MAXIMISE YOUR FREE TIME BY
MINIMISING YOUR TRAVEL TIME
Ensure your 2nd home overseas is easily accessible all year round.


Lucca. Pescaglia. Tuscany.
70 minutes from Pisa airport.140,000 euros.
A recently restored semi detached stone built house with nice sized patio and land.
Located in a quiet position with panoramic views and close to shops and amenities in Pescaglia. Consists of living room;
spacious kitchen/dining room leading to terrace; three bedrooms (one with en suite); family bathroom;
cellars and central heating. Beautiful views over countryside.
 

Owning a 2nd home abroad is all about making the most of your acquisition. It is about visiting as often as you can and ensuring that the journey time does not impinge on the enjoyment of your new home.

With airlines cutting routes to some regional airports it is comforting to know that major international airports are always going to be in operation and offering a wide choice of flight times.

“Once you own a home abroad it opens up a whole new lifestyle”, says Linda Travella of Casa Travella, experts in the selling of homes in Italy since 1987 to the British and International markets. “One of the greatest delights of owning a home in Italy is the short flight time with some destinations only 1hr 30 minutes.

Don’t forget, that once you are established in your new home you do not need the inconvenience of taking a heavy suitcase with you, which in itself saves an enormous amount of “travelling” time. Just think, you can arrive at your UK airport, having booked your flight on line and printed your boarding pass, and walk straight through to passport control. At your destination you alight from the plane and leave the airport immediately, thereby cutting out the time consuming and frustrating wait in baggage reclaim.”

Linda travels to Italy frequently, so she knows exactly how easy it is to travel under such circumstances. Added Linda, “When choosing a home abroad for frequent visits you should consider –
A. Easy access of the property from the Italian airport. You don’t want to spend hours on a motorway to reach your destination.
B. Choice of airlines; budget or schedule. This gives you flexibility to make the trip suit your lifestyle. If the area is only served by budget airlines, make sure you have a choice of more than one airport (e.g. Le Marche – Ancona and Pescara for example).

Currently available through Casa Travella are three excellent properties within easy reach of International airports.

Nice airport
Just over the border in the South of France is Nice airport providing a wide range of daily flights from the UK and a short drive along the beautiful coastal road to Italy.

At Imperia in Western Liguria there is a lovely villa just an hour’s drive from Nice airport. Located 3 km from the centre of Imperia in the area of Porto Maurizio this is a fine location in which to own a 2nd home.

This spacious property on three levels comprises a storage cellar, living room and kitchen area, plus two bedrooms, bathroom and balcony. The property benefits from lovely views over open countryside to the sea. The property also has a garden and covered parking.
350,000 euros.

Milan airport
Just 50 miles approx from Milan airport is The Ghiffa Health Spa. This exceptional residential complex is located on the shores of Lake Maggiore at Ghiffa and set in 10 acres of spectacular parkland.

The core of the whole complex is the natural heath care centre and spa original started in the 1920’s. There are shops and a restaurant as well as 17 residential apartments. A further 23 apartments have just been built within the grounds to complete this tourist hotel residence. Finished to the highest standard, these homes have large terraces with magnificent lake views
Prices range from 207,900 euros to 476,300 euros

Pisa airport
Pisa is a rapidly expanding International airport providing access to the heart of this most beautiful part of Tuscany.

Currently available is a lovely property being offered at a very reasonable price. This is a semi detached, stone built house of about 140 sq m with a good size patio and garden and is located in a quiet position with panoramic views over the surrounding countryside. The property has cellars for storage plus living room and spacious kitchen/dining room with access to a balcony. There are three bedrooms, one with en suite facilities plus family bathroom. The property also has central heating and is just 1hour 10 minutes from the airport.
140,000 euros.

Concluded Linda, “Easy access enables you to fly out on a Friday and be back in the office by Monday, having spent many hours in your new home, enjoying the laid back lifestyle that is uniquely Italian.”
 

PRESS RELEASE
JULY 2009
 

CONFIDENCE COMES BACK TO THE OVERSEAS PROPERTY MARKET -
BUT PROCEED WITH CAUTION.

