Fees & Engagement Structure
Every client engagement is structured according to where you are in the buying or selling process, the market involved, and the level of support required. With the exception of private advisory consultations, my services are not billed by the hour. I work through clearly defined engagements designed to provide clarity, continuity, and professional accountability.
Fee structures differ between Italy and California, reflecting the different roles, practices, and requirements of each real estate market.
Fee structures differ between Italy and California, reflecting the different roles, practices, and requirements of each real estate market.
SECTION 1 — BUYING/SELLING PROPERTY IN ITALY
Buying Property in Italy — Advisory & Buyer Representation
The Italian real estate system, professional roles, and compensation structures differ significantly from those in the United States. Unlike the traditional American model, it is common in Italy for both the buyer and the seller to pay a professional fee or commission in connection with the same transaction. When you retain me as your buyer’s advisor, I represent and guide you throughout the transaction, and my professional fee is paid directly by you under the terms of our written engagement agreement.
Buying Property in Italy — Advisory & Buyer Representation
The Italian real estate system, professional roles, and compensation structures differ significantly from those in the United States. Unlike the traditional American model, it is common in Italy for both the buyer and the seller to pay a professional fee or commission in connection with the same transaction. When you retain me as your buyer’s advisor, I represent and guide you throughout the transaction, and my professional fee is paid directly by you under the terms of our written engagement agreement.
Option A — Full Advisory & Property Search
For buyers seeking guidance from initial strategy through closing.
Services include:
- Strategic planning and definition of your objectives
- Market and area selection
- Property research and preliminary screening
- Coordination of virtual or in-person property tours
- Property and pricing analysis
- Due diligence coordination with the appropriate qualified professionals
- Offer preparation and negotiation
- Transaction coordination through closing
Minimum fee: €5,000
Paid by the buyer.
No VAT applies, as I am fiscally based in California.
Option A is available for property searches with a target purchase price of €200,000 or above.
For purchases below €200,000, I offer Option B -- Transaction Advisory. Under this structure, the buyer independently identifies and views the property, and I become involved once a specific property has been selected and the buyer is seriously considering moving forward with the purchase.
This allows me to focus my professional involvement on the most important stages of the transaction: property evaluation, negotiation, due diligence coordination, and closing.
(*) Property Tour Preparation Fee (Italy)
For clients requesting organized, in-person property tours in Italy, an advance preparation fee may be required.
This covers:
- Preliminary property screening
- Communication and coordination with local listing agents
- Scheduling and logistical preparation
- Initial review of the available property information and documentation
The Property Tour Preparation Fee compensates me for the professional work performed in preparing and coordinating the tour and is therefore non-refundable.
If the client completes a property purchase through my representation within the period established in the engagement agreement, 100% of the preparation fee will be credited toward the final professional fee. If no purchase is completed within that period, the credit expires, and the preparation fee remains compensation for the services already provided.
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Option B — Transaction Advisory
For buyers who have already identified and viewed a specific property and want professional guidance from evaluation through closing.
Option B is also the service structure available for purchases below €200,000.
Under Option B, the buyer independently handles the property search and viewings. Once a specific property has been identified and the buyer is seriously considering purchasing it, I step in to provide transaction advisory and acquisition support.
Services include:
- Initial review of the property and available documentation
- Property and asking-price evaluation
- Coordination with notaries, surveyors, attorneys, and other qualified professionals
- Offer preparation and negotiation support
- Due diligence coordination
- Preliminary contract and transaction support
- Transaction coordination through closing
When required, Option B also includes my professional assistance with obtaining the Italian Codice Fiscale and with the preparation and coordination of a Power of Attorney for the purchase.
Third-party costs related to the Codice Fiscale or Power of Attorney — including notarial, apostille, legalization, translation, consular, courier, or similar expenses — are not included and remain the buyer’s responsibility.
Option B does not include property searches, repeated reviews or comparisons of multiple listings, communications with multiple listing agents, or the organization of property tours.
In selected cases, I may also consider assisting with a remote property search for purchases below €200,000 when the buyer is prepared to purchase without an in-person tour. These engagements are evaluated on a case-by-case basis and are accepted at my discretion, depending on the buyer's objectives, flexibility, communication, and the practicality of the search. An initial engagement fee may apply and would be credited toward the professional fee if a purchase is completed.
Seller Representation in Italy
International Listing and Marketing Services
For Italian property owners seeking professional representation and exposure to qualified American and international buyers.
Services may include:
Standard professional fee: 3% of the final sale price
Paid by: Seller
The fee may vary depending on the property, location, marketing requirements, and complexity of the engagement. All services, fees, and representation terms are agreed upon in writing before the property is marketed.
International Listing and Marketing Services
For Italian property owners seeking professional representation and exposure to qualified American and international buyers.
