Property prices in Italy are usually quoted in ‘euros per square metre’. Like any other property market, in Italy it is impossible to give a definitive guide to what prices should be in any given town or region – with great diversity in the type, age, size, condition and location of property it is very difficult to give an accurate ‘like for like’ comparison. With such a range of landscapes, climate and culture throughout Italy, it is rather difficult to compare, say, a three-bedroom farmhouse in Le Marche with a three-bedroom farmhouse in Valle d’Aosta – the two areas are quite different and a home buyer is unlikely to ‘switch’ areas purely based on price.

Certain regions, or areas within regions, have long been popular with overseas property buyers, for example, Tuscany and Umbria, and prices will tend to be higher there compared to a similar property in a lesser known region. When buyers started to find themselves priced out of Tuscany property, they started looking to neighbouring Umbria and prices have risen dramatically there as a result. More recently, with Umbria property prices so high, Marche property has become popular.

With improved travel connections, other parts have been opened up to intrepid buyers of property in Italy. With low-cost airlines servicing previously remote corners of the country it becomes viable to have a holiday property in, for example, Puglia in the southeast, where property prices have traditionally been low but are now creeping upwards with the increased demand.

Overall, capital appreciation in the Italian property market has been steadily rising thanks to a sluggish stock market, and with demand from overseas property buyers in particular on the increase, a well-considered Italian home will continue to reap rewards for many years. As ever, efforts in research and taking expert advice will go a long way to ensuring that a home in Italy will be a happy and rewarding purchase.