Elpidio a Mare is a town in the Ascoli Piceno Province of Le Marche. Situated 7.5 km. inland from Porto S'Elpidio. The results of the national census made in 1991 showed a population of 15,239. The town is famous for it's shoe manufacturing which is made up of many small family firms and supplying some of the most famous names in shoes worldwide.
If you download the detailed map of Ascoli Piceno on our Maps and Routes page you will find Sant'Elpidio a Mare in section G2 (Links on left of this page).
You may also find the following article informative :-
http://www.time.com/time/europe/secret/lemarche.html
Le Belle Marche.
4 June 2006.
The prices you quote sound like generalities. Another generality bandied about is that the cost would be 2 to 3 times what you paid for the house. Rather than a price p.s.m. seek 3 independent quotes for the completed job. I say independent to exclude the selling agency their friends and family. Find other expats who have had the works done satisfactorily and get their recommends. You can also visit your local Chamber of Commerce (Camera di Commercio) who keep tables of building costs. There are prices for country and prices for town, the former being more steep since they can name their price. Restructuring is not for the faint hearted it is for the naive, adventuresome, brash or rich. Whatever, you must do your homework thoroughly and take legal advice. There are Brits squealing after getting tax demands and fines for not complying with the norms some 4 to 6 years after the purchase. There are peripheral costs such as road maintenance if you are off road, prices to connect services and local taxes (visit your Town Hall - Municipio). Have you had a look for properties that are part completed, completed and abandoned by disillusioned Brits. If you are on a fixed budget go for something completed or with minimum rebuild costs. Whatever DON'T pay the asking price and walk away from anyone who wont trade (for the house and the rebuild). Spend some holiday times living in rented accommodation for a year or two and sound out the local situation. With more than 40 years association and living in Italy I have yet to meet anyone who has had a restructure come in at the quoted price. There are many happy and contented expats living in Italy most of whom have survived the depredations of the sellers and builders - bureaucracy however requires another page or two.
John Gordon.
9 April 2006.
The current education 4 tier system in Italy is as follows:-
3 - 6 yrs. Scuola dell'infanzia (Equivalent British nursery school).
6 - 10 yrs. Scuola primaria (Infants school).
10 - 14 yrs. Scuola secondaria or Scuola Media (Second school).
14 - 18 yrs. Scuola superiore (Upper school).
An exam is taken in the final year of Second school (14 yrs.) A pass results in a certificate - Licenza Media.
It is obligatory to stay at school until 16, but leaving at this age would be without qualifications other that the above.
There is an exam at 18 yrs. A pass in this exam results in a Diploma. Failing the exam, a student may return to school the following year for another attempt.
The diploma is a necessary qualification for the better jobs and is also the necessary qualification for university.
During the nursery school and infants school period, all school books are free but from 10 yrs onwards parents must provide both text books and exercise books, writing material, calculators and geometry equipment when the time arises.
The cost is quite considerable, between 300 and 400 euros p.a.
There may be some travelling involved for the Scuola superiore but there is always transport via school bus.
(The Italian government and local communities do make provision for families in need).
What is written below is our opinion and is gained purely from looking at text books available for students:
In the earlier years the level appears to be behind that in the U.K. but in later years they seem to have caught up. This may be to your advantage especially if you daughter doesn't speak Italian. Children of this age quickly pick up the language and although they miss most of what is being taught during this first year do not experience much difficulty in catching up. The early stages may be quite traumatic for the child when first left at school not understanding the language, it will pay to talk to the teachers about it and you will usually find them very understanding and make allowances. Encourage her to make friends, allow her to bring a friend home and visit her friends homes. She will pick up Italian and fit in with the young community much more quickly. Within 2 years you will have an excellent interpreter.
Hope the above notes are useful, maybe someone who has come to live in Le Marche with young children can add to this.
Le Belle Marche.
28 March 2006.
Below is a list of Antique and Hand-craft Markets for Spring 2006.
Market Ascoli Piceno (Normally 3rd Sunday of month and the preceding
Saturday)
Special Event for Easter 2006. 15, 16, 17 April. Historical Centre of Ascoli.
Porto S. Giorgio Antiques Market.
22, 23, 24 April.
Viale Buozzi. (23 April is also Feast of the Patron Saint, St. George).
Porto S. Giorgio Crafts Market.
20 24 April. Viale Don Minzoni
Ancona Antiques Special Event.
29 April to 1 May concomitant with the Feast of the Patron Saint St. Ciriaco.
Piazza Cavour.
Le Belle Marche.
23 March 2006.
Hi Paul,
The local furniture stores only put the best furniture in their showrooms. If you go in and explain what you are looking for, they will usually take you into the office where they have a huge range of catalogues with large photos and covering furniture at all price levels. Delivery is about a week to 10 days. If your Italian is not too good and/or you would rather see what you are buying, take a trip up the A14 and exit at Civitanova Marche. Go around the roundabout to take the r.h. road. A short distance and you will see the commercial centre on your left. Call at the MERCATONE. Lots of cheap furniture. Another interesting store - take a trip down to S. Benedetto. stay on the Adriatica road and pass through the town. Just before the roundabout for the autostrada you will see on your left some iron gates leading into a few large buildings. The building just inside has MERCATONE written on it in large letters. It is no longer the Mercatone but the owner has lots of interesting things including the flat packed stuff, soft furnishings, imitation antiques, kitchens etc.. It is easier to enter if you carry on around the roundabout and come back to it.