Basilicata, Italy.
Beautiful apartments located on a residential complex at Lido di Metaponto, Basilicata, less than 1km from the sea. The spacious apartments are being offered fully furnished. Accommodation comprises, living room, kitchen, 2 bedrooms, bathroom and spacious covered roof terrace of some 35m2.The properties also benefit from a dedicated parking space and use of the shared swimming pool. The beautiful and well laid out complex has many facilities including a number of shops, restaurants, bars, grocery shop and discotheque.
Price €165.000

Casa Travella Ltd.
www.casatravella.com 01322-660988
 

A global recession has taken its toll on the overseas property market but interestingly in the last couple of months there has been a marked increase in business particularly in countries that have always provided good and safe investments, such as Italy.

“I have been marketing homes in Italy for 22 years”, says Linda Travella of Casa Travella, “so have sold through recessions before. What was different about this decline was the fact it was global. However, Italy is a country that was not high on bank borrowings so therefore did not suffer the brunt of the world’s economic downturn and has therefore remained remarkably buoyant.

Gary Pennington is a client of Casa Travella. A businessman and accountant he doesn’t buy on a whim. He considers exactly the pros and cons and has therefore bought prudently. So successful was his purchase on Lake Como that he bought another property in Basilicata, through Casa Travella as an investment.

Says Gary, “Before I began investing in Italy I decided to do my homework by choosing a company with an in-depth knowledge of the country. I checked on Casa Travella and felt that the company offered a professional, personal service and that
Linda knew the market place extremely well. I am very happy with the Lake Como property which I use for personal pleasure and for letting income.

Due to the success of this investment I decided that I wanted to buy in Italy again and sought Linda’s advice. She suggested the region of Basilicata. The two bedroom, brand new, apartment, that I purchased, has a fabulous 35 sq metres covered veranda, sun terrace and shared pool and has been a sound investment. I am now selling this back through Casa Travella at a profit; I paid 105,000 euros four and a half years ago and she suggests the marketing price now should be 165,000 euros. I am just waiting for the 5 year ownership period to elapse so that I can avoid Capital Gains Tax in Italy.”

Casa Travella is a company with an outstanding reputation and through its long standing position within the overseas property market can provide buyers with a comfort factor borne out of years of selling successfully to UK and international buyers and being backed by professional institutions.

Linda is a member of the Italian Chamber of Commerce for the UK. She is also a member of the National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA) incorporating FOPDAC. Linda was chairman of FOPDAC (Federation of Overseas Property developers, Agents and Consultants) from 2000 to 2004 and is media spokeswoman for NAEA International and an active committee member.

Due to her supreme knowledge of Italy and its properties, Linda has appeared on numerous radio and television programmes including BBC Breakfast TV, I Want that House, Selling Houses Abroad and filming A Place in the Sun with TV property hostess Amanda Lamb.

“People with savings are seeing virtually nil returns on their banking investments and as the market in Italy is definitely showing signs of bottoming out this summer, buyers could make the purchase of a lifetime with capital growth and income”, said Linda whilst citing the examples not only of the property in Basilicata, but also the bargain below of the properties in Tuscany Volterra which have only just been reduced.

Casa Travella is a niche company where buyers deal personally with Linda who speaks fluent Italian and has visited a high proportion of the properties that she markets, so can give first hand information.

Concluded Linda, “It is important to always take professional advice and use a company which is a member of an International Federation. I also recommend that buyers using lawyers choose those that are versed in the legalities of the country in question. It is not appropriate to use their normal UK solicitor unless they have specialist knowledge of the country in which their client is buying. Following these simple guidelines makes for an easy, trouble free purchase, as with Gary, enabling buyers to have a second home with all the personal joy that brings plus the added incentive of rental return and capital growth”.

Currently available through Casa Travella is –

Tuscany Volterra
A development of 7 superbly finished Tuscan style apartments, only 7km from the City of Volterra and completed in April 2009.
3 remaining 2 bedroomed apartments with individual parking spaces, private gardens front and rear and shared swimming pool.
Bargain at reduced price from €300.000 to €250.000!!



CASA TRAVELLA
www.casatravella.com
www.casatravellapremier.com
01322 660988


EDITOR’S NOTES

Linda Travella was chairman for four years of FOPDAC, the Federation of Overseas Property Developer, Agents and Consultants and is now Media Spokeswoman and committee member of NAEA International, National Association of Estate Agents, and is a member of the Italian Chamber of Commerce, UK.

