Property Description

Casa Bovio  – Cosy Noto townhouse with rooftop terrace

A cosy townhouse with a panoramic rooftop terrace in Sicily’s golden city

Casa Bovio is a fully restructured, quintessentially Sicilian, move-in ready property nestled in the heart of Noto, Sicily’s city of gold. It is the perfect property investment for a short term let, conveniently located just a stone’s throw away from the majestic cathedral, the main promenade, and just about everything else in town! Its sunny terrace makes it the perfect place for tenants to bask in the Sicilian sun and picturesque views of the countryside.

Casa Bovio’s warm terra cotta stairs and rooftop terrace invite you to experience the essence of Sicilian living. This cosy house right in the centre of Noto comes with a comfortable living room complemented by a modest kitchen and a sunny balcony with a stunning view. this charming property offers a delightful fusion of historical allure and modern comfort.

Noto’s elegant honey-coloured Baroque buildings invite the sun into its streets and render it a relaxing place to unwind and see the best of Sicily right at your doorstep. With Catania, Siracusa, Ragusa, and countless seaside towns to choose from when travelling around this part of the island, you will find that Noto is placed perfectly to reach whatever you are looking for.

As mentioned before, Casa Bovio is ready to move into, yet its value can be further increased with upgrades to its kitchen facilities, a bigger water tank, a new air conditioner, and a fresh coat of paint on the walls. This makes it a great investment opportunity for the right person to give it its finishing touch.

The Property

Upon entering Casa Bovio, you’re greeted by a spacious terra cotta staircase to the left, and a tastefully designed and warmly lit bathroom at the end of the hall. The bathroom is complete with a spacious shower, toilet, bidet, and sink with a mirror. Additional storage is provided by a mirrored cabinet conveniently situated to the left upon entry, while natural light filters in through a small window in the room’s upper corner.

A washing machine is tucked beneath the sloping cover of the stairs for laundry access, and the fuse box is conveniently located at the bottom of the staircase for easy maintenance access.

Following the staircase and passing a small dressing table with a mirror at the top, you will find a