Deciding to Sell our Home in Tuscany

Deciding to Sell our Home in Tuscany

PART 138: It might be interesting to share how we pulled off living in Italy for part of the year. I will post some steps and what we are learning along the way.

We love every minute of it, and what was once a dream is our life!

We live in Tuscany in the Fall, then back again in the Spring, and in California for the rest of the time (in a previous blog, I explained why we live in Italy only part of the year).

Step 1: As we explore areas in Italy, we discover some gems that are worth sharing. Some are well-known tourist magnets, and others are lesser-known but always amazing.

Let's explore whether we should sell our home in Tuscany this week.

Step 2: Last year, when we purchased our home in Arcidosso, Tuscany, we established our roots in the Monte Amiata area, which we truly love. The appeal of this region lies not only in its rich historical and cultural sights, such as Florence, Pienza, Montepulciano, and the Val d'Orcia, but also in the numerous opportunities for outdoor activities and mountain sports, including hiking, skiing, and mountain biking. Given our desire to stay active in Italy, this area is an ideal choice for us.

We remain committed to making this beautiful part of Tuscany our home.

Step 3: Evolving Decision.

We purchased a 16th-century house in the medieval center of Arcidosso. The house is full of character, featuring wood-beamed ceilings, terrazzo flooring, and stone walls.

Our first step was to preserve the house's charm while upgrading it to a level that we Californians would feel comfortable in. It is now a two-bedroom, two-bathroom home with modern amenities and a design that blends Tuscan and mid-century modern styles.

We lived in the house during the renovation process, which was challenging. (If you have ever experienced a renovation, you know what I mean: breathing in dust, waiting for your kitchen to be installed, and waiting for the replacement shower, among other inconveniences.)

When we were about 80% finished with the renovation, my partner asked me, "What do you think about putting this house up for sale and taking on a bigger project? Now that we understand how renovating a property in Italy works, we could approach another one more efficiently."

My initial response was a firm, "No way!" I was exhausted from the renovations.

However, my perspective has shifted now that months have passed and the house is complete. At first, I thought, "Well, maybe," as a potential step forward.

After some more time, I said, "We can put it on the market and see what happens. But since we are both happy here, I'm fine if it doesn't sell."

Given everything we've learned during this renovation, we are now ready to put the house on the market as we consider a larger renovation project in our area. We have established relationships with our contractors, chosen an architect, and identified where to source our materials, which makes us feel prepared to tackle a more significant renovation.

Step 4: What is the layout of the house?

The house consists of three levels. On the street level, you'll find a spacious living area with a new kitchen, a living room, and a dining area. The upper level features two bedrooms and two bathrooms. There is also a large attic that we use for storage.

Step 5: The design and what would be included.

Our 16th-century house is already full of Tuscan charm, so we wanted to choose lighting and furniture that would complement it. We opted for a theme combining Tuscan, industrial, and mid-century modern styles, with moss green as the main color and wood tones upstairs.

I was particularly keen on creating an open feel, so we avoided bulky furniture and instead selected modern pieces with a mid-century flair, all while ensuring they remained comfortable.

This house is turnkey-ready. This way, someone moving from another country to Tuscany would only need to bring their clothes and toothbrush; everything else, including furniture, pots, and plates, is included.

Why include everything? Because all the items we chose for this house align perfectly with its design theme, and we want to maintain that consistency.

Step 6: What did we renovate?

1. We hired an architect and did everything according to code.

2. Created a new bathroom equipped with a shower, sink, toilet, and storage.

3. Installed a washer AND dryer.

4. Had the entire interior painted.

5. Replaced all the lighting fixtures.

6. Installed a new kitchen with all new appliances, including a dishwasher and induction stove.

7. Chose a mid-century modern design, featuring a vintage-style full-size fridge and matching microwave.

8. Replaced all windows with double-glazed glass for better insulation.

9. Furnished the main room with mid-century modern style furniture and carpet.

10. Upgraded the heating system.

11. The main bedroom features a king-size bed, a hardwood bedroom set, a large flatscreen TV, and a pellet heater for additional warmth.

12. The second bedroom features a study nook with a desk and can serve as a guest room or den. It also includes a sofabed/chaise lounge, an office area, and a large flatscreen TV.

13. The main bathroom has been completely updated, while the second bathroom is brand new and modern.

14. Additionally, the house's electrical capacity has been upgraded to 6 kilowatts.

    
    

Step 7: What is our area like?

The wonderful aspects of our area include:

• Arcidosso is abundant with symbols of the Knights Templar, who thrived in this area due to its position along one of the Via Francigena pilgrimage routes. Above our front door, there is an ancient and enigmatic symbol that resembles an elf-like face, welcoming visitors. Additionally, many Templar symbols can be found throughout our historic center (check out my blog about the Knights Templar in Tuscany for more information).

• Perched above is the Aldobrandesco fortress, a well-preserved castle dating back to 850. The fortress features a museum and hosts various cultural events. The historical center is also home to several ancient churches, including St. Leonardo, first mentioned in 1188.

• We have found the local people to be exceptionally warm and welcoming.

  
  

• We are near the beautiful Val d’Orcia.

  
  

• Our area has charming historic hilltop towns offering unique personalities and attractions.

  
  

Step 8: Which amenities are near our house?

• Walking distance: Cafès, restaurants, supermarket, schools, historical churches

  
  

• 5-10 minute drive: Gyms, hospital, home improvement store, 4 star hotel/spa

  
  

• 15-20 minute drive (Mount Amiata): Ski lifts (for skiing/winter and hiking/summer), mountain bike tracks and hiking trails

  
  

• 30 minute drive: Bagno Vignoni hot springs, Montalcino (Brunello wine), Rocca d’Orcia

  
  

• An hour or less: Pienza, Montepulciano, Siena

Step 9: Using our house as a base.

We just returned from a road trip to France, which took us just over five hours to drive to Monaco. After arriving, we decided to continue and stayed in Nice, about a half-hour drive away. We explored France for a few days before returning to Nice and then driving home. The drive back to Arcidosso was easy, and we look forward to more road trips across Europe in the future.

Step 10: Who would want this house?

This house is ideal for a buyer looking to move in and start enjoying their new home immediately. No renovation projects are needed; everything has already been completed. It will appeal to those accustomed to modern amenities, including two bathrooms, a full-size refrigerator, and a washer/dryer, all while maintaining its charming Tuscan character. Our location is perfect for those who appreciate history and want to be close to the Val d'Orcia, Pienza, Siena, and other European destinations.

Step 11: Where would we go?

We plan to remain in our area but look for a larger property to renovate. We now have the experience to take on a bigger project and have built relationships that will help us move this project forward. (We already have a few properties in mind.)

Step 12: If you're interested in learning more or know someone who is, please use the link below to contact the realtor.

Here is the real estate link: https://www.ecocasaimmobiliare.it/web/immobile_dettaglio.asp?cod_annuncio=2464616&language=eng&force=1

More next time.