Investing in real estate in southern Italy

The Covid-19 has disrupted our lifestyle and especially work, with a strong impact also on the real estate sector. If until January those who wanted to invest in bricks were targeting the big cities, they are now looking with interest at a market that has remained marginal until now: southern Italy. There are many reasons. Here they are explained in brief. South work, the turning point What appeared to be a momentary phenomenon extends well beyond confinement: students and workers who have left major cities do not seem at all willing to return, at least until exams can be taken remotely and, above all, teleworking will be encouraged by companies. And as many have already announced that flexible working will continue for a long time, if not forever, the scenario becomes clear: the employee with a contract in Milan or Rome will be able to work from home in another region and travel to headquarters. only a few times a month. So why buy or rent a property where the prices are the highest? The cost of brick in comparison To buy a house in Milan or Rome, you have to take into account spending respectively 4 thousand and 3 thousand euros per square meter, while the rents are around 20 and 13 euros / m². In many southern cities, however, demand does not exceed 1000 euros per square meter and in the cheapest (Caltanissetta and Isernia) it does not even reach 750. Not only that: there are also municipalities that sell properties at symbolic figures or even paid by those who move to a small town with few inhabitants, as is the case in Molise where the active residence income initiative was launched. Excellent quality of food in the south, and inexpensive Especially when you look at food prices, the south is really down: the fish, vegetables, fruit, ice cream are delicious and cost about half as much compared to northern Italy. Life is cheap in the south Some highways, like the one connecting Naples to the bottom of Calabria, are free, and even the prices charged by craftsmen, or real estate rentals, are much cheaper than in the north.

Italy: Covid-19 empties stores in city centers

  Some are already transforming them into homes. A real estate investment opportunity? Empty of tourists and students, the historic centers of many Italian cities, but not only, are preparing to face a difficult autumn. Take the case of Reggio Emilia, also recently examined by Resto del Carlino online: how many shops will survive and how many will have to close because they are unable to pay the rent? Covid-19 has made worse a commercial real estate crisis that has been going on for some time The problem of commercial activities that do not fall within the cost of renting is certainly not new, but the health emergency has undoubtedly magnified it. However, the trade associations do not seem to agree on the strategy to remedy it: already in pre-crisis times, on the one hand the National Confederation of Crafts and Small and Medium Enterprises (Cna) complained about the high prices, on the other Confedilizia spoke of too much taxes. Points of view and solutions compared By examining in detail the opinions of Dino Spallanzani of Cna and Annamaria Terenziani, president of Confedilizia (building companies confederation), different interpretations of the rental problem emerge. The first accuses the owners of not being willing to revise the rents despite the general crisis, with the risk that in the coming months there will be more shops without tenants and that, in the long run, this will end up disqualifying the entire historic center of the city. Terenziani has a different opinion, speaking of too high taxation on the question of prices, with about half of the rent ending in taxes. Among the solutions proposed to help small businesses are for the Cna the balances and free parking in the afternoon, for Confedilizia the restoration of the dry coupon also for the shops as happened last year, when the Irpef taxes at 21% had allowed to renegotiate downward leases.

