“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.”

- August 2009

The location is Villanuova sul Clisi, which is near Salò (about a 5-10 minute drive from the lake) and it is about 4km drive up a windy road high up into the hills, which gives it the fantastic lake view. This is a little cluster of houses in a hamlet called Peracque.

EUR 140,000

An excellent restaurant is just 20 metres from the gates, there is a good-sized swimming pool and sunbathing area and gorgeous view of Lake Garda.

One bedroom apartment on the ground floor: EUR 150,000
Two bedroom apartment on first and second floors: EUR 220,000

Prices include underground garage and parking space.

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”

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.

- July, 2005

And after their restoration project was finished:

“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.”

- September, 2005

- March, 2008

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.”

3 October 2004.

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.”

March 2004