FARMHOUSE to DEVELOP with CHAPEL

Great opportunity to buy a traditional farmhouse on land over two acres (8878 sq. m). There is also a separate private chapel building which could be converted to alternative use (storage or bedroom suite) The buildings have separate drive-ins and could also be formally separated making a stone wall or court yard.
The chapel of 10 sq. m floor area and high ceiling is possible to convert for extra accommodation, with the idea of creating a mezzanine floor as a bed loft, kitchenette and a bathroom to make this a self contained lettable unit, in this popular area and holiday lettings so easy.
The farmhouse is 54 sq. m net floor area and has three rooms. Possible to extend making a house of 185 sq. m as follows; for residential use 116 sq. m; part of house with formal storage area use 66,35 sq. m, veranda 33,6 sq. m, and to install a pool, 10 m x 4 m. Refer to the floor plan showing the extension possibility. The farm house can naturally be renovated only without extension.
Here is one suggestion:
The farmhouse be extended making two bedrooms, two bathrooms, and having open plan kitchen. Outside a terraced area with pergola and summer kitchen incl a BBQ. An attractive stone wall of 1,5 m height be built, adding vines and up lighters and screening off the house from the chapel, for privacy reasons.
The chapel building be extended with one bathroom making a self contained one bedroom unit with a kitchenette  new entry gates to the main road; and  building a 2 m high stone wall to screen off from the road, and inside a new terraced area with pergola and BBQ. A pool and/or Jacuzzi /heated SPA bath be recommended.
The cost for renovation is about 1000 euro per sq m and the cost for building new is about 2000 euro per sq m.
To make the existing farmhouse habitable would cost in the region of €50,000, add money for the outside work.
For any works required, CasaPuglia offers professional project management and can supervise the building works from start to finish. The builders always offer fixed price contract and quality of works is excellent over here and when managed properly.

The buildings are connected to mains electricity. There is a water cistern, to be filled with fresh water by lorry transport, which is normal over here. There is also possible to collect rain water from the roofs.

The land is gently sloping to the east and has many mature olive trees and almond trees.
The chapel is close to the road and the farm house about 100 further away inland. This means that there are some traffic noise but possible to reduce by making a 2 meter high stone wall, which also would be an attractive feature.
The location is just south of the popular town of San Vito dei Normanni with only five minutes drive to the nearest supermarket. In the other direction you find Mesagne, with its charming historical old town, with many restaurants on the main square and the old town is so inspiring for walks.

LOCATION:
4 km south of San Vito dei Normanni (nearest supermarket is Penny market) on the straight road to Mesagne (10 km)
Good access to the main road SS 16 and the coastal motorway.WHAT TO SEE:
From the property, the beaches of the Adriatic Sea are easily reached in approximately 20-25 minutes (20 km). There is the beautiful nature reserve Torre Gauceto by the sea. It offers an attractive escape from beach resorts as here you find unspoiled beaches and no cars allowed. The parking is at the visitor’s center and there are organised nature walks, cycle trekking and snorkeling trips.
Further north along the coast you find Torre Santa Sabina and Specchiolla, two of many seaside places with many beaches, restaurants and cafes.The property has the advantage of being not far from main areas of world interest such as the mile long caves of Castellana; the archaeological excavations of the Roman Egnatia by the Adriatic coast line; the Trullo houses of Alberobello- an UNESCO World heritage site: the beautiful white town of Ostuni, located on top of a hill with fantastic sea views; the medieval town of Oria; the wealthy baroque town of Martina Franca; the petite and charming Cisternino, the Zoo Safari Park of Fasano (lots of fun for children and adults alike); the caves of Polignano a Mare, well known also for its tasty ice cream; Grottaglie famous for its ceramics and old stone carvings; and last but not least the famous baroque city of Lecce which is called the Florence of the South. Lecce can be reached in 15 -20 minutes and has countless medical churches and a great richness of architecture. In town there is also the famous Roman amphibian theater which is used for music and drama performances in the open during the summer season. Lecce is a wonderful town for long walks, enjoying the fantastic atmosphere, bars, outside restaurants and, naturally, great shops.Further to the south, inland Salento have a number of historical charming villages with ancient history. The advantage to stay in a village is to be able to socialise with Italian neighbors, to walk to the cafe and buy a newspaper and a cup of coffee in the morning and having all amenities within reach day time and night time. The town houses often come with a garden and roof terrace and its fascinating to open the simple door from the street – and inside almost like a little palace with a garden!
In Sternatina and Martignano to the south of Lecce antique Greek is still spoken by the villagers.
Maglie is like a mini Lecce and with many fine buildings. Muro Leccese is smaller and also represent a small town/village with a fine architectural history. Cutrofiano popular for French holiday home ownerships. Ruffano has many fine old buildings for sale, waiting to find new owners and to be restored. Surano has a small town center with very nice antique buildings for sale. Spongano again is a small village surrounded by olive groves. Here you can see secluded great villas and country retreats owned by foreigners and families from North Italy who come to relax in rural Salento.
The east coast of Salento is rougher than the south west and for people who enjoy the sea and fishing. Somewhat more elegant than the east coast. Castro is beautiful with its location on top of the cliff by the sea and many villas with direct access to the sea. Santa Cesarea Terme is a spa resort, very popular with a beautiful setting and bay.
The cost from Santa Maria di Leuca to Gallipoli has many fine sandy beaches. The villages are perhaps not the prettiest but room for the beach life, pizzerias, restaurants and disco music summer time.
Santa Catarina well known also for its many fine villas in the area, some antique.
The sea outside of Porto Cesareo further up the coast is probably the most beautiful and fantastic sunsets.GETTING THERE:
By air there is a choice of two international airports, served by Ryanair, Easyjet , BA and others, both easily reached; nearby Brindisi in approximately 20-25 minutes and
Bari in the north by car on the motorway in approximately 1 hour 15 minutes.MORE TO SEE IN APULIA:
Bari being the commercial capital city with 250 000 inhabitants’ offers the best shopping, a grand opera house, called the Petruzzelli teatro; a large medical city center with many museums. Just north of Bari lies a little town called Giovinazzo a true gem, right by the sea. Further north is Molfetta Outlet, a famous shopping galleria and 20 minutes further is Traini, a sophisticated town with a beautiful half moon bay & marina. Continue north to Castel del Monte, which is the mystical castle built by Frederic II in the 14th Century.
Within a 2,5 hour drive to the North of Bari lies Gargano, the peninsula called the spur of the Italian boot. Gargano forms a large nature and wild life Reserve and offers hiking and scenic trips around the peninsula. From here there are daily boat trips to the small Tremiti islands.LIFESTYLE AND CULTURE:
The Italian lifestyle means many things but especially socializing; the home is used for sleeping and breakfasts, the Italians go out for enjoyments and dining. There are so much you can experience, like early morning markets in the small towns. music festivals, religious carnivals, the beach life, historical tours in the main towns, cooking classes, learning a bit Italian at language schools in Lecce, dining at the many country and sea side restaurants, night clubbing at the beach clubs of Capitolo.

