| Ciao Tutti Oct09 Ciao Tutti
  
Matt & Georgina Lake Fiastra Old Friends
October – new shoots and surprises
Another month of 2009 has bitten the dust and we have set a record. We promised our next newsletter in October and here it is – a miracle! The September issue is still live on our website if you missed it, click here to read it. We have enjoyed the great weather and taken the opportunity to eat at our favourite restaurants as well as to show the region off to some of our old friends that we hadn’t seen for fifteen years! Eating out has been incredible (see the special desserts from La Torre), as has the weather, and its been a pleasure to enjoy some free time with good friends. We also had an unexpected visit from daughter Georgina and boyfriend Matt, so October ist turning out to be a month for great surprises..... so bring them on - the more the better! Our favourite Desserts   
Over 80% of you logged on to the website to read the September issue and only 1% asked to be removed from the mailing list – and, only one was rude about it. There were many nice comments and it was great to hear from so many of you that haven’t visited for a while. With the prospect of those ‘green shoots’ we keep hearing about, plus we have seen quite a number of bookings along with some enquires from people thinking about buying property here in Le Marche. It seems therefore to be an opportune time to focus on property for sale here.
Perfect Properties
We are not agents, nor wish to be, but we do work alongside several property agents to make sure our guests get the best possible service. I don’t really look great in a pin stripe suit with a black shirt and white tie these days, so we prefer to leave the estate agency to the professionals and help guests avoid the sharks!
There are many properties for sale in Le Marche, from complete ruins that were once fine dwellings, to abandoned mills, palazzos, old farmhouses and apartments. It is of course possible to find completely finished homes as well as projects to restore. Here is a small taster of what’s available. There are some very good deals around at the moment and some agents are offering stage payments and ‘key in hand’ solutions, so you know exactly how much the whole restoration will cost, should you choose an older property.
We can also introduce you to trusted professionals, an English speaking lawyer, estate agents, architects, surveyors and even introduce you to the local planning officer. What is important is that you ask the right questions and use professionals to give you a completely stress free purchase. Once here, we can give you a tour of the area and show you a few properties before you even consider making appointments.
We will be happy to help in any way we can to help you make the right choice of property in the right area and of course at the right price. Whilst we would love to help everyone and anyone buy a property here, it is time consuming so we regret that this assistance can only be offered to guests staying at the Villa.
We have selected a few properties as a taster:
 PROPERTY ONE
This is a three storey Palazzo with stunning views to Sibillini Mountains, dating back to 1500’s, with frescoed ceilings and up to 20 hectares available. The cantina has the wine press, barrel and oven in place and was used for making the local Vino Cotto.
The Palazzo is close to a hilltop town and has belonged to the family for hundred of years. Situated in what is known as ’the golden triangle, this is a really interesting project, but not for the feint hearted! Offers in the region of €300,000  PROPERTY TWO
A traditional farm workers cottage also belongs to the same family, also with stunning views and land negotiable. Could be bought as a ‘key in hand’ possibility.
 PROPERTY THREE
A Finished property for sale close to historic town, providing five bedrooms and four bathrooms, lounge, kitchen diner, laundry room, patio, portico and pool. This is ready for you to move straight into. Excellent countryside views and off road parking. Offers €400,000  PROPERTY FOUR
Opportunity to buy what was once the Manor House, views along the valley to the Sibillini Mountains and close to two historic towns. Land parcel negotiable depending on requirements, great bed and breakfast. Needing full restoration, but considered to be sound (NB we would suggest a survey to confirm this) Offers €800,000 to include another farm workers building available on the site, consisting of four attached dwellings.
 PROPERTY FIVE
