Roccastrada Real Estate: Farmhouses in the Tuscan Maremma

Roccastrada is a hill town in the province of Grosseto, with thermal springs nearby, wooded hills and vineyards, and a slower, cheaper pace than Chianti. Grosseto is the closest city, and Siena is within about an hour. Further east lie Montepulciano, Cortona, Arezzo and Castiglione del Lago, more popular among foreign buyers and more expensive, but these are regional alternatives rather than neighbours.

For farmhouses, ask whether the land is agricultural, since that affects what you may build and whether you need a farmer's status for certain benefits. Check water supply (well or mains), septic compliance and whether an access road is public. Private-seller resales pay 2% on a prima casa or 9% otherwise, on cadastral value with a €1,000 minimum, plus fixed taxes; developer sales carry VAT instead.

Use a local notary and surveyor. Read our Italy buying guide, the financing page and the Italy overview.