FREE images-our Italian Village home 4 sale
John Dulaney
FOR SALE: Our home in Italy, my son's home in the same village and
a friends in Spain.
FOR RENT: Two friend's apts. in Italy.
The home we've owned for the last 16 years, now for sale, is in a
small Medieval village (San Mamiliano) perched on a mountain side 2,300
feet up in the hunter-green trees and Green Heart of Italy, Umbria.
Approximately 3,500 square feet with 10 rooms, we've been working on it
and investing a fortune in it for all these years. Most of it is in near
luxury style with carpets or tile, thick wall paper, modern in some rooms,
left antique with original beams in others. 2 fireplaces remain of the
three original (one was removed to enlarge an area). 3 rooms are still in
need of work but they will allow you to freely create. A project for those
rooms has already been accepted by the "commune" and most of that work has
been done by us.
We had a grand piano, a chandelier etc. but most is sold, but you
can bring it all right back in, if you want.
Remaining is the new $10,000 kitchen (ultra modern style for American
cooks), a kingsize master bed and various other things.
From every room there is a magnificent view of the huge, wide
valley below. A spectacle that only seeing can make you believe. Even
from the master bathroom shower you can see the often white-capped
mountains. There are 4 castles and at least 7 other villages visible and
the ideal central Italian weather gives a constant display.
The large terrace once had a swimming pool on it but today there
is a table and large swing. I had put up the new small sized satellite
dish and we received English language TV and radio channels from around
Europe as well as German, French, Dutch, Spanish, Italian etc. There is
standard attenna reception available from the roof mounted antenna.
We've had countless afternoon naps, evening dinners and just
"sightseeing" on the terrace with up to 15 friends at a time.
A Romeo and Juliet balcony stands as if on the edge of the
world and a ground level porch still commands the same view.
There is some land just below town with about 50 olive trees on
it included with the house.
A dirt road can bring a small car right up to a new large door
built into one of the unfinished rooms and it is even wide enough to allow
a Mercedes entry if they ever widen the road enough for one. This room
could be a garage or the main entrance to the house.
Today the house has 3 internal (inside the village) doors and you
walk up a paved path to get there. (Don't worry, its not steep.)
The walls of the house are nearly 3 feet thick and of solid stone.
There is electricity, community sewage/water/garbage, telephone
and we're just 10 minutes from many stores and towns in the valley or 20
minutes from Terni (120,000) or 30 minutes from Spoleto (where the world
famous FESTIVAL OF TWO WORLDS is held every year in summer; this festival
has served to increase the property value all around but later I'll speak
of the recent extreme devaluation of real estate in Italy and the increase
in the value of the dollar, both items meaning Bargains for home seekers).
Just 1.5 hrs. south via train or car is Rome and 2.5 hrs. north is
Florence. As we're right in between the Adriatic and the Medeterrainian
its only about 2.5 hrs. to either coast. We get a perfect blend of all 4
seasons and its never too hot in summer. The restaurants, unparalleled
scenic beauty of the region and architecture means that every walk and
every trip for groceries is an unforgettable experience. At least, it
always is for us. Since we still own another (smaller) home in the
village we'll still be returning as time permits.
The house is sort of in the shape of the letter "Z" and variously
on 1-2 or 3 floors. The village, San Mamiliano, isn't on most maps and at
its biggest stage there were only 250 people there. Today, about 45 and a
few English, the American head of "The Associated Press" in Rome (he, his
wife and chidlren own the house next door to ours which they use for the
weekends) and even one German foreigner have bought in but most inhabi-
tants remain the original native Italians. The salt of the earth, our
great and wonderful friends.
Through an English neighbor in town the house is available to be
seen at any time, she has the key and will tour you around inside.
A few years ago my wife was looking through Italian magazines and
concluded it must be worth US$500,000. I said just US$350,000 and that was
when it was full of new furniture. Today real estate values have plummeted
in Italy, as in many parts of the world, and we are offering it at just
US$200,000, and thats negotiable as we badly want to buy a home here in
San Francisco and soon as possible.
Approx. US$57 per square foot of internal living quaters - and
the land (a small bit but with 50 olive trees, as said, and a little woods
area; you can easily walk down for a picknic) included "FREE".
If you find yourself truly interested I'd be very happy to send
you a packet by postal mail including: 3 color photos, 2 maps and more
description. Just E-mail me your postal address.
--
My son, Tom, has a cute but small 3 story home for sale, also in San
Mamiliano and just a 60 second walk from the house above.
I gave it to him years ago and now he wants to sell as he just
can't get back enough to enjoy it. There is some furniture included.
It needs work but has a skylight, half the roof is a terrace,
fabulous views looking into two valleys (yes, the valley facing my other
place and a second valley facing Terni!) but its small. Each floor is
really a room. It'll go cheap. Maybe $35,000. You can drive right up in
front of it, amazingly. Parking is just feet away. Its got perhaps the
most ideal position in town as its opposite the church at the very top of
the village, has these wonderful views and the car door can open and touch
the front door of the house. It has water, electricity and sewage; a
fireplace and plenty of windows! Photos available.
--
As to the two rental apartments in Italy:
One is just outside our village of San Mamiliano and is the lower
part of an old farm. It has just been completely remodeled and also has
magnificent views of another valley. Though just 2 bedrooms it will sleep
6 and comes fully furnished including pots, pans, plates etc. There is a
fireplace and parking. Gorgeous! I have color photos, maps etc. No phone
but electricity is paid. (Phone is 2 minute drive.) This apt. is
available all year round.
Rents for US$750/weekly starting and ending on Saturdays.
--
In a village called Valle Cupa just 15 minutes away is the second
apartment, also in a Medieval village but not so high. Still there are
beautiful views. This is just as the one above but decorated in a more
cozy fashion by two English writers now living in Greece. It is much
larger and easily sleeps 6 in 3 bedrooms. Has a living room and dining
room and modern bath w/tub. Electricity paid, phone is a 3 minute walk.
A small car can go straight up to the door or otherwise there is
plenty of parking just feet away.
It also rents at US$750 weekly but is available ONLY from June to
August inclusive. Discounts for monthly rates.
Photos, maps etc. on request.
--
The Spanish apartment is in Marbella on two floors but I've never
seen it. The owners, the same two Englishmen in Greece, are soon to send
me full details. It is for sale only, and I hear its going for a song! If
you'd like particulars on this, please E-mail me back.
--
One more item: I'm in the market for second hand CD-ROM disks. If
you have any for sale CHEAP please write me with price, incld. postage,
titles, condition etc. I can trade or sell you some of mine as well.
--
I hope I've wetted your appetite to make a trip to Europe and
rent or buy something.
One way or the other, have a great vacation there when you can.
Most Sincerely,
John and Jojo Dulaney - San Francisco, California USA
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FREE CD-ROM disk/hardware catalog E-mailed to YOU - Specify PC, MAC, ADULT
catalog or all 3 - WORLDWIDE SHIPPING - VISA/MC/AMEX - jdul...@crl.com
Make friends with a nice guy in Concord (nr S. Fran), California- me, John :-)