The personal experiences of those who are living “La Dolce Vita”

Since Appassionata’s launch in 2009, our team has purchased, renovated and sold fractional ownership shares in six unique and luxurious developments, providing over 60 co-owners with the opportunity to have their own slice of Italian heaven.

However, even with this track record and our 15 years of experience as one of Europe’s leading fractional ownership companies, we completely understand that purchasing a share in one of our properties can still feel rather daunting to some.

But, of course, we want all of our prospects to feel satisfied and confident enough to take their enquiries to the next level, which is why we asked our current owners to provide us with honest feedback regarding their personal experiences with Appassionata. Keep reading to find out what they had to say.

Q: Why Fractional Ownership instead of buying a house in Italy outright?

A: We love to travel and owning a house in Italy has always been a dream and this ownership option has made this possible. This was an opportunity to invest and own a luxury property at a fraction of the cost, dividing the cost and responsibilities among the other owners. The concept of fractional ownership was new to us, but we quickly realised you get the best of both worlds. A stunningly decorated Villa and no worry about maintaining the property. That is all taken care of by the family members of Appassionata

A: We had often dreamed of owning a home, a summer home in Italy. Living far away and not being completely fluent in Italian, we did not think it was a possibility. The idea of buying part of a beautifully furnished and managed home and using 5 weeks a year was very appealing.

A: We were considering buying an entire property in Italy, I had found a house in Lazio, and sought the advice of a Glaswegian Italian friend whose family have a house in the Cinque Terre. He dissuaded me from this course of action, primarily because he felt we would not use it for more than 6 weeks a year and importantly, as we were not Italian or able to speak the language, we were likely to struggle with the purchase process and the ‘admin/local

Idiosyncrasies’! We took his advice but then Appassionata presented itself, I suppose because of my online activity looking at properties. We looked into fractional ownership and it seemed to tick so many boxes and negate the issues my friend had raised.

Q: Why Appassionata?

A: Our experience with Appassionata was amazing right from our initial contact with Michael Hobbs to setting up our discovery visit. All the properties are exceptional and first-class, the details are utterly amazing. Since the company is a family-owned business, the team has offered us prioritized and personalized service. Their professionalism, responsiveness and knowledge make them a true pleasure to work with and solidify building long-term relationships with their clients. This leads to a more attentive and tailored experience compared to larger corporations. In getting to know the Hobbs family their passion and love for creating these properties is so evident. They are just wonderful, and their vision allows you to live the dream with no headaches or worry about owning abroad.

A: If you had asked me several years ago if I thought owning a house in Italy would have happened, I would have said no. So many unknowns, so many variables and we felt so far away. I would always look at Italian properties online but thought it was only a pipe dream. Enter Appassionata, they have done all the hard work for you. They know the area, the homes, and how to redesign an older home to show off its glory.

A: We liked the feel of the information on the website, the family nature of the business appealed and shone through. The price point was good and the annual calendar management seemed optimal, the system of allowing access to the other properties if not being used sets Appassionata apart from other companies. The option of a village, small town or more country properties was attractive, and all properties were subtly different giving good choices.

Q: What was the purchase process like?

A: The process was seamless. Appassionata was very transparent and comprehensive in all the documentation. All terms are clearly outlined in the agreement and the company was open to all our questions and was very proactive, helpful, pleasant, and made us feel part of the amazing Appassionata family!

A: Dare I say it was “easy”? we were just recovering from a global pandemic, our family had been through a lot and our nerves were shot. Michael and his team made the process so incredibly easy. We visited properties, asked questions, and decided to move forward with the purchase. Michael was calm, efficient and fun throughout the whole experience.

If you’re interested in finding out more about us, our Fractional Ownership model or our available properties, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.