In my last blog we looked at the language we use when describing our homes. Today we’ll look at the jargon that you have to face if you want to buy a house here in Italy. Here are a few examples taken from un’agenzia immobiliare (an estate agency) in my local town, Pontremoli.

1. Un rustico (A rural house):

Rustico indipendente di circa 240 mq da recuperare. Composto attualmente da due grandi vani su due livelli di 120 mq ciascuno. L’immobile è circondato da 3200 mq di terreno con altro terreno boschivo poco distante. La parte inferiore è interamente in sasso. La parte superiore potrà essere rivestita in sasso o intonaco. Molto interessante.

Detached rural house of around 240 square meters in need of restoration. At presently consisting of two big rooms of 120 square meters each on two floors. The building is surrounded by 3,200 square meters of land with more wooded land nearby. The lower part [of the building] is completely in stone. The upper part could be covered in stone or plaster. Very interesting.

2. Villetta indipendente (Detached house):

Immersa nella campagna, a pochi chilometri dal casello autostradale, casa indipendente di 240 mq. su due piani con bellissima vista sulle Alpi Apuane. In posizione dominante e soleggiata, la casa è circondata da oltre 20.000 mq. di terreno accorpato. Composta al piano terra da garage, tre cantine e ripostiglio e al piano primo da ingresso, soggiorno, cucina abitabile, disimpegno, tre camere, bagno e due balconi. Riscaldamento a gas propano. Ideale anche per un’attività ricettiva. Abitabile da subito.

Immersed in the countryside, just a few kilometres from the motorway exit, detached house covering 240 square meters on two floors with beautiful views over the Apuan Alps. In a sunny and dominant position, the house is surrounded by more than 20,000 square meters of unified land. The ground floor consists of: garage, three cellars and storage room, the first floor consists of: entrance hall, living room, habitable kitchen, hallway, three bedrooms, bathroom and two balconies. Heated with propane gas. Also ideal for holiday letting. Immediately habitable.

3. Appartamento in un palazzo storico (Apartment in an historical building):

Al centro del paese, con affaccio sulla piazzetta, porzione di terratetto in palazzo nobile disposto su quattro livelli con terrazza pensile. Aia, taverna, salone con camino, cucina abitabile, 2 ripostigli, tre camere, cinque bagni. Sottotetto e terrazza.

In the centre of the village, overlooking the small piazza, part of a townhouse (terratetto literally means: ground floor to roof) in an aristocratic building on four floors with roof terrace. Courtyard, tavern (in Italian a taverna is a kind of separate kitchen dining space), big living room with fireplace, habitable kitchen, 2 storage rooms, 3 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms. Attic and terrace.

4. Appartamento moderno (Modern apartment):

In posizione CENTRALISSIMA, ampio e luminoso appartamento all’ultimo piano con ascensore in palazzina recentemente ristrutturata. 130mq calpestabili suddivisi in cucina abitabile, dispensa/lavanderia, soggiorno, sala da pranzo, 3 camere da letto, 2 bagni e due balconi. Parcheggio condominiale coperto. Termoautonomo. Cantina.

In very central position, large well lit apartment on the top floor accessible by lift in small recently restored condominium. 130 square meters of useable floor space subdivided into: habitable kitchen, pantry/laundry room, living room, dining room, 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and two balconies. Indoor shared parking. Independent central heating. Cellar.