Want a home in Italy – without Italian chaos, hidden risks or paying too much?
I help foreigners from Europe and the US buy or rent property in Italy with full due diligence, bilingual support and negotiations on your side – so you close safely, on time and at the best possible price
30–45 min on Zoom. No pressure to buy. I’ll tell you honestly if your plan is realistic — and what it will take.
Licensed Agente Immobiliare · Insured for €1.5M · Member of Italian brokers’ association
Watch: “How to buy safely in Italy as a foreigner”
In 1 minute I explain the steps, key risks and how independent representation protects you.
- Independent buyer-only representation — I never work for the seller or a single agency.
- Object is checked before your offer: legal, technical, financial risks on the table in advance.
- All documents and communication in English + Italian — you always know what you sign.
Why this is so stressful from abroad
Italy looks beautiful. The process does not
If you live in the US or another European country and try to buy or rent in Italy remotely, you quickly discover that there is no MLS, agents often represent the seller, and nobody really explains the risks in English.
What your life looks like right now
You’re scrolling portals and WhatsApp chats, trying to understand if that “perfect” home hides problems:
- Not sure who you actually need: notaio, geometra, lawyer — and who does what.
- Agents disappear for weeks. Some send PDFs in Italian and expect you to “just sign”.
- You’ve heard about abusivismo, illegal works, cadastral mismatches — but don’t know how to spot them before paying a deposit.
- You can’t see the full picture of costs: IMU for non-residents, condominio fees, special assessments, taxes, notary, registration.
- You’re not sure how to send money safely, where the deposit is held, what happens if the mortgage is not approved.
What you actually want instead
One clear process, one person on your side, and no nasty surprises after you fall in love with a property:
- A painless transaction with a clear timeline: proposta → compromesso → rogito and what can go wrong at each step.
- A property that has passed technical, legal and financial due diligence before your offer.
- Transparent money flow: deposit/escrow with the notary, safe transfer of funds, “all-in” cost estimate.
- All key documents and calls in your language, with Italian originals fully explained line by line.
- After closing: utilities, internet, insurance, work quotes, sometimes rental setup — handled without chaos.
My role
I don’t sell you an apartment. I protect your interests
I am an independent property finder and consultant working only for the buyer or tenant. I am not tied to any agency’s portfolio, which means we can look at the entire market and walk away from anything that doesn’t pass the checks.
Why my clients get a different result
Independent from sellers and agencies
I don’t have “my” listings to push. We choose the best option for you, not for a specific agency.
Pre-offer due diligence
We check cadastral plans, ownership, liens, condominio debts, abusivismo and hidden costs before you risk your deposit.
Bilingual support, end to end
I speak English and Italian fluently. All key documents are bilingual; you know exactly what you sign and why.
Aligned incentives in negotiations
My fee includes a success component linked to the discount achieved, so I am financially motivated to negotiate the best price and conditions for you.
Why this setup prevents repeat issues
No pressure to “close something quickly”
My compensation is tied to the service stages, not to a specific listing, so we can drop a problematic deal at any step.
Buyer-only representation
I never represent the seller. My job is to stress-test the deal from your perspective.
Real experience with Italian reality
I’ve spent 20 years in Italy, 11 of them in real estate. I’ve seen illegal works, tax liens, leasing transfers, complicated mortgages — and I know how to navigate them.
Structured, project-style process
Every transaction is treated as a project with stages, checklists and risk maps, not as a random collection of viewings and signatures.
Step-by-step
How we go from idea to keys in your hand
Whether you want to buy a family home, a long-term rental before purchase, or a pied-à-terre, we follow the same structured path.
Free diagnostic call (brief)
30–45 minutes to understand your situation: relocation plan, timing (school year, work contract), budget, locations of interest, residency and tax constraints, if you already have shortlisted properties.
Search strategy & first shortlist
We define 1–3 location clusters, criteria and risk profile. Then I scan the entire market (not just one agency), pre-screen options and send you a curated shortlist with pros/cons and preliminary cost estimates.
Viewings and selection (on-site or remote)
I coordinate and attend viewings, in person or via video/360°. You see only relevant properties instead of 50 random ones. Together we narrow it down to 1–2 finalists and define a negotiation strategy for each.
Due diligence & negotiations
Before any binding offer, we run legal, technical and financial checks, coordinate geometra/notary, and build the full cost picture (IMU, condominio, special works, taxes). Then we negotiate price and conditions, often in 2–3 rounds, aiming for the best discount and protective clauses (deposit at notary, mortgage condition, exit terms).
Contracts, signing & closing
I coordinate drafts, translations and signatures for proposta, compromesso, rogito. You can sign in person or via power of attorney with a sworn translator. I ensure that what is agreed in English matches the Italian legal documents.
Post-closing setup
After the keys, I help you with utilities (gas, electricity, water, internet), insurance and contractors. For some clients we also set up long-term rentals or light refurbishment so they can actually live in — not just own — the property.
Who I am
From Whirlpool negotiations to complex property deals in Italy
You’re not hiring a random “guy who speaks Italian”. You’re hiring someone who combines international education, corporate negotiation experience and 11 years of hands-on work with foreign buyers in Italy.
Hi, I’m Maxim Semenov
I moved to Italy about 20 years ago. I studied International Economic Relations at MGIMO, then completed a Master in Marketing at Bocconi University in Milan — one of Europe’s top business schools.
Before real estate, I spent 7 years at Whirlpool in marketing, logistics and purchasing, managing complex cross-country projects and learning hardcore negotiation tactics on the buyer’s side.
For the last 11 years I’ve run my own real estate agency in Italy focused on foreign clients — buyers and long-term tenants from the US and Europe.