Country houses increasingly demanded in Italy

The fact that Covid-19 has also had a strong impact on the real estate industry is now evident. Among its consequences, for example, the boom in demand for houses in the countryside, as illustrated in a recent article by Sole24Ore. While waiting to understand whether this trend will continue in the coming months, favored by the spread of smart working, or if it was rather a temporary phenomenon linked to the need for open spaces during and after confinement, let’s examine a closer look at the figures of it. Back to nature Demand for cottages and farms in villages and small municipalities has increased by around 30% compared to the pre-Covid period. Prices often less than a thousand euros per m / q The prices also encourage investment in rural areas. Prices which are generally much lower than in large cities and which have not undergone major changes despite the increase in demand, on the contrary: on average they have remained stable (+ 0.1%) compared to the pre-Covid period. There are obviously positive exceptions such as the provinces of Rome (+ 25.4%), Pisa (+ 20.1%) and Bologna (+ 18.9%) and negative (Pesaro-Urbino lost almost 12%, Rimini about 10.5%). As for the cost per square meter, the situation is very varied: ranging from the record figures of Montalcino (around 6,700 euros per m / q) and Monte Argentario (5,045 euros / m2) to those much more affordable in Asti (838 euro / m2) , Ragusa (799 euro / m2) and Alexandria (508 euro / m2). In total there are over 100 locations where you can find properties spending less than a thousand euros per m / q. The future of Italy is in small towns The future is in small towns: where there is life, clean air, slowness, healthy food. It is in these characteristic villages where time seems to have stood still, we breathe clean air, the rhythms flow more slowly and food and wine promote a diet capable of enhancing the territories, that man should return. Rural life, not lighter and still able to stop on faces. And maybe even know the names of the neighbors. Well-known architects Stefano Boeri and Massimiliano Fuksas have supported the need to encourage residential dispersal, a kind of “city escape”, in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. An “escape from the city” to small towns, the countryside, places currently the least populated. Open and uncontaminated spaces. The challenge of reconnecting the country to repopulate the villages Francesco Tarantini, president of Legambiente Puglia, also reminds us of this. The environmental association has just celebrated on June 2 “Loving Italy 2020”, the feast of small municipalities which this year – perhaps not surprisingly – focuses on an important issue for the development and future of Italian villages : let’s reconnect the country. Because without (re) connection, the dreams of repopulating these magnificent districts are much more difficult, because the comfort and services offered by cities and large urban centers are still lacking in many small municipalities. “In small municipalities there is more life than you can imagine, but these territories are constantly struggling against abandonment” – explains Francesco Tarantini, president of Legambiente Puglia-. An inherent law exists but the implementation of the decrees is delayed. We remind you that Law 158/2017 is aimed at centers of less than five thousand inhabitants and provides for accompanying measures including the extension of ultra-broadband, an education plan for rural areas, upgrading of school services, redevelopment of neglected buildings, construction of energy plants from renewable sources, promotion of short-chain agrifood, construction of accommodation facilities. Where is all this? In 2017, we celebrated the approval of the law to safeguard the districts after sixteen years of battles. When will we celebrate its implementation? “. For this reason, from Puglia, as well as in the rest of the country, Legambiente appealed to the Prime Minister, Giuseppe Conte, signed by many mayors. The aim is for support measures to be put in place for small municipalities. “The pandemic – we read the appeal – has drawn everyone’s attention to the need to rethink the organization and use of territories and, in this regard also, the role of small municipalities in maintaining communities. To do this, a great deal of work to reconnect the country is necessary, by recomposing the original polycentrism and the harmonious model of urbanity. At the center of the infrastructure for restarting the economy, there must necessarily be fast connection as a right of citizenship, which bridges the void of the digital divide at certain times. In fact even today more than 3,900 municipalities do not have fast Internet, 1,200 municipalities do not receive a stable signal for mobile telephony and 5 million Italians do not receive adequate television service. It is a precondition for the territories and the communities to be the protagonists of the rebirth of the country ”. Without disturbing architects Boeri and Fuksas, it is probably a dream shared by many that of living in less polluting, stressful and deceptive environments. In short, places on a human scale and for children, where to live without giving up all the services and comforts to which we are all used today. Because maybe the future really is in the small municipalities, which represent about 54% of the Italian territory. Territories of less than 5,000 inhabitants focused on innovation and sustainability, local tourism, development and protection of the environment, gastronomic and oenological circuits, promotion of cultures and traditions. These are the ingredients that small municipalities aim to fight against depopulation and the reduction of essential services.

