We are pleased to introduce The Edition 2024: the latest JamesEdition magazine issue that guides you to the top destinations for luxury real estate.
For this issue, JamesEdition interviewed Winston Sinibaldi, founder and CEO of Garda Haus, to explore the latest trends, prime locations, and featured properties in the luxury real estate markets of Garda and Como.
Sinibaldi offers insights into the significant changes the market has experienced in recent years, highlighting emerging trends, popular areas for buyers, and the challenges they face. From eco-friendly homes to the impact of global events, discover what’s shaping the future of the Italian lakes’ property landscape.
Q&A Highlights
How has the local real estate market changed in the past year, and what trends do you foresee shaping the market in the upcoming year?
The local market has seen some significant shifts lately. Unfortunately, our German clients, who’ve been major players for the last five years, are now facing economic challenges in Germany, leading to fewer visits from them. We’re also noticing a general drop in demand from international buyers. On a brighter note, we see more interest coming from Poland and Eastern Europe. Here in Italy, there’s a noticeable uptick in local demand, which wasn’t as obvious before. A lot will hinge on what’s happening internationally—whether significant changes or things stay steady. Events like wars and ongoing crises, like the one between Russia and Ukraine, could dampen the enthusiasm of foreign buyers. It’s a waiting game, with a lot riding on global dynamics. That said, things might play out differently in places like Porto Cervo and Lake Como. Take Como, for instance; there’s still a solid American presence, even though it’s recently tapered off.
A mountain view point of Lake Como. A region a continuous steady demand.
What are the most popular neighborhoods or areas for homebuyers right now, and what factors do you think are driving this popularity?
The prevailing trend is to seek properties as close to the lake as possible in tranquil, residential areas with good amenities. Buyers are looking for a true vacation home, a little dream to fulfill, an escape from everyday life. Those with a moderate budget seek properties that allow them to embrace lake living fully. Regarding Lake Garda, we see the highest demand in the northern area on Riva del Garda and Torbole, primarily attracted by their proximity to the lake and the liveliness of Riva throughout the year. The most sought-after areas in Sirmione are Colombare, Lugana, and Punta Grò. Colombare offers convenient services, bars, and restaurants within walking distance, with easy access to the historic center and the peninsula. Lugana is appreciated for its tranquility, complemented by amenities such as thermal baths, supermarkets, and schools. Punta Grò stands out for its green environment and lower crowd density compared to the center, making it an ideal summer destination for those seeking peace. Desenzano is considered a highly desirable area, being the “capital” of the lake.
What are some common challenges that buyers face in today’s market, and how do you advise them to navigate these challenges?
The main challenge lies in finding a property with the right balance of quality and price tailored to individual needs.
Historically, the Lake Garda market is characterized by a swift sale of high-quality properties; however, recent times have seen a slowdown, especially in 2024, due to international tensions and the decreased presence of German clients. Over the past five years, Lake Garda has experienced an exponential price increase, driven by the area’s growing popularity among foreign tourists. However, since 2023, prices have stabilized, with a trend towards reduction. This may lead to price adjustments in the future. The home buying process involves various stages, from searching for the ideal home to negotiating the price, inspecting the property, and completing the transaction. Structural issues or legal matters may arise during inspection, complicating the process. Careful planning, thorough research, and collaboration with qualified and reliable professionals are essential to tackle these challenges. Critical challenges for buyers include the high cost of properties and stricter conditions for accessing financing, with higher interest rates than in the past. Overcoming these challenges requires meticulous financial planning and consideration of alternative financing options. Additionally, the limited availability of move-in ready properties is a significant challenge, especially in areas where construction sites with medium to long delivery times prevail.
With sustainability becoming increasingly important, are you seeing a rise in demand for eco-friendly or energyefficient homes? If so, what are some features that buyers are particularly interested in?
The growing ecological awareness is driving a trend towards the search for homes with zero or low environmental impact. More and more people are seeking houses equipped with sustainable solutions, such as installing photovoltaic panels to maximize the use of renewable energy sources. This desire for sustainability also translates into an interest in renovating existing homes to make them more environmentally friendly. Green renovation has become increasingly common as it offers the opportunity to improve energy efficiency, reduce environmental footprint, and create healthier and more comfortable living spaces. Investing in eco-friendly renovation projects not only helps preserve the environment but can also increase the property’s long-term value.
The Falkesteiner Park Resort Lake Garda will be one of the most modern, luxurious and important tourist and residential complexes in Europe
How does the current level of housing inventory compare to historical averages, and what impact is this having on pricing and competition among buyers?
