Once an offer has been accepted, the property is taken off the market.
CasaPuglia recommends a survey to be carried out before contract. The surveyor (called geometra in Italian) is to carry out the building survey and check the conformity of the buildings with the land registry to ensure that the buildings are fully legal. The survey fee is in the region of €500.
When the survey results accepted, often with a price adjustment, CasaPuglia prepares a so-called preliminary sale and purchase contract. The contract is in Italian and English. It can be signed, scanned and exchanged by email.
The buyer needs to apply for an Italian tax code, codice fiscale as it is called. It is like a National Insurance/social security number. The code can be obtained by applying on-line with the Italian consulate in your country or be obtained locally by visiting a local tax office. In Apulia, there are tax offices in Brindisi, Monopoli and Ostuni. The tax code is issued free of charge, valid for life and in the whole of Italy. The tax code is also needed to obtain an Italian phone SIM card, to open a bank account and to get an electricity account.
Once both parties have signed the contract, it is time for the buyer to pay the deposit, usually 10 %, which is paid into the Vendor’s bank account. If there are special conditions, the deposit may be paid once the conditions are fulfilled. At the time of paying the deposit, the buyer has also to pay the agency fee of 3 % of the purchase price. If the buyer has a change of mind, he loses the deposit. If the vendor has a change of mind or cannot complete, he must repay the double deposit amount.
The completion is usually 1,5- 2 months later and takes place at a notary office. The notary, who is a public official, prepares the final contract. Before the completion date the buyer also pays the notary fees and the stamp duty/transfer tax. The notary fee depends on the complexity of the deal and the type of property and is generally for a €150,000 property in the region of €1,000. The stamp duty/transfer tax varies from property to property and is dependent on the type of building, the age and the size and quality of the land. For a two-bedroom villa with 2 acres of land, the duty and tax could be €7,000.  If you buy intending to becoming an Italian resident within 18 months of the completion date, you pay one third of the sum.
The payment to the Vendor is either by a bank draft in euro from your new Italian bank account or a bank transfer from your bank account at home. In the UK, Foreign exchange brokers usually give 3-4 % better exchange rate than UK banks. It is recommended for non-euro buyers to establish an account with a FX broker. CasaPuglia recommends the Foremost Group and would be pleased to make the introduction.