FAQ:

Purchase Offer in Italy: how does it really work?

The purchase offer is the first real step toward buying a home in Italy:
a written, signed, and legally binding document through which a buyer formally communicates to the seller the intention to purchase a property under specific conditions.

It is much more than a simple “I’m interested”: it is a formal act that can become immediately binding.

 

It usually includes:

• the buyer’s and seller’s personal details

• a precise description of the property

• the offered price

• timelines for the preliminary contract and final deed

• the deposit

• any conditions precedent (mortgage approval, technical checks, urban-planning compliance, etc.)

• the commissions owed to the agency

Once the seller accepts and signs, the offer becomes a binding contract for all purposes.

 

If the offer is accompanied by a caparra confirmatoria (earnest money deposit), this has a very specific function:

• if the buyer withdraws without a valid reason, they lose it;

• if the seller withdraws, they must return it double.

This is why a purchase offer must be drafted with great care: it is not a simple template, but a strategic document that requires technical expertise and a clear vision of the entire transaction.

 

In my day-to-day work, I often receive questions such as:

• “What happens after the offer is accepted?”

• “When should I include a condition precedent?”

• “How can I protect myself if the property has minor irregularities or discrepancies?”

The truth is that the offer stage is where most of the success of the purchase is determined: timelines are defined, boundaries are set, future issues are prevented, and a solid foundation is built for the preliminary contract.

This is why I personally assist each of my clients in drafting the offer, working alongside surveyors, notaries, and consultants to ensure that every point is clear, correct, and compliant with current regulations.

 

If you’re thinking of buying a home in Tuscany and want to avoid mistakes in this delicate phase, I’m here to guide you step by step.