SPORTS:
As Apulia is a peninsula and surrounded by the two seas- the Adriatic in the north and the Ionic in the south – water sports dominate in the area; sailing, yachting, water skiing, kite-surfing swimming & beach life. Golf is available with five good courses and San Domenico is world class (PGA 2014 Challenge Final). Tennis, horseback riding, hiking and bicycle tours are other options for the active minded. Squash clubs are located in Bari, Bitonto and other places.

THE WEATHER:
Being south, Apulia has warmer weather than Northern Italy and even in the “winter months” of December to February the average number of sun hours per day is 4 and in June-August 10-11 sun hours per day! This means you can enjoy a long season of nice weather in Apulia. When you plan to buy a holiday home in Apulia think of that you will spend a lot more time outside than in the inside compared to at home. Therefore you will need plenty of terrace space, pergolas etc. at your Apulian property and also cooking facilities outside is very practical.

The water temperature in beginning of May is in average 19 degrees, up to 27 degrees in August/September and 19 degrees in November. This means you & family will spend time at the beach. Wherever you are in Apulia you can reach the beaches within 30 minutes!

WHY BUY IN APULIA?
Apulia has until recently been called the hidden treasure of Italy, unknown to most tourists who come & stay in Rome, Florence, Venice and at the Italian Riviera. However, all this is rapidly changing because of massive investments in the infrastructure, such as the improved motorways, enlarged airports and the introduction of low cost airlines such as Ryanair and Easyjet. The property prices are low in Apulia and low means value for money at bargain prices for the international buyers. We see more and more foreign visitors coming to Apulia and in our opinion investments will show good growth in value because of the increased demand. Also from north Italians as Apulia has become the most popular holiday destination for Italians. But rest assure, no tourist villages will ever be built because in Apulia the cost line is protected and people are against modern developments which do not fit into this historical landscape. Therefore, with increased demand for a fixed and limited number of properties prices are bound to rise.

WHY BUY FROM CASAPUGLIA?
Firstly we are an English speaking agency based in the middle of Apulia with local experience and can guide you to get the right property at the right price for you.
Secondly we have personally inspected every property that we recommend to buy and do not list hundreds of properties but a smaller selection of properties which we believe offer good value to the buyer. In Apulia many properties are offered at unrealistic prices but we say no to sellers who want us to list properties for sale at silly prices.
We have many years of international property experience, including 10 years in London, and see investments in Apulia through an international perspective. We have been active in several EU property markets and specialize in property management to ensure well maintained property for growth in property value.
We have a comprehensive range of local services:
– acting for the buyer – and not for the seller – by searching the market for the right property, negotiate the price and give advise through the buying process leading to completion of the purchase
– property management; we look after your property when you are away and ensure it is in perfect condition when you arrive. We will prepare a maintenance plan for annual maintenance and repairs of you property, which is essential to maintain and increase the property’s value
– project management; we can act as your local representative and manage any renovation or refurbishment. We will also advise on any value added measures which could further enhance the capital growth of your property.
– lettings- we can assist you in the letting of you property and check in your tenants, deposit taking, checking out & inventory control.

Refer also to our website casapuglia.com for additional information.

We look forward to hearing from you soon!