Sicily - Island of superlatives

THE TOWN OF CACCAMO
Immersed between the green of prickly pears, solitary and beautiful, on the slopes of saint Calogero's mountain. A rich artistic patrimony, with traditions and legends, with it's winding cobbled small roads, and above all sicily's most wonderful castle.

The crystal waters of the lake Rosamarina, the biggest artificial lake of sicily.
This fabulous lake offers windsurfING, sailing, and kitesurfng. There is also a sports center adjacent to the lake, that provides many relaxing sports such as boating, horse riding, fishing , canoing and pedalo.

 

Caccamo is a peaceful, friendly and trouble-free little town that warmly welcomes visitors, whatever race and colour they might be. A town where living together is not only preached but practiced, a place where all enjoy life together - be it sitting and enjoying a drink in the piazza on a warm summer's evening or out in the countryside, or parks with folkoristic and gastronomic traditions to remember.

Our vast experience and contacts here allow us to help and guide prospective buyers through the maze, to assist them to gain their dream house in the sun and to join the growing band of satisfied clients that we prefer to refer to as 'firm friends.'

Be it solicitors, tradesmen, council officials or anybody else, we are here to help and do so willingly. Residency, connecting services, estimates, supervising works or running projects, for you, we take the pain out of the process for you.

 

All our properties are located in small mountain towns located on the northern part of the island, set in stunning mountainous countryside and just 10 kilometres from secluded sandy beaches.

 

 

Caccamo is located at 521 meters above sea level, it has a population of 8500 inhabitants.
It's 20 km from major beach zone (Cefalů and Campofelice di Roccella), 45 km from Palermo, 75 km from Palermo airport, and only 9 km from Termini Imerese.

 

Sicily Location
Sicily is the largest island in the Mediterranean basin. The channel between the Italian mainland and the
Sicilian Island is only 2 miles wide (3,3 km). It's about 100 miles (160 km) from the west coast of Sicily to
the coast of North Africa (Tunisia).The Island of Sicily has a 620 mile (1.000 km) long coastline to offer -
mostly rocky beaches in the north and sandy beaches in the south.

Sicily Statistics

Facts and Figures

Official Name: Sicily (Sicilia)
Land Area: 9,925 sq miles (25,700 sq km)
Population: 5,200,000
Capital: Palermo (676,000)

Sicily Sights- and historical buildings in Sicily

Sicily was one of the great melting pots of the ancient world and home to many great civilizations that
existed in antiquity. When visiting Sicily one will discover not only Phoenician, Greek and Roman monuments
but also the heritage left by Arabs, French Normans, Spanish, and Italians.

Something of all of these people was absorbed into the island of Sicily's artistic heritage, which includes massive Romanesque cathedrals, two of the best-preserved Greek temples in the world (one can be seen in Taormina),Roman amphitheaters, and delightful Baroque palaces and churches.

Sicily Climate
Sicily has a Mediterranean climate. Winters are in general mild and summers are very hot. Sicily is an island to delight sun seekers and gourmands, but it is equally appealing to those in search of culture 
and marvellous architecture.

Why Buy Property in Sicily?

Buying property on Sicily, whether for your holidays or to relocate is an incredible bargain, and you
will never be bored. Lovely beaches, friendly locals, fabulous food and plenty of sights to see including
the volcano, Mount Etna.Sicily is easy to get to - direct flights from the Uk and other countries or 
ferries from the Italian mainland.

Food in Sicily

The marvellous collision of influences and cultures yields real delights in Sicilian cuisine. 
This is Mediterranean food at its lightest, freshest and most eclectic. Street food is a big deal here,
just like Naples, with potato croquettes, individual pizzas and fritters sold from stalls.

With so much coastline, fish should be big, and Sicily doesn’t disappoint: swordfish with olives and capers,
anchovies, sardines and tuna — sometimes marinated, sometimes simply seared and served with pasta.
The Arab flavour comes in with couscous and superb pastries and sweets: candied fruits, marzipan and
cannoli -these pastries stuffed with ricotta, rolled in chocolate and deep fried are delicious but perhaps
not for the calorie conscious!

And while you’re looking at property in Sicily why not relax with a glass of very good wine - Corvo 
(red or white) and Regaleali (white) — Sicily is producing increasingly good wines. The town of Marsala 
(on the far west coast) gives its name to a dessert wine they couldn’t give away a generation ago, 
but which is now hugely popular and deservedly so.

The top ten reasons for buying property in Sicily are -

1. Great year round climate.
2. Great beaches (particularly La Playa, Catania).
3. Amazing scenery including Mount Etna and the vineyards and delightfully friendly people.
4. Sicilian food, including Panella and Arancine (fried rice balls stuffed with meat or cheese). 
5. Traditional cottages or new property in non-touristy developments.
6. Potential large financial growth as Sicily is still a largely undeveloped Mediterranean island.
7. Increasing oppurtunities to rent out your property in Sicily as a holiday home.
8. Sicily is still highly affordable with bargains still to be had.
9. The largely undiscovered island of Sicily offers the prospect of house price increases in the
future meaning your purchase is likely to prove to be a very sound investment.
10. Very cultural - offering the best of the Mediterranean & Arab world combined. 

