From first call to key handover — a realistic timeline.
Buying property in Italy as a foreign national takes longer than buyers expect. Here is what the process actually involves, and how IREA fits into it.
Step by step
Discovery call
Week 0What you do
Share your goals, budget, intended use, and timeline.
What IREA does
Assess your brief, identify any fiscal or legal factors to address early, and confirm whether we are the right fit.
Duration: 30 minutes. Free and without obligation. Output: Either a clear next step, or an honest assessment that you do not need us for this purchase.
Strategy and brief
Weeks 1–2What you do
Complete a structured intake questionnaire. Share your neighbourhood preferences, must-haves, and constraints.
What IREA does
Produce a written buyer brief — specific enough to screen properties against, clear enough to challenge your assumptions where necessary. Includes micro-location analysis, OMI price benchmarks, and a preliminary fiscal impact model.
Output: Written buyer brief. This document governs the search.
Market screening
Weeks 2–6What you do
Review shortlisted properties. Visit Rome for viewings if not already there.
What IREA does
Screen available inventory against the agreed brief. Each shortlisted property receives a structured assessment covering price per sqm vs OMI benchmark, cadastral status, building condition, micro-location quality, and rental potential if relevant.
What we do not do: We do not tell you a property is exceptional because it photographs well or because the agent describes it that way.
Due diligence
Weeks 6–10What you do
Confirm interest in a specific property. Authorise due diligence engagement.
What IREA does
Coordinate legal title review, cadastral and building compliance check, and fiscal impact assessment. Review the draft preliminary agreement alongside the legal team. Provide pricing analysis and negotiate on your behalf.
Output: Due diligence report. Offer recommendation with rationale.
Preliminary agreement
Weeks 10–12What you do
Review and sign the preliminary agreement (compromesso). Pay the agreed deposit — typically 10–30% of purchase price.
What IREA does
Ensure the compromesso contains appropriate protections — conditions, timelines, and consequences of non-completion.
Note: The compromesso is legally binding. This step requires legal representation — IREA coordinates but does not replace the notary or lawyer.
Deed of sale
Weeks 12–20What you do
Attend the notarial signing in person or by proxy. Pay the balance of the purchase price.
What IREA does
Coordinate the closing process, verify that all due diligence conditions have been met, and ensure utility transfers and property registration are initiated correctly.
Note: The period between compromesso and rogito typically runs 6–12 weeks.
Realistic timeline
Total time from first call to key handover: 4–6 months under normal conditions. Complex properties, renovation requirements, or financing can extend this. We set expectations accurately at the strategy stage.
Start with a conversation.
Thirty minutes to understand your situation. No obligation. We will tell you clearly what the process looks like for your specific case.