In Italy, a poorly drafted offer or preliminary contract can lock you into a risky deal long before the notary day. The language used in these documents decides what happens to your deposit, how you can exit if serious issues emerge, and whether the law will be on your side if there is a dispute.
This service is for buyers who do not want to rely on generic templates or documents prepared only by the seller’s side, and prefer contracts drafted specifically to protect their position, in clear, written English and Italian.
What we draft for you
Our work is centred on written assistance: you receive texts and comments you can read, keep and use in negotiations.
Depending on where you are in the process, we can draft:
Purchase offers and reservation agreements
- buyer‑friendly offers that clearly state when and how they become binding
- precise wording on deposits (amount, nature, conditions for refund or forfeiture)
- timelines that reflect your real constraints (due diligence, financing, travel)
Preliminary contracts (compromessi)
- full preliminary sale and purchase agreements aligned with Italian law and practice
- clear rules on what happens if the seller or buyer does not perform
- clauses that incorporate the results of legal due diligence and technical checks
Ancillary clauses and riders
- specific conditions for financing, legal due diligence, technical inspections
- clauses dealing with existing and future condominium expenses and liabilities
- provisions on handover, utilities, rentals and any agreed works or regularisations
The starting point is always the same: your goals and risk tolerance as a buyer, not a generic “standard” text.
Key protections we build into your contracts
A “blindato” contract is not about making the document longer, but about making certain points unambiguous.
Typical protections include:
- Clear conditions precedent
For example, making the deal conditional on satisfactory legal due diligence, on the removal of specific liens, or on the granting of a mortgage by a certain date. - Buyer‑friendly deposit structure
Defining the nature of the sums you pay (caparra, acconto, other), when they can be kept or must be returned, and linking payments to milestones instead of vague promises. - Precise allocation of risks
Stating who is responsible for existing defects, planning irregularities, unpaid condominium fees and other issues that may emerge, and what happens if they are discovered later. - Realistic and enforceable deadlines
Dates that match what is needed in practice (documents, checks, bank, travel), combined with clear consequences if a party is late or refuses to complete. - Language and jurisdiction clarity
Indicating applicable law, chosen court (where appropriate) and language of reference, so that you know in advance which legal framework will apply in case of dispute.
Each clause comes with an explanation in English of what it does for you and how it would apply in real scenarios, so you never sign something you do not fully understand.
How the drafting process works
Because you are often abroad, the entire process is structured around written exchanges.
- Brief and documents
You send us the relevant information (property, price, parties, agreed points) and any drafts already proposed by the agent, seller or notary. - First draft or redline
We either draft a new offer or preliminary contract from scratch, or produce a detailed redline of the existing draft, with our proposed wording. - Written comments and rationale
Together with the draft, you receive a document or in‑text comments in English explaining the key protections, risks addressed and points that are non‑negotiable from a buyer’s perspective. - Adjustments and finalisation
After your feedback, we refine the text and, if needed, prepare versions to share with the agent, seller or notary. We can also provide you with suggested language for emails and replies, so your negotiation remains consistent with the contract structure.
The result is a contract that reflects not only Italian legal requirements, but also your specific situation and expectations.
When to ask us to draft or “lock” your contracts
This service is particularly useful when:
- you are about to make an offer on a property you care about and want to “get it right” from the first document
- an agent or seller has sent you a standard form that clearly does not reflect your concerns or due diligence findings
- you have already experienced problems in past transactions and want to avoid repeating them
- you know you will not be on site often and need contracts that anticipate practical issues (timing, access, works, third‑party rights)
If you are considering a property in Sardinia and want your offer and preliminary contract drafted or rebuilt around your interests, you can contact us and share your current situation and any existing drafts. We will propose a written drafting strategy and produce contract texts designed to protect your position from the very first signature.