We have some excellent news to begin the second half of this month with. Particularly for those investors that aren't able to travel to Sicily

Our associates in Sicily, have teamed up with Savilles of London (Solicitors and Italian Notari ) to offer a speedy and easy way of dealing with your purchases of properties here. They can also help you st up, and project manage restorations for you. They have a self catering B&B available in the centre of town at 15 euros per person per night, jst below the castle.

Now, all that is required is for them to raise an Italian National Insurance Number for you (Necessary in order to purchase), send them a legible copy of your passport and the names the property is to be put into. They then pass these details, along with their details to Savilles who then write to you with a contract and giving power of attorney to them to purchase on your behalf. You sign and return the contract and forms to them and it is done. The deeds then are in your name, your purchase is fully legal and handled by some of the best conveyancing solicitors available.

Their  Italian solicitor here has dealt with Savilles for some years and the two legal teams work in harmony for the benefit of the client. For those of you visiting here to view properties, it can hold two distinct advantages:

1) You may return to the UK, think on the purchase and then contact us or our associates when you have had time to reflect on your visit.

2) All communications from Savilles will be in English and therefore fully understandable for UK and USA residents.

We are delighted to be able to offer this service and hope that you too will be not only pleased but will make use of the service. For those not wishing to use Savilles, the system here remains unchanged and you may purchase here wth our guidance through our associate's resident solicitor as normal.

The majority of houses & homes in Sicily are owned outright, that is to say that no mortgage usually exists on them. Chains such as in England do not normally exist either, therefore exchanges of contract can be made within a little as three days of agreement being reached (including land searches). In most circumstances though we are able to arrange for the initial contract to be signed the same day as viewing. Obviously though it can depend on individual circumstances but, completions are rapid and far speedier than in the UK.

Whilst outright sale is preferred, It is quite normal also for the buyer to put down a sizeable part of the sale price (around half) and to pay the balance a month or two later, whatever is agreed with the owner at the time. The new owner may move in, connect all services and live there during the half-payment period. Should either party wish to drop out of the agreement they have then to pay to the injured party plus compensation for costs incurred. That is to say that if, for example, you purchased a property and paid half deposit, if the owner pulls out, he has to pay you twice the amount of the deposit you have given plus, the costs of any improvements/works you have carried out. Likewise though, should you be unable to complete, you will loose your deposit.

Legal fees
Legal fees are not combined with the property taxes below and those taxes collected by the solicitor on behalf of the Italian government. It is difficult to quote accurately as each case is different, several factors affect the calculation such as; location of property, government valuation of it and of course, the amount of work the solicitor has to do on the transfer of the ownership to insure that all is in order for you to proceed.

As a rough guide though, property taxes are normally around 4% of the purchase price paid of the property if you have residency status, or around 11% if non-resident.  You may though opt to pay the lower residency rate and then have 18 months in which to apply for and gain residency or pay back the difference.

Our commission fees
Sicily Property Brokers commission charges (5% of the purchase price of the property up to 50,000 euros and 2.5% thereafter) are payable by the purchaser. This includes all negotiations with owners, initial dealings with solicitor up to first-part contract signing, opening bank accounts and gaining for you an Italian National Insurance number(required to buy and to open bank accounts)

Ownership
To be able to purchase a property here you will need, initially, a national insurance number. This we can arrange through the solicitor prior to signing and is included in the legal fees. Later, and to get services connected, and whilst not essential, it is preferable to apply for residency. (Doesn't affect your British citizenship in any way) This we can assist with and is recommended as it eases the passage of so many things, registering with a doctor being just one of those. We can assist you on dealing with all necessary requirements.

USA and other non-European Economic Community residents (EEC) when purchasing
Our solicitor informs us that all ex-community citizens worlldwide may purchase property in Sicily without hinderance.
That the buyer does not have to be present, Sicily Property Brokers, agents, may act on their behalf and complete the first part contract in the buyer's abscence. For the second part contract, Sicily Property Brokers may continue to act on the buyer's behalf but is necessary to post to the client a pro-claimer form to sign and return. This certifies Sicily Property Brokers to act for the buyer and to complete the sale fully.

Christina Harris - Tel: +44 (0) 1962 885602

For property in Florida (especally Orlando, Kissimmee, Davenport and Clermont) Greece, Alonissos, The Peloponnese, Skiathos, Skopelos, Zakinthos and Crete contact: John Goodwin - Tel: + 44 (0) 1590 626266