Who I am

I’m Luigi Coppola, your independent property advisor in Italy.

Unlike agents, I don’t sell homes. Unlike sellers, I have no hidden agenda. 

My background in law enforcement taught me to protect people and spot risks before they happen — and today I bring that same approach to property advisory.

I’ve worked with international clients for over a decade: from Russia to Spain, from Florida with Marriott to the Italian lake districts. This international experience helps me understand what foreign buyers really need — and how to protect them from the pitfalls of the Italian market.

And if your goal is to generate income, I can help with that too. Through Italian Vacation Homes (IVH), my own management company on Lake Iseo, we transform properties into fully managed rentals — generating over 360,000€ in booked nights in 2024, and on the way to over 500.000€ in 2025.

10+ years of protecting buyers like you. Discover what makes my approach different.

10+ years of protecting buyers like you. Discover what makes my approach different.

The reasons behind buying in Italy

Maybe you dream of a second home in a beautiful place where you can return year after year.
Maybe you want to enjoy the Italian lifestyle — the food, the culture, the landscapes, the community.
Or maybe you’re thinking as an investor: a property that brings joy today and income tomorrow.

But while many people sell the “dream”, for too many buyers that dream turns into a nightmare — hidden legal issues, contracts you don’t fully understand and  costly mistakes you only discover months or years later.

My job is to prevent that. I help you see clearly from the very beginning whether a property really makes sense for you — or whether it’s safer (and smarter) to walk away.

Why an independent advisor

Real estate agents

Their job is to connect buyers and sellers. They don’t always cover every technical or financial detail.

Notaries

A notary is essential — they certify ownership and register the deed. But they don’t check if a property is compliant with planning rules or if a “bedroom” is legally recognized. Neither they can estimate ROI potential.

Property managers

They can be very useful after you buy, but their focus is on running the property (guests, cleaning, maintenance), not on protecting you during the purchase process.

My role is different: I represent only you, the buyer. With a 360° view — legal, financial, and rental potential — and by actively listening to your needs, I help you understand whether a property truly matches your goals.

So why not just use an agent or property finder?

Because they work with sellers. I work only with you — reviewing documents, risks, and numbers — so you can buy with confidence, no pressure to close.

What most foreign buyers get wrong (and how I fix it)

Looks can be deceiving

That “second bedroom” may officially be a storage room, and that “bathroom” might be registered as a laundry. Why does it matter? Because if the room isn’t legally recognized:

I verify planning and cadastral conformity so you know exactly what you’re buying.

Dream vs. investment reality

Many buyers fall in love with the idea of an Italian lifestyle — but the properties that fit the dream don’t always deliver the returns they expect. I help you balance lifestyle goals with a solid ROI.

Relying on the system alone

Agents, notaries, and sellers all have important roles — but none of them are tasked with protecting your personal interests as a foreign buyer. That’s my only job. Want to know the full list of mistakes and how to avoid them?
Discover the 7 hidden risks foreign buyers often overlook — and how to avoid them.

Advisory services

Pre-purchase due diligence

planning compliance, cadastral checks, risks, valuation nuances in tourist markets

Pre-purchase due diligence

planning compliance, cadastral checks, risks, valuation nuances in tourist markets

Pre-purchase due diligence

planning compliance, cadastral checks, risks, valuation nuances in tourist markets

Pre-purchase due diligence

planning compliance, cadastral checks, risks, valuation nuances in tourist markets

Pre-purchase due diligence

planning compliance, cadastral checks, risks, valuation nuances in tourist markets

Pre-purchase due diligence

planning compliance, cadastral checks, risks, valuation nuances in tourist markets

Pre-purchase due diligence

planning compliance, cadastral checks, risks, valuation nuances in tourist markets

Profitability assessment

rental potential, pricing strategy, seasonality, operating costs, tax scenario

Negotiation support

I help you negotiate safe conditions, realistic timelines, and protective clauses — so you never sign a contract you don’t fully understand.

Post-purchase setup

registration for local taxes (IMU/TARI), activation of utilities, municipal registrations, and waste management — everything you need to settle in smoothly.

Management options

through Italian Vacation Homes, my company with hundreds of positive guest reviews and a strong reputation among international and local owners

Case snapshots

Urmo & Kristiina (Estonia): avoided a non-compliant purchase that would have cost them €30,000+.
Victor (Russia → Israel): turned a holiday flat into a profitable asset, later sold at +32% premium thanks to transparent income records.
Rolandas (Lithuania): redirected capital from a weak micro-market into a property with 40% higher returns.

Real results from real clients.

Urmo & Kristiina (Estonia)

voided a non-compliant purchase that would have cost them €30,000+.

Victor (Russia → Israel)

turned a holiday flat into a profitable asset, later sold at +32% premium thanks to transparent income records.

Rolandas (Lithuania)

redirected capital from a weak micro-market into a property with 40% higher returns.

