Profitable investment only with a certain financial profile

In the end, a reality emerges: evaluation must be made on a case-by-case basis because the investment could also be a loss.

In the current context, the issue of putting residential real estate to income should be read with a clear distinction between purchased and inherited houses. It is not only a property difference, but above all a financial difference.

There are cases where the house is inherited and then instead of selling it, one chooses to take a period of time, a few semesters or a few years, to see if putting it to income will be fruitful or at least allow one to pay back maintenance and running costs.

On the other hand, those wishing to bet on the small villages must find elements to support their choice that are not only linked to the very low purchase cost in some locations, a cost that still does not internalise the market potential.

Choice dynamics also come into play in such transactions, including the possibility of using the property in a place considered 'of the heart', a variable that often drives the choice of a second home. It must also be said that in Italia much has been done to hamper the segment, reducing its potential.

A strongly disincentivising climate, between tight regulations at several levels (by government, regions and municipalities) and political narratives that have created regulatory uncertainty and reduced market supply. Margins of convenience remain where short-term rentals continue to play a structural role, supplementing the sometimes scarce hotel offer. And yet a typically Italia knot remains: the owner's poor protection in the event of arrears. So yes, the short rental regains appeal.