A perfect property for an investor, consisting of 7 to 8 buildings (1 detached with another old barn, with up to 6 hectares (possibility of more land). There are great views and it’s around 20 minutes from a large local town. This could make a great ‘off plan’ holiday complex. Offers circa €270,000
 PROPERTY SIX 
Chalet style villa with excellent garden and close to busy local town as well as ski slopes. Ready for occupation,although some cosmetic work is needed. Five bedrooms, garage, kitchen with professional stainless steel appliances, lounge/diner and basement room. This property must be seen to appreciate the beauty of its location and is perfect for clients looking for rental potential whole year round. Offers circa €250,000
 PROPERTY SEVEN
This property has two elements – modern building restored to provide 4 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, lounge and kitchen, with 2 more large rooms on the ground floor and whole top floor to do. Also an old contadino’s house, waiting to be fully restored, potential as letting income for the new owner. Situated close to a small hamlet with views across the valley on one side, and the mountains the other. Offers circa €275,000
If you would like more information about these properties please email Pam properties@villasibillini.com or call her on +39 0733 653081. There are many other properties available so if these do not take your fancy why not email us with what you are looking for and we will track it down for you.
Having written what I think is a good description of the properties David has decided he is now an expert so here is his take on them...........
Property one and two above are both good buys with views you simply can not imagine. The Palace sits on the edge of a hill side so the view is totally clear to the mountains. Inside they are both in need of serious restoration. The Palace is huge inside it is a veritable warren of rooms, I went in one Monday morning for a look and came out on Thursday!
The third property is a nicely restored property and again it has some lovely views across the Marche countryside. This would be ideal as a rental Villa or indeed a small B&B, so anyone interested in running a small business this is a very good buy.
Property four Pam has described as a suitable B&B project. In my view it is ideal for a small boutique style hotel with plenty of room for a restaurant and bar and of course a pool. The rooms are large enough to create en-suites without any problem whatsoever. The roof and walls are sound and in my humble view I would take the minimum amount of land and take only the main building, unless you want to be a farmer in your spare time.
Property Five has to be seen. It is a huge plot with so much potential. It would make an ideal equestrian centre or even a camp site, both subject to planning of course. My first thoughts were to turn the various buildings into holiday rental dwellings, but whatever to buy this for 270,000 Euro is a bargain; with just one building restored you could treble your money.
Property six defies logic, it looks small on the outside yet so big when you go in. I am baffled why this one is still on the market, it is a lovely home in a beautiful part of the country
Property seven could be used immediately and also give you a great project for the future.
So there you are..............my two pennyworth! Why not pop over and have a look at them
Top Tips for buying Property in Le Marche
1. Come to Le Marche and check out the area first
2. If you can, try and visit Le Marche in different seasons
3. Only plan to see 5 properties in a day, more than that leads to housing overload and headaches
4. When making appointments to see specific properties, ask the agent to guarantee they are still available, some agents use nice looking properties simply as a hook to get you here
5. Get confirmation of their commission rates
Property Buying Special Accommodation Offer
Thinking about buying here but not sure how to go about it or where to buy? Why not pop over for a mini break and have a look around. We will be happy to show you a selection of properties in your price range so you can get an idea what your money will buy you here, and of course have a nice break at the same time.
Why not join us for a three night break arrive on Friday depart on the Monday Included in the price is your bed and breakfast, free tea and coffee, two three course evening meals at the Villa with a half litre of house wine, plus an evening meal at our local Pizzaria. We will also take you out and about in our mini bus and show you some of the sights and of course some of the properties available, all for just €220 per person.
Check out some of the deals on Ryan Air - flights can be as low as a pound each!!
  
