How to Plan Your Property Search in Piedmont, Italy

I previously wrote an article about how to approach and write to an estate agent. I worried afterwards that it might have sounded a little patronising and possibly put some buyers off entirely.

So I thought I'd add a few more practical tips about the property search process itself.

Location

If you're unsure where you want to buy, then come and spend some time here first. Take a trip, have a holiday, explore properly.

The right house will usually "light a fire" in you when you find it. It may be in the area you originally planned to buy in — or somewhere completely different.

People often become fixated on a specific location, but the reality is that while the area matters, the house itself matters just as much. You may fall in love with a region but never quite find the right property there.

And remember, "the right area" can still cover quite a large territory.

On that subject, let's talk about the Langhe — specifically the Barolo Langhe.

Honestly? Unless you are extremely wealthy and extremely patient, forget it. The market there has gone completely mad.

I'm talking about towns such as:

• Barolo
• Monforte d'Alba
• Serralunga d'Alba
• La Morra
• Castiglione Falletto

Properties are increasingly being bought by major wineries and very wealthy international buyers. If your budget is below around €1.5 million, it is becoming incredibly difficult to compete.

My advice? Visit the area, enjoy it, eat and drink well there — but don't become obsessed with living in the centre of it. In summer it is already extremely busy anyway.

Make Sure You Can Afford the Restoration

Restoration projects are far more complicated today than they were a few years ago.

The disastrous Italian "110% bonus" scheme sent the building industry into overdrive. Builders suddenly became incredibly busy and prices rose sharply. I joke that they all now drive Ferraris and Porsches, but honestly, restoration work has become both expensive and slow.

There's little point dreaming about buying a huge farmhouse if you haven't realistically considered the renovation costs.

As a rough guide, think in the region of €1,400 per square metre for serious restoration work, although naturally it can vary significantly depending on the property and the standard you want.

More importantly, you need the right people around you.

Architects, surveyors, builders, legal professionals — a reliable team makes all the difference. Thankfully, after many years here, I already have that network in place.

Broaden Your Horizons

I live around 30 minutes from the Barolo area myself, and honestly, I have no desire to live there.

Even if one of those Nigerian princes finally fulfils his promise and sends me the promised $11.2 million, I still wouldn't move there.

You can live far better — often for half the money — just 30 to 40 minutes away.

This is why I always encourage buyers to explore beyond the obvious hotspots.

I'm currently working with the tourist office in part of the Asti province to help open up an area that remains largely undiscovered internationally. It genuinely has the potential to become "the next Tuscany," yet prices are still remarkably reasonable.

Large farmhouses can be harder to find there, but for buyers with budgets up to around €300,000, it is absolutely worth considering.

I'll be sharing much more about that area soon.