Now that Italy has made it more difficult than ever for Italian-Americans to gain citizenship via descent, this is another factor in why these properties will remain vacant.
Well... that's true. Mostly true because it has been done literally overnight. Still I got to say far too many Italian-American look at those properties as second homes to live a few weeks. That's not going to bring life back. That's good for the property quality and market... But that's another matter.
... was just reflecting on the (amazing) work you are doing. I wonder if theres a market for people like me. I hate owning real estate (owned many houses, apartments and hotels over the years) and now live the life of a digital nomad. I have lived in about 8 different smaller towns in Italy in the last few years and the one big frustration is how difficult it is to find places to stay in (that are priced for long term stays and not airbb tourism). If you could load your portfolio of properties (managed or in your network) you might be able to attract writers, digital nomads, artists etc that want a place away from the hustle and bustle to stay for a few months to years at a time. My wife and I tried to find these places but it is incredibly hard (often only through word of mouth from a local bar owner who knows a friend who has a house). Rents usually are in the 250-400 euros range plus expenses (our last few houses were amazing in this price range - whole houses that are sitting unused that the owners love to rent out).
I would be happy to create the tech stack for this. The thing is that you don't need thousands of guests... even just 10 long term stays bring word of mouth, friends, networks etc and before you know it communities build :-)
One angle I have often wondered about is if towns rather than houses can't be turned into hotspots around specific topics. Think of a village turned into a startup/entrepreneurship academy with the restaurants becoming the coworking spaces. Or tourism training academies where students come for weeks or months at the time, etc. Not sure they are good ideas... have you looked at this angle?
Yes we have looked at it and starting in 2 of our villages with students (and families). Planning it all for spring/summer 2026. Tourism is not evil, but need to be 'driven' and integrated
Totally with you on that! Maybe we can explore an idea a dear friend of mine from Luxembourg had for me (he has 2 daughters), namely to create a summer entrepreneurship program for kids. It is my core passion but the problem was that normal destinations are so ridiculously prohibitive (as you are often competition for full pricing in hotels and restaurants) that the summer program becomes unaffordable.
Now that Italy has made it more difficult than ever for Italian-Americans to gain citizenship via descent, this is another factor in why these properties will remain vacant.
Well... that's true. Mostly true because it has been done literally overnight. Still I got to say far too many Italian-American look at those properties as second homes to live a few weeks. That's not going to bring life back. That's good for the property quality and market... But that's another matter.
... was just reflecting on the (amazing) work you are doing. I wonder if theres a market for people like me. I hate owning real estate (owned many houses, apartments and hotels over the years) and now live the life of a digital nomad. I have lived in about 8 different smaller towns in Italy in the last few years and the one big frustration is how difficult it is to find places to stay in (that are priced for long term stays and not airbb tourism). If you could load your portfolio of properties (managed or in your network) you might be able to attract writers, digital nomads, artists etc that want a place away from the hustle and bustle to stay for a few months to years at a time. My wife and I tried to find these places but it is incredibly hard (often only through word of mouth from a local bar owner who knows a friend who has a house). Rents usually are in the 250-400 euros range plus expenses (our last few houses were amazing in this price range - whole houses that are sitting unused that the owners love to rent out).
I would be happy to create the tech stack for this. The thing is that you don't need thousands of guests... even just 10 long term stays bring word of mouth, friends, networks etc and before you know it communities build :-)
You are a mind-reader. Indeed we are working for some alternatives to short-term or buy.
Maybe we should reconnect (better by email - just easier). THANKS
email sent :-)
Bellissimo articolo Matteo! Bravo/bravi.
One angle I have often wondered about is if towns rather than houses can't be turned into hotspots around specific topics. Think of a village turned into a startup/entrepreneurship academy with the restaurants becoming the coworking spaces. Or tourism training academies where students come for weeks or months at the time, etc. Not sure they are good ideas... have you looked at this angle?
Yes we have looked at it and starting in 2 of our villages with students (and families). Planning it all for spring/summer 2026. Tourism is not evil, but need to be 'driven' and integrated
Totally with you on that! Maybe we can explore an idea a dear friend of mine from Luxembourg had for me (he has 2 daughters), namely to create a summer entrepreneurship program for kids. It is my core passion but the problem was that normal destinations are so ridiculously prohibitive (as you are often competition for full pricing in hotels and restaurants) that the summer program becomes unaffordable.