Interview with Piero Lorenzo: Building a Cross-Border Advisory Model Between Italy and the United States

Q: Your professional path spans Italy and the United States. How did this journey begin?
I was born and raised in Italy, where I lived for over four decades. Florence, in particular, played a defining role in shaping my perspective — its culture, history, and sense of continuity left a deep mark on how I approach both life and work.
In 2015, I relocated to California with my family. That transition forced me to rethink everything I knew about real estate, professionalism, and client relationships. Today, I live between two systems and two cultures, returning to Italy regularly while working primarily from the United States. I don’t see this as a split identity, but as a dual lens — Italian and American — that informs every decision I make.


Q: What led you to specialize in U.S.–Italy real estate transactions?
The origin is deeply personal. My grandfather arrived at Ellis Island in 1913 at just fifteen years old, leaving Calabria alone in search of opportunity. More than a century later, I found myself helping Americans make the reverse journey — not out of necessity, but out of choice, curiosity, and a desire for a better quality of life.
That historical symmetry resonated with me. Combined with my dual citizenship and professional experience on both sides of the Atlantic, it became clear that my role was not to replicate what others were doing, but to build a bridge between two very different real estate systems.


Q: What makes buying property in Italy particularly challenging for American buyers?
Italy is a fascinating country, but its real estate system is fragmented, highly localized, and profoundly shaped by legal and cultural nuances. For foreign buyers, the challenges are rarely about finding a property — they are about understanding contracts, compliance, taxation, and risk.
My work focuses on translating that complexity into clear, structured decisions. I don’t sell Italy as a dream; I help clients understand how the system works so they can decide whether and how to invest with confidence.

Q: Many of your clients purchase from abroad. How do you manage that process safely?
The distance itself is not the risk — the lack of structure is.
I work with a network of trusted professionals in Italy and use a fully remote, advisory-driven process that includes document verification, legal due diligence, and coordinated representation when clients cannot be physically present. Technology allows us to manage offers and contracts efficiently, while Power of Attorney solutions ensure closings are handled correctly and transparently. The goal is not speed, but certainty.


Q: How does your academic background influence your advisory approach?
My academic path in Economics and Business Administration has strengthened my analytical discipline. Studying both in Italy and in the United States sharpened my understanding of taxation, monetary systems, and market behavior.
This perspective allows me to frame real estate not only as a transaction, but as an economic decision — one that must be evaluated in terms of opportunity cost, liquidity, long-term value, and personal objectives.

Q: You recently developed the PL-ERI™ index. How does it fit into your work?
PL-ERI™ was born from the need to move beyond intuition and anecdotal advice. It is a framework designed to assess the economic resilience and investment appeal of Italian regions by combining institutional data with applied professional judgment.
It reflects how I work every day: data first, experience second, decisions last.

Q: What does professional success mean to you today?
Success, for me, is helping clients make informed decisions they can stand behind years later. It is not measured solely by transactions closed, but by trust earned and mistakes avoided.
On a personal level, success also means balance — being present as a husband and father while continuing to build something meaningful and intellectually honest.


Q: What advice would you give to Americans considering buying property in Italy?
Italy rewards preparation. The country offers an extraordinary lifestyle and long-term value, but only if approached with realism and proper guidance. My advice is simple: don’t rush, don’t assume the system works like the U.S., and choose an advisor who understands both worlds.
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Q: Any final thoughts?
This work is not just professional for me — it is generational. It connects my family’s past to my clients’ futures. Every transaction is, in its own way, a continuation of that journey across the Atlantic — this time guided by choice, clarity, and intention.


www.pierolorenzorealtor.com

​2025 Blog - By Piero Lorenzo