SICILY, ITALY - Italy Sotheby’s International Realty, a globally recognized luxury real estate agency, is expanding further and opening its tenth office in Noto on the island of Sicily. Sicily, the largest of the Italian islands by surface and population has seen increased popularity considering COVID-19 as buyers seek larger open spaces and lush ocean landscapes.
The new office is located in Piazza Municipio in Noto and boasts a view of the entire city marks the second new office opening for Italy Sotheby’s International Realty during the pandemic. Last July, the company opened a new office on Lake Maggiore – both openings are a direct response to increased interest in the area in light of the pandemic.
With a rich cultural history, this region is a popular destination for international buyers – with a majority from France, Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands. International buyers are attracted to the Italian Flat Tax Regime introduced in 2017, which is aimed at international buyers who wish to make Italy their main residence.
The new office boasts 35 properties within its current portfolio - from historic estates and Relais de charme, to beachfront villas, castles and wineries - including 13 in Noto, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2002. Whilst property within historical centres has remained steady, interest in countryside and coastal properties has increased dramatically as buyers crave space and privacy.
"In recent months, starting from the second half of 2020, the interest in Sicily has strongly increased, with peaks in August and September, higher than 2019, in particular regarding the purchase of a second home and with a growing trend of investors who are going to buy or build here,” said Managing Partner of Italy Sotheby's International Realty Lodovico Pignatti Morano. “The opening of the new office in Sicily in addition to the new office opening on Lake Maggiore last July, means that Italy Sotheby’s International Realty enjoys complete coverage within Italy, from North to south."
"For some months - explains Lodovico Pignatti Morano - we have been witnessing the phenomenon of the so-called ‘south working’ movement, which has seen many people based in Northern Italy move down to the southern regions such as Sicily to work remotely whilst enjoying tranquility, nature, the sea and all the Mediterranean has to offer.”
About Italy | Sotheby’s International Realty
Italy Sotheby's International Realty is considered one of the most important luxury real estate businesses. Born in 1976, the brand stands out for its professional service, that has characterized Sotheby’s Auction House for more than two centuries. Italy Sotheby's International Realty has 10 offices in Milan, Rome, Como, Florence, Lucca, Turin, Lake Garda, Lake Maggiore, Porto Cervo and Noto, and 24,000 agents in over 1000 offices in 72 countries around the world - from the United States to Europe, Russia, Japan, China...offering Residential, Hotels, Retreats and High Street Retail services.
Italy, among the five most visited countries in the world, is unique for its artistic and cultural heritage, as well as its nature, fashion, design and food and wine. This is what everyday Italy Sotheby's International Realty undertakes to represent with its leading position in the promotion of the most prestigious properties.