Linda Travella has filmed with Amanda Lamb for A Place in the Sun, where they were on Lake Como looking at beautiful villas belonging to George Clooney and others.

Linda has also appeared on numerous radio and television programmes as she has specialised in sales of Italian homes to British and International buyers for over 22 years.

 

PRESS RELEASE
JULY 2009

MORTGAGE OR CASH –
GLOBAL MARKETS DICTATE BUYING TRENDS

PHOTO CAPTION
Luxury ground floor apartment which forms part of a restored Liberty style villa in the Alture region of Stresa on Lake Maggiore, Italy.
Owner benefits from covered portico and spacious garden.
This exquisite two bedroom apartment is located close to all amenities including being just 600 metres from a glorious golf course.
210,000 euros
Casa Travella www.casatravella.com
01322 660988

“Whichever way you look at it, buying a property in Italy has never been so easy or offered so many superb opportunities to buy at competitive prices, and I should know; I have been selling there for 22 years!”, says Linda Travella of Casa Travella.

Italy is a perennial favourite for many reasons; it is a short flight time from the UK, the infrastructure is good, the people friendly, the food and wine superb, the history, culture and architecture spellbinding and the scenery mesmerising.

“Banking money, with such dismal low returns is virtually a wasted exercise at present”, continues Linda, “so astute investors are now looking at buying property abroad. Italy is a safe country in which to purchase property and although property prices have fallen a little, interest has never truly waned. The summer months are adding renewed interest and with market showing strong signs of bottoming out, there are some terrific purchasing opportunities around if you are quick.

So, is a better option to pay cash? Many of my clients spending 150,000 euros or less, are doing just that. They are then renting the property for income and using for family holidays. If on the other hand, clients are looking to spend upwards of that figure, why not opt for a mortgage?

We are currently suggesting to our clients, mortgages through well established Italian banks which are, at present, offering some very good opportunities of up to 70-75% mortgages with rates currently varying between 2.75% and 4.00% (dependant on fixed or variable rates and subject to criteria). For example, a property costing 250,000 euros, with a deposit of 50,000 euros, would result in repayment over 20 years of 840 euros per calendar month. Over 25 years this would drop to 718 euros per calendar month.

The expenses for instructing the mortgage are also fixed at about 700 euros (including the survey) so you know from the outset, your financial commitment.

Also be advised that you will pay 0.25% of the value of the mortgage if you buy the property as your main home, or 2% tax if you are buying the property as a second home.”

Taking into account the ease with which one can purchase, maybe now is the time to consider looking more closely at what could be yours.

Currently Casa Travella has a fine selection of homes at realistic prices.

Alture, Stresa.
A ground floor apartment, forming part of a restored Liberty style villa, in the Alture region of Stresa on Lake Maggiore.
This delightful two bedroom property with private garden can be purchased for just 210,000 euros.

Tuscany Palaia,
Stunning one bedroom apartment located in the beautifully restored hamlet, close to the town of Palaia and 40 minutes from Pisa International airport.
The hamlet comprises 24 acres of rolling countryside including olive groves. The apartment is being sold fully furnished. The hamlet offers two swimming pools, restaurant, wine and delicatessen shop, plus parking within the gated complex. The apartment is just one hour from Florence and equal distance time wise, from the sea.

Concluded Linda, “If you purchase in an area that is sought after by holiday makers or winter sports enthusiasts, you can considerably increase the “value” of your home by being able to rent out the property when you are not using it yourself. Returns on say a two bedroom apartment close to the lakes can realise as much as 800 euros per week in high season based on a property that has cost you in the region of 280,000 euros.
For higher end homes the returns are substantially greater”.


Casa Travella Ltd.
01322 660988
www.casatravellapremier.com
www.casatravella.com

EDITOR’S NOTES

Linda Travella was chairman for four years of FOPDAC, the Federation of Overseas Property Developer, Agents and Consultants and is now Media Spokeswoman and committee member of NAEA International, National Association of Estate Agents, and is a member of the Italian Chamber of Commerce, UK.

Linda Travella has filmed with Amanda Lamb for A Place in the Sun, where they were on Lake Como looking at beautiful villas belonging to George Clooney and others.

