Real Estate?

It seems as though the big business here is real estate; that is, every fourth shop or so is a real estate brokerage firm.  It's always fun to look at the pictures and try to figure out where the buildings are actually located (when they're intown properties, of course).

I have to laugh, though, at some of the items that are put up for sale:

Does this, or does this not look like something that needs to be pulled down?  Yet it's described as a house of about 400 square meters (how can one measure this?) "in need of restoration" -- how could they tell that a little restoration might be required?









And another:

This one is described as a "portion" of a "sky to ground" (coveted because it's not a condo situation) property.  They further describe the rooms: on the ground floor, a cellar and two storerooms.  On the first floor, you have a a kitchen and bathroom, and on the second floor can be found (oh, really?) a bedroom and study.

There are three categories of property: "ristrutturato", "abitabile", and "da ristrutturare".  "Ristrutturato" means that at some point in the last 20-30 years the building has been somewhat stabilized, wiring and heating have been installed, and the bathrooms have been tiled.  "Abitabile" means that it is technically livable: wiring dates to the days of Edison, there may be leaks in the roof (but there will be a roof, which is some comfort), it is quite possible that there is no heating, and the plumbing dates back to the Etruscan period.  "Da ristrutturare" means that it has been used as a pigeon breeding ground for 20-30 years and it is knee deep in droppings -- not to mention the holes in the walls, possible lack of roof, etc.

Thought you'd enjoy seeing a different approach to building sales...

Love,

Alexandra