The slower property market in Italy is currently bringing benefits to buyers looking for lakeside property on Lake Como.  Although sought after locations such as the northern lakes have not seen a collapse in prices, the current market means that buyers can comfortably expect price reductions of around 10%. 

In 2008 statistics showed that Lake Como along with its smaller sister Lake Iseo had enjoyed rises in values of 1.5% and 5.6% respectively.  Currently, with selling times up at around 6 to 8 months, buyers hold the upper hand when it comes to negotiating prices - a situation likely to continue through 2009, until the Italian market returns to overall positive price movements in 2010.

A good example of what can be found is a villa in a small village near the town of Como, with 250m2 of living space, this property, with its smaller guest house, enjoyed a quality restoration in 2008 by an American interior designer who is now moving to another part of the lake.  Although the present owners have spent close to 800,000 euro in purchasing and restoring the properties they are now asking around 400,000 euro as the rogito (deed of sale) on their new property approaches, a price obviously influenced by current market conditions.

Lake Iseo, while not as well known as Como, Garda or Maggiore, is very popular with Italians - always a good sign - and one of the islands on the lake is home to one of the most beautiful borghi in Italy, an official award!  Here property costs up to 50% less than something similar on Lake Garda, for example in Sirmione, in a location which is very accessible thanks to the A4 motorway and the nearby Milan-Orio airport and is well-placed for skiing and touring the wine producing area of Franciacorta.