Borgo del Torchio, Lake Garda

Situated just 30 minutes from Bergamo airport (serviced by Ryanair) and an hour from Milan (Easyjet) the development is located in an exclusive residential position to the edge of a quiet but well appointed village and just 700 meters from the shores of Lake Garda and a small beach. Lake Garda not only is a superb destination catering for all water sports, but is also the epicentre of Northern Italy where many other prominent tourist spots can be reached. As well as Milan, the romantic city of Verona (the birthplace of Romeo & Juliet) is only 45 minutes away, Venice and the Coast is about 90 minutes distance and the Dolomites (for skiing) is just under a 2 hours drive. Brescia, the nearest town, is 10 minutes away.

The gated community comprises 161 apartments (about 100 remain available) sympathetically planned so that no two look alike but all are finished to exacting standards. Beams and timber-clad vaulted ceilings, quality sanitary ware, expensive double glazing and air conditioning as standard (kitchens are not included). Outside, there are meticulously landscaped gardens and three excellent pools, plus tennis courts, five-a-side football, BBQ and pleasant communal areas.

Unusually this is a speculatively built project so completion of the whole development is expected within a matter of a few months. Buyers can see for themselves.

MONEY MATTERS
Of course it does - and whilst we would not claim that this a "get rich quick" money maker for the true investor, we are convinced that Italy is featuring more and more strongly in the demands of the lifestyle buyer. The longer term consequence is likely to be an attractive and sustainable appreciation of property values currently running at 6-8% but likely to reach double-figures in the not too distant future. Equally there is great opportunity to derive good rental income from both the internal Italian market and also from the UK. So, all in all, we still believe that this is a sound medium-term investment providing significant security from a mature market.

Prices for these homes are very competitive and range from a fraction under €190,000 (approx. £130,000) for a 1 bed up to €400,000 (£275,000) for the largest 3 bed with underbuild.