The condominium administrator in Italy: general guide

Did you know that the co-ownership administrator in Italy could be one of the co-owners? The condominium administrator represents an essential figure for the management of the building and its common parts, as well as for translating the condominium will into concrete actions and for carrying out all the necessary operations to protect the team. Powers of the administrator The administrator is required, in the first instance, to take care of compliance with the condominium regulation, as well as to regulate the use of common things and the use of services in the common interest, so that the best enjoyment is ensured to each of the condominiums. In case of conflict, just contact an Italian lawyer. The administrator is also responsible for carrying out the resolutions of the condominium meeting, which the law requires him to convene annually for the approval of the annual management report, which he himself is required to draw up. Current account required In addition, the duties of the administrator also include the execution of tax obligations, the collection of contributions and the disbursement of expenses necessary for the ordinary maintenance of the common parts of the building and for the performance of common services. The administrator is, in fact, obliged to pass on the sums received for any reason by the condominiums or third parties, as well as those for any reason disbursed on behalf of the condominium, on a specific current bank or postal account, in the name of the condominium (not himself); each condominium, through the administrator, may request to view and extract a copy, at its own expense, of the periodic reporting. Condominium documentation and records The law also attributes to the administrator the task of taking care of the keeping of a whole series of important registers concerning the condominium, including the condominium registry, which contains the generality of the individual owners and holders of real rights and personal rights of enjoyment, including the tax code and the residence or domicile, the cadastral data of each real estate unit, as well as any data relating to the safety conditions of the common parts of the building. Furthermore, the administrator will have to take care of keeping the register of the minutes of the meetings, the register of appointment and revocation of the administrator and the accounting register (the latter can also be held in a computerized manner). Again with regard to documentation, the administrator is required to keep all the documentation relating to his / her management relating both to the relationship with the condominiums and to the technical-administrative status of the building and the condominium. He must provide the condominium requesting a certificate relating to the status of the payments of the condominium charges and any ongoing disputes. Who can perform the condominium administrator activity? The office of administrator of the Condominium can be held either by one of the condominiums or by a subject unrelated to the team and specifically appointed. Given the particular function, the person called to perform the functions of condominium administrator must possess certain requirements, both personal and professional, set out in detail in art. 71-bis of the provisions for the implementation of the civil code. Personal requirements In particular, the administrator must have the enjoyment of civil rights, must not be interdicted or incapacitated, nor subjected to prevention measures that have become definitive (unless rehabilitation has taken place) or convicted of crimes against the public administration, the administration of justice, public faith, property or for any other culpable crime for which the law imposes the sentence of imprisonment not less than, in the minimum, two years and, in the maximum, five years. Finally, his name should not be noted in the list of promissory notes. Professional requirements With regard to professional requirements, the administrator is required to have obtained at least the secondary school diploma and to have attended an initial training course and to have carried out periodic training activities in the area of condominium administration. Condominium administrator firm The functions of administrator of the Condominium can be entrusted not only to natural persons, but also to firms. Duration of the assignment and remuneration Pursuant to the civil code, the office of director lasts one year and is considered renewed for the same duration. The shareholders’ meeting convened for the revocation or resignation will deliberate on the appointment of the new director. Upon termination of the assignment, the administrator is required to deliver all the documentation in his possession relating to the condominium and to the individual condominiums and to carry out urgent activities in order to avoid prejudice to common interests without the right to further compensation. In addition, unless expressly dispensed by the assembly, the administrator must proceed with the forced collection of the sums due from the obliged within six months of the end of the financial year in which the credit is included. Article. 1709 c.c. given this postponement and the specific nature of such an assignment, the administrator is deemed to be remunerated for the work carried out. Article. 1709 of the Civil Code, in fact, poses a presumption of onerousness of the assignment, unless otherwise established; in particular, if the extent of the remuneration has not been established by the parties, it will be determined on the basis of professional rates or customs or, failing that, it will be determined by the judge. Upon acceptance of the appointment and its renewal, the administrator must analytically specify, under penalty of nullity of the appointment itself, the amount due as compensation for the activity carried out. Revocation and termination of the assignment The revocation of the administrator can be deliberated at any time by the assembly, with the majority foreseen for his appointment, or in the manner provided by the condominium regulation. Indeed, the judicial authority may be called to rule on the revocation, upon appeal of each condominium, may in the case provided for in the fourth paragraph of Article 1131, if it does not account for

