House buy in Citta della Pieve Umbria

The highly versatile accommodation of 14 rooms over two floors, plus its full length attic, lends itself to use as a large single family home with ample space for family and friends to stay, or a family home with commercial bed and breakfast accommodation, as it has been in the past, or for division into two self contained apartments, as it now legally is. The property will be sold complete with enough furnishings , machinery, tools, bedding and equipment to walk in and live or rent or offer hospitality to paying guests on completion. Whilst it is appreciated that not all will be to the new owner’s tastes or standards, it will certainly save the enormous cost of transporting goods, furnishings and other necessities and avoid having to buy new in an unknown area where, perhaps, a better deal can be made at a later time when the new owner has made contacts locally. THE ACCOMMODATION The ground floor main entrance way leads into a tiled and beamed hallway. On the left is the kitchen with a wood burning stove, gas cooker and fitted units. To the right are the walk-in larder, utility room and cloakroom. The hallway leads into a large beamed main living area with fireplace at one end, central space used as a dining room, a door to the east patio and a second seating area by the stairs, which would accommodate a full size pool table. Here, there is a large door to the north. An internal doorway at the southern end leads into a small hallway with the principal bedroom with en-suite bathroom, a study/bedroom and the boiler room with door to the southern fruit garden and back patio areas. Accessed by either the internal or external solid staircases, the first floor has five double, or triple, bedrooms and one single, all with shower en-suites. There are tiled floors, radiators and spectacular aspects from the windows. One additional room has been converted into a breakfast room used for self-catering rentals, but could easily be returned to a bedroom en-suite, with appropriate permission. There is a metal extending ladder to access the attic storage space with a solid floor running the length of the building, where the central heating/water gas boiler is located. Access to the large attic is gained by releasing a trap door staircase in the ceiling at the start of the hallway. This is a solid poured concrete floor and roof, forming part of the recent requirements to reinforce older buildings against any possible seismic conditions, thus creating a large dry storage area. This extra area is unusual in this type of property and a real asset. Floor plans are available and will be provided on request. GENERAL FEATURES Throughout the property, there are solid wood double glazed windows with incorporated insect screens and security grills to ground floor windows. The five reinforced entrance security doorways have beautiful wood panelling finishes both inside and out. There is both LPG gas, served by an in-ground tank, and wood/biomass central heating servicing the house, with the option to enhance the system with solar panels. For sale largely furnished, all first floor bedrooms have beds complete with mattress, two sets of bedding and wardrobe storage. The kitchen retains the cookers, built in cupboards and dishwasher and comes with essential equipment. All light fittings, external and internal, are included as are the fridge, freezer and washing machine. Tables, chairs for dining in and outside, bar, BBQ, mower, strimmer, chainsaw and other items are also included. A full list of what is included is available on request. Other items are available subject to discussion, including a small hatchback car. OUTSIDE The house stands centrally within its own private, traditionally terraced grounds of 0.983 hectare (2.429 acres). There are 360° views taking in the magnificent Mount Cetona and its valley to the west on the Tuscany side and, on the Umbria side to the east, views of Citta delle Pieve and the valley . The swimming pool, on the same level as the house, measures 10m x 5m and has a wide hand made terracotta tiled patio surround. Adjoining the pool is a pergola dining area on a brick base, with wide patio terracotta paving and shower, plus the BBQ for outside entertaining and relaxation to make the most of the long Italian summers. Mature plants including roses, oleander, lavender and rosemary and shady trees give a park like feel to the property and enhance the privacy of its hill-top location. Several terraces have well established fruit trees with peaches, nectarines and plums plus a grape vine and a walnut tree, whilst the lower terrace has a small olive grove of eight productive trees and a secluded wooden gazebo. The grotto, located on a lower terrace, is a useful place to house non-perishables as well as wine and oil. A stand pipe joined to the water collection tank facilitates watering the garden and there is a large underground water reservoir connected to the mains supply to serve the property as a back-up. There is a large level area in front of the gateway to the house, divided in half to provide parking for up to ten