Contratto Finale! By Michele Francis House September/October 2007

Permit me please to bring you back to my last Tuscany story where we had just completed the second step of a seemingly long three step process of purchasing a Dream Villa in Italia.

The Contratto Preliminare was finally registered with local Land Registry Office (Catasto Terreni).  I am informed by Tamara Pelucchini of the Real Estate office that I must be back in Italy before July 29th to sign the Contratto Finale at the Notorio otherwise the property will go back to the seller.  I consider the urgency of the request when trying to arrange flights for myself and six children in the peak of the tourist season.  A lot of Euro on the line!  We manage, however the flight path leaves much to be desired.  We are on our way to paradise and this we can endure! 

The Contratto Finale is usually signed within 1-3 months after the signing of the Contratto Prelimiare, in my case however it is actually 6 months.  I am told, this is Italy! This is signed by both buyer and seller and must be signed in front of the Notorio.  At the signing of this document the property is officially transferred to the buyer and the balance of the purchase price is paid to the seller.  The Notorio's fee is paid by yours truly as per Italian law, in addition the payments for the government purchase tax and registration fee.  Thank the heavens above my casa was built in the 1400's so my assessment for tax purpose in no where near the Euro I paid.  Interesting! 

I am not in Tuscany a full 10 hrs before checking in with Tamara at the Real Estate only to be immediately whisked away to the Notorio's offices in the valley.  I am told I only need to sign and it will not be long.  I explained to Tamara I have no identification nor passport, however I am assured this is of no consequence, only to sign. OK.!

There is a need to mention that it is at least 100 degrees in Italy and we are in the middle of a heat wave.  We arrive, the Notorio's offices as in any other ancient palace making up most of Tuscany has no air conditioning.  Espresso anyone?  Is there Iced Espresso? ….We are now all drinking hot espresso waiting for the seller.  A call comes in to inform us that Koke the seller is in Ireland on holiday and Silvio Passerini is the equivalent of the appointed Power of Attorney who will be signing for her at our closing. 

On our last trip Silvio and I became good friends, he also consults for the real estate firm and as luck would have it he is also the Count of Cortona!  Glorious, and what a way to get an autograph!  This country has a surprise at every little turn.  Remember the comment just sign, Silvio loves to talk and so does the Notorio, of course their families have known each other for centuries.  Three hours later we have a document ready to be signed but not before Silvio has to rattle the cat off the desk before he will put pen to paper.  If my memory serves me correctly from our last visit the cat received the same warm back hand.

The Contratto Finale is finally signed! It is done says the Notorio in Italian, Bene!  I pose the question, May I have a copy of the Contract?  The look I receive from the Notorio is not assuring.  More Italian words, Tamara translates, you are in Italy, it will take at least another month for this contract to be registered with Ufficio del Catasto and the Conservatoria dei Registri lmmobiliari and then I will receive a copy! 

Based upon my calculations this may be arriving in time for the holidays.  It's all good in the land of wine and olives.  Ciao!

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