Once we have defined your requirements in detail and discussed the feasibility of your search, we need at least two weeks to prepare for your first viewing trip.

The first trip will consist of two solid days of viewing, usually between 12 and 20 apartments, villas or houses in your chosen area of Lake Garda, depending on your specifications. This may seem like a lot, but during your first trip we try to spread the net as wide as possible, as we are still getting to know you and your requirements, and often we (and you) cannot tell what might or might not suit until you see the properties in person. In several cases clients have ended up buying properties that were the complete opposite of what they thought they were looking for, so, during this first trip at least, we try to be as flexible as possible while still providing a focused, targeted search customized for you.

As we sift through the market before you arrive, most of the hard work has already been done, meaning that during those two days you will see the very best the entire market for the area has to offer – not just the properties listed by certain agents – and, as a result, most of our clients manage to find their perfect home on the very first visit. However, if that’s not the case for you, we are happy to continue searching until you find the perfect home or investment for you. Remember: we are working for you, the buyer.

Sometimes, the only way to get the property you really want is to restore – or build – it yourself. By “yourself”, we mean, with our help of course. We are about to start our seventh full-scale restoration on behalf of our UK-based clients. Here is what they have to say:

Enzo and his team have done a fantastic job,getting plans approved, and then carrying out the complete project in around 8 months from purchase to our first summer holiday in the property. The finish is to a very high specification, and Enzo sourced all the ‘non standard items’, such as stairway, baths, fire surrounds and the fire in the bedroom. We had to give 150% trust to Enzo on his selection of some materials and also some of the design as we were unable to give a hands on approach ourselves.The project was managed very professionally, and we have a home from home that we could not be happier with.

Throughout this project we placed complete trust in Sarah and Enzo from our position of real ignorance. Our expectations were exceeded and our fears were in no way realised. I cannot remember enjoying a project more because of the personal touch, efficiency and dedication that they showed. From property viewing to property buying to property restoration I have nothing but praise, and I am happy to reiterate this in person.

Whether you found your Lake Garda property through us, or already have a rustico you need help project managing, contact us. We’d be happy to put you in touch with past clients, so you can discuss with them the entire process and hear from the horse’s mouth what restoring a property on Lake Garda can be like with the right help.

“Owner of two properties on Lake Garda (in the hills above Gardone Riviera) and both purchased with the help of Garda Homes. Currently renting out one property with Garda Rentals but have kept the other property as our “second home”. Garda Homes have the knowledge and expertise to help anyone buy and then rent property in Garda – they will help and guide you every step of the way. Consider Sarah and Enzo as friends now and have worked with them for the past 6 years.”
- Janet & Peter, August 2009

“Hi Sarah,
Thank you for your hospitality and advice throughout our viewing trip on potential properties around Lake Garda.
I first found your firm by an internet search. Frankly, I am always somewhat cynical when dealing with people who I don’t know or who have not been personally recommended to me. I must say that I have no hesitation whatsoever in recommending other people to use your firm.
The help you gave was invaluable to us. We provided you with a brief of what we were looking for and following your research, you offered a much larger selection of properties than I expected. At all times all your team were extremely professional and very friendly and helpful offering guidance and tips to help us in our search. You clearly know what you are doing and take away all of the pressure and difficulties for potential purchasers offering advice of where to pitch offers without offending vendors. You held our hands all of the way, introducing us to agents around the lake and helping us to open an Italian bank account and assisting us negotiate with agents. We could not have done it without you. You and Enzo clearly have a thorough knowledge of the area and many contacts that a visitor could not possible replicate on their own.
We cannot thank you enough.
On our last day which we kept free to enjoy the area on our own, we met someone who had been visiting Lake Garda for a number of months in a bid to find a property. She explained the entire trauma she had gone through and the difficulties she had encountered (that you warned us about). She wished that she had known about your firm. It would have saved her endless fruitless visits and problems with agents and vendors. You explained to us simple things about the Italian physique and how Italian vendors can easily be offended, which is completely different to buying properties in the UK. You advised us the most cost-effective to transfer funds and gave valuable advice on the Italian tax system, again very different to the UK system.
It is most reassuring to know that once we have purchased the property you are still there to guide us to furnish the property in a cost-effective manner an you can source suppliers and reputable quality tradesmen when needed.
Not least, you then look after the rental of the property and manage everything and remove all the language barriers.
Everything you have said on your web site I have found to be true… and better. You have a passion to build a quality business. You are successful and I have no doubt that your business will go from strength-to-strength. You deserve success!
You have not asked me to write this testimonial to your business. I just wish to thank you sincerely for a job well done and I am happy to confirm this to any one who may have the same reservations that I had, prior to meeting you. You may pass on my email address if anyone wants it.
Thanks once again.
Kindest regards”
- Mike & Carol, 2008

