Italy Country Guide - Sicily
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The majority of houses in Sicily are owned outright, that is to say that no mortgage
usually exists on them.
Chains, such as in England do not normally exist either, therefore exchanges of
contract can be made within as little as three days of agreement being reached (including
land searches). In most circumstances though we are able to arrange for the initial
contract to be signed the same day as viewing. Obviously though it can depend on
individual circumstances but, completions are rapid and far speedier than in the
UK.
Whilst an outright sale is preferred, tt is quite normal also for the buyer to put
down a sizeable part of the sale price (around half) and to pay the balance a month
or two later, whatever is agreed with the owner at the time.
The new owner may move in, connect all services and live there during the half-payment
period. Should either party wish to drop out of the agreement they have then to
pay double the deposit to the injured party plus compensation for costs incurred.
That is to say that if, for example, you purchased a property and paid half deposit,
if the owner pulls out, he has to pay you twice the amount of the deposit you have
given plus, the costs of any improvements/works you have carried out. Likewise,
if you choose to pull out, you would have to pay him twice the amount of the deposit
laid and of course, lose the house. Needless to say, few if any here pull out of
such a deal.
Legal Fees
Legal fees and property tax are levied as one and are payable together at the the
signing of the final contract and by the buyer. It is difficult to give a precise
figure as it is dependent on several factors; the property, the situation, the government
valuation and first or second property owned. As a guide though, if you do not have
residency costs would be around 10% and with residency around 4%. (You may opt to
take the lower figure and then have 18 months to apply for and gain residency or
pay the difference. We can assist with both.
Commission Fees
Our fees are payable by the buyer and are charged are as follows: (including translations
with owners and solicitors.)
Under £10,000 - 5% of the selling price
£10,000 - 50,000 - 3% of the selling price
£50,000 to £100,000 - 2.5% of the selling price
£100,000 to £1 million - 2% of the selling price
Over £1,000,000 - 1% of the selling price
Ownership
To be able to purchase a property here you will need, initially, a national insurance
number. This we can arrange through the solicitor prior to signing and is included
in the legal fees.
Later, and to get services connected, and whilst not essential, it is preferable
to apply for residency. We can assist you with this.
It should be remembered that the island and region of Sicily, part of Italy, is
a full member of the European Union and all inter EEC conditions, benefits and laws
apply as they do in the UK.
Health and Medical Treatment
UK residents remaining in the Sicily for less than six months at a time may use
as normal, as they do for holidays, their E111 (available from British post offices)
to gain free medical treatment. For those wishing to live or stay longer than six
months it will be necessary to register with the area health authority to continue
to gain free medical treatment. This registration is free and is easily effected.
The health system in Sicily is far, far better than that in the UK with ample and
good facilities, free prescriptions for all and waiting lists for most operations
at around a week or two or less. Family doctors are on call day and night and each
village/town has a 24-hour fully manned casualty department. Paramedic ambulances
are based at these emergency centres to provide fast responses in times of need,
the average response time being around five minutes. Some towns, like Cianciana,
also have a heli-pad and a flying ambulance/doctor service in addition to the above.
Most medical staff and doctors speak some English.
Chemists operate a rota system of opening as in the UK, with the added advantage
that they will open up out of hours should you have an emergency need. Doctors are
also on call at nights and may be telephone
d
direct rather than through a call-taking service.
All bars, cafés, buses, trains, offices and public places in Sicily are strictly
non-smoking.
Visas and Entry Regulations
No visas are required to enter Sicily and it is possible to live here without even
applying for residency but, taking residency (without in any way affecting your
British citizenship) does bring many advantages and is recommended. One immediate
advantage for property purchasers is that reduced legal fees apply to those with
residency. (You may take of advantage this benefit at the time of purchase and then
have up to 18 months to apply for and gain residency and to avoid that financial
penalty.) Residency also helps much in the connection of services such as water,
telephone and electricity.
You will, however, if you intend to live here for more than 26 weeks per year, need
to obtain an EEC visa.
Bank Accounts
To open a bank account in Sicily a national insurance number is required. This can
be provided by our solicitor at the time of signing your contract to buy a property
and comes at no cost.
Water
Tap water is perfectly safe to drink and is in fact, to a higher standard than that
of the UK.
Water is metered but cheaper than in the UK with a normal annual bill for an average
household of around £35.00 per year – paid in arrears.
Council Rates
Rates are based on the property, paid annually and in arrears and, are far lower
than those in the UK. The owner of a modest town house would expect to pay around
£100.00 per year and a countryside resident much less.
Buying a Property in Sicily
Buying a home on the Mediterranean island is easy and speedy, far more so than in
the UK. As no chains exist here, gazumping is penalised and doesn’t happen. Only
one solicitor is used and acts for both parties - property sales are completed sometimes
on the same day as viewing or at least within several days, land searches included.
We are normally able to arrange an appointment with the solicitor for the same evening
as viewing/decision should you require. (Solicitors work from 6.30pm until 9.00pm.)
There are two ways to complete the purchase in the presence of a solicitor:
1. Pay the entire amount and complete to finality.
2. Put down at least 50% deposit at the first signing and pay the balance whenever
you agree with the owner, a month, two months or even up to six months. You may
then have the key, move in and furnish or work on your new home. Should either party
pull out during this time, they have to pay the other party twice the amount of
the deposit laid plus, in the owner’s case, full compensation to you for any works/improvements
and costs of work you have completed on their property. For example; you pay a deposit
of £30,000 at the first signing and the owner pulls out. He then has to pay you
£60,000 or forfeit the house to you. Conversely, should you pull out, you would
have to pay him £60,000 and of course, lose the house. Needless to say, few if any
ever pull out of such a contract. Sterling cheques or bank/building society drafts
are accepted for this.)
The easy steps to buying:
1. Decide on a house and pay
€500.00 (£350.00) non-refundable holding deposit to the agent. (This is deducted
from agent’s commissions when signing the first contract and thus returned to you.)
Please note that this deposit is to cover agent's fees due and is not used as deposit
on property.
2. Visit solicitor (same day possible) to conduct first signing or to complete fully.
(The agent and owner are present at the signing and translations are given in English.)
3. Decide with the owner when you will pay the balance.
4. Pay commission cheque to the agent.
All this is done, most times in one day, and you then own a home in the Mediterranean.
You will quickly see then that it is possible and usual, during even a short viewing
trip, to decide upon a home, complete the contracts and to return to the UK the
owner of a property abroad.
It is advisable to open a bank account whilst you are here, to facilitate the easy
transfer of funds from the UK: For this you will need a national insurance number
and the solicitor can provide you with this when signing the contract.
Our agent in Sicily is there to help and guide you, not only during the sale but
also with bank accounts, residency, dealing with local authorities and connecting
services and registering with doctors.
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