VERONA

by Marco Argentieri COFIM, Verona, Italy.

What kind of properties make up the property market in Verona and surrounding areas?

In Verona city, the property type sold the most consists of apartments between 80m2 and 120m2, within the historic centre. This includes the areas of Borgo Trento/Valdonega and San Zeno/Valverde above all. Most in demand are new or comprehensively restored properties, ideally with a garage.

In the surrounding areas, the most famous ones are Lake Garda and Valpolicella. In the case of the former, the top zones are within the municipalities of Bardolino, Lazise, Garda and Torri, where new apartments of 50m2/100m2 with lake views command €7500/m2. Compact new lake view villas of 120m2/200m2 with pool and garden reach around €1,5 million. Famous for its red wines, Valpolicella offers the same kind of homes but at a somewhat lower price of around €3500/m2 for the apartments and €700.000 for villas.

Who are the main buyers for each of these two areas?

In the city of Verona, the market is made up of around 75% Italians – many already from the area – and about 25% other Europeans. The Lake Garda area, however, has a different picture, with around 70% of buyers coming from Europe (especially Germany and Austria), and 30% Italians from Veneto, Lombardia, Emilia Romagna and Trentino Alto Adige. Valpolicella is very popular with Veronese people, but there are also buyers from the USA, the Netherlands, Germany and Switzerland.

What makes life in this region so sweet?

This part of the Veneto region is one of the finest jewels, especially the lake area, but also the iconic rolling countryside and warm climate. It offers such variety of landscapes, including of course lakes, but also hills, mountains and lots of greenery. All of this can be admired within a 30-40 minute radius. This being Italy, there is lots of history and culture, and also fantastic food and wine, not to mention the relaxed, friendly atmosphere of the Italians in towns and villages that are like an open-air museum in their own right.

BY MICHEL CRUZ