When I first thought about moving to Italy and buying a home in Tuscany, I naively believed that within six months we’d have found a house, renovated it, and moved in.
Oh boy, did I have a few lessons to learn.
It took us five years to find a house—mainly because we kept changing our search criteria (something we now see happen with many of our clients).
But those five years weren’t wasted.
They were, in fact, the foundation for everything that followed.
As we navigated the Italian property market ourselves—viewings, negotiations, paperwork, and trying to understand how things really worked—we realised how much guidance was missing for buyers like us.
Somewhere along the way, the idea took shape.
We opened a real estate agency, found a great office space, and Pierluigi went back to studying to complete his real estate exams.
What started as a personal journey slowly became a professional one—and ultimately led us to where we are today.
Plan A: The Dream
Our original dream was a classic one: a Tuscan farmhouse, fully detached, surrounded by countryside, tucked away in the hills near Anghiari.
It sounded perfect.
Until we actually tried getting to some of these properties.
After a few “adventurous” (read: mildly terrifying) drives along winding, unpaved roads, I began to reconsider.
Then came another realisation: in Italy, teenagers can legally drive 50cc mopeds at 14. Suddenly, “good road access” became essential.
Plan B: A Reality Check
Perhaps it wouldn’t be so bad to be a little closer to town.
We also started thinking about everyday life—schools, friendships, playdates, and simply being part of a community.
Our priorities were shifting.
Plan C: The One We Didn’t Expect
Eventually, we accepted something important:
our dream home didn’t exist—at least not where we were looking.
So we widened our search to nearby Sansepolcro, just 8 km away.
And that’s where things changed.
We found a property that had been sitting on the market for a long time. The price had been unrealistic, but the owners were finally ready to accept something closer to market value—just as we came along.
The surprising part?
It was nothing like what we had originally imagined.
No garden.
No parking.
No garage.
Not detached.
And very much overlooked.
And yet… it had something.
Part of the house had once been a church dating back to around 1500, with the rest added in the 1930s. Above a later false ceiling, the original vaulted ceiling still existed—marked by a faint, blurred hint of a fresco.
That blurry patch was enough.
We were sold.
Why Location Changed Everything
On a practical level, it made perfect sense.
Our son’s high school was a few minutes away. Our daughter had several primary schools nearby. The town’s high street (corso) was at the end of the road—everything within walking distance.
There was no garden, but there was a roof terrace, a balcony, and a courtyard. Even though they were filled with junk at the time, they had potential.
And just like that, Plan C began.
Renovating a House in Italy: The Reality
With naïve enthusiasm—and a very unrealistic budget—we embarked on our first renovation project.
It was a learning curve in every sense.
I quickly discovered I have zero patience, very little interest in intricate details, and a limited attention span when it comes to choosing bathroom fixtures.
Thankfully, these are exactly the areas where Pierluigi excels.
What we hadn’t anticipated was the scale of the work.
New roof.
Windows.
Electrics.
Plumbing.
Heating.
Bathrooms.
Kitchen.
Floors.
Walls.
You name it—we redid it, saving as many original features as possible.
Mistakes (and Lessons)
In the wise words of Frank Sinatra, “Mistakes, we made a few…”
We changed our minds about bathroom tiles halfway through installation—an expensive decision.
We installed a stone feature wall that ended up looking more “1980s-style cladding” than timeless Tuscan design… so we plastered over it.
We still laugh about the idea that a future owner might uncover it and think they’ve found a hidden gem.
The Fresco That Almost Disappeared
The fresco was one of the biggest challenges.
Damaged by water and smoke, many people suggested we simply paint over it.
Thankfully, we didn’t.
Instead, we found a specialist restorer who worked primarily on church artwork. She spent cold winter months lying on scaffolding, carefully bringing it back to life—armed with patience, skill, and an electric heater to help dry the paint.
Her work slowed the entire project down.
And I’ll admit—there were moments I wanted her to hurry up.
But looking at it now, I am very glad that she took her time.
Highs, Lows, and Spotlights
There were tears—but plenty of laughter too.
At one point, excited to finally have electricity, we switched on the lights and realised our corridor looked like an airport runway—we had seriously overdone it with the spotlights.
But then came the moments that made it all worthwhile.
Watching our kitchen take shape.
Seeing our bespoke stone basin installed.
Finally feeling the house come together.
12 Years Later
Would we do things differently?
Absolutely.
But 12 years on, this house has been filled with life.
Long, noisy dinners with friends and family.
Festive celebrations and chaotic games.
Sleepovers, playdates, and parties.
A few pets—and the occasional rescued bird or kitten.
It has seen emotional goodbyes as our son left for university, and warm welcomes when, in true Italian form, he returned.
Our daughter is now proudly Borghese, fully embracing town life.
And me? I’ve happily become a townie too.
From Personal Experience to Professional Expertise
Would we ever do it again?
Probably.
But this time, we’d do it very differently.
Those early five years—combined with our own renovation experience and Pierluigi’s training—are exactly what shaped our business today.
We now guide clients through the entire process:
- Searching for the right property
- Navigating the purchase process
- Managing renovations from start to finish
Because buying and renovating a home in Tuscany isn’t just about finding a property.
It’s about making the whole journey work.
Final Thought
Sometimes Plan A doesn’t work out.
And that’s exactly how you end up with something better.
Thinking About Buying or Renovating in Tuscany?
If you’re considering buying a property in Tuscany—or taking on a renovation project—we’d be happy to help you navigate the process with clarity and confidence.
Get in touch to discuss your plans, or simply start with a conversation.