Home staging, present it well to sell it better

In an increasingly competitive real estate market, home staging, the presentation of your home to potential buyers, can really make a difference. But what if you don’t have big budgets to invest? Here are some practical decoration and DIY tips. Why home staging is important Being able to imagine the possibility of living in this house: this is the main objective of home staging which, in the eyes of potential buyers, can represent a real plus. This is also a very important thing for those selling the property as these strategies lead to faster deals and higher selling prices. Relying on a professional can undoubtedly be very useful, especially if it is a luxury property, but this involves an expense that is not within the reach of everyone. Just to get an idea, according to estimates from the National Association of Realtors, the association of real estate agents in the United States, the average amount of this service is around $ 400. However, there is no discouragement: the staging of a house with limited budgets is possible, thanks to some useful arrangements. Tips for a successful arrangement If it is a house where you live that is put on the market, the main thing to favor is the decluttering, thus limiting the presence of furniture and objects in the space. Put off family photos and overly personal furniture, neutralization is the password to arouse the interest of buyers. In fact, the more personalized the pieces, the more difficult it is for potential buyers to think about how to adapt them to their tastes and needs. On the contrary, if an empty good is offered for sale, the situation becomes more laborious and it is essential to conduct a first phase of research, for example by taking advantage of seasonal opportunities to sell better. It goes without saying that it is often more difficult to sell an empty property. In the opinion of experts, it is not important to stage all the rooms in the house, you can choose to focus only on a few, the most important. Like the living room, for example, where you can focus on the seats and mirrors, which allows you to make the rooms brighter and larger. The bedroom is also considered attractive: a bed and a bedside table are the basis, to be enriched with new furnishing fabrics, perhaps a book and a small piece of furniture placed directly on the bedside table; if you have a wardrobe, you can put clothes inside. To stage the kitchen, it will be enough to be very careful to keep the environment clean and tidy, including the pantries. If you have too many small appliances on the worktop, remove them. Make sure all rooms are well ventilated and lit. Cleanliness is essential. What else? A bowl of fruit and bright colors to revive the environment by giving a touch of originality.

