Cortona, Arezzo, Tuscany, Italy

In the small village of Fratta Santa Caterina, just a short drive from the amenities of Camucia and the culture of the medieval town of Cortona, we find this large farmhouse that has been converted into a residential complex (12 units in total) with independent apartments giving the opportunity to have a second home, with minimal hassles as the grounds and pool are maintained throughout the year.

Arriving at the property gates and driving through, one gets the sense of luxury and one can not help but notice the beautiful flowering shrubbery that lines the driveway.

We park just across from the private gate entrance that leads into the private garden, with shed, of the property and one immediately notices the arched opening on the first floor, a real focal point, and just at the base of this, there is a 'Madonna' in the wall of the restored farmhouse. Walking through the private garden, you enter the private stone staircase that takes you up to this two bedroom apartment and leads you straight into the 'loggia' of the apartment.

This large covered area gives an extra 'room' to this apartment and lends itself to cooking and dining outside, relaxing with a book or just taking in the magnificent views from the large arched opening.

Through the double doors we enter into the large, light and airy living/dining room thanks to it's double height ceiling and it being flooded with natural light from the loggia. This spacious area has a wood burning stove for the cooler months and a ceiling fan for the warmer months.

Moving through from the living room into the night-time zone, there is a large family bathroom and the two bedroooms. To the left a double bedroom and to the right a large bedroom, currently a triple, with an en-suite shower room. From the front of the living room, you pass into a small hall which has the utility/boiler room and steps which lead up into the cosy, fully equipped kitchen.

Pool Heading back down the stone staircase and out of the private garden, we head round to the communal swimming pool, just a short stroll from the apartment. Walking through the shrubbery, it opens up to the pool area and it has the feel of seclusion. Sun loungers and chairs are provided and off to one side there is a large communal grass area.

Communal Area From the pool we carry on around the property towards the from entrance gate and we find the individual electric and water meters for the apatments, hidden from view by the shrubbery and beyond this there is a large communal grass area, ideal for afternoon and evening entertaining.

Here there is also a touch to the historical importance of the property as it has the antique well where all the villagers would come to collect their water.

Costs:

Basic annual condo cost, Euros 2.200
Annual council taxes (Imu), Euro 800
Purchase taxes (as a non resident), Euro 5.500
Notary fees (as a non-resident), Euro 3.500 + 0,5% (max) of the sum wired in the escrow bank account


'Cortona International is a local agency with over 20 years experience in the property market and offer a personalised service to our buyers.
We are a multi-national team with English speaking agents that will guide you through all the processes of purchasing a home abroad with transparency, integrity and professionalism.
At Cortona International (CI) we don't believe our work ends at completion but instead we are on hand to guide, give clarity and assistance in all areas of the after-sales processes, which can be very daunting.'