The house on the hill- Il Rustico, La Mita, Italy

Classically beautiful farmhouse which Tuscany and Umbria are renowned for. Main house, built in stone on two floors (275 sqmts) and a nearby ex-tobacco drying tower (89 sqmts) all in need of total restoration. There are 2 hectares (20,000 sqmts) of land.

The property sits atop the crest of a hill, in a spectacular setting. From its hillside position it has a wonderful south facing view over the richly coloured hills and fields beyond. Having visited it in the autumn, I can only say it must be spectacular in the spring.

Situated on the Umbrian and Tuscan border, the property, although immersed in the quiet of the countryside, is not too isolated. It is accessed by a good asphalt road and is about a 5 minute drive from a bar grocery shop which is famous in the area (Bar Pino) and ten minutes from the small town of Mercatale which has all amenities and services.

Equidistant from Cortona and Umbertide (about 30 minutes), the property is near enough to enjoy all of the historic, cultural and culinary treasures offered by Tuscany and Umbria, but far enough away to relax and immerse oneself in a simple, countryside existence.
 

Restoration costs for the main building would be in the region of E.600.000. This is a ballpark figure of E.2.200 per square metre which would include all works, permissions, taxes, technical fees and VAT. It would provide for a 4/ 5 bedroom house, with 5 bathrooms, a study, living room, dining room, kitchen leading out under a pergola and a pool.

The restoration of the annex could be done more economically depending on its intended use, but given the same parameters it would cost E.198.000 and provide a one or two bedroom independent guest apartment.

A full estimate of works (item by item x square metre x quantities x price) can be provided before any commitment needs to be made to the house or a project. As an agency we are able to provide all necessary assistance with regard to the restoration of the property. References are available for all restoration works done to date. Viewings of these properties can be arranged.

THE UNIQUENESS OF CORTONA 

Each year, visitors arrive in Cortona and are enchanted by its beauty, its vibrancy and its eclectic mix of both Italian and international residents. It sits on a hillside dominating the vast expanse of the Valdichiana and enjoys spectacular views over the plains towards Montepulciano and Lake Trasimeno. It has an excellent infrastructure with two main line rail stations (Rome-Florence-Milan) and access to all major motorways. Perugia airport is 40 minutes away, Florence 1hr 30 minutes, Pisa, Bologna and Rome approx. 2 hrs. Cortona has a very high percentage of return visitors, many of whom have bought property and all of whom cite the same mantra – ‘Cortona has something special’. Maybe this is because of its rich cultural season of theatre, literary recitals, art shows, photographic exhibitions and music festivals, with many events based on the culture of ‘slow food’ gastronomy combined with fine wines. Or maybe its because of its vicinity to Montepulciano, Pienza, Montalcino, Val d’Orcia, Florence, Gubbio, Perugia, Assisi, etc, all within a radius of 90 minutes or less. The Maremma and its beautiful coastal towns are less than a two hour drive. More probably it is because Cortona has intelligently embraced the challenge of modern times. Unlike so many ancient Italian towns destroyed by mass tourism and/or unchecked building regulations, Cortona has not compromised its authenticity, even in the aftermath of Under the Tuscan Sun, the famous book made into a film by the writer Frances Mayes. As any visitor will attest, it has a vitality and sense of purpose that sweeps you off your feet. Cortona International looks forward to introducing you to the area: to the town itself, but also its surrounding countryside which ranges from rural and peaceful mountainside, to classic hillside and to cultivated farmland areas, all of which abounds with olive groves, vineyards and spellbinding views. By specialising in this small niche of Tuscany, not only does Cortona International ensure a trouble-free purchase, but we are also able to offer a host of post purchase services which allow us to take care of your interests from the day you buy until the day you may choose to sell.  

About Cortona International

In a unique collaboration, Cortona International offers its clients a team of English speaking professionals whose individual strengths provide specialist knowledge in all aspects of buying or selling a property. We also offer a post-purchase property and rental management service for international buyers who may be absent for part of the year.

SURVEYS

• We do our UTMOST to do pre-marketing checks on our properties in order to ascertain their compliance status.
• This does not necessarily mean they are compliant (many owners are resistant to regularising their properties until they have a firm offer), but it does mean we have a complete picture for you, know what the owner must do in order to obtain compliance and the timelines in which this can be done. 
• A survey of your own should confirm our findings.

CONVEYANCING

• We work together with the registered Italian notary regarding the preparation and drawing up of all and any contracts. 
• English translations and/or an interpreter are provided.
• All money deposits are held in escrow by the notary until completion.

VIEWINGS

• We collaborate with international and local agencies in the area and can organise and accompany you on viewings of properties also listed by them.  This is done on a split commission basis and at no extra cost to you.

DOCUMENTATION

• We will supply you with all paperwork pertaining to a property when you view it. 
• We will also calculate all costs relative to the purchase (notary fees, purchase taxes etc…), future council taxes and overheads and, in advance of any commitment to a purchase, complete estimates for any works you might wish to do. 

POST-PURCHASE SERVICES

• We offer, together with our partners, a full range of post-acquisition services:  General caretaking & maintenance; organisation of projects & permissions, renovations & small building works and a rental management service for people wishing to rent out their properties.

The agency is registered at the Chamber of Commerce in Arezzo and has been a member of FIAIP (Federation of Professional Italian Est