This article details the experience of two individuals, Alina and Ulyana, who relocated from Dublin, Ireland, to Scalea, Italy, and purchased an apartment. They share their journey, highlighting the challenges and unexpected turns they encountered during the process, with the aim of helping others avoid similar pitfalls.

Relocation and Initial Impressions of Scalea

After nearly three months in Scalea, Alina and Ulyana reflect on their move. They initially anticipated a quiet life but discovered a vibrant local culture with numerous festivals celebrating regional products like peppers, wine, mushrooms, and sausages. While Scalea itself hosts some events, many festivals occur in nearby towns within a 15-30 kilometer radius.

The speakers emphasize that Scalea is not a large city but offers opportunities for enjoyable and interesting activities, particularly during the summer season. They found ways to entertain themselves and explore the region.

Travel and Personal Milestones

A significant personal event during their stay was Alina's birthday. They decided to make it special by visiting the Amalfi Coast. Contrary to expectations of an expensive trip, they found it to be budget-friendly. They traveled by train from Scalea to Salerno, then took a ferry to Positano, and subsequently to Amalfi. The ferry journey offered scenic views of the coastline. An alternative route involves taking a bus from Salerno. The speakers plan to dedicate a separate video to this trip.

Establishing a Business in Scalea

In addition to purchasing property, the couple has opened their own business in Scalea: a massage salon located in the town center. They expressed initial concerns about operating without speaking Italian, relying on their English and European diplomas. However, they reported that 90% of their clients are Italian and have been very pleasant, exceeding their expectations.

The Apartment Purchase Journey

The core of their narrative focuses on the process of buying their apartment. They were inspired by another Ukrainian who had purchased property in Scalea and decided to visit the town themselves. Their initial approach involved finding a real estate agent through YouTube.

Initial Challenges and Misleading Information

The speakers describe feeling fear and anxiety due to their lack of preparation and limited information about the nuances of buying property in Italy. They believe this vulnerability allowed others to manipulate their emotions.

Alina contacted a real estate agent, providing her budget and preferences. While initial communication seemed adequate, issues arose as their arrival date approached. When asked about the agent's fees, the response was evasive: "We'll talk when you get here." Alina had researched typical commission rates and found them to be significantly lower than what she suspected.

During the five to six days leading up to their trip, Alina actively searched for apartments online, sending potential options to the agent. The agent's responses were often vague and discouraging, suggesting that contacting owners directly might be difficult and that their budget was too small. This lack of proactive engagement from the agent was concerning, especially given their limited time in Italy due to work commitments in Dublin.

Ulyana, a massage therapist and rehabilitologist, and a member of the Irish Massage Association and the Irish Neuromuscular Therapists, noted that their busy schedules in Dublin, including high rent for their studio, necessitated an efficient property search.

Alina felt the agent was not genuinely interested in helping them find suitable properties, implying that the agent was unwilling to work with agencies that did not offer a commission split. This led to a reduction in the options Alina could explore.

The Encounter with the Agent and Discrepancies

Upon arriving in Scalea, the agent met them. After liking the town, they discussed payment terms. The agent demanded €3,000, in addition to any agency commission, regardless of who found the apartment. While shocked, they initially considered accepting this fee due to their limited options.

Alina presented her pre-selected apartment options, but the agent claimed they could not be contacted or that viewings were not possible. Instead, the agent presented different apartments that were in poor condition, not matching their preferences. Alina felt deceived and decided to contact the Italian real estate agencies directly for the apartments she had identified.

Direct Contact and a Breakthrough

To their surprise, the agencies responded positively. They arranged a viewing for the following day. Alina found her current apartment on a specific website (the name of which is not explicitly stated but described as having a downloadable app with clear filters for budget and property type). She contacted the agency directly.