cars. The other section has wonderful views of the mountain and valley. It could be utilised as a vegetable garden, play area or to provide more parking. There is an external staircase to the first floor, lending the property the flexibility to be used as a B&B, large family home or developed into two separate apartments or even more, given the right permissions. HISTORY It is believed that this typical Tuscan farmhouse was originally built in the 1700s with buttress walls, huge doorways and internal archways to accommodate farm animals on the ground floor. It was extended in the early 1800s and further extended and altered in 1843, which is scratched above a window. The upstairs was home to a family until just after the second world war when the contadini (the peasant farmers) failed to return to the land, preferring to move into the local towns. At this time, the house was in Tuscany but, when the boundary was moved after the motorway (A1) was built, it was deemed to be in Umbria. In 2001, the previous owner bought the property and restored it as an agritourismo (farm guest house) with sleeping for 23 and a restaurant. Being commercial, in addition to adhering to normal building regulations, the property had all the electrics, plumbing, sewerage, seismic regulations etc certificated and checked by the commune to ensure that all the details complied with the highest standards, including a 2000 litres mains water reserve tank in addition to the rainwater run-off storage for the garden. The current owners purchased the property in 2006 and converted the licence in order to rent out the upper floor as a self-catering apartment for up to 12 persons. They replaced all the windows to double glazed solid wood with built-in insect screens and internal shutters, as would have been originally fitted; replaced the doors with five security wood-clad doors, improved the central heating to incorporate a biomass-wood burning system with a 500 litres storage tank, that can have additional water solar panels to supplement the other systems, to create a comfortable family home. The gates have not been automated but the mains electricity supply is located adjacent to them, so this would be a simple matter if desired. Now retired, the owners have had the commune officially close the business status, the deeds have been officially changed by a notary and all paperwork and taxes to convert the property back to a private dwelling comprising two self contained apartments, each of approximately 220 square metres (2368 square feet) with independent access, have been finalised, with all certification made up to date. Meanwhile, the property continues to have great alternative potential as a large family home or as a hospitality business which would be encouraged and supported by the commune, tourist board and local suppliers of wine, oil, cheeses and other locally supplied foods and beverages. There are so many different possibilities for the new owners to explore and develop if they want to share this piece of ‘The Italian Dream’ with others. In conclusion, here is an outstanding opportunity to own and enjoy a beautiful, fully furnished and equipped home, centrally set in its traditionally terraced grounds and situated in stunning surroundings with superb 360° views. LOCAL AND REGIONAL AMENITIES Within 5 minutes Restaurant/pizzeria, garage, bakery, post office, metal worker/automated gates, cafés/bars, shoe shop, hairdresser, launderette, weekly mobile fruit and vegetable van, petrol station, terracotta tile makers, horse riding. Within 15 to 30 minutes Six towns, several schools, hospital, churches, restaurants, main post office, chemists, banks, ATMs, supermarkets, bakeries, butchers, fresh pasta shops, fresh fish shops, cobblers, theatres, doctors, dentists, taxis, garages and petrol stations. A1 Motorway, main rail hub at Chiusi, Lake Trasimeno, horse riding, scooter hire, car hire, bike hire, ferries, Mount Cetona, spas and hot water springs, oil mills and internationally recognised vineyards. Within one hour Perugia Airport, Perugia, Orvieto, Montipulciano, international golf courses, kart track and flying school. Within an easy day trip by car or train Florence, Rome, Gubbio, L'Argentario, Saturnia hot springs, San Giminagno, Assisi, Siena, Prato, Moderna, Bologna, Cianti, the sea-side on either coast and it is possible to get to Venice and back too! Umbria Umbria is the 'Green Heart' of Italy where the citizens of Rome and the other major cities like to have summer houses to escape the heat of the city and to participate in the annual food festivals celebrating local specialties and wines, religious events, the palios and carnivals. A true sense of family and community spirit thrives and welcomes new faces to join in and become locals too. IMPORTANT NOTICE These details are provided and intended as a general guide only and do not form a contract or any part of a contract. Intending buyers must make their own investigations and are advised to take appropriate independent legal advice. The final sale price may vary due to currency exchange fluctuations. Ref: 36696-36114-PS-MMH-24