Linda has also appeared on numerous radio and television programmes as she has specialised in sales of Italian homes to British and International buyers for over 22 years.

PRESS RELEASE MAY 2009

REDUNDANCY PACKAGE CLEVERLY INVESTED LEADS TO PROFIT



Tony Manzi (55) with his wife Christine (58) and daughter Jennifer (20)

This beautiful apartment is located on a residential complex at Lido di Metaponto, less than 1km from the sea and with all amenities available.The spacious property which is being sold furnished consists of: Living room; kitchen; 2 bedrooms; bathroom and spacious covered terrace of some 35m2.The property also benefits from a dedicated parking space, use of the shared swimming pool and the complex has many facilities including a number of shops, restaurants, bars, grocery shop and discotheque.
Price €155.000 Casa Travella Ltd. www.casatravella.com 01322-660988
PRESS- For further information contact Nightingales PR
01825 744091 linda@nightingalespr.co.uk
 

Tony Manzi, a banker, and his wife Christine and daughter Jennifer live in Bexley in Kent. In 2004 Tony took a redundancy package and needed somewhere safe to invest the lump sum.

“I really wasn’t quite sure where to place the money in order to ensure that it increased in value and was still there when I truly needed it, but one night I was watching television and an idea began to grow”.

Tony was watching “I Want That House” a regular series based on overseas homes and on this occasion the subject was Italy. The programme was being co-hosted by Linda Travella of Casa Travella, specialists in Italian properties since 1987.

“I assumed that prices in Italy would be out of my range but was astonished to find that they were not.” continued Tony. “These particular homes, which are part of a fairly new complex, are situated near Metaponto, Basilicata. At the time I paid 98,000 euros and today, according to Linda, it is worth around 145,000 euros, so obviously I made the right decision”.

The property is a two bedroom apartment with a huge veranda and a shared pool. The complex is less than 1 km from the sea. Its exotic rainbow of pastel shaded buildings is a quintessentially Italian style and this complex has been featured in a number of magazines and newspapers in recent years; its appeal being wide reaching.

Furniture was included in the package so the Manzi family only had to purchase the property to find that they owned a home that provided an excellent retreat for holidays for themselves and friends, was ideal for rental income and the capital growth was first-rate.

Continued Tony, “We often rent the property out; either to our family and friends who take it for several weeks at a time or for holiday periods to the Italians. In the high season we can get as much as 750 euros a week.”

Tony cannot speak Italian but knows enough “to get by” and finds the local people extremely friendly.

Linda Travella of Casa Travella says, “ Basilicata is still not a widely known area and it offers some excellent opportunities for investment. Just like England, there are pockets in Italy where the area is beautiful but properties offer better value for money. Basilicata is located in the “instep” of the Italy’s “foot”. It is a rustic area unspoilt with high rise buildings and urban spread. This is the “real Italy” and the rural ambiance and the warm seas and pretty beaches all have a great deal of appeal. It must be good; the Italians choose to take their holidays in this region.”

Concluded Tony, “I had assumed Italy would be beyond my reach but I have been very pleasantly surprised. Buying through Casa Travella could not have been easier and I would recommend the company to anyone considering buying in Italy. Linda was able to give us so much information because she specialises in this one country. We did not realise initially that there is no Capital Gains Tax if we do not sell for five years and that Italy has no Inheritance Tax. These are all important matters to take into account when spending a sum of money where you want to make sensible decisions for your future”.

Linda Travella adds, “I have another client who has also found the benefits of a property investment in Italy. Lianne from Essex bought a two bedroom apartment in Metaponto, Basilicata around 4.1/2 years ago. Lianne will therefore gain the advantage of not paying Capital Gains Tax if she waits the statutory five years before selling. In essence, in five years, she has seen a growth on her particular home of around 50,000 euros.”

Lianne says, “I bought the apartment in 2004 for 105,000 euros. It has been lovely to go back every year and see the complex change and also to see how well the maintenance people look after the gardens etc. We have met some lovely Italian people who like to practice their English on you and also appreciate you trying out your Italian however bad it may be. Now we have got to know more about the area and the people we would like to buy something more traditional near a village in land where we can integrate more.'

Currently also available through Casa Travella are properties at Policoro Tarantino. These form part of a development which is located only 500 metres from the sea in Policoro.