Although they had not yet severed ties with the initial agent, Alina informed them about her direct contact with an agency. She advises against relying solely on one contact person when searching for an apartment. She notes that some property owners prefer to sell privately to avoid agency commissions, as Italian agencies often charge fees to both buyers and sellers. Direct contact with owners, supported by a legal and organizational expert, can bypass agency fees.

The Agent's Actions and a New Connection

During the viewing of their chosen apartment, the initial agent stood behind Alina and began filming the apartment, presumably to offer it to other clients, potentially at a higher price. This occurred after Alina expressed her strong interest in purchasing the apartment. The apartment's price was €39,000, which was considered reasonable for its quality, though it required renovation.

Alina confronted the agent about filming, leading to a minor conflict. The agent refused to contact the main agent to submit their offer, citing an "lunch break." The person present was an assistant who could not make decisions. Alina explained their imminent departure in two days, but the assistant was uncooperative, suggesting they might not be able to return that day and postponing the offer submission until the next.

A Fortuitous Encounter and a Guardian Angel

Before viewing the apartment, they had seen another property with a different agent and decided to explore the neighborhood. They met a Ukrainian man who had purchased two apartments in their building. He offered his contact information for any potential assistance.

After the viewing, Alina, still standing in the apartment, emailed the agent expressing their intent to make an offer. The agent responded within five minutes, scheduling a meeting at the agency for 6 PM that evening. It was at this point that the initial agent claimed she could not proceed due to the late hour and the impending departure of the clients.

The agent mentioned an English-speaking translator, but Alina and Ulyana felt their English was not sufficient for navigating complex legal details. They then remembered the Ukrainian neighbor they had met. They contacted him, and he shared his experience of buying property. While his initial attempt involved a Polish-speaking intermediary, it did not go smoothly. However, he recommended another person who had assisted him.

They contacted this recommended individual, whom they consider their "guardian angel," approximately 1.5 hours before their scheduled meeting at the agency. This person had previously assisted them with business registration and documentation in Italy, given their lack of Italian language skills and the complexity of Italian bureaucracy.

Finalizing the Purchase

They met with the new contact just before entering the agency. The process was successful, and they signed the offer. The following day, the sellers accepted their offer, and they submitted a deposit. The entire purchase process took one month, which is considered fast for Italy, as all parties were motivated to complete the transaction quickly.

Advice for Future Buyers

The speakers strongly advise against repeating their initial mistakes. They emphasize the importance of:

• Verifying information: Thoroughly check all details related to the property and the buying process.
• Independent research: Explore various websites and options.
• Direct contact: If told that direct contact with an agency or owner is impossible, try contacting them yourself. They credit this approach with securing their current apartment.
• Not relying on a single contact: Diversify your search and avoid becoming dependent on one agent.
• Considering private sales: Be aware that some owners sell directly to avoid agency fees.
• Seeking professional assistance: Engage individuals knowledgeable in legal and organizational aspects of property transactions, especially if you do not speak Italian.
• Utilizing online resources: Websites and apps can be invaluable tools for finding properties.
• Leveraging multilingual support: Many agencies have English-speaking staff, and translators are available.

Future Content and Community Building

In upcoming episodes, Alina and Ulyana plan to showcase their apartment, discuss the intricacies of the purchase process, share their experiences in Positano and Amalfi, detail the cost of groceries, and discuss the comfort of living in Scalea. They will also address concerns about the availability of shops and the presence of a Ukrainian community, assuring viewers that these aspects are positive.

They express a desire for the Ukrainian community in Scalea and Italy to grow and welcome new acquaintances. They also suggest Scalea as a viable option for those seeking affordable housing for vacation purposes, noting that such opportunities may become scarcer in the future.

The speakers express their happiness at being in Italy and their fondness for the country, despite missing their homeland. They acknowledge the current situation in Ukraine makes returning unsafe for them. They recommend Scalea as a budget-friendly option for those considering relocation.

The video concludes with a view of the sunset over the sea, inviting viewers to visit Scalea.