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This week on my real estate show, we’re looking at an in-town apartment within a historic building – formerly the residence of Fivizzano’s mayor (not the current one, a mayor from 100 years ago). And we don’t have to look hard to uncover this property’s secrets.
Check out this property on Federico’s website: https://www.immobiliarecardellini.com/property/fivizzano-in-lunigiana-casa-storica-in-antico-palazzo-con-terrazza-2598/
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Chapters:
00:00 – Where are we going?
00:58 – The apartment
01:29 – Living room
02:26 – The artwork
02:41 – The hallway and laundry room
03:37 – This house is very old fashioned
04:21 – Primary bedroom
04:48 – Low doors
05:24 – Dining room
05:52 – Terrace
06:12 – More bedrooms
06:59 – Kitchen
07:16 – Annette’s verdict
#housetour #hometour #propertyforsale
Where are we going galdi oh we’re going to galdi yeah we’re going to go look at galdi Piaza galdi we looking at a property yes can you tell us that oh Michael keeps asking me where we’re going like a 5-year-old wanting lunch we are going I don’t know where we’re going
This is the this is the fantasy of going real estate shopping with a real estate guy from Italy they tell you nothing they just say this is the street we’re going to so it’s going to be surprised he may as well blindfold me and walk me around because I have no idea where
We’re going okay no no no he said it’s the it’s the apartment of the mayor I’m like the current mayor he goes No so this was the plazo of a mayor before the 1900s so I guess that’s in the 1800s it’s very 1800s in here for sure so the floors are super cool there’s like lots and lots of cracking and water Damage so there’s a roof issue here I always look at all the bad things first I always tell people look at the bad stuff first this is pretty wild oh I feel like I Ste back in time this person I think did pass away probably you know when you look at
Pictures of these places you’re like wow this is like I don’t no well I don’t know that’s what you think okay let’s keep walking um huh Okay oh wow okay so there’s actually a Terrace above which explains the leak so we’ll go look at that okay so wow there’s a lot of artwork Here Okay so this the hallway kind of love this so this is the cucha no right so it’s a laundry room okay so obviously this room back here could be a a lundry room maybe these are a lot of tiny rooms alog together so it does take me a second to
See all the rooms before I can calculate in my robot brain so we have a laundry room we have a teeny tiny marble sink there’s a bathroom with a full bathtub the bathtub is quite nice reminds me of bathrooms of my childhood this is a very
Old bathroom wow a this is a very tasteful house but it’s very very old-fashioned like they haven’t changed anything here since the 1800s some of these paintings are amazing like that’s fabulous I wonder if I can take that home when do you think this was last
Redone this house oh I don’t think it’s ever been redone this house has never been done this has not been touch this is untouched since it was built yes when was that 100% this is like the 1800s this has not been touched I mean they may have done a little painting here and
There but they’ve done absolutely nothing original floors original walls original layout original doors original everything that looks like a newer light fixture they may have you know thrown a couple light fixtures in but no okay so I’m seeing this now there’s a bedroom here and then there could be this could
Be the bedroom bathroom Suite perfect it has distinct possibilities I mean this is the original bedroom set they have the original heating system here noen that’s righten okay so yes they use this obviously nothing has been changed here since it was built so you’re looking you’re saying oh these doors are super
Low well that’s because Italians were tiny people so they were much uh tinier than you know they were like me you know where this is sort of works but the men were my height right so they were little people so that’s why baso quo no quo baso
So um so uh yeah so that’s why these are so low if you’re wondering we have the dining room like these are all things you’d see in the flea market most of this furniture probably go to the flea market they would call somebody and they just come and they pick everything up
Like that’s all full of glass we’re going to walk in there this is really cool place that’s where we came in there is significant water damage which I would have someone look at okay he doesn’t have a key for this okay and this goes to a basement okay so basement yes oh here’s
Another bedroom and lots of water damage oh this bed holy canoli wow T aquaa Mama I think I’m coughing because of all the mold this job’s going to kill me know this is a really cute room it just we need to fix the Terrace what is the price of this one
180 it’s high because there’s a lot of work to do there’s a lot of water damage here like here too and not a new roof obviously cuz of the water damage so this this is the kitchen so what they’ve done they have added this kitchen on to
What was sort of like a sun room that was part of the Terrace now it is quite Charming because there’s this weird fireplace situation but you know it’s something you couldn’t use so this sells for 1990 it’s in the center of town and this for me is a no because it
Is a complete gut job it is a good amount of square footage so it’s probably 3, 2500 3,000 square ft but everything would have to be ripped out and it would have to be completely reconfigured my realistic estimation of this would be it would cost a half a
Millon euro to do this so at the end you’re 700,000 into it I think for the location the views um um I mean for me it’s just not worth it I mean not in bitano so I think this is a no um which is unfortunate because it’s you know I always feel bad
That um you know there’s this great apartment and it’s just not worth it to take it apart so um this is a a net um thumbs down sorry go okay that’s it I’m done N
22 Comments
Nice, but that's a lot of cabbage.