There are two types of properties, either attached villettas or loft apartments with sloping roofs. Both have air conditioning, and private parking. The villettas also benefit from a private garden and consist of living room with corner kitchen, 2 bedrooms, bathroom and veranda.

Prices for villettas from €125.000. Apartments from €80.000

 

PRESS RELEASE
MARCH/APRIL 2009

 

LOCATIONS - ITALY
SARDINIA
£100,000 TO INVEST?

ITALY IS THE BEST!
 

PHOTO CAPTION
Lake Como, Italy.
A delightful apartment (one of just three) forming part of a village house and restored by craftsmen. Spacious kitchen, bedroom, bathroom plus covered portico.
Centrally heated, Only 50 metres from the lake.
105,000 euros.

Casa Travella www.casatravella.com 01322 660988

 

“Why leave your money in the bank with no interest when you can buy a property in a stable market for £100,000 or less?” says Linda Travella of Italian property specialists Casa Travella, and Media spokeswoman for NAEA International.

“In the past Premium Bonds seemed like a good investment but even with those now, your chances of capital returns are slashed by 50%.

Historically the Italian banks have come in for a great deal of criticism for being too conservative with their lending, however, I think now many other countries wish they had taken a similar stance!”

At a recent CEI meeting in Lisbon the FIAIP president said that the movement in the Italian market had not been as dramatic as in some countries with a fall of only around 7%.

Similarly, a national newspaper, referring to eight countries where ‘Brits’ traditionally buy overseas property, highlighted that Italy is the only country that is not ‘in crisis’.

Continued Linda, “In Italy mortgages are still available for periods of 10 to 20 years, and for approximately 60/70% of the purchase price. At around 4% variable, subject to criteria, there is no reason not to top up with a small mortgage if required.

In addition, there has been a reduction in the number of buyers from around the world and this has resulted in some really good opportunities to buy at competitive prices.

Italy has a great deal to offer with it being only a short flight from the UK, enjoying wonderful long summers, and offering culture and cuisine hand in hand with a history of friendly people who have a love of life.”

For £100,000, or under you can buy a lovely apartment which forms part of a village house on Lake Como, and has been restored by craftsmen. This dramatically beautifully location brings visitors from around the world and you could own a home here. Centrally heated with spacious kitchen, bedroom, bathroom and covered portico this is a particularly good buy.

If you are looking for something a little cheaper then for just 68,000 euros there is an enchanting stone built terraced house in Pescaglia, only 30 kilometres from Lucca in Tuscany, enjoying beautiful views over the valley. This property has been partially restored and provides a small garden plus kitchen/dining/living room, two double bedrooms and a bathroom
Estimated cost to complete the work is about 30,000 euros.

Also in Tuscany is a charming ground floor apartment with patio and garden located in Bagni di Lucca. This is a well presented property with double bedroom and impressive kitchen/dining room/living room with large open fireplace. Outside is a dream; there is large paved patio with unhindered vistas of countryside, enhanced with the sound of water from a nearby river. The property is also within walking distance of bars, restaurants and shops so it has a lot to offer.
95,000 euros fully furnished.

Casa Travella also has some rather rare opportunities to purchase in Sardinia for under 100,000 euros.

At Valledoria near Castelsardo and less than an hour from Alghero airport, there is a new, furnished apartment, with two bedrooms, balcony and air conditioning plus the benefit of a shared pool for just 95,000 euros.

Casa Travella Ltd.
01322 660988
www.casatravella.com
www.casatravellapremier.com

Editor’s Notes
Linda Travella has recently finished filming with Amanda Lamb for the new series of A Place in the Sun, where they were on Lake Como looking at beautiful villas belonging to George Clooney and Richard Branson

Linda Travella was chairman for four years of FOPDAC, the Federation of Overseas Property Developer, Agents and Consultants and is now Media Spokeswoman and committee member of NAEA International, National Association of Estate Agents, and is a member of the Italian Chamber of Commerce, UK.

PRESS RELEASE
FEBRUARY 2009

HOMES OVERSEAS PRESENTER SELLS SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS
IN LE MARCHE, ITALY.


PHOTO CAPTION
David and Pam Bates enjoying life in Italy.

