I lead a team that scours the globe in search of the world’s best real estate opportunities.
We travel constantly, boots on the ground, seeking out the rare 1% of properties that meet the Real Estate Trend Alert criteria: the right location, the right timing, and the right price for serious profit potential.
We spend over a million dollars a year on travel and research to uncover these gems.
But along the way, we encounter a far broader spectrum of real estate. Places that may or may not double your money, but could certainly double your happiness. Places that fire the imagination. Properties that feel like a bolt of dopamine—romantic, beautiful, surprising.
Like the ones I’ll share today in a beautiful part of Italy…
Every now and then, a whisper reaches us—quiet, persistent. A call to slow down, to tune out the noise, to find somewhere we can breathe again. These aren’t places we buy to flip or brag about. They’re hideaways. Retreats. Personal sanctuaries that speak to something deeper: the yearning for a different rhythm.
Around six years ago, I was on a family holiday with my wife, Sayuri, my parents, and in-laws. We were traveling from Rome to Venice, and to make the logistics work—and to give our parents a chance to relax between those two hectic cities—we decided to stop en route for a few days.
We opted to stay in the city of Verona, despite knowing little about it. What we found was a revelation.
This northern Italian city is a postcard-perfect vision of historic Italy, but without the insane crowds you’ll find in Venice, Florence or Rome. Walkable and livable, Verona is packed with Roman ruins and Renaissance charm. You’ll find artistic treasures and spectacular museums. And it’s a center for the wine industry. Famously, it’s also where Shakespeare set his Romeo and Juliet.
The northern Italian city of Verona is gorgeous, historic and classy. It’s a center for the wine industry, packed with Roman ruins and Renaissance charm, and it’s walkable.
Verona is in a perfect location to explore the wider region. It’s close to Lake Garda. You have easy access to Tuscany. Venice is just over an hour on the fast train. Rome is three hours to the south by train. Plus, you’re a short drive (between three and four hours) from scores of stunning destinations in neighboring Switzerland, Austria, and Slovenia.
This is a place where you can live the idyllic Italian lifestyle, with some of the very best of Europe right on your doorstep.
Tourists come to Verona in their millions, which means the right property here could also have income potential. Here’s a listing I found that impressed me…
Verona is just southeast of Lake Garda, in northern Italy. This is an ideal location, in the heart of historic Italy.
This charming pied-à-terre is in the historic center of Verona. It has large French windows, a French balcony, and looks out on an attractive 17th century building. It appears move-in-ready and is on the market for €330,000.
With a home like this, you could live the idyllic Verona lifestyle—leisurely strolls through the stunning city center…rich coffee in ancient piazzas…long al fresco lunches of freshly made pasta and glasses of locally produced wine…
And you’d have an eager pool of renters among the millions of tourists who flock here. Well-appointed apartments in the historic center such as this are in short supply and rent for $250 to $300 or more per night in high season.
I’ve seen reports of average occupancy rates in the 70% range. I’d expect this attractive property to perform at the higher end of that range, if not exceed it.
A Juliet balcony in Juliet’s hometown! This charming pied-à-terre would offer the idyllic Italian city lifestyle…and I figure it would have strong rental appeal. Check out the listing here.
Move a little farther out and you’ll find more affordable options.
If you’re willing to take on a project, you can own much more space.
This two-bed apartment is in a 1930s building just on the edge of the historic center and offers stunning views of Verona Cathedral and the Adige River.
Spanning almost 1,500 square feet, the property is in need of renovation, but the lifestyle and income potential is very strong given its size, multiple bedrooms, and sought-after location. It’s on the market for €350,000.
The spire of Verona Cathedral towers over the city and the winding Adige River. A budget of €250,000 to €350,000 will get you a move-in-ready one-bed apartment here, or a larger property to renovate.
As always, my RETA team and I continue our scouting. It’s what leads to incredible deals for RETA members.
The vast majority of our travel is carefully planned…informed by serious number-crunching and top-level analysis…but there are also times when we unexpectedly come across a Verona or a Caminha.
Whatever way we find opportunities, members of my RETA group hear about the results of our scouting first. If you’re not a member, you can learn more here.
Wishing you good real estate investing,
P.S. If you’re interested in any of these listings you should hire an attorney and do your own due diligence. We haven’t done any due diligence on them.
P.P.S. For more listings of affordable overseas dream homes, click here to follow our Your Overseas Dream Home Instagram account.
