Sunset over Naples, Campania, Italy

Coldwell Banker Around the World

Summer is upon us, and for those of you lucky enough to be spending time in Italy this summer, we encourage you to consider visiting Campania, a region on the southwest coast of Italy. Home to both the city of Naples and the Amalfi coast, the region boasts stunning coastlines, ancient ruins, and the infamous Mount Vesuvius, the eruption of which decimated the ancient city of Pompeii. The remains of the city are just one of ten UNESCO World Heritage sites in the region that you can visit. For culinary buffs, you will not want to miss the pizza in Naples either. Neapolitan pizza has earned UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage status, making it an absolute must when you visit the third largest city in Italy.

“Naples is a cultural melting pot where art, history, and food come together to create a unique and authentic experience,” declares Alessandro Moscariello, the Broker/Owner of Coldwell Banker 24RE. He continues, “whether you’re strolling along the historic streets of the old town, enjoying the panoramic views of the Gulf of Naples from Castel dell’Ovo, or indulging in the city’s world-renowned cuisine, there’s something for everyone in this vibrant and dynamic city.” So please, envision yourself exploring the streets of Naples, basking in the sunshine in Positano, and indulging in as much pizza as humanly possible as you read on about one of the newest Coldwell Banker locations in Italy!

Where do you live: I live in Posillipo, in one of the most strategic panoramic position of Naples

What is the perfect weekend day like: The best time to spend a weekend in Naples is from May to October, because the climate is perfect for walking around the city, enjoying the sea and the surroundings as Capri, Procida and the Sorrento peninsula

What are the common modes of transportation there: Usually, Neapolitans get around on foot or by car and Vespa. But the city also has public services such as the metro, funicular, bus or bicycle.

Tell us about the foods your area is known for: Naples is known for its excellent cuisine, but especially for its traditional pizza. The culinary tradition is vast and ranges from buffalo mozzarella to good fresh fish, to ragù, to typical desserts such as pastiera, Babà and sfoglietella, curly or shortcrust? The choice is yours!

What is your favorite meal? At home or at a restaurant: Pizza, Pizza and always Pizza.

Where do you recommend someone vacation in your region, why: It is very difficult to answer, there are so many beautiful places to live in Campania:

– Naples, the oldest western capital

– the coasts of Sorrento and Amalfi

– islands such as Capri, Procida and Ischia

– and last but not least the Cilento, natural, wild and free

What is your favorite recreational or leisure time activity: Kayak, sea, nature trails such as the most famous called “Sentiero degli dei”

Is there a specialty your area is known for: The region is best known for its excellent food, as already mentioned, volcanic soil and the presence of the famous “Vesuvio”.

Share a little known but interesting fact about the area/region: Everyone knows that coffee is one of the most famous elements of the Neapolitan tradition. The suspended coffee is an ancient and generous Neapolitan custom consisting in leaving the Bar paid for a coffee for an unknown person who, so, although not being able to afford it, can, however, drink it. A great connoisseur of Neapolitan things like Luciano De Crescenzo has happily grasped the spirit of suspended coffee: “when a Neapolitan is happy for some reason he decides to offer a coffee to a stranger because it is like offering a coffee to the rest of the world”.

If you were to live in any other region where we have a Coldwell Banker presence, where would it be and why: In Indonesia, for its oriental culture and the sea that is a must have!

Territory Summary:

Campania and especially Naples is in the world spotlight in terms of overseas tourism.

The many breathtaking landscapes, history, and endless artistic beauties make this land unique and fascinating being chosen more and more as a film location.

Key Facts:

• Population: In Naples there are 3,085 million
• Language(s) Spoken: Italian and Neopolitan
• Climate: The climate of Naples is Mediterranean, with mild and rainy winters and hot and dry summers, but still refreshed by the sea breeze
• Currency: Euro

Industry Facts:

• Types of Architecture: Influences Baroque, Spanish, Angevin
• Average Sale price: from 2,000 €/sqmt to 9,500 €/sqmt
• Average years in house/apt: 15 years
• Financing: Mortgage and loans

Summer Safety Tips for Outdoor Play

When school lets out for the summer, kids will be heading outside more often to climb and swing on the playset, run around in the yard and splash in the pool. But regardless of the outdoor activity, make sure they always use sunscreen and stay hydrated. Of course, while summer is a great time for backyard fun, injuries can end the fun fast, so consider taking some simple steps to make your backyard safe for hours of endless entertainment.