Le Belle Marche.
*
27 March 2006
Thank you for your information re furniture stores.
Paul Norman
*
19 April 2006.
We have just returned from a week in Le Marche furniture hunting. Not easy. The MERCATONE at Civitanova motorway interchange now has another branch at San Benedetto interchange. The other place you recommended on the via Adriatica going south out of San Benedetto is now closed and we were advised it is only for furniture storage. (I don't speak good Italian and I may be wrong, but they would not let us in!) We were directed further south to the GLOBO shopping centre in Villa Rosa where there is a shop called MOBIL DICK. This has furniture on a par with MERCATONE (but the settees are crap).
We found branches of STOCKHOUSE were useful and going north out of Corridonia there is a store called MOBILI Bella which has 'end of range' stock from other furniture outlets at large discounts. They have no catalogues and what you see is all they can offer. It's pot luck but it is worth a visit.
Paul Norman.
*
10 May 2006
Ikea will be available later this summer in Ancona... I don't know if this is what you look for and if it's too late for you but...
Giulia
18 November 2006.
my book " Arthur and Rose "
will be live on or about 12-12-06.
you can buy my book at the best possible price as follows:
www.authorhouse.com
click on bookstore
type in ernest caponi
thank you for your interst in my book.
respectfully,
" ernie "
ernest s. caponi, p.e.
22 March 2006.
Your question is too vague. You need to decide where you want to be. North or South? Near the sea or near the mountains? In a hill town or remote? With refurbishment to be done or ready to occupy ? We took some 15 visits over 4 years to find ours.
Paul Norman.
*
24 March 2006
I have corresponded with the writer of the original message. The house should be ready to occupy. As regards the other points he would be willing to consider any situation put forward but garden or land is a requirement.
Le Belle Marche.
*
7 January 2007
My uncle uncle is selling his house privately it is in Colmurano approx an hours drive from Ancona.If you contact me I can help you and also give you details of other properties, as I have recently bought there myself.
Lucia Johnson
14 Feb. 2006
Hi Paul Norman.
As far as we know there's no Italian equivalent of the Ordinance
Survey in Italy. The only walking map that we know of is the Kompass Monti Sibillini map.
You can purchase it on-line for £6.99 here:
http://www.mapsworldwide.com/
In the various Sibillini National Park Information offices in the area there are free maps showing footpaths in the National Park but they are not purchasable.
Not for footpaths but if you would like a huge map of the area you are interested in, go to the following link. Its a map of Le Marche from the
southern boundary (Ascoli Piceno) up to Macerata and you can download it as a zipped file (2.17 MB).
Sorry we can't do better for you.
Le Belle Marche.
24 Feb. 2006.
I doubt that the snow will be sufficient. I've been working at Maddalena
renting skis and boots and we've had a bit more snow but not as much as last
year, we tried skiing at Easter last year and it was too wet. I think that mid
to late March is the latest this year. This link is for the resort. Good luck.
Damien.
http://www.alpitalia.net/localita.php?id=129
2 March 2006.
Thanks for the information Damien, especially the link. I will be coming down to Le Marche just the same. I'll have a good look around and maybe plan a much earlier trip next year
John Shelton.
6 March 2006.
Considerable snow falls over last few days so maybe you'll be in luck.
Damien Conrad
8 January 2006
Hi Bret,
We have found 2 small places called Cerreto in the Ascoli Piceno Province. They are both small suburbs (frazione) of larger towns. One at Montegiorgio, west of Fermo and the other at Venarotta just north of Ascoli Piceno.
There are currently 2 listings of Antonelli in the Montegiorgio phone directory and none in the Venarotta directory.
Le Belle Marche.
6 March 2006
We have a house in a town called Curetta could this be accurate? it is near a town called Servigliano, do you think this could be the town? if so email me back and I will try and help you some more. ( lukehore8-at-hotmail.com )
luke x
19 March 2006
Sorry, Just caught up with this last note. Thanks for the offer of help. The name of the place is definitely pronounce with a ch for cherry which i should think rules out Curetta. I do have some enquires going on based on the above notes but at this point I don't intend going into a deep genealogical study. I've often looked at Italian maps wondering where my roots are and I have never been able to find a Cerreto in the Ascoli province before. I have noticed that there is a place by this name up in the Pesaro province but I can rule this out also. Thanks again.
Bret Antonelli.
19 March 2006
Hi Bret, You say you are not interested in a deep study but maybe you will find yesterdays posting 06/005 interesting.
Le Belle Marche.
22 March 2006
The Cerreto near Montegiorgio is just next to Rapagnano where we have just bought a house.
There is another in the Ancona province just to the west of Fabriano. Its full name is Cerreto d'Esi.
Regards,
Paul Norman