 

David and Pam Bates are a couple with a zest for life and a will and energy to create an exciting lifestyle for themselves. It was no surprise therefore to their family and friends that in 2001 they decided to leave their home at Chandlers Ford in Hampshire and buy a derelict property in Le Marche in Italy.


“David and I were absolutely fed up with our lives in the UK and as my brother had been living in Le Marche for over nine years it was the obvious place to start looking”, says Pam. Within a short period they found what they were looking for – a typical Italian style home set in a hectre of land surrounded by open countryside. The three storey abandoned farmhouse was being marketed for just £42,000 but was in need of total renovation.

“It was quite a challenge”, continues Pam, ”but David and I rather like being in that type of situation and so we set to work not just getting the property habitable for ourselves but also carrying out a substantial business plan with the designation of Country House providing bed and breakfast with a fully licensed restaurant”.

Renovation work included new roof, doors, windows, wiring, plumbing, central heating, sewerage, landscaping, professional kitchen, tiling, plastering, and the creating of 9 bathrooms and a bar plus purchase of furniture for 9 rooms plus public areas and the creating of a swimming pool. Later projects included extra rooms, decking and porticos etc. In addition they had to have the linen, and soft furnishings, coffee and beer machines, crockery, outdoor furniture, and the complete stocking of the restaurant and bar.

Time was tight as they had to be open by February 2003 as they had 12 guests booked in! Pam is a gregarious person who had run a model agency and events company so knew the advantages of Public Relations. Because of the unusual concept of derelict farmhouse to Country hotel, the property was featured on A Place in Italy 2004, a Channel 4 production. The property was also featured on BBC’s Put your Money where your Mouth is in 2008. Guests have included a wide range of stars and celebrities including GMTV’s Ben Shepherd.

Villa Sibillini is a beautifully presented property which has been lovingly and tastefully restored and decorated in an modern yet understated style adding to its charming external appearance. It oozes charm and tranquillity both internally and externally where the quiet poolside area surrounded by beautiful countryside is a magical place in which to spend time.

The enterprise therefore is a small hotel which can offer a wide variety of sources of income from bed and breakfast to weddings. The location makes it ideal for walking holidays, family breaks and romantic weekends. It has also attracted great interest from those organising hen nights and its proximity to ski resorts less than half an hour away ensures year round bookings. Pam’s brother has restored a wooden sailing boat with Norman Cook and Zoe Ball which is for charter off Sardinia and Pam and David have promoted two centre breaks based on this.

Added Pam, “After six years of running the business and the fact we are not getting any younger, we are now looking for a different life style. However, whoever buys our lovely home will not be left totally on their own to run the business. David and I are happy to offer support with the marketing for at least six months if they wish it.”
The property is now being marketed through Casa Travella, experts in the sale of homes in Italy since 1987. Linda Travella says, “The home is in excellent decorative order throughout and a new owner could start running the business from day one. I understand that 2009 bookings are now coming in thick and fast which is good news but then Italy is such a beautiful country, it will always attract visitors”.

Villa Sibillini Country House is on the market for 850,000 euros and open to offers. Recognising buyers current difficulties in raising funds in these difficult times the Bates are being creative with payment terms and would accept a lump sum deposit with stage payments or a lump sum and the new buyer could take on the small, existing mortgage.

Villa Sibillini
850,000 euros.
Small country hotel plus living accommodation set in 1 hectre of land.

Concluded Linda, “For those wanting this type of overseas business, but would prefer something a little different, we have a wide choice of suitable properties which can be easily found on our web sites”.

230,000 euros. Monterubbiano, Southern Le Marche. (ref 2047)
In need of renovation. Two storeys. 200 sq metres of accommodation plus two annexes and garage. Electricity and water supplied. Located 260 metres from private road.
Set in 20 acres with woods, vineyards, olive grove and pine trees and fruit trees. Great potential.

230,000 euros. Montegiorgio, Southern Le Marche. ( Ref 2046)
Lovely colonial style property, partly restored. 200 sq metres of accommodation over two floors plus a garage. 8 bedrooms, 4/5 bedrooms. Ideal property for project and to rent out 2/3 bedrooms to guests.
Courtyard of over half an acres. Sits in 10 acres of land which is being sold separately.