Just looking for a Break?
Maybe you are not interested in buying but simply want to unwind and de-stress – take a day or two out to wander the streets of medieval towns, do a little retail therapy, take a walk in the mountains, book in for some pampering beauty treatments or enjoy a cappucino in an old piazza. Whatever your motivation, why not book in and enjoy a long weekend in Le Marche?
Three night, all inclusive stay €199 per person
All that’s left to pay for are your drinks from the bar, flights, transport, treatments and designer purchases
  
New for 2010 a Holiday Bonus
Looking to book a villa for a self catering holiday in 2010? Have you noticed how much flights are, when you travel on a Saturday? Why not fly out a day or two early and stay at Villa Sibillini before you move into your villa?
We can help you with where to visit, what to see while you are here, and which restaurants to try. We will point you in the right direction for the best beaches, designer shopping and which festivals to check out. On a more mundane note we can let you know where the best grocery shops are and when they are open. With prices starting from €40 per person, it is well worth considering extending your holiday to make the most of the low fares airlines. So we can save you time and money and let you enjoy a longer summer holiday
So why not extend next years’ holiday in Italy, by a day? Or maybe two. Get all the local knowledge and enjoy a cheaper air fare? Email: admin@villasibillini.com
Le Marche Weddings
Rachel Owen and Ian Mullen finally tied the knot on the 26th September a fabulous medieval convent that is now the Commune of San Ginesio. The reception was held in Girarrosto in Loro Piceno, also a historic building with vaulted ceilings, complete with wine cellars and a menu of traditional local dishes with wines. Their theme was rustic, and so for their guests we provided 75cl bottles of local olive oil with the bomboniere (sugared almonds) tied to them. Everything was just perfect from the specially designed menus and place cards to the stunning locations for their photos.
  
“Everything exceeded all expectations. Thanks so much for making our daughter’s wedding perfect” Sheila
  
Weddings here cost a fraction of those staged in the UK, with an average cost of around 10,000 euro for a small affair and 16,000 euro for a wedding party up to 50 guests.
  
David’s back............I got to drive a very smart car to take the bride to her wedding which was a privilege, I then drove them to the reception with the car adorned with white netting. As we drove along the highways and byways Italian motorists were sounding their horns to congratulate the happy couple.
Then on the way back to the Villa, having dropped the bride and groom off, I drove a little faster, well a lot faster, did you know that white netting is good up to about 40 km per hour, after that it has a tendency to shred, so I apologise to the motorists that followed me along the SS78 as I showered them in strips of netting. It was a good job it was dark when I picked them up later that night!
STOP PRESS............................
Christmas in Italy 2009 – a few places still remaining, book now or send for our Ebrochure
Old Footballers
We are looking to put together a football tournament in our local town next spring. We would like to include the young and the older footballers - a youth challenge and a men’s competition. United Kingdom vs Italy, so if anyone is connected to youth or men’s football please email us and we will follow it up. We hope to arrange a five or six aside youth competition plus a six team, three English and three Italian team, competition in the Spring of 2010, let us know if you can help.
Christmas Shopping Weekends
Not sure what to buy this year, looking for something different? Why not book a shopping weekend and pick up bargains at the designer outlets and local markets. We are offering 3 nights’ accommodation for just €68 per person, per night to include continental breakfast with an evening meal – email shopping@villasibillini.com to check availability. This offer runs from 15th October 2009 to 14th December 2009.
  
Villa Sibillini makes headline news
Many of you will have seen our feature in the Mail and we are awaiting confirmation of a piece for the Independent.
Hen Weekends ……………………………… Bride Goes Free
Book your hen weekend now and get party treats thrown in free. Bride goes free. No room charge, no food cost at the villa. See this link for more information or send for our e brochure
  
And Finally...............
The Italian medical system makes me laugh. Pam hurt her back recently, I think she lifted a plate of something, anyway she went to the doctor and she prescribed some pain killers, nothing out of the ordinary there, except they had to be injected in to her bottom. Now who do you think volunteered for that? Yep, and I enjoyed everyone of them. She’s much better now but she did have trouble sitting for a few days. The other interesting point here is that I am the only one here at the Villa that is signed on at the doctor, so the medication for me, Pam and my mother in law Kath all goes down to me. So I have vertigo, water work problems, high blood pressure, gout and a bad back, I’m just glad nobody here needs birth control tablets!
Signing Off
So it’s goodbye from me, and goodbye from her – please do send us any newsworthy items, or anything you would like us to cover in the November issue. If anyone you know would like to receive future newsletters please send us their email and we will copy them in, please make sure its OK with them before you commit their email address to a mailing.
Warmest regards from a warm and sunny Italy and a hard day at the beach!
David and Pam (AKA. Basil and Sybil)
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