This Is Adele’s Story: She Bought An Apartment In Menaggio With A Live Call From South Africa
Let’s continue our roundup of international clients who have bought a property in Lake Como during the pandemic, between 2020 and early 2021, without visiting the house in person.
Today is Adele’s turn, from South Africa.
First, let us make a premise: Adele is a lovely example of how often our clients turned out to be our friends. That’s one of the (thousands) things we love about our job.
Adele is an inveterate fan of Lake Como: she first invested in an apartment in Argegno a couple of years ago, and this year - despite Covid and all that it implied - she decided to replicate the investment, this time in the beautiful Menaggio. She has a great sense of business: she indeed chose these two strategic and highly sought-after locations in Lake Como.
We asked her a couple of questions about her experience of buying from abroad. Curious to hear her story?
Why did you decide to buy a property in Italy/Lake Como and why during the pandemic?
I wanted to buy a second property for investment purposes. We visited Lake Como in December 2019 and Laura showed me a few apartments in Argegno. At that stage my house in South Africa was still on the market and I wanted to sell it before buying in Italy.
In February 2020 the whole world changed. I realised that in future Airbnb will be influenced by the pandemic and that an apartment for long term rentals will be a better investment. My house was sold and I did not want to wait until I can travel to Italy before buying another apartment.
Tell us a bit about your background.
I was born in the Karoo, the centre of South Africa but I have lived in the Western Cape most of my life. Since I was very young, I was mesmerised with Europe, especially the art, culture, languages and cuisine. I suppose it's the connection of my ancestors who were French Huguenots who came to South Africa as wine farmers in the 1680's. I have travelled to many countries but fell in love with Lake Como. I have three children, twin daughters of 22 years old and a son of 18 years old. One daughter is a photographer and videographer, my other daughter is studying as a field guide on the game lodges of South Africa and Botswana and my son just started his business degree. I work in the wellness industry and love to help people to find healthy alternatives.
Adele and her family enjoying Lake Como
Why did you choose Menaggio (and previously Argegno)?
In 2016 I visited Como with my brother and sister-in-law, who had worked in Italy years ago when she looked after an elderly lady in Brunate. We were in Como for a few days and my brother started looking at properties in the area. After our visit, I’ve been searching for properties on the internet for about TWO years. My children said to me: "are you looking at properties again!". They only understood the charm of Lake Como when they got there and they were also dazzled by the beauty of the blue water with the snow-capped mountains in the distance.
In 2018 I decided to buy an apartment in Brunate, but it didn’t work out because the real estate agent could not speak English and my Italian is very basic. I decided to travel to Lake Como later that year. I did very thorough research before I went. I looked at public transport, what side of the lake is the sunniest, villages that are not too far from main centers for traveling purposes, quaint villages with a typical Italian charm and villages where you have access to basic amenities.
I made appointments with several estate agents. Lakeside Real Estate was the only agent that asked me what are my specific needs and gave me advice of which property will work and which cannot work as an investment. During my visit I saw fourteen properties in five days. I was determined to find the right property and to buy before I left. Elisa took me to the property in Argegno. I liked it but I was not sure. That evening I sat with my list of pro's and con's and decided I wanted to see the Argegno apartment again. Then I knew it, this is the one! Sara spoke to the owners and they accepted my offer and I was so happy to start my Italian dream. That same day, other South Africans who also visited Argegno, (I have never met them before, although they live about 20 km from us in South Africa), also bought their property in Argegno.
I had to fly back and managed the transfer process of the property from South Africa. Elisa and Sara guided me with the necessary documents that were needed. I found a translator for the documents, who also arranged the Apostille with the Notary in South Africa. It was not a difficult process. It helps when you are dealing with dedicated professional people.
When I decided to buy the second apartment after the pandemic started, I discussed the situation with Sara, Laura and Elisa and they suggested that Menaggio is a good option for long term rentals because it is a city with hospitals and schools. Elisa mailed a few options and a video of the apartment that I was interested in. It was an easy decision because I have been to Menaggio before and the apartment is close to the lake. It is situated in a beautiful historical building.
Adele with her family other South Africans in Argegno
How did you feel during the process of buying without having actually seen the property?
The decision to buy the property in Menaggio was more of a head decision than a heart decision because I want to invest in Italy to provide for my future. I plan to retire in Italy and I know as a foreigner it’s not easy to obtain citizenship and therefore I want to organise my finances before I get there. Sadly I am not living in a safe country and I must plan for my future. I love walking in nature and I want to do it without worrying about my safety and the safety of my children. Another important reason is to invest my money in a stable currency. Our currency fluctuates constantly and it is very unpredictable.
What can you tell us about your experience and your feelings during the buying process?
The buying process went very smoothly. I made the offer, Elisa confirmed that it was accepted, I transferred the deposit and then the documents was e-mailed to me. I contacted the same Notary in SA that I used the previous time, she arranged a translator and the Apostille. I sent the documents to Lakeside by courier and then the Notary in Italy arranged the transfer. It sounds too easy to be true but that is exactly how it went. Not once during the process I felt worried or overwhelmed.
How do you feel now that you own a property in Italy but you have not physically seen it yet?
I would love to be in my apartment and be there to decorate and furnish it. The most difficult part is that no-one knows when it will be possible to travel again. My life motto is that one must make the best of what you have got. I’m using this time to travel in my own country and visit places that I have not been to.
Do you have any advice for other foreign clients who are thinking of buying a property at Lake Como from abroad?
It is very important to work with a real estate agent that you can trust and who can speak English. Some of the real estate agents that I have worked with in Italy find it difficult to help you in English. Lakeside Real Estate is an amazing agency and I can understand why they were voted as the best real estate agency in Italy. The ladies are kind, friendly, trustworthy and very hard working. It is an honour to work with Lakeside Real Estate.
Has Adele’s story inspired you? Are you thinking about investing in a property in Lake Como?