OUR HOUSE FOR SALE LISTED IN THE WASHINGTON POST

To help sell our house, we're trying to cast our nets a little wider, and to that end we've partnered with a real estate agent in the states. An ad for our house is scheduled to appear in the WASHINGTON POST today, Sunday, November 29th.


If you see the ad, we'd love to hear your feedback - was it informative? Did it pique your interest?

"WHY ARE YOU SELLING?" and "WHERE WILL YOU GO?"

Those are the two questions we get asked all the time. Most people we know who follow our blog are fellow lovers of Italy, and some dream of living in Italy someday. Others know they'll never live here but like to follow our lives as a small way of connecting to Italy. For many of these people the idea of us selling and/or leaving Italy is unimaginable. After following the long road to get here and the various trials and tribulations we faced along the way (as well as all the good times and great food), many people can't imagine why we'd want to give it up.

What most of these people don't realize is that Italy was never OUR dream! Italy simply HAPPENED to us, unexpectedly. (You can read about how it happened HERE). Our dream for retirement was to travel, both in the U.S. and in Europe. There were so many places we wanted, and still want, to see! When Italy caught us in her spell we thought that we'd have the perfect set-up: a base in Europe, meaning no jet lag, no expensive transatlantic airfares, and the ability to take lots of mini-vacations: a long weekend in Sicily, a quick visit to France, taking advantage of an airfare special to London. For us, Italy was just the means to an end, and that end was travel. That was the plan.

Once we moved to Italy the dollar began a long, slow and steady decline, eating away at the money we'd planned to use for travel. Initially we didn't mind (much), and enjoyed spending time in our area. Eventually it became evident that the dollar wasn't going to rebound, and although living in Italy was certainly fun, it wasn't serving it's purpose. Feeling more and more frustrated about not being able to travel, we eventually realized that we could do something about it. Sometimes the most obvious answer is the most illusive!

We decided that we'd sell our house in Italy and move back to the states. Our thinking was that in the states at least we wouldn't be losing a percentage of our money with every bank withdrawal, and that we'd be able to travel. We reasoned that even if the majority of our travel was in the U.S., there was certainly plenty to see, and that when we did travel to Europe, we'd made so many friends that we'd have a few places to stay along the way.

That decision wasn't made quickly, nor was it made lightly. Yes, the thought of leaving our home and our friends is sad, even painful. Luckily we knew from having made the move TO Italy that all we really needed was each other, and that we really did want to fulfill our dream of traveling. We remembered when we moved to Italy, and how some friends and family had been upset, even angry about the idea of us leaving the states and going to Italy. We also remembered telling them "But if it doesn't work out, we can always come back!" Sometimes we all get so stuck in the way things ARE that we forget that we have the power to change things!

And so now we have our house for sale, and even though the U.S. economy has worsened since the time we made our decision, we still think it's the right thing for us to do. Maybe it's just wanderlust, but we both feel that it's time to move on, time to figure out what our next adventure will be.

Initially, way back when we were first talking about selling, we just wrote about it on the blog. Obviously this didn't draw a lot of interest, but we weren't that concerned. We reasoned that when the time was right the house would sell and in the meantime we'd just enjoy our life in Italy. Eventually we realized that if we really did want to sell we'd need to list the house with some agenices, and so we took the next step and officially listed the house for sale.

Maybe we'd been holding back just a little, still not 100% convinced that we wanted to leave Italy, but after living with the idea for a while we realized that yes, this was the right decision for us. Living in Italy is wonderful - the food! - the wine! -the scenery! - the slower way of life! - yes, it will be hard to give all that up. It will be hard to trade our small town life for life in the big city. It will be even harder to leave all the friends we've made. But, just as we've kept up with friends and family in the states since we moved here, we know that we'll keep up with our friends in Italy - maybe even more so.

Now the housing market has gone flat (we know of many real estate agents who didn't sell one house last year!), but everyone assures us that our price is fair and that our house is something special. So yes, our house is for sale. And yes, we'll return to the states. Not because we don't love Italy, but simply because for us, it's time for the next adventure. We encourage you to follow your dreams too. If we can do it, anyone can!


You can read about our house for sale by clicking on the link over in the right hand column of the blog. As long as the house is for sale that link will be there! THIS LINK will take you to the same information, and if you have any questions, please email us at: umbriahouse4sale@hotmail.com .