Casa Travella 01322 660988 www.casatravellapremier.com www.casatravella.com

EDITOR’S NOTES
We have a large range of excellent interior and exterior photos of Villa Sibillini.
The owners are happy to talk to the press and supply additional photos of themselves etc if required.

Linda Travella has recently finished filming with Amanda Lamb for the new series of A Place in the Sun, where they were on Lake Como looking at beautiful villas belonging to George Clooney and Richard Branson

Linda Travella was chairman for four years of FOPDAC, the Federation of Overseas Property Developer, Agents and Consultants and is now Media Spokesperson and committee member of NAEA International, National Association of Estate Agents, and is a member of the Italian Chamber of Commerce, UK.
END
 

PRESS RELEASE
FEBRUARY 2009
 

ENTREPRENEURS WITH AN EYE FOR THE FUTURE
CHOOSE ITALY’S HIGH END HOMES


Close to the town of Volterra.
A beautifully restored farmhouse set on a hill with panoramic views.
The property has been restored by the current owners and comprises two reception rooms and four bedrooms each with its own bathroom.
There is an old church of 30 sq. m. in the grounds. The property sits in approximately 3 acres with around 300 olive trees. Swimming pool.
1,600,000 euros.
Casa Travella www.casatravellapremier.com
01322 660988

“High end homes in Italy are the most buoyant part of the Italian property market”, says Linda Travella of Casa Travella, an expert on Italian property sales and purchase for 22 yrs. Linda saw the changing situation in the middle of 2008 and decided to set up and launch her premier property site to complement the company’s original web site. “Many of my fellow professionals thought it was a strange idea to spend time and money launching a premier site when there was clearly going to be a down turn in the market, but not James Caan, who Linda met at the recent NAEA International Forum where James was the guest speaker.

Linda met the Dragons Den entrepreneur, at a NAEA (National Association of Estate Agents) International Forum for which Linda was the main organiser. “When James gave his speech he advised delegates to do the opposite of everyone else and don’t do what the masses do,“ added Linda who was very pleased to hear this advice as she was only a week away from launching her new web site.

The site, www.casatravellapremier.com is very easy to use and enables those without too much time, to concentrate on those properties in their price bracket.

Continued Linda, “Amidst a very turbulent economy it is interesting to note that in general the high end of the property market continues to do well. “Clients know that January is a good time to buy in normal economic conditions as not many people view and vendors are more likely to accept offers. This year, they see it as an excellent opportunity to invest their funds in something stable rather than leaving it in banks where interest rates are at an all time low. Once Spring dawns vendors become more enthusiastic and with Barak Obama as the new US President and banks beginning to stabilise, vendors will become more confident and less likely to accept offers.”

Currently available through Casa Travella are two remarkable properties one of which is a handsome farmhouse set in 3 acres with 300 olive trees and a swimming pool. There are wide reaching vistas of beautiful Italian countryside in all directions yet the property is only 10 minutes from the pretty town of Volterra. Lovingly restored by the current owners, this four bedroom property with bathrooms to each bedroom even boasts an old church of some 30 sq m in the grounds. The property is on the market for 1,600,000 euros.

Casa Travella is also currently marketing a period villa built around the early part of the 20th century. The property sits on an exclusive site of around 1/3 acre of beautifully maintained gardens just a few metres from the centre of Stresa.

This four bedroom mansion has recently been sympathetically restored to retain the period architectural features including a spacious lounge with fireplace and fresco ceiling. The property benefits from magnificent views of Lake Maggiore.
1,800,000 euros

Concluded Linda, “The new premier web site is proving popular not just with buyers but also with vendors of quality homes as they like the fact that if their homes is worth 750,000 euros or more they can be represented on a specialised Italian property site.”

Casa Travella
01322 660988
www.casatravellapremier.com
www.casatravella.com

EDITOR’S NOTES
Linda Travella has recently finished filming with Amanda Lamb for the new series of A Place in the Sun, where they were on Lake Como looking at beautiful villas belonging to George Clooney and Richard Branson

Linda Travella was chairman for four years of FOPDAC, the Federation of Overseas Property Developer, Agents and Consultants and is now Media Spokesperson and committee member of NAEA International, National Association of Estate Agents, and is a member of the Italian Chamber of Commerce, UK.