Stop Guessing What Your Italian Home Will Really Cost

A short, honest guide to hidden costs and real renovation budgets in Italy – so you can fall in love with a house and stay friends with your bank account.

Buying and renovating in Italy is exciting… until the quotes start rolling in and your “rough idea” of the budget quietly doubles.
Most buyers only see the online listing price and a few pretty photos. They don’t see the extra 10–15% in purchase fees, the professional costs, or the way a “simple” renovation can slide into six figures once you open up old walls.

This mini guide, Hidden Costs & Real Budgets, is for people who want the dream but also want the truth.

What began as a passion project has evolved into something more. We’re proud of where we’ve been and even more excited for what’s ahead. What sets us apart isn’t just our process—it’s the intention behind it. We take time to understand, explore, and create with purpose at every turn.

Guide 3: Your Italian Property - Hidden Costs & Real Budgets

€7.00

What’s inside this 7 euro mini guide

In about 11 pages, you’ll learn:

The real purchase costs (beyond the price tag)
A clear breakdown of taxes, notary, agency commission and technical checks, with simple examples you can adapt to your own numbers.
Renovation budgets for light, medium and full projects
Plain-language explanations and €/m² ranges, including realistic figures for true “down to the bones” renovations that so many guides gloss over.
Two worked renovation examples
A medium and a full 100 m² project, with scope, budget outline, professional fees and contingency, so you can see how costs actually stack up.
The “extra costs” nobody talks about
Contingency, permits, oneri di urbanizzazione, professional fees, and ongoing taxes (IMU, TARI, insurance) that quietly shape the real cost of owning your Italian home.
Reality Check worksheets
Fill-in sheets you can print, scribble on and bring to meetings—turning your dream number into a grounded “real total” for your specific house.

Who this is for

This guide is a perfect fit if you:

Are seriously thinking about buying a home in Italy and don’t want to be blindsided by costs.
Already own a place and want a sanity check before committing to a renovation plan.
Love old houses and want to protect that dream with clear, realistic numbers.

It’s especially helpful for foreign buyers navigating Italian quotes, permits and professionals for the first time

What you’ll walk away with

By the end, you will:

Know roughly how much to add on top of the purchase price to get from “offer accepted” to “keys in hand.”
Have realistic cost ranges for light, medium and full renovations, not just wishful thinking.
See clearly whether your dream number and the real number are close cousins—or need a serious conversation.
Feel more confident saying “yes” to the right project and “no” to the one that would quietly drain you.

This isn’t about scaring you. It’s about giving you the calm, grounded information you need to move forward with confidence.