HOUSE FOR SALE IN UMBRIA ITALY

See more pictures of the house on our FLICKR PAGE


READY TO LIVE THE DREAM? Many people dream of living in Italy. Some dream of a life under the sun, next to the pool with nothing but the hum of the cicadas to keep them company. Not us! Dreaming of living in Italy meant just that: LIVING in Italy, not as we would on vacation, not as tourists, but living day to day with the Italians.....making this our HOME. We visited Umbria on our first visit to Italy, and it was the one area that drew us back again and again and again. We loved everything about Umbria, the green heart of Italy. We love the medieval towns, the Roman ruins and the even older, mysterious Etruscan sites. We love the rolling hills covered with olive trees and vineyards,
the snow-capped mountains off in the distance, the fields of sunflowers.
We love the life we live in our little Umbrian hilltown. We love being a part of the community….stopping in the bar for a coffee before walking to the post office to mail a letter, or stopping in the bakery for a freshly baked loaf of bread, still warm. We love being able to walk to the hardware store to buy a few nails to finish a project, or to stop in the butchers to buy something for dinner. We love sitting on the piazza eating gelato, watching the kids play, talking to friends.

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San Venanzo itself is a gem.

Because it’s a hilltown we always have a breeze in the summer. Because it’s small (population 1500) everyone knows everyone else, everyone says hello. The town band plays for every festival and feast day.
The town picnic is held every June, in August nearby Rotecastello holds it annual medieval festival, and all summer long thre seems to be some fost of festa going on in the city park. Concerts are held on the piazza, and the town celebrates the feast of it’s patron saint with an incredible fireworks show in September. Additionally San Venanzo has it's own soccer team and a brand new soccer stadium. There is also a large public pool with a picnic area. San Venanzo also has a volcano museum, tracing the history of the only (now extinct) volcano in Umbria. As the only full-time English speakers, the people of San Venanzo have welcomed us with open arms, whether it's waving hello as we pass by, offering us advice on where to buy goods and services, or letting us know about an upcoming festival. We've really become a part of the community...and so can you!

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The scenery is ever changing and always breathtaking.....

So now it’s time for you to decide: are you ready to stop dreaming and start making Italy a part of your reality? Maybe you want to join forces with a friend or family member to buy the house as a place to visit until you’re ready to retire. The house could be rented out to help pay for some of the cost! (We have friends who might be able to help with this.) Or maybe you’re like us…ready to retire to Italy NOW! Whatever your situation, this house might be just what you’re looking for.

Price: €195,000

Contact us at umbriahouse4sale@hotmail.com for further information or to set up an appointment

Location: in the centro of a small Umbrian hilltown. The house is in a quiet location: it backs up to a newly restored park and is across the street from a nursing home. It’s secure and private, yet there are still neighbors close by and everything in town is within walking distance. The town of San Venanzo (pop. 1500) has everything you need: a post office, 2 small groceries, 2 butcher shops, newspaper stand, bakery, pharmacy, gas station and general store. There are 3 bars serving sandwiches and gelato, a laundry, several barbershops and beauty shops, as well as a bank with an ATM machine (bancomat). There's a lovely hotel, the VILLA VALENTINI, which also has a fantastic restaurant. The medical clinic is open 5 days a week. High speed internet (ADSL - Broadband) is available. San Venanzo is 45 minutes from Orvieto, Perugia and Assisi. We're about two hours from both Rome and Florence. Also nearby are Todi, Bevagna, Deruta and Montefalco. Ryan Air flies into the Perugia three times a week from London and Barcelona, and service from Germany and France is scheduled to begin soon.

House info: 110 sq m (approx. 1100 sq ft) 2/3 bedrooms 3 full bathrooms (1 w/tub, 2 with shower stalls) Large eat-in kitchen with fireplace. Living room (Could be used as a 3rd bedroom, or furnished with a sofa-sleeper for additional sleeping space). Large garage with storage area. South facing garden with patio and barbeque. Tile floors throughout. Cast iron radiators.

This house is on two levels. The ground floor consists of: Entryway into a large, eat-in kitchen, all kitchen cabinets and appliances to remain. Granite countertops. Counter level corner fireplace. Also on this level is a pantry and separate laundry area with room for both a washer and a dryer. A bathroom with shower completes this level.

The first floor consists of: Spacious living room with a large window/door. This room could also be used as a third bedroom. Small bedroom also with a door/window. Large bathroom with full-sized tub, toilet and bidet. Smaller bathroom with shower stall, toilet and bidet. Large Master bedroom.

New within the last 5 years: Caldaia for hot water and cast iron radiators (A caldaia is on on-demand water heating system, meaning there is no hot water tank) Water softening system. New kitchen floor. New kitchen including appliances. Roof has been cleaned and repaired. New copper gutters. New flagstone patio with built-in barbeque. All windows and doors are either new or have been recently cleaned and re-varnished. All windows are double-paned and weather-stripped. All windows have screens. All shutters have been cleaned and re-varnished within the last two years. High speed internet service (ADSL/Broadband) is available in San Venanzo!