Success Stories

Buying a House in Italy
When Anita and Gjalt first contacted me in May 2022, their dream was clear: they
The Dream and the Danger of Buying a House in Italy
When Urmo and Kristiina from Estonia first reached out, they were excited to find their
From Dream to Smart Investment
When Victor, a Russian buyer, purchased a holiday apartment on Lake Iseo in 2014, he

How I help you buy safely in Italy

Clarify your goals

whether you’re still dreaming or already searching, we start from what matters most to you.

Run due diligence

when the time comes, I verify compliance, risks, ROI, and exit options.

Decide with confidence

buy, renegotiate, or walk away without regrets.

Set up post-purchase

taxes, utilities, and, if you wish, start to generate income.

Wherever you are in your journey — dreaming, searching, or ready to buy — I can help you take the right next step.

What my clients say

Real words from real buyers — people who made their Italian dream safe.

“The process of buying and/or selling property can be a very stressful experience (especially for foreigners with only basic Italian). So we were hoping to find a good real estate advisor to help us – in Luigi Coppola found the best.

We were given first class support along every step of the way towards our goal of selling our apartment overlooking Lago d’Iseo.

Luigi’s professionalism, knowledge of the market, communication skills and sound advice during the negotiating stage ensured that we achieved a good price and completion of the sale without dramas.

We also felt that we were dealing with a trusted friend. We can thoroughly recommend Luigi Coppola Consulting and services.”

Aled and Marian Rees

“Thanks to Luigi, we found a great apartment at Lago d’Iseo. 

Luigi was very professional and helpful, even with getting the codice fiscale and organizing the notary. The whole process went very smoothly. Luigi is the perfect agent and consultant for international clients (who don’t speak Italian). Thanks!”

Sebastian Draeger

“Shortly, I would rate Luigi 10 out of 5 if it was possible. Overall, he is surprisingly professional, helpful, and communicative. One must understand that buying a property in Italy as a foreigner is a challenging, lengthy, and bureaucratic process. This task could easily result in failure if you do not speak Italian. 80% of the agencies do not communicate with you if you are not Italian and not present at the agency. I attempted to email several agencies in Italian and tried to call them, mostly without success due to their lack of English proficiency. I was shocked by their apparent indifference towards potential clients wanting to spend money at their agency. Fortunately, I came across Luigi, who was the complete opposite of my previous experiences. He was incredibly helpful and guided me through the entire purchasing process with professionalism. The descriptions and photos of the properties accurately depict their true character. Additionally, he provides comprehensive videos of the properties, allowing you to fully grasp their essence. I am truly grateful for having met Luigi and highly recommend him if you are in search of a trustworthy and meticulous agency that handles all the details of the purchase.”

László Misi

“In connection with buying an apartment at Lake Iseo, Luigi Coppola has gone above and beyond in helping us with everything with and around the purchase. 

He is always available and fast to respond to all our questions, that we have been having through the process and afterwards. We give Luigi our best recommendation to future buyers. Best regards”

Susanne and Peter Overgaard

“Thanks to Luigi Coppola and his team, the process of finding our dream apartment in Lago Iseo couldn’t have been easier!

Luigi is super attentive and professional, he really went the extra mile to ensure the process went smooth as possible. Highly recommend!”

Shakked Rashty

Frequently Asked Questions

Here’s what most buyers ask before starting.

Not exactly. Traditional agencies are paid to close deals, usually representing the seller’s side. I’m different:

I don’t sell homes, and I don’t work for sellers. I work only for you, like a buyer’s agent — but with a stronger focus on risk protection, due diligence, and post-purchase setup.

Yes. Many clients start with me while still exploring. I help you understand what’s realistic for your budget, where opportunities are, and what pitfalls to avoid.

Our main working language is English. That’s how I communicate with most of my clients across Europe and beyond.

When needed — for documents or important meetings — I can arrange trusted interpreters for German, French, and other languages.

Foreign families, professionals, and investors who want either a safe second home or a rental asset with reliable income. My clients usually come from Europe, the US, and the Middle East.

With a transparent advisory fee — no hidden commissions, no ties to sellers. If you choose management with IVH, we work with a performance-based commission.

Then I’ll tell you — clearly. Some of my clients end up not buying, or choosing a different property, and thank me later for the money and stress I saved them.

No. In Italy, only the notary can certify the transfer of ownership. My role is complementary: I run the checks that notaries don’t — planning compliance, condo issues, hidden costs — so you avoid surprises before you sign.

Mostly in Northern Italy and the lake districts (Iseo, Garda, Como), but through my vetted network I support buyers across Italy.

Yes. With Italian Vacation Homes, my own management company on Lake Iseo, we take care of hosting, cleaning, maintenance, and revenue management. Our properties consistently earn excellent reviews and strong occupancy rates.

It depends, but usually between 2 and 6 months, depending on due diligence and negotiations. I help you move fast when needed, without skipping critical checks.

Agents and property finders can be useful — but their role is different. They usually work with a portfolio of homes or have agreements with sellers.

My role is to be on your side only: I review the property, the documents, and the numbers with no pressure to close a deal. That way, you can move forward with confidence — whether the property comes from an agency, a finder, or your own search.

Download the free guide

Learn the 7 risks foreign buyers often overlook — and how to avoid them.