The condominium administrator: general guide

The condominium administrator represents an essential figure for the management of the building and its common parts, as well as for translating the condominium will into concrete actions and for carrying out all the necessary operations to protect the team. Powers of the administrator The administrator is required, in the first instance, to take care of compliance with the condominium regulation, as well as to regulate the use of common things and the use of services in the common interest, so that the best enjoyment is ensured to each of the condominiums. In case of conflict, just contact an Italian lawyer. The administrator is also responsible for carrying out the resolutions of the condominium meeting, which the law requires him to convene annually for the approval of the annual management report, which he himself is required to draw up. Current account required In addition, the duties of the administrator also include the execution of tax obligations, the collection of contributions and the disbursement of expenses necessary for the ordinary maintenance of the common parts of the building and for the performance of common services. The administrator is, in fact, obliged to pass on the sums received for any reason by the condominiums or third parties, as well as those for any reason disbursed on behalf of the condominium, on a specific current bank or postal account, in the name of the condominium (not himself); each condominium, through the administrator, may request to view and extract a copy, at its own expense, of the periodic reporting. Condominium documentation and records The law also attributes to the administrator the task of taking care of the keeping of a whole series of important registers concerning the condominium, including the condominium registry, which contains the generality of the individual owners and holders of real rights and personal rights of enjoyment, including the tax code and the residence or domicile, the cadastral data of each real estate unit, as well as any data relating to the safety conditions of the common parts of the building. Furthermore, the administrator will have to take care of keeping the register of the minutes of the meetings, the register of appointment and revocation of the administrator and the accounting register (the latter can also be held in a computerized manner). Again with regard to documentation, the administrator is required to keep all the documentation relating to his / her management relating both to the relationship with the condominiums and to the technical-administrative status of the building and the condominium. He must provide the condominium requesting a certificate relating to the status of the payments of the condominium charges and any ongoing disputes. Who can perform the condominium administrator activity? The office of administrator of the Condominium can be held either by one of the condominiums or by a subject unrelated to the team and specifically appointed. Given the particular function, the person called to perform the functions of condominium administrator must possess certain requirements, both personal and professional, set out in detail in art. 71-bis of the provisions for the implementation of the civil code. Personal requirements In particular, the administrator must have the enjoyment of civil rights, must not be interdicted or incapacitated, nor subjected to prevention measures that have become definitive (unless rehabilitation has taken place) or convicted of crimes against the public administration, the administration of justice, public faith, property or for any other culpable crime for which the law imposes the sentence of imprisonment not less than, in the minimum, two years and, in the maximum, five years. Finally, his name should not be noted in the list of promissory notes. Professional requirements With regard to professional requirements, the administrator is required to have obtained at least the secondary school diploma and to have attended an initial training course and to have carried out periodic training activities in the area of condominium administration. Condominium administrator company The functions of administrator of the Condominium can be entrusted not only to natural persons, but also to companies. Duration of the assignment and remuneration Pursuant to the civil code, the office of director lasts one year and is considered renewed for the same duration. The shareholders’ meeting convened for the revocation or resignation will deliberate on the appointment of the new director. Upon termination of the assignment, the administrator is required to deliver all the documentation in his possession relating to the condominium and to the individual condominiums and to carry out urgent activities in order to avoid prejudice to common interests without the right to further compensation. In addition, unless expressly dispensed by the assembly, the administrator must proceed with the forced collection of the sums due from the obliged within six months of the end of the financial year in which the credit is included. Given this postponement and the specific nature of such an assignment, the administrator is deemed to be remunerated for the work carried out. Article. 1709 of the Civil Code, in fact, poses a presumption of onerousness of the assignment, unless otherwise established; in particular, if the extent of the remuneration has not been established by the parties, it will be determined on the basis of professional rates or customs or, failing that, it will be determined by the judge. Upon acceptance of the appointment and its renewal, the administrator must analytically specify, under penalty of nullity of the appointment itself, the amount due as compensation for the activity carried out. Revocation and termination of the assignment The revocation of the administrator can be deliberated at any time by the assembly, with the majority foreseen for his appointment, or in the manner provided by the condominium regulation. Indeed, the judicial authority may be called to rule on the revocation, upon appeal of each condominium, may in the case provided for in the fourth paragraph of Article 1131, if it does not account for management, or in the event of serious irregularities. A non-exhaustive list of behaviors that constitute serious irregularities is

Italy: is it worth buying a house to renovate?

  Italy’s real estate is among the most aged in Europe. More than half of the existing houses are over 50 years old. Despite their age, most of them are solid. In regions like Liguria, there are even some that date from the beginning of the 20th century, which are still very robust. I was recently in Sanremo, where a real estate agent explained to me that all the buildings in the old town had withstood all the earthquakes, unlike the buildings of new construction. Indeed, these are buildings whose walls easily exceed 30 cm in thickness. This has advantages for thermal insulation, especially in summer, when they are significantly cooler than modern houses. So there are a lot of houses to renovate available for purchase. Is buying a house to renovate a good investment? To date, the answer is yes, at least according to an analysis of Corriere della Sera, one of the most prestigious Italian daily newspapers. Let’s see why buying a property to renovate can be an attractive option. Tax bonuses and minimum rates The tax benefits on extraordinary maintenance work on residential buildings have also been extended for 2020: this means that for expenses of up to 96 thousand euros, you are entitled to an Irpef deduction (income tax on natural persons) by 50%, spread over ten years. This percentage can go up to 65% for energy retrofit works. In addition, there is a particularly positive situation on the mortgage front: interest rates at historically low levels provide access to very favorable financing conditions. How much do you save? According to the Nomisma Observatory, the savings would be considerable, even taking into account the amount to be allocated to the works. In Milan, for example, almost 80,000 euros would be saved to buy an 80 m² apartment to renovate compared to a house ready to be lived in. In principle, the Irpef advantage significantly affects the choice of buyers when the price difference between the house to be renovated and that already habitable is at least 30 thousand euros. Facade bonus Without forgetting another factor of interest for potential buyers: the 2020 finance law increased the IRPEF deduction from 50% to 90% for painting and renovating facades. An initiative that stems from the desire to encourage the redevelopment of the residential heritage of many Italian cities.