Safeguard playsets

• Make sure swing sets and other play equipment are on level ground and the legs are properly anchored with hardware that doesn’t pose a tripping or gouging hazard.
• Inspect swing sets to ensure bolts and screws are secure and replace rusty parts.
• Put wood chips, shredded rubber or other soft landing material underneath the set.
• Ensure 6 feet of clearance on all sides and check that swings are at least 8 inches apart

By the pool

• Make it a rule that an adult must be present whenever children are in or around the pool.
• Install a fence that’s at least 4 feet high with a self-closing and self-latching gate.
• Be sure drains are covered and your suction system has an automatic shutdown; suction entrapment can lead to drowning.
• Make sure pool slides, stairs and diving boards are secure and in good condition.
• Place pool chemicals in a secure area where kids and pets can’t access them.
• Empty kiddie pools after every use.

In the yard

• Be on the lookout for dead trees or branches that could fall and hurt someone
• Fill in any holes that could cause tripping or a twisted ankle.
• Scan your yard for poison ivy or oak and, if you find some, treat the area and alert kids to stay clear.

Guard the grill

• Establish a 3-foot “kid-free zone” around the grill
• Never leave a grill in use unattended
• Place the grill well away from siding, deck railings and overhanging branches and a safe distance from lawn games, play areas and foot traffic.

By taking these steps you can ensure a safe summer for the kids.

Here’s how to tackle eight common repairs properly to swing the odds in your favor.

1. A fresh coat of paint on one room’s ceiling

The issue: A stained ceiling, possibly from a leak

“When we inspectors see cans of new stain-killing primers in the garage, we know that something happened,” says Lesh.

Do this instead: If you paint over a stain without making sure you don’t have an active leak, that stain can reappear in a month, adds Lesh, so bring in a professional who can rule out a leaky roof or some other problem.

2. Bathroom water is shut off

The issue: Your toilet runs constantly

Do this instead: “The most common failure is the flapper in the toilet tank. There may be debris caught under it, preventing it from closing, and flappers wear out and need to be replaced from time to time,” says Lesh. “This is an inexpensive repair that any handy person can do.”

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Watch: These Little Flaws in Your Home Are a Big Deal to Buyers

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3. Newly painted trim

The issue: Wooden window frames past their prime

“A lot of times people paint over rotten wood, and think nobody’s going to see that, but we can tell that it’s rotting. We just put your fingernail on the trim to see if it goes through the wood,” says Lesh.

Do this instead: Pull out the rotten trim and replace it.

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4. Lights are off in just one room

Issue: Flickering lights in that room

Do this instead: “Electrical issues can be dangerous, so if you’ve tried the lightbulb in another fixture and it works, then there may not be power going to the light,” says Lesh.

Pick up an inexpensive voltage tester, which lights up when electricity is present at the switch and fixture, he suggests. A handy homeowner may be able to trace the problem, but to be safe, call an electrician to make sure the wiring is correct.

“Old wiring can be a concern to some buyers, so sellers are better off just fixing it ahead of time,” adds Pineda.

5. Small space heaters or air conditioners set up

Issue: Some rooms are too cold or too warm

“If a home has central air conditioning, but in one room you see an additional AC unit sitting there, buyers are going to wonder why it’s not working,” says Pineda.

Do this instead: If you have a forced-air furnace, check to make sure the furnace filter, blower fan, ductwork, and grills are clean, advises Lesh.

“Sometimes debris clogs the system, and the further the cold room is away from the furnace, the harder it is to get heat,” he explains. “If you have radiators or baseboard units, make sure they’re clean and not obstructed.

“If the colder rooms are over an unconditioned space like a garage, then there may be poor insulation in that room, which will make the room harder to heat and cool,” Lesh adds. “A home inspector who uses an infrared camera should be able to find the problem.”

6. Dehumidifier and air freshener in place

Issue: An unpleasant smell in a damp room

“It raises my radar when I see or smell that,” says Lesh. “That’s a real tipoff, because either there’s mold or mildew, or something else.”

Do this instead: “There’s typically a root cause for a room being damp, so you want to correct the cause, not put a Band-Aid on it,” Lesh says. “If there’s moisture getting in the house, that moisture is generally coming from outside. Figure out how to prevent water from getting in, not how to handle it after it gets in.”

7. Plastic wrap taped across every window

Issue: Old, drafty windows

Do this instead: “Sealing the areas around the windows would be a good alternative to plastic wrap,” says Lesh, who suggests buying caulk in rope form, which can be molded to fit around large openings and cracks. “That’ll form an airtight seal, which will help keep drafts out.”

8. Strategically placed planters or shrubs

Issue: Puddles of water near your foundation

Do this instead: Water should always drain away from your foundation, notes Lesh, so if it’s collecting against your house, this needs to be corrected.

“Ask a professional why this is happening,” suggests Lesh. “Ask: Is the land sloping toward the house, which means water might eventually run into the lower level? Are the gutters clogged so water is pouring over the top and landing alongside the foundation?”