Hi Annette, this really is a historic gem that needs some TLC. I love the original tiles and the view is amazing. There is a lovely cafe/bar owner below offering great snacks/drinks like VIP concierge hotel 🙂 I think the reno could be done for much less than the 500k you suggested. I suggest an interested party put 150-200k into fixing the mold issue, redo kitchen and baths. Also where I live the antique furniture goes for a very high premium so perhaps they can look into having an estate specialist who also does shipping or find local Americans who pay high prices for these treasures.
It's overpriced for the amount of MOLD and other water damage, first of all. If it can sell for about 100-110k Euros, then it may make more sense. Then put in 250-300k to redo, you have a nice place for 350-410k range. BUT if they are unrealistic and not letting it go that cheap, and if the reno is expensive, the costs just don't work out for what you would end up with. So it's a pass! ASAS 3.0 (Arbitrary Subjective Annette Score)??
Probably the most honest property hunter in the world 😂
I love it the way it is. Needs a new roof and a lot of TLC
No reasonable buyer would gut this great apartment. The realtor said the seller would take care of the roof. So 180 might still be high but if its got a new roof, its not far off. The building is sound, the floors are great and a lot of people like rooms.
That apartment is too good to be gutted, lots of interesting features and details that would cost a fortune to make today. Layout is a bit messy, which is often the case with old houses in Europe, but nothing that cannot be fixed. I hope someone with enough money to invest and interested in restoring beautiful properties with historical value will see the potential.
Annette, I love your videos, so glad I found your channel! The floors and furniture are incredible and to have two terraces! I really wanted move in ready but would have considered this one but not with the mold and water damage. Plus, my pockets aren't deep enough for all the repairs needed. It makes me sad to see treasures like this just crumble away, I hope someone buys it and brings it back to the gem I'm sure it once was.
A place frozen in time. It's beautiful but agree there are too many challenges
Thank you 🎉
um… so for your design aesthetic, you're saying it's a no. But some people actually like historic features. A complete gutt? Seriously? I'd say your personal agenda is really misleading and for a good part of the market, frankly invalid. obviously the water issue is a big problem. But aside from a new roof, the rest of the rehab could be done DYI for FAR less than you're talking about.
I would actually keep the antiques, floors, doors and anything else that could be useable. But, I do understand that roofs, electrical, water lines, heating and cooling are the big costs in Italy. So, less than 100k for the property is all it's worth as it is right now (just my uneducated guess). Thank you for another amazing video! I love your approach and honesty!
As always I appreciate your candour. Other u tubers speak about how difficult it is to find someone to even do the work if one decides to take the plunge, has this been your experience? Thank you for the great content. sign me, Freezing in Canada
God, she is annoying!
Happy New Year Annette, love love your commentary through these house viewings, I truly live for your humor and honesty. I was with you all the way, I love love old homes with history, but I couldn't ignore the water damage and mold. I am short but those doors, so many short doorways and doors. Thank you for another enjoyable video.
Good day! If you would sell my house I would be ok with you being candid but not with being unnecessarily negative. After all, as viewers we are a guest in their house! For example with regard to art (of course people usually don't like existing art so no need to talk much about it) and the need to "ripping all out" or thumbs down. I don't think the doors need to go out as they seem almost 2m high which is enough for most people. Taller people can buy another place. I think for 50k for the walls/leakage and 75k for the rest (75more if it needs a new roof depending on how big the roof is it could be more), you can make it more than habitable imo so I don't understand where the 700k comes from unless one would do a lot of work which is not really needed. Otherwise I think your videos are well designed and you have many useful comments. Thanks and have a nice day!
Hi Annette: Just started following you and love your channel. Also just bought "Italy is My Boyfriend' on Audible and am loving it. We're currently looking for a holiday/retirement place in Italy and are debating between the wood beam/terracotta tile look and this, the more elegant (IMO) apartment. I'm leaning towards this style and honestly wouldn't change to much of it. The price might be a smidge high but if the owner is taking care of the roof….
I love it! I'd keep the furniture.
No?
This has a lot of potential, but not at 180 euros. You would have to put way too much into it and not worth it. You could get a house in better conditions or move in ready for that price. Good decision. Thumbs down 👎
I think its its a great apt with a lot of potential,i think you vastly overestimate the costs but depends on finishes and how many wall you want to knock down but 50 to 70 k would get you a beautiful apt
Water damage is the worst, new roof, fix damage $$$$$