Before real estate, I spent 7 years at Whirlpool in marketing, logistics and purchasing, managing complex cross-country projects and learning hardcore negotiation tactics on the buyer’s side.
For the last 11 years I’ve run my own real estate agency in Italy focused on foreign clients — buyers and long-term tenants from the US and Europe.
Licensed Agente Immobiliare
Professional insurance €1.5M
Member of Italian brokers’ association
Some of my results
Helped a client buy an apartment in Alassio with a 40% discount off the asking price.
Closed deals on complex assets: properties with encumbrances, illegal works (abusivismo), leasing transfers, industrial assets such as a textile factory.
Re-structured a risky deal in Milan where the offer was already signed: identified tax liens, a property fund issue and hidden building payments, and secured a safe exit clause in case of mortgage refusal.
11 years of stable business in Italian real estate in a market where many agencies close within 2 years.
Personally bought a house on an Italian lake and went through the same bureaucracy as you will — I know how it feels.
Packages & pricing
Choose the level of support that matches your situation
All packages include my independent representation and bilingual communication. For full purchases, my success fee aligns my motivation directly with your discount.
1:1 Expert Consultation
€150 / 60 minutes on Zoom
Ideal if you need clarity on one concrete issue: structure of a deal, role of notary vs lawyer, mortgage as non-resident, risks in a draft contract, etc.
- Pre-call form so I can prepare for your case.
- 60-minute session in English (or Italian if you prefer).
- Verbal risk assessment and recommended actions.
- Summary email with key points and next steps.
For specific questions
Remote Deal Review & Guidance
€3,000 fixed fee +10% of the discount achieved
For clients who already found a property and don’t need search and viewings, but want protection during checks, negotiations and contracts.
- Analysis of your chosen property and seller’s documents.
- Coordination of due diligence with notary/geometra/lawyer as needed.
- Negotiation strategy and active participation in price & clause negotiations.
- Review and explanation of all contracts, bilingual where possible.
- Guidance up to the notary signing (in person or via proxy).
Online support
Full Purchase Support (Buyer-Side)
3% of purchase price (min. €19,000) +10% of the discount achieved
For buyers who want a complete, structured process from search to keys — with one point of contact and maximum risk reduction.
- Strategy, market scan and curated shortlists.
- Coordination of viewings (on-site or remote) and selection of finalists.
- Full pre-offer due diligence (legal, technical, financial) with specialists where needed.
- Negotiations on your behalf: price, deposit, clauses, conditions.
- Support with proposta, compromesso, rogito + bilingual documentation.
- Post-closing setup: utilities, internet, basic contractor search.
Most popular
Extra value
Bonuses for clients who start now
These bonuses are designed to remove typical blind spots for foreign buyers and save you additional time and money.
Included with full purchase support
- Free initial strategy call. We clarify your goals, constraints and timing before you commit to anything.
- First curated shortlist for free. If after the first selection you feel the approach is not for you, you can stop there.
- Location map by goals. A simple visual map of 1–3 location clusters that match your lifestyle (schools, healthcare, airports, climate, budget).
- Checklists & templates. Due-diligence checklist, questions to ask the agent, sample clauses that protect you in offers and contracts.
For early decision-makers
- Priority slot in my calendar. I work with only a limited number of full-support clients at the same time.
- Written risk map of your top property. A concise 1–2 page document with key risks, likelihood, impact and mitigation plan.
- Optional follow-up call after closing. 30-minute session to plan next steps: renovation, rental strategy, or just practical life setup in your new Italian home.
Questions
Frequently asked by foreign buyers
Here are some of the doubts almost every client has in the beginning. We address them properly before you move forward with any deal.
Sometimes yes, sometimes no. The notary checks title and some legal aspects, the geometra checks technical and cadastral issues. In more complex structures (company sellers, major renovations, inheritance issues) we can involve a dedicated lawyer. My job is to diagnose your case and build the right team — not to replace specialists where they are needed.
In many cases yes: through a power of attorney and sworn translator, coordinated with the notary. We decide what is safer to sign in person and what can be delegated, based on your risk tolerance and timing.
I normally recommend keeping the deposit with the notary (escrow) under clear written conditions for release and refund, especially when mortgage approval or specific checks are still pending.
Depending on your income and country, 50–60% LTV can be realistic for clean cases. We discuss this in detail, involve a broker if needed, and make sure any offer and timelines are compatible with the bank’s process.
No one can honestly guarantee a fixed discount in advance — the market, seller situation and property quality matter. What I can reasonably say is that historically my clients obtained around a 16% discount on average. Because part of my fee is tied to the discount achieved, I’m motivated to push as far as the situation allows, without jeopardizing the deal.
Next step
free strategy call about your Italian plan
In 30–45 minutes we will go through your situation, timing and budget, and I’ll outline what a safe path to your home in Italy could look like.
What I’ll ask you on the call
- Where you live now and why Italy is your target.
- Your budget, financing (cash vs mortgage) and timing constraints.
- Family context: schools, health, remote work, retirement, investment goals.
- If you already have properties in mind or you’re at the very beginning.
After that I’ll tell you frankly: what is realistic, what is risky, and what I would do in your place.
- Clarify if your idea (location, budget, timing) is realistic.
- Understand the main legal, technical and financial risks in your case.
- See which package (if any) makes sense for you — or if you only need a one-off consultation.
I work with a limited number of full-support clients at the same time to keep the process personal and controlled.
Book your free strategy call
30–45 minutes on Zoom to clarify your goals, budget and timeline. I’ll outline the safest path to buying or renting in Italy as a foreigner — with clear steps, risks and what it will take in your situation
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