How coronavirus could change our homes

  Apparently, the worst of the pandemic is behind us. However, no one can guarantee that there will not be a second wave, now or next fall. What’s more, air quality around the world is poor, which could lead to the spread of other coronavirus-like viruses. Because our lungs are weakened, and have become the ideal terrain for lung viruses. Covid 19 changed our requirements for real estate If at the beginning of the year they had told you that you would be confined to the house for months due to a pandemic, you would hardly have believed it. Yet so it was, the lockdown forced us to change our social habits and slowed down our rhythms of life closed within four walls. This pandemic revealed many things, one of which is that most houses should have been designed differently. According to an idealistic study, up to 8% of families have gone through quarantine without even looking out on the road from home. For this reason, we addressed this issue with architect Pablo García, who tries to understand how houses should be designed from now on. Useful surface: “Houses must be larger or better distributed. The houses can increase in size if the building has large galleries or arcades that serve as a multipurpose space. The best reference is the intervention of Lacaton and Vassal in Bordeaux. A series of conservatories have been created, as well as a new range of balconies alongside the main facades of the buildings, expanding the useful area of ??the units. This intervention must be taken as a reference of how the maximum effect can be obtained with a minimum intervention “, explains García. Terrace or balcony at all costs. “The terraces should be included in the minimum housing program. In general, a minimum home is composed of: double bedroom, living room, kitchen and bathroom. The terraces are not mentioned but we have seen that they represent a fundamental element when facing isolation. The problem must be controlled by the City Council, not allowing the prescription of said infringement if we consider it as a minimum living space “. Disinfection areas at the entrance. “The entrance to the house could be thought of as the transition space between our house and the outside. This means it should be a virus free area. The flooring must be in porcelain or a material that is not very porous and resistant to abrasive products. A wardrobe and a shoe rack should be placed at the entrance, maybe even a sink to wash your hands as soon as you enter. “ Work area. “We will need a home office. So it is necessary to consider the lighting, cable internet connection, bluetooth sockets, spaces suitable for video calls and meeting area, shutters that create neutral backgrounds behind us to protect the privacy of the house, including soundproofing the room. In very small apartments, this should be done in the bedrooms. Beds cannot take up too much space. “ Custom furniture and home automation. “Conventional furniture is excellent, but it is not suitable for small spaces. It is important to create a furnishing project in your home to understand how it can be adapted to make spaces multifunctional. Home automation can help us create a multifunctional house that adapts to different situations “, concludes the architect.

