ARTICLE

Buying in Sardinia

With its olive groves, golden wheat fields, picturesque villages and unspoilt beaches, Sardinia lies 120 miles east of the Italian mainland and its coastline is one of Europe's most spectacular. Further inland, you'll find mountains, forests, canyons and. Shepherds graze their flocks and in the spring there's a multitude of fragrant flowers and herbs. There's a lot to like about this Italian island.

This episode is from series 3.

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Buying in Sardinia

Buyer's tips

  • Buying in Sardinia doesn't involve solicitors – an estate agent takes you through the process and charges 3 per cent.
  • Non residents pay a tax of 10 per cent, which drops to 4 per cent if you move there permanently.
  • Making an offer is legally binding. You pay a deposit at the same time so if you change your mind, you lose your deposit.
  • If the vendor backs out after you've made them an offer, they pay back double your deposit.

The buyers: Oscar & Pratibha
Psychiatrist Pratibha and GP Oscar have been married for 10 years and live in the Yorkshire countryside with their two children Ohran (4) and Sara (2).

With a packed NHS work schedule, holidays are their haven and the only way of guaranteeing a great family getaway every time is to buy their own holiday home in the sun. They have a budget of £335,000.

Why Sardinia?
Sardinia has 1800km of stunning coastline with views that have attracted movie stars and millionaires. It's a little piece of Italy with the great food and wine to match, but compared to the mainland, its property market is still buoyant, partly due to the low-cost airfares.

Sardinia is the perfect summer destination for families. The warm, clear Mediterranean waters makes it a prime spot for snorkelling and scuba diving. Head for the beaches of Arena Majore, Isola Rossa and La Marinedda.

A great way to take in the views is on horseback - and what's more romantic than galloping along the sand? Just don't do it from June to September when the beaches are off limits.

There's a colourful folk festival for every month of the year – the perfect opportunity to mingle with the locals and enjoy the dancing, singing and free food. The prehistoric ruins are also worth a trip.

Being on the water is high on the local agenda. Take a boat along the untouched coast between Isola Rossa and Costa Paradiso. It's off the tourist route and you'll find unspoilt beaches, secret bays, underwater caves and crystal waters.

The estate agents
Property 1:
Sardinia Villa
(Contact Sylvana Lapreu)
Tel: +39 079 689 617

Property 3:
Sardinia House
(Contact Fabio Ciccilloni)
Tel: +39 079 610 901

Property 4:
Pirelli Immobiliare
(Contact David Childs)
Tel: +39 347 775 1715

For a millionaire moment…
Immobiliare Bianco
(Contact Geom. Bianco)
Tel: +39 347 410 1545

Top three details

  • Snorkelling in the crystal clear waters.
  • Horseriding on the beach.
  • Take a boat trip and enjoy the islands around Costa Smeralda.

    Living the dream details
  • Immerse yourself in the laid back Sardinian way of life.
  • Feast on a traditional Sardinian buffet.

    With thanks to
    Sardinian Horse Vacation
    House Around Sardinia

    • Related sections: Fantasy Homes By The Sea

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