Currently, there is a good inventory of properties on the market; however, demand remains high, and once the right home is identified, it’s crucial to be prepared to close the deal swiftly. Nevertheless, the availability of homes for sale is currently low, with a noticeable decrease in properties in the more affordable price range. This situation has led to increased prices, with two-bedroom apartments exceeding €300,000, reducing competition among buyers and making access to the real estate market more challenging for many.
Tell me about any innovative technologies your agency utilizes to streamline clients’ buying or selling process?
Among the cutting-edge tools we employ are virtual tours and drones. Virtual tours enable prospective buyers to explore property interiors interactively and immersively, providing a comprehensive view before any physical visit. Additionally, we utilize drones to capture aerial images and videos of properties and their surroundings, offering a unique and panoramic perspective that further enhances the property’s appeal. These technologies empower us to deliver an advanced viewing experience to our clients and streamline the buying or selling process, enabling them to make well-informed decisions quickly. Moreover, we’re witnessing a digitalization trend within the realm of real estate agencies. With the internet and technology playing pivotal roles, the physical location of our office holds less significance than in the past. What truly matters is the quality of our properties and our ability to engage with clients online effectively.
How does your agency approach client communication and support throughout the buying or selling journey?
Our agency is committed to providing comprehensive support to our clients throughout every stage of the buying or selling process, focusing on safeguarding their privacy and addressing their individual needs. We ensure timely and efficient communication, delivering detailed information and promptly responding to any inquiries or requests. Upholding our clients’ privacy is paramount, and we handle all communications with the utmost confidentiality and security. Furthermore, we facilitate connections with qualified professionals such as legal or financial advisors to ensure our clients can
access the support they require. The overwhelmingly positive feedback we’ve received from our clients regarding this approach is a testament to our dedication to excellence.
Does your agency cater to any specialized services or niche markets, providing a tailored experience for specific types of buyers or sellers?
Lake Garda’s real estate market has cultivated its unique identity, evolving into a distinctive niche with its own dynamics and specific requirements. Our agency has honed its expertise in this second home market, providing tailored and comprehensive support to international clients seeking property in Italy. In addition to property search and sales, we are dedicated to offering legal and administrative assistance tailored to the specific needs of our global clientele. We believe the key to real estate agency success lies in the supplementary services offered. By expanding our range of home-related services, such as property management or vacation rental services, we can significantly enhance the appeal of our agency and enrich the overall client experience.
Premier Property Selections
Charming Villa At Celvia
POA
Location: Sardinia, Italy
The dream of Costa Smeralda comes to life on the beach of Celvia, a long stretch of light-colored, grainy sand. The predominantly blue sea constantly changes color, partly because the sandy seabed varies—some areas have finer, whiter sand that lends a wide range of turquoise hues.
Just a few steps from this paradisiacal oasis is this splendid and captivating villa, designed by the famous architect Coulle, is located a few steps from the beach, surrounded by a large park full of plants and flowers capable of offering a feeling of tranquility and well-being.
The meticulously landscaped garden is full of evocative spaces enriched and furnished with very charming dining and reading areas. The private pool is the ideal place to relax and enjoy the Mediterranean climate.
The villa is spread over two levels. The ground floor houses the kitchen and a double living room, both tastefully furnished and equipped with every comfort. Then there are five bedrooms, each with its own bathroom, perfect for accommodating families or groups of friends.
The master bedroom, located on the upper floor, offers a wonderful view of the sea and has an ensuite bathroom with a Jacuzzi. Every room in the villa is air-conditioned and heated to ensure maximum comfort in any season.
From the property, surrounded by greenery and very close to the sea, you can reach in a few minutes the pulsating center of Porto Cervo, full of restaurants, boutiques and clubs.
Villa Liberty Lake Side A Faggeto Lario
Price: €12,000,000
Location: Riva, Italy
Villa Giusy has an area of 500 square meters distributed over three floors and has 5 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms and a study in the panoramic tower.The house is equipped with a service annex, also recently renovated, of about 100 square meters, where we find two bedrooms and two bathrooms, ideal to accommodate up to six people or as a home for staff. A charming winter garden connects the main villa to the service house.
The entire property is immersed in a park of about 3,000 square meters of finely maintained and planted park.
Outside, there is also a large dock for boats of 90 square meters with partially covered lake terrace and the pier for docking boats.
The view that can be enjoyed from this magnificent villa for sale on Lake Como is exceptional and ranges to 180 hectares. While the location close to the lakefront is an added value of great importance that enhances the prestige of this wonderful residence.
Anyone who wants a charming dream home on Lake Como will appreciate all the comfort, privacy, and relaxing atmosphere of this charming period villa.
For more insights on luxury real estate trends and this season’s hotspots, download The Edition 2024
