{"id":352,"date":"2025-07-10T11:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-07-10T11:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/italty.com\/blog\/?p=352"},"modified":"2025-10-05T16:10:37","modified_gmt":"2025-10-05T16:10:37","slug":"old-buildings-vs-new-developments-in-italy-what-should-you-buy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/italty.com\/blog\/old-buildings-vs-new-developments-in-italy-what-should-you-buy\/","title":{"rendered":"Old Buildings vs. New Developments in Italy: What Should You Buy?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"577\" src=\"https:\/\/italty.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/josh-hild-qCL7YbQ8DkE-unsplash-scaled-e1759680500469-1024x577.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-357\" srcset=\"https:\/\/italty.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/josh-hild-qCL7YbQ8DkE-unsplash-scaled-e1759680500469-1024x577.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/italty.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/josh-hild-qCL7YbQ8DkE-unsplash-scaled-e1759680500469-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/italty.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/josh-hild-qCL7YbQ8DkE-unsplash-scaled-e1759680500469-768x433.jpg 768w, https:\/\/italty.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/josh-hild-qCL7YbQ8DkE-unsplash-scaled-e1759680500469-1536x865.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/italty.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/josh-hild-qCL7YbQ8DkE-unsplash-scaled-e1759680500469-2048x1154.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why 1967 Changed Everything<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In Italy, \u201cold\u201d doesn\u2019t always mean risky \u2014 but understanding the year of construction is essential.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>August 6, 1967 marked a turning point: the introduction of&nbsp;<strong>Law 765<\/strong>, known as the&nbsp;<em>\u201cBridge Law.\u201d<\/em>&nbsp;It extended the requirement for a&nbsp;<strong>building license (Licenza edilizia)<\/strong>&nbsp;to the entire national territory, introducing modern zoning, density, and infrastructure standards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Everything built&nbsp;<strong>before 1967<\/strong>&nbsp;belongs to what Italians call the&nbsp;<em>vecchio fondo<\/em>&nbsp;\u2014 the old stock, roughly&nbsp;<strong>12% of the housing market<\/strong>. These properties often feature:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>solid brick walls,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>high ceilings (2.8\u20133 m instead of today\u2019s 2.7 m minimum),<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>generous proportions and natural ventilation.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>They were built with traditional methods, often to last generations. However, they may require&nbsp;<strong>upgraded wiring, plumbing, and insulation<\/strong>&nbsp;\u2014 meaning a more complex selection and renovation process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Homes Built Between 1967 and 2010: The Real Majority<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>According to&nbsp;<strong>CRESME<\/strong>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<strong>ISTAT<\/strong>, around&nbsp;<strong>60% of Italian residential buildings<\/strong>&nbsp;were constructed from the late 1960s to the early 2000s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>They\u2019re not historic, but not \u201cnew\u201d either \u2014 and they represent the majority of listings in the \u20ac200K\u2013\u20ac300K price range.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Pros:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Solid reinforced-concrete structures,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Balconies, elevators, and storage spaces,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Comfortable interior sizes.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Cons:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Energy efficiency usually in classes E\u2013F,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Outdated layouts,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Often require partial or full renovation.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>When evaluating these homes, it\u2019s vital to check:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>the state of plumbing and heating systems,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>condominium meeting minutes (<em>verbali condominiali<\/em>),<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>planned maintenance works and current expenses.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">New Developments: A Promise, Not a Guarantee<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>New properties built&nbsp;<strong>after 2011<\/strong>&nbsp;(about 13% of the market) usually have&nbsp;<strong>A or A+ energy classes<\/strong>&nbsp;and modern systems. But higher efficiency doesn\u2019t always mean higher quality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Common issues include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>thin walls and poor soundproofing,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>limited natural light or ventilation,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>small, repetitive layouts,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>or high-tech systems implemented only \u201con paper.\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>When assessing a new-build, we always:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>review the\u00a0<em>capitolato<\/em>\u00a0(technical specifications),<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>research the developer\u2019s past projects,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>visit completed buildings,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>cross-check blueprints with reality.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Historical Heritage: Timeless but Complex<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>About&nbsp;<strong>15% of Italy\u2019s housing stock<\/strong>&nbsp;dates back to&nbsp;<strong>before 1945<\/strong>, with many homes from the 18th\u201319th centuries still occupied today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You\u2019ll find them in&nbsp;<strong>old town centers<\/strong>,&nbsp;<strong>hill villages<\/strong>, and&nbsp;<strong>lake districts<\/strong>, where charm outweighs convenience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Typical features:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>stone walls up to one meter thick,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>vaulted or beam ceilings,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>decorative frescoes and staircases,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>panoramic views and authentic atmosphere.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>However, they often fall under\u00a0<em>soprintendenza<\/em>\u00a0(heritage protection), limiting renovations. Their energy efficiency rarely exceeds\u00a0<strong>class G<\/strong>, and major restoration is common.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>These are properties for collectors, aesthetes, and heritage lovers \u2014 not for quick returns, but for passion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Our Approach: Matching the Property to the Person<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Each property type \u2014 old, modern, or mid-century \u2014 can be the right choice if it fits your goals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The\u00a0<strong>old stock<\/strong>\u00a0offers space, character, and long-term value.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>New developments<\/strong>\u00a0bring comfort, but not always quality.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Mid-century homes<\/strong>\u00a0are the most common, often the best balance for realistic budgets.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Our role as buyer\u2019s agents is to help you find&nbsp;<strong>not just a property, but a living space that fits your life<\/strong>, with clear documentation, no hidden risks, and real potential.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Find your home in Italy with confidence \u2014 <a href=\"https:\/\/italty.com\/#contacts-page\">contact us for your personalized property strategy.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u00a9 ITALTY \u2014 Your Italian Realty<br>We write about buying real estate in Italy with maximum benefit for you, without risks and stress.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Italy\u2019s property market is a mix of historic charm and modern innovation. Here\u2019s how to choose between period buildings, mid-century homes, and new developments \u2014 and what year 1967 has to do with it.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":357,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-352","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-faq"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/italty.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/352","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/italty.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/italty.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/italty.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/italty.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=352"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/italty.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/352\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":358,"href":"https:\/\/italty.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/352\/revisions\/358"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/italty.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/357"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/italty.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=352"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/italty.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=352"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/italty.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=352"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}