Services may include:
- Property evaluation and pricing strategy
- International positioning and English-language marketing
- Promotion to qualified prospective buyers
- Coordination of inquiries and property tours
- Offer evaluation and negotiation
- Transaction coordination through closing
Standard professional fee: 3% of the final sale price
Paid by: Seller
The fee may vary depending on the property, location, marketing requirements, and complexity of the engagement. All services, fees, and representation terms are agreed upon in writing before the property is marketed.
SECTION 2 — BUYING OR SELLING PROPERTY IN CALIFORNIA
Buying Property in California — Buyer Representation
As a licensed California real estate broker, I represent Italian and European buyers throughout the California home-buying process.
California buyers and their brokers enter into a written buyer representation agreement that defines the services provided and the broker’s compensation. Real estate commissions are negotiable and are not fixed by law.
Depending on the transaction:
All representation terms, services, and compensation are discussed in advance and agreed upon in writing.
In practice, in many California residential transactions, the seller agrees to cover some or all of the buyer-broker compensation. When the seller covers the full amount agreed upon in the buyer representation agreement, the buyer does not pay a separate brokerage fee out of pocket.
However, seller-paid compensation is negotiable, varies by transaction, and cannot be guaranteed in advance. Any amount not covered by the seller or another approved source remains the buyer’s responsibility under the written buyer representation agreement.
Buying Property in California — Buyer Representation
As a licensed California real estate broker, I represent Italian and European buyers throughout the California home-buying process.
California buyers and their brokers enter into a written buyer representation agreement that defines the services provided and the broker’s compensation. Real estate commissions are negotiable and are not fixed by law.
Depending on the transaction:
- The buyer may pay the agreed buyer-broker compensation directly
- The buyer may request that the seller contribute toward some or all of the compensation
- Compensation may be paid through another arrangement permitted and documented as part of the transaction
All representation terms, services, and compensation are discussed in advance and agreed upon in writing.
In practice, in many California residential transactions, the seller agrees to cover some or all of the buyer-broker compensation. When the seller covers the full amount agreed upon in the buyer representation agreement, the buyer does not pay a separate brokerage fee out of pocket.
However, seller-paid compensation is negotiable, varies by transaction, and cannot be guaranteed in advance. Any amount not covered by the seller or another approved source remains the buyer’s responsibility under the written buyer representation agreement.
Seller Representation in California
Listing and Marketing Services
For property owners selling residential real estate in California.
Services include:
Typical total seller-side brokerage structure: 5% of the sale price, subject to negotiation and agreed upon in writing.
This amount may include:
Any contribution toward the buyer’s broker is negotiable and is not automatic. The final compensation structure depends on the property, market conditions, services provided, and the seller’s marketing strategy. All fees and authorized payments are disclosed and agreed upon in writing before the property is marketed.
Listing and Marketing Services
For property owners selling residential real estate in California.
Services include:
- Property evaluation and pricing strategy
- Professional marketing and market positioning
- MLS exposure and buyer outreach
- Offer evaluation and negotiation
- Disclosure and transaction coordination
- Oversight through closing
Typical total seller-side brokerage structure: 5% of the sale price, subject to negotiation and agreed upon in writing.
This amount may include:
- Compensation paid to the listing brokerage
- A seller-authorized contribution toward the buyer-broker compensation, when applicable
Any contribution toward the buyer’s broker is negotiable and is not automatic. The final compensation structure depends on the property, market conditions, services provided, and the seller’s marketing strategy. All fees and authorized payments are disclosed and agreed upon in writing before the property is marketed.
Advisory Calls — Italy and California
Private Advisory Consultations
For clients seeking clarity and direction before committing to a full professional engagement.
45-minute private advisory consultation: $100
If you subsequently enter into a written buyer or seller representation agreement with me within the eligibility period stated at the time of booking, 100% of the consultation fee will be credited toward the professional fee for that engagement.
A Note on Fees
Fee structures vary according to the country, the role assumed, the services required, and the complexity of the engagement. All services and compensation terms are discussed in advance and agreed upon in writing.
My practice is built around professional value, direct involvement, and clearly defined responsibilities—not around being the lowest-cost option.
I work through structured engagements designed to provide clarity, continuity, and accountability throughout a cross-border real estate transaction.
Private Advisory Consultations
For clients seeking clarity and direction before committing to a full professional engagement.
45-minute private advisory consultation: $100
If you subsequently enter into a written buyer or seller representation agreement with me within the eligibility period stated at the time of booking, 100% of the consultation fee will be credited toward the professional fee for that engagement.
A Note on Fees
Fee structures vary according to the country, the role assumed, the services required, and the complexity of the engagement. All services and compensation terms are discussed in advance and agreed upon in writing.
My practice is built around professional value, direct involvement, and clearly defined responsibilities—not around being the lowest-cost option.
I work through structured engagements designed to provide clarity, continuity, and accountability throughout a cross-border real estate transaction.