Expenses: The house is on gas mains (cheaper and no tank to refill!) and city water.
Garbage tax: €160/year
Gas: Over the past 3 years we’ve averaged out the cost to €130/month. Obviously it’s lower in the summer, higher in the winter
Water: Again, averaged out to €20/month
Electricity: Averaged out to €54/month

These costs are averages for the last six years, during which time we've lived in the house year round. If you plan to be here seasonally, your costs will probably be lower. Also note: interest paid on a foreign mortgage MAY BE deductible on a U.S. tax return. Tapping into the equity in your U.S. home may also be a way to finance your purchase and receive a tax break. The cost for taxes and some utilities may vary depending on whether or not you establish residency in Italy. For some basic information about buying a house in Italy, THIS PAGE on the Expats in Italy website might be a good place to start.

PRICE: €195,000

Some furniture may be available for sale.

Please contact us at: umbriahouse4sale@hotmail.com if you have any questions or if you'd like to schedule an appointment. Below are pictures of the house both inside and out. If you're having trouble getting all of the pictures to load, use this link to our FLICKR PAGE, where you can also view photos taken at various times throughout the year.

KITCHEN


KITCHEN WINDOW

KITCHEN CHINA CABINETS

COOKING AREA...OVEN, MICROWAVE, COOKTOP AND FIREPLACE

PANTRY (under the stairs)

LAUNDRY

DOWNSTAIRS BATHROOM

THE FRONT DOOR AND ENTRYWAY AS SEEN FROM THE KITCHEN


UP TO THE FIRST FLOOR....THE DOOR TO THE GARDEN IS AT THE TOP OF THE STAIRS

THE STEPS AREN'T STEEP, AND ARE VERY WIDE

LIVING ROOM





BEDROOM...the bed is a trundle bed, allowing us to have 2 single beds or a double bed for company
UPSTAIRS BATHROOM #1

UPSTAIRS BATHROOM #1

UPSTAIRS BATHROOM #2

UPSTAIRS BATHROOM #2 AS SEEN FROM THE MASTER BEDROOM

MASTER BEDROOM

AND THE VIEW FROM THE MASTER BEDROOM WINDOW
THE HOUSE

FRONT DOOR

GARAGE

GARAGE DOOR (OURS IS THE CLOSER, SQUARE ONE), AND THE ENTRANCE TO THE PARK

BACK YARD (measures approx 24ft x 25ft wide....7.4 m x 7.6m wide)

THE DOOR INTO THE GARDEN THE PARK BEHIND OUR HOUSE

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Here are the floor plans for the house as drawn by our geometra. As you look at the floor plans you'll notice shaded areas that are marked "Altra Proprieta"....this is the part of the building that belongs to the other house. At one point the house was divided into two parts by two brothers. The building is on a downhill slope, with our front door being at the higher end. The front door opens onto a nice sized landing. To your left are the stairs to the upper floor with the living room, bedrooms and two bathrooms. At the top of these stairs is a door that leads out to the backyard. From the landing going forward are three steps down into the kitchen. The pantry is under the stairs, and the laundry room and bathroom (bagno) are down one step from the kitchen.

At the top of the stairs is the doorway that leads out into the backyard. The hallway (corridoio) runs along the back of the house. The first room off this hallway is the Living Room. Next is the room we use as a Guest Bedroom. After that is Bathroom #1, what we call "The Blue Bathroom". There is a door at the end of this hallway, which allows you to make the master bedroom it's own little suite, and to give you some privacy when there are guests. There are also two steps down into another, shorter hallway. To your right is Bathroom #2, also known as "The White Bathroom", and to your left is the hallway that takes you to the master bedroom.

HERE'S a Google map that will show you exactly where San Venanzo is. You can zoom in for a closer look.

See more pictures on our FLICKR PAGE

Price: €195,000

email: umbriahouse4sale@hotmail.com

DO YOU DREAM OF ITALY?

Most of the books on moving to Italy seem to be written for the EU citizen, primarily the British. As anyone who’s read my blog knows, we as Americans have different questions, different concerns and a completely different perspective. At long last someone finally seems to be addressing this under-served market!

Kathy McCabe, of Dream of Italy, is working on a book for and about expats all over the world. Not surprisingly, Kathy’s area of expertise will be Italy. In order to learn “the rest of the story”, Kathy posted a request on the Expats in Italy message board, asking expats to tell her what life in Italy was really like….the good, the bad, the unexpected joys and disappointments.

Naturally I answered! I realize how much I learned from expats when we were considering the move, and wanted to share my experiences. Kathy and I have begun emailing back and forth, and she’s very generously written about our house for sale on her blog!

So now that you know what a nice person Kathy is, take a look at her website. Download the sample issue to get an idea of what she offers, and explore the site for her other services, including handmade jewelry (designed by her mom!), even help planning your next Italian vacation. You might want to add her blog to your Bloglines notifier….you are using that to keep up-to-date with all your favorite blogs, aren’t you?

And of course, if you decide to stop dreaming about living in Italy and make it a reality, we know where you can get a great deal on a house!

PICTURES OF OUR HOUSE

Just in case anyone's having trouble viewing all the pictures of the house, I've posted them on flickr. All you have to do is click HERE
OR cut and paste this link:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/artnbarb/sets/72157594446699609