Mr and Mrs de Truchis, how did you find out about Engel & Völkers?
D.T.: Several years ago, we saw an Engel & Völkers advertising board on a beautiful farm in Chianti and when we decided to buy a house in Siena, we of course decided to visit the Engel & Völkers shop in Villa delle terme in Siena.
What were your expectations with regard to the property search?
D.T.: First and foremost, we wanted to find a real estate agent who understands our requirements and can offer us something suitable. We did not have much time to spend on unnecessary property viewings.
A.C.: Anne und Pierre De Truchis are really nice clients and I immediately noticed how much they loved Italy. They had been searching for a property in the Siena region for years and I knew exactly what they wanted: They were hoping to find a place with character and history, not a classic luxury property, but a home with charm.
How did you experience the collaboration with Engel & Völkers?
D.T.: Everything went amazingly smooth; the house of our dreams was one of the first ones we viewed and it corresponded exactly to our requirements: It was perfectly located at Crete Senesi close to the city and had a garden with olive trees and cypresses that did not require much maintenance.
We sincerely appreciated the amicable relationship we established with Engel & Völkers and, in particular, with our estate agent Annalisa Caparelli. Right from the start we were impressed with the friendly cooperation between the team members, the human warmth and the deep understanding of our requirements, the respect for our wishes and the fact that we were not pressured in any way.
We enjoyed a special time with Ms Caparelli, who is a great real estate agent, friendly and with a distinct sense of humour, human understanding and respect, speaks French fluently and knows the ins and outs of the market and her business. This made it possible to also establish a good relationship with the seller, which we did not consider disadvantageous. Quite the contrary, the possibility to establish a good connection turned out to invaluable.
Once we had signed the contract, Ms Caparelli and her team continued supporting us all the way, be it in the choice of project manager for the renovation work, the search for a swimming pool builder, the tax registration, the search for a translator, advice on gas and electricity contracts, and so on. Ms Caparelli not only assisted us with the sale, she basically managed it and ensured that everything ran smoothly. That is the reason why we feel so comfortable in our new home today.
Ms Caparelli, what special challenge did you face during this collaboration?
A.C.: The main challenge was the budget because the property I had in mind for the de Truchis family was being offered at a higher price.
How did you master this challenge in the end?
A.C.: The seller was a very nice lady who had already received several offers for her property. However, she was not only looking for a buyer, but an owner for her house. I realised that the de Truchis family were the kind of people she was looking for and that she would love to have them as the new owners. And this turned out to be true. It was the decisive factor that helped me in the price negotiations with the seller.
Was there a moment of surprise during the collaboration?
D.T.: In France, most real estate agencies prevent any relationship with the seller, which can lead to misunderstandings and taint the transaction in the end. If you buy a property that you wish to spend time in with your family, you want to know who lived there before because the vibe of the previous owner still lingers in the property. Ms Caparelli made it possible for us to establish a warm and friendly connection with the seller, which contributed to our feeling of well-being in our new home.
A.C.: A house sale is not only a matter of negotiation or a business transaction between seller and buyer. I believe that it also involves establishing a connection between the past and future of the house – the seller must be sure that he passes the torch to the right person and that he can rely on the new owners. And this is precisely what happened between the seller and the de Truchis family.
Mr and Mrs de Truchis, what did you feel when the collaboration with Engel & Völkers ended?
D.T.: We can only congratulate Engel & Völkers: for their thoroughness, professionalism, particularly friendly client relationship and the mutual trust from start to finish. For this reason, we’ve already recommended Engel & Völkers to several friends.
Do you feel inspired by the story of the de Truchis family? Would you also like to find your new dream home? At Engel & Völkers you have access to an extensive portfolio of over 50,000 fantastic properties throughout the world – ranging from stately castles and romantic chalets to modern apartments. We look forward to hearing from you!