“We found the Garda Homes website whilst trying to source property around Garda in 2004. After contacting them, we travelled to Italy to view properties. We very much had to hope that we were going to be in safe hands, as we had no prior knowledge of the market, or the necessary legal process. Also neither of us spoke a word of Italian except Pizza, Spaghetti or Cappuccino.
We were assured that Sarah and Enzo knew the process, and had sold several properties to clients in the past. After only 1 day of seeing various properties around the lake with Enzo, we asked what it was like to take on a renovation project, and what the various builders and tradespeople were like, regarding time scales/reliability. Enzo assured us that he had the know how and the contacts to get a project completed on time and to a high standard. The property that we were then shown by Enzo, was basically a shell of 5 rooms. Not one room had any inter-connecting door or staircase, Everything was accessed from an outside door. The rooms on the lower floor (now the living room/kitchen dining room and the guest area) had not been used for any kind of living for over 20 years. The downstairs had evidence of damp too. The plumbing and electricity services were virtually non existent and in general everything would need to be stripped out and totally installed from new. The result, as you can see, is exceptional.
Enzo and his team have done a fantastic job,getting plans approved, and then carrying out the complete project in around 8 months from purchase to our first summer holiday in the property. The finish is to a very high specification, and Enzo sourced all the ‘non standard items’, such as stairway, baths, fire surrounds and the fire in the bedroom. We had to give 150% trust to Enzo on his selection of some materials and also some of the design as we were unable to give a hands on approach ourselves.The project was managed very professionally, and we have a home from home that we could not be happier with.
I would very happily recommend these guys,
Thanks Enzo, Sarah and the Garda Homes team.”
- Craig & Mary, 2005

“We have been hugely impressed by the efforts made by Sarah and Enzo at Garda Homes. They went out of their way to help us to find an appropriate property in an area about which we knew very little. We certainly could not have embarked on the process without their professional input.”
- July, 2005

“Throughout this project we placed complete trust in Sarah and Enzo from our position of real ignorance. Our expectations were exceeded and our fears were in no way realised. I cannot remember enjoying a project more because of the personal touch, efficiency and dedication that they showed. From property viewing to property buying to property restoration I have nothing but praise, and I am happy to reiterate this in person.”
- Michael & Laura, September, 2005

“In June 2007, we became the proud owners of a wonderful apartment in the hills above Lake Garda in the area of Tignale. Having visited lots of properties during our first visit in 2006, we were contacted by Sarah to say she had something that may be of interest to us. And it was. A quick trip out in Feb 2007 to view the property and that was it. It is in an area we had no previous knowledge of, yet it is a stunningly beautiful part of the Lake, with a wonderful village nearby that has all the amenities we need and very friendly people. The whole process went very smoothly, with Sarah always available to answer our concerns. Sarah has also helped us with after-purchase bits and pieces too, which is great when you live in a different country! We have been back now quite a few times and still can’t quite believe the place is ours. We would never have found this place on our own – I would recommend the services of Garda Homes to anyone considering purchasing property in this part of Italy………they have the contacts that are vital in finding the right place and the necessary legal/language experience and knowledge that results in a painless purchasing process.”
- Rob & Lina, March 2008

“Sylvia and I would like to express our thanks for your help, support and enthusiasm over the past few months.
It was a year ago when we first contacted you to see if it was feasible for us to buy a property within our budget near Lake Garda. At the time we only had a vague idea of what we wanted, and were very apprehensive as to what we would be letting ourselves in for.
Today we are the happy and proud owners of a lovely apartment in Salò. We cannot thank you Sarah and Enzo enough for the way you have guided us through the whole process, and for your understanding when my illness threatened our dream. We were not actually able to view any properties until three months ago.
I am sure we would not have achieved what we have without Garda Homes, not only that, we have enjoyed the experience.
We know we still have some way to go before we settle into our home, but your assistance at this stage has already been invaluable as we start equipping and furnishing the property, and sorting out the services.
Once again, many thanks.”
- Graham & Sylvia

“The contact we had with Garda Homes from the outset was professional, knowledgeable and prompt. Helping us with the initial search made it very time-efficient and the short-list of properties we were presented with, was a good spread of locations, allowing us to make a considered choice.
Buying a property in Italy is more complex than we had anticipated. There are many issues to resolve and ‘get your head round’. Garda Homes was able to talk us through the legal implications and process in easy to follow steps which we found invaluable. You are given a true picture of what is happening, warts and all, so you are always sure of knowing all the facts involved in a purchase.
Generally, the people at Garda Homes are friendly and approachable so you don’t feel like you are dealing with anonymous people but they are keen to make it as pleasurable an experience as possible. I wouldn’t hesitate using Garda Holidays [Garda Homes' rental management program], their approach is dedicated to finding you a solution. More importantly for me, I trust them and like them.”
The Thomsons, March 2004