FAQ

1. Is this a real estate agency?
No. This website does not operate as a traditional real estate agency. We do not match sellers and buyers on the open market. Instead, we provide legal and technical assistance to individuals interested in participating in public real estate auctions, mainly within the jurisdiction of the Court of Fermo.

2. How is this different from a real estate agency?
In a real estate agency, you explain your preferences, and the agency searches for properties that match them.
Here, it works the other way around: you must evaluate whether the properties offered at public auctions by the Court are suitable for your needs.

The main advantage of this system is price reduction: auction properties are often sold at 25% to 50% below market value, depending on how many times the auction has failed to attract a buyer.

3. Who will assist me?
Clients are assisted by a lawyer regularly registered with the public Professional register of the Court of Fermo.
The Professional register is public and can be freely verified by anyone.

4. Who conducts the auction?
The auction is conducted by the Court, through its appointed professionals. The entire procedure is certified by a judge, who issues the transfer decree in case of purchase.
All steps are verifiable through the Court’s public offices and official institutional websites.

Instead, the directly interested party can take part in the auction online by accessing the Ministry’s portal with our support.

5. Do I need a lawyer to participate in an auction?
No, the law does not require the assistance of a qualified professional such as a lawyer.
However, legal assistance is strongly recommended—especially for non-Italian speakers—because:

  • The procedure can be complex and highly technical.

  • All documentation is in Italian, and the Court does not provide official translations.

  • Understanding Italian property and auction law can be challenging without prior experience.

6. What are property auctions in Italy and where do the properties come from?
Italian property auctions are public sales ordered mainly by courts to recover debts. Properties usually come from foreclosures following unpaid mortgages, loans, or other debts.

7. Can a foreigner participate in an Italian property auction?
Yes. Foreign citizens can participate, but they must meet certain basic requirements—such as having an Italian tax code (codice fiscale) and a valid ID—both of which are easy to obtain.

8. Where can I see the auctions of the Court of Fermo?
All public auctions of the Court of Fermo are published on the official website: www.astalegale.net.

9. How does the auction process work? (simplified)

  1. View the property (visits must be booked—see FAQ 12).

  2. Pay a deposit (caparra), which is refunded if you do not win the auction.

  3. Participate exclusively online on a Ministry of Justice–approved platform (similar to eBay but on an official government website).

  4. If you win, pay the remaining balance within the deadline set by the court.

10. Who runs the auction?
An auctioneer appointed by the court, who may be a lawyer or an accountant (avvocato o commercialista).

11. Can I visit the properties before the auction?
Yes. You can request a visit through the court-appointed custodian (custode giudiziario).

12. Is it true that the debtor may still live in the property?
Yes. In many cases, the debtor remains in the property until the sale is finalized. After that, the eviction procedure begins.

13. How can I be sure the auction process is legitimate?
All official auction listings can be verified on www.astalegale.net or by visiting the public offices of the court with jurisdiction over the property.

Payments
The deposit, the balance of the purchase price, and all applicable taxes must be paid directly into the Court’s bank account (details are always indicated in the official auction notice).

As a result, we will never handle your money directly. Our role is to provide legal and procedural assistance throughout the entire process.