Hello and Good morning.

Nice to be here and hope everyone is well.

My wife and I are off to Abruzzo in a couple of weeks on our first fact finding mission/tour of the region.

We've arranged to meet up with a company called Vignaverde.com and it would be useful to know if anyone has had any experience with them?

Thanks

SimonTam

I would imagine many in Chieti have as the local forum has a number that have bought through him, they all seem to think highly of him. I'm not so sure, like many an agent you need to be on your guard.

My comment would be... ask about the drainage system. if the house has a septic tank make sure it has the right permissions, or any permission at all, and get it in writing from the agent. There are quite a few houses with illegal drainage systems, if you purchase one it becomes your problem and black holes swallow money (as well as other things!)

Hi Caprihana,

Would I be right in thinking almost all rural properties would most likely run a septic tank?

Most do have a septic, but many are also very old.
Abruzzo is a beautiful place (especially up north ) , but it’s also not without a lot of problems, and to be honest a place we found to be kind of still stuck in the 60’s that has never moved on. You need to look into earthquakes, water shortages, pollution and landslides if you have not already done so. I hasten to add, none of these put us off buying there even though we knew about them all before we bought.

So, apart from dehydration and starvation, carcinogenic atmosphere, and an impending loss of property due to a myriad of natural disasters ranging from erupting volcanoes to giant sink holes, to a region populated by a parochial, arcane, uneducated people, everything is really really nice???

Sounds perfect, in what part of Abruzzo are you living?

How is the infrastructure there?

What are the winters like?

Doiiiiing!!!!

Sorry, it says Teramo right there!

I don't think anything about the people living in Abruzzo being 'parochial, arcane, uneducated' was mentioned.

Yaawwwn.

If they are not on mains drainage they should have a septic tank; that doesn't mean to say they have one or that it's a legal one. Black holes are still very popular, even in houses that are allegedly habitable. Before you sign anything always get the agent to show you where the tank is situated and make sure you check the paperwork. Don't take their word for it, however they pleasant they may seem. Geordieborn also gives good advice about doing your homework on natural disasters, but he obviously visited some very modern locations if he suggests it a bit in the 60's

Yep, just as I thought

Yaaay, a contributor with a sense of humour, I was starting to worry.

Are there any agents that you would happily recommend?

You'll need one if you come here (but we love it)

I'm afraid not!

top tip!

Also don't forget any debts come with the house so check out how you find that out