#1 The house that chose us - The first day at our farm in Italy

Summary

Bertus and Isis embark on an exciting journey from the Netherlands to Italy to claim their dream farmhouse in the picturesque Piemonte region. After a year of searching and exploring various locations, they were surprised to discover their ideal home nestled in nature. The couple reflects on their emotional journey of house hunting, their connection to the land, and the serendipity of finding a property with expansive grounds. As they step into a new chapter of life, they look forward to renovating the historic farmstead and sharing their experiences along this unpaved road of adventure and transformation.

Takeaways

• 🏡 Bertus and Isis are moving from the Netherlands to Italy to purchase their dream farmhouse.
• ⏳ They submitted their offer in October 2022 and signed a preliminary contract on November 1.
• 🌳 After 15 years of dreaming about a nature-filled home, they found a property that resonates with their vision.
• 🇮🇹 Their search included locations in Sweden, Germany, Austria, Slovenia, Croatia, and briefly, the Canary Islands before settling on Italy.
• 🗺️ They visited nearly all corners of Italy before feeling an instant connection to the Piemonte region.
• 🌄 The farmhouse spans 16 hectares, with half consisting of woods and wilderness, and the other half meadows and fields.
• 💔 While searching for a home, they viewed 30 properties, some of which broke their hearts, but ultimately found the right one.
• ✨ An enthusiastic real estate agent helped them discover a farmhouse they had initially overlooked due to budget constraints.
• 📝 After overcoming fears and uncertainties, they made an offer that was accepted during their third visit to Italy.
• 🔑 The farmhouse is surrounded by beautiful landscapes and includes several buildings, presenting a new adventure filled with renovation opportunities.

Q & A

What motivated Bertus and Isis to move from the Netherlands to Italy?

Bertus and Isis were motivated by a desire to sink their roots into nature, feel connected to the land, and fulfill a long-held dream of living in a serene environment.

How long did Bertus and Isis wait between their initial offer and the final signing?

They waited a month and a half between making their offer in October 2022 and signing the preliminary contract on November 1st.

What were some of the countries they considered moving to before choosing Italy?

They considered moving to the south of Sweden, Germany, Austria, Slovenia, Croatia, and even briefly the Canary Islands before settling on Italy.

What size of land were they initially looking for when house hunting?

They were initially looking for a property with only three to four hectares of land.

How many houses did they visit before finding their dream farmhouse?

They saw 30 houses spread over three house-hunting trips to Italy over the course of nine months.

What was significant about the way they felt when they first visited the farmhouse?

They felt an immediate connection to the farmhouse, as if the place was speaking to them and welcoming them home.

How much lower than the asking price did they offer for the farmhouse?

They put in an offer of 90,000 Euros under the asking price.

What type of buildings are included in the farm property?

The farm consists of several buildings, including a tiny chapel, stables, an old winery, and a hen house.

What was one of the challenges they faced during the property transaction?

In Italy, the transaction involved a lot of paperwork, requiring around 60 signatures per person due to multiple buyers and owners.

What future plans do Bertus and Isis have for the property?

They plan to renovate the farmhouse, possibly turn some outbuildings into a holiday cottage, and explore the history of the chapel and other structures.