Covid-19 and real estate prices in Italy and Europe – S&P report

The S&P report sees Italy among the hardest hit countries, but the decline is contained. What does this mean for the European real estate market? According to S&P, the drop in transactions during the lockdown will only show its effects in a few months. In the meantime, the buying and selling activities will also be weak due to the drop in employment, and therefore in disposable income, due to the pandemic, which will cause the postponement of many purchase decisions. However, analysts do not expect a collapse in real estate prices in Europe: it will be prevented by the income support measures put in place by governments, which will ensure that activities can limit the number of layoffs. The impact of coronavirus on European real estate markets will be that of a drop in house prices. However, according to S&P Global, by 2022 everything should return to pre-pandemic levels thanks to economic policies. Long-term recession According to the report “Government Job Support Will Stem European Housing Market Price Falls”, Europe will face the deepest long-term recession this year. But in the same way, the recovery expected for 2021, albeit more gradual, will be faster than what normally follows a recession in an economic cycle. It is also much stronger than the last recovery, following the 2008 financial crisis. For the past two and a half months we have been forced to stay at home and many Italians have also had to fall back on smart work, with all the pros and cons of the case. More flexible hours and the convenience of not having to travel to work, of course, but also the need to carve out a corner where you can work even in very small apartments that weren’t equipped for such situation. Our relationship with housing has therefore changed, but can the same be said for the search for new housing? According to Carlo Giordano, CEO of Immobiliare.it, in fact not. In an interview with Il Foglio, Giordano explained how the traffic data on the platform is clear: Italians dream of terraces and spacious apartments, but often fall back on the two-room apartment to find more affordable prices. More than the pandemic, the market will therefore undergo further changes due to economic uncertainty: those who have had an activity that had to remain closed for a long time often did not want to take out a mortgage and, in any case, the banks may not have given it to him. In short, people will not leave the city, as was assumed at the start of the emergency, but many properties are intended to remain unsold. The solutions proposed by Giordano are different. First of all, an appeal to the State to guarantee 100% mortgages, in particular favoring young couples looking for permanent accommodation. In this way, there would be new buyers, the state would win on taxes and the banks would feel more protected and could open new positions. In addition, it is time to review the offer. It makes no sense to build certified green buildings, very few are those who can afford it. It is better to focus on the energy efficiency of those that already exist, or on the reconstruction of buildings that are no longer usable, such as apartment buildings, but also schools and other public services. It would also avoid consuming new urban land. Finally, it would be a good idea to transform four-room apartments and oversized apartments into two or three-room apartments, solutions much more in demand by families today, who do not plan to have a lot of children.  

Italy: the real estate market aims for sustainability

The Italian real estate market is increasingly focusing on the sustainability of buildings. Indeed, property sales with high energy standards are increasing, a tangible sign of the interest of our compatriots for houses with an increasingly ecological taste. A very positive 2019 According to what was recently highlighted by an analysis carried out by the ENEA (National Bureau of Alternative Energy) in collaboration with the Institute for Competitiveness and the Italian Federation of Professional Real Estate Agents, the Italian prospects seem very encouraging, with a trend, more marked in 2019 , to consider the energy efficiency of buildings, both during the renovation and during the purchase phase. Indeed, the survey shows a very positive trend both for the new housing segment and for the renovated segment: in the first case, almost 80% of transactions concern goods of high energy class (A or B), while in the second the percentage goes from 22% in 2018 to 36% in 2019. Last year, we also witnessed the consolidation of the dynamic which sees a reduction in the purchase of low energy class properties (G), with a very low percentage especially in the case of villas and detached houses. Despite this, according to experts, the national real estate market still sees a marked presence of these buildings (class D – G). Excellent results for the prestige buildings segment, which sees a percentage jump of 10 points compared to 2018 on the front of the most efficient energy classes (A1-4 and B). The buildings located in the central areas of the main Italian capitals also recorded very good performances with a + 16%. Will Covid-19 have an impact on the sector? What will be the short and medium term consequences of the health emergency we are experiencing, is still difficult to establish with certainty. In the opinion of experts, this long lockdown that we have experienced and the advent of phase 2 will lead us all to reconsider even more the theme of sustainability, with a new way of living the house and its environment. The scenario that awaits us in the near future is an increase in the demand for comfortable housing, with good energy performance, bright and low consumption. But, as Alessandro Federici of the ENEA, responsible for monitoring energy efficiency policies, points out, in the future, it will be necessary “to direct demand more and more towards deep renovation of condominium buildings. Many houses belong to this category in the semi-peripheral, peripheral and extreme periphery areas, which still have particularly poor energy performance. “