Your questions, answered

Our team operates across both the United States and Italy, giving you the benefit of true on-the-ground support in both countries.

Having a team that spans time zones means we're able to work around-the-clock on your transaction. Our U.S. team is available to meet with you during your normal schedule, answer questions, and guide you through each step. Meanwhile, our Italy-based team focuses on your future property's legal and physical due diligence. The two teams work seamlessly together to move your purchase forward.

While we specialize in serving U.S. buyers, we also assist clients from Europe and around the world who are looking to purchase property in Italy.

Our service fee is a percentage of the property's purchase price and depends on the package you choose. Our Premium package, which includes full buyer representation, property search and market analysis, legal review and power of attorney, and property due diligence, is priced at 4% of the purchase price, with a minimum of $10,000.

Our Essentials package is priced at 2.5% of the purchase price, with a minimum of $7,000. You can read more about our services here.

Additional purchase-related costs include the notaio (an Italian notary, who acts as a hybrid between a lawyer and a public official) fee, deed registration fees, applicable taxes, and potential third-party fees. These costs can vary depending on the property type, location, and your individual circumstances. We will walk through these fees during our consultation call.

Before you commit to a transaction, we will prepare a comprehensive budget for you, outlining all anticipated costs related to the property purchase. This budget gives you a clear, accurate understanding of the full financial picture, allowing you to make informed decisions as you move forward.

Buying a home in Italy from abroad comes with genuine challenges: language barriers, unfamiliar processes, and slower communication than many buyers expect. Our goal is to eliminate these obstacles for you. Our U.S.-based team is available during your working hours to walk you through each step and provide timely updates, while our Italy-based team manages all on-the-ground coordination with local listing agents, notaios, and other professionals.

Additionally, unlike in the United States, most real estate agents in Italy represent both the seller and the buyer, which creates an inherent conflict of interest. They may also only show properties from their own portfolios. At Dolce Living, we work exclusively for you. We are not compensated by sellers or other parties, so we search across all listings, relevant areas, and agencies to find you the perfect home.

Finally, Italian business and cultural practices can differ from what many international buyers are used to. We guide you through those nuances, ensure clarity at every step, and provide the accountability you expect. Our role is to protect your interests so you feel informed, confident, and well-represented throughout the purchase process.

We can and should help at the very beginning of your search. In fact, most clients come to us when they're planning to purchase within the next six to 18 months. Starting early allows us to conduct a thorough market analysis, begin an initial property search, and help you understand what's realistic for your budget and preferred areas. It also puts you in a stronger position when the right home appears, as you'll already have the groundwork and strategy in place.

Depending on how competitive the market is in your chosen region, your search may require more than one visit to Italy. Beginning the process now ensures those trips are efficient and well-planned, with vetted property visits scheduled in advance so you can make the most of your time on the ground. We work to reduce the need for multiple trips and multiple offers.

While we will not physically accompany you on property visits, we handle all the coordination to ensure your time in Italy is efficient and productive. We schedule visits directly with local agents and/or interpreters, confirm availability, and organize the itinerary so each listing agent is prepared for your arrival and ready to show the property in full detail. Our goal is to remove the logistical burden so you can focus entirely on evaluating the homes and not the scheduling.

Yes. We can support you even if you've already been in touch with Italian agents. However, it's important to know that real estate agents in Italy typically charge a fee to both the buyer and the seller. If you've already established a relationship with a local agent, and you intend to purchase one of their listings, they will expect to be paid a fee. Many clients in this situation still choose to work with Dolce Living for unbiased guidance, legal support, and thorough due diligence, providing them with peace of mind throughout the process. If we begin working together before you contact local realtors, we can act as your sole point of communication and reduce the likelihood of double fees.

Yes. Our team includes tax professionals who can assist with tax filings, compliance, and a wide range of tax-related questions that often arise when getting accustomed to life in Italy.

We do not specialize in 1-Euro homes. These properties are typically in remote locations and often require extensive renovations, permits, and ongoing maintenance, which can be a significant investment of time and money. While we can provide general guidance, our expertise is in helping clients purchase fully habitable homes that meet their lifestyle and investment goals.