How can one get there and how much does it cost?

By catamaran, and you can take your own car. In winter, the prices are very low. The prices include taxes which are going to be reduced with effect from 1st January 2009. Prices vary between €60 to €110 for adults. The prices of the vehicles vary from €96 to €200 with return. When the Comiso Airport becomes functional during 2009, there is the possibility that the Malta-Comiso route will be served by scheduled and low-cost airlines. (Please refer to the section COMISO AIRPORT for more details).

Can I buy jointly with somebody else or with another couple?

Yes, this can easily be done. Please contact us on +356 7974 2459 (+356 79 SICILY) info@gosicilyproperties.com for more details.

Do I have to appoint a Lawyer or Notary to look after my interests? What are the legal costs?

Yes, one needs a notary or lawyer, who is responsible for the deed. This is at the buyer’s expense. Legal costs, consisting of notary fees and stamp duty, depend on what you are going to buy, namely:

• Land only – approximately 2% to 3%
• Land and House – approximately 4% to 6%
• House only – approximately 6% to 8%
• Agricultural store – approximately 2% to 3%

Do I pay a deposit? How much is the deposit and who holds the deposit? When is the balance due to be paid?

For contracts with a duration of less then 3 months, you are expected to pay around 10% on signing the promise of sale agreement and the balance on contract date. For contracts with a duration of 6 months, you are expected to pay around 25% as deposit and the balance on contract date. The deposit goes straight to the seller (and not to the notary).

Can I get an architect to inspect the property before I buy it?

Yes, this is not a problem. We can also recommend reputable Sicilian architects to assist you on this matter.

How can I be sure that building permits will actually be issued on the plot of land I am buying?

You should not assume that a building permit can be issued on every plot of land. Be wary of estate agents who do not offer “subject to permit” solutions. Go Sicily Properties is well connected with a reputable architectural studio from Ragusa and we can therefore give you tangible assistance and comfort as to whether the project you have in mind can be built on the plot which you intend to buy.

How can I be sure that the property is legally built or that it can have a building permit?

If the property is unconverted, you have to look at the copy of the contract. All houses built before 01 September 1967 are all legally built and this can be deduced from the copies of the contract. For houses built after this date, you should ask for a building permit from the vendor.

How do I find local tradesmen to convert the property?

Go Sicily Properties, being a division of Sicily Farmhouses Ltd, is owned 50% by the managing partner of a leading Ragusa architectural studio, with excellent connections with local tradesmen and builders. This ensures that we have the right contacts to assist you in converting your property.

Do I pay Capital Gains Tax? If yes, how much?

Once 5 years have passed from the purchase contract date, no Italian Capital Gains Tax is applicable. However, if you sell prior to the 5 years, a tax of 20% on the profit is applicable in Italy.

Does property appreciate in Sicily? At what rate approximately?

In the last 2 years we have been working Sicily property market, we can confirm that annual capital appreciation varied between 20% and 30%.

Can one have someone looking after the property when it is vacant?

Yes, arrangements can be made with people living in the area. Apart from this one can do a contract with a local farmer to look after the land.

Is it easy for a foreigner to get a mortgage in Italy?

A foreigner has the same rights as an Italian national and Italian banks will deal with every request on the same basis. The usual guarantees required by the banks would need to be complied with and especially EU Nationals are covered by the same laws. Moreover local Banks, such as Bank of Valletta and HSBC BAnk Malta usually deal in loans for property in Sicily. In view of the fact that one of the company directors is a Certified Public Accountant, we enjoy excellent relationships with all local banks. We have, in fact, over the past two years arranged a number of loans, including Equity Release Loans, Bridging Loans, Business Loans and House Loans from Bank of Valletta and HSBC Bank Malta for Maltese purchasers. We will be able to discuss your requirements confidentially as necessary. We do not charge any additional fees for assistance in this regard.

What running costs is one expected to pay for services e.g. water, electricity, gas, maintenance, housekeeping and gardening/ swimming pool services?

Electricity inclusive of normal consumption for a holiday home (ie used indicatively for 5 days every month) costs around €120 per annum.

Water inclusive of normal consumption costs around €60 per annum.

Cleaning of a normal house costs around €40 per day if done on an “ad hoc” basis. We can assist you to enter an annual arrangement whereby your house is cleaned once every 3 weeks at a cost of €510 per annum.

Gardening and swimming pool services are quoted on the basis of the work required.

Are there any Council Taxes or other taxes that I have to pay annually? If yes, how much are these?

There are two taxes to be paid annually on property:

Imposta Comunale Immobili – ICI (Council Tax) calculated from the zone the property is in and the type of property. It is normally much lower than other countries. The actual figure varies between communes (councils), it is normally between 0.4% – 0.6% of the property value. It also depends whether the property is the buyer’s only home.
Rifiuti Solidi Urbani – (Refuse Tax) This is calculated on the surface area of the property. This is a very small amount per year.
Other taxes include:

• Television Tax – in theory every property should pay for this, it is approximately €100 a year.
• Utilities – General consumption is less in Italy, 80% of houses only have 3kw supply and they tend to use gas for cooking and water heating. It is not a problem to get higher power supplies, but the cost per unit consumed is more.
• Gas – If the house is urban it may be connected to metano (mains gas) otherwise either butane or propane cylinders or tanks are used.
• Water Costs are low here, supplies are normally reliable. Occasionally the explosion in population with the arrival of northern Italians in July and August and the peak summer weather can cause problems. Rural properties tend to have storage tanks for such eventualities.
• Telephone – Sicilians love to talk, so telephones and telefonini (mobile phones) are everywhere. The standards of service from the effective monopoly of Telecom Italia can leave a lot to be desired.
• ADSL (broadband) internet is becoming widespread.
• Mobile phone costs are similar to the UK and mainland Europe.
• Cost of living. Where the market has not embraced less regulated practices, for example car insurance, then it tends to be more expensive. Electrical goods tend to be the same price. Food and drink tend to be significantly less and significantly better quality!
• Year on year market deregulation is bringing lower cost solutions, such as the mortgage market.

What should one look out for when buying property in Sicily?

Above all, one should look out for the location and the neighbourhood. Go Sicily Properties only offers property that has met our standards and we can therefore guarantee full advice and peace of mind.

How can one book an Inspection Visit?

An inspection visit (crossing over by Catamaran and transport) can be organised by Go Sicily Properties. Since we offer a personal service, clients are always accompanied in Sicily by Mario Spiteri, our Maltese Managing Director and by our Italian Director, Ingegnere Giovan Battista Palma, on an inspection tour of properties and developments. Should you buy a property through us, then we will refund you the cost of the ferry. We can offer you accomodation free of charge at one of our villas or farmhouses in Sicily. If you prefer to stay in a hotel, we have special price arrangements with a number of hotels in Ragusa. Although we take care of all transport arrangements during your stay in Sicily, we can also assist you in hiring a car. Since we are very familiar with the area, we can also give you directions as to where to go and how to arrive there.