When a person (the “debtor”) fails to pay their debts – usually to a bank or other creditor – the court can sell their assets, such as houses, apartments, or other properties, to recover the money owed.

---

Step-by-Step Process

1. Property Valuation
   The court appoints an expert to estimate the property’s market value.

2. Auction Publication
   A professional (often a lawyer or accountant) publishes the auction on official websites and the Ministry of Justice’s portal.

3. Advertising Period
   The auction is advertised for about 90–120 days. You can submit an offer at least 25% below the starting price.
   Example: If a property is valued at €100,000, you can offer from €75,000, paying a deposit equal to 10% of your bid.

4. Auction Day (Fully Online)

   • If there’s only one bidder, they win the property.

   • If there are multiple bidders, they can increase bids by at least €1,000 until the auction closes (it lasts two days).

5. Unsold Auctions
   If no one bids, the court schedules a new auction with an extra 25% reduction in the minimum bid. This process can repeat several times, allowing some properties to be purchased at very attractive prices.

 

OUR SERVICE

1. You contact us indicating which properties you are interested in (from 1 to 3 properties at a time).

2. If you wish, we can arrange a video call or an in-person meeting at our office.

3. We will request property viewings from the court-appointed custodian so you can inspect them.

4. If you decide to proceed with a bid, we will schedule a video call or office meeting to provide a detailed report on the property, reviewing the official court appraisal.

5. You will receive full guidance and support to participate in the online auction.

6. Important Notice
   All real estate auctions in Italy are held online on the official Ministry of Justice platform. You are free to participate on your own or with our professional assistance.

   Deposit
   To take part in an auction, a deposit must be paid into the bank account of the competent Court (10% of the starting price).

   • If you win the auction, the deposit will be deducted from the final purchase price.

   • If you do not win, the deposit will be fully refunded.

7. If you win the auction, our assistance continues until the Court delivers the keys to you.

Please note: All deposit and balance payments must be made to the Court’s bank accounts, not to us.

---

Why Many Italians Avoid Auctions

Property auctions in Italy often attract less interest from Italians, as many believe the participation process is complicated.
That’s why we assist both Italian clients and, less frequently, foreign buyers who want to take part.

When a property is not a top choice – for example, if it needs renovation or refurbishment – the purchase price can be extremely low, making these auctions a great opportunity for those willing to invest time and resources to increase the property’s value.

---

Foreign vs. Italian Buyer Preferences

Foreign buyers are often drawn to properties that most Italians overlook.

• Historic Homes in Old Towns
  Many foreigners are charmed by the character and atmosphere of homes within historic villages, while Italians usually prefer modern apartments in residential areas.

• Countryside and Mountain Homes
  Foreign buyers often value the peace and privacy of rural or mountain locations, whereas Italians prefer to stay close to family, friends, and social life.

For this reason, many auctions go unsold simply because there is no local buyer interested in that specific type of property.

---

Why We Focus on the Province of Fermo

There are several reasons why this website only features properties in the province of Fermo:

1. In-Depth Local Knowledge – We know the area extremely well and can provide detailed information on each town, neighbourhood, and lifestyle.

2. Familiarity with Local Procedures – We understand the processes and specific cases handled by the Fermo Court.

3. Lower Average Prices – Statistically, Fermo is one of the Italian provinces with the lowest property prices.

4. Variety of Locations – The province offers sea, mountains, hills, medieval villages, and larger towns, meeting a wide range of buyer preferences.

5. Less Tourist Pressure – Fermo is not a high-profile tourist destination like Tuscany, Liguria, or Venice, which keeps demand lower and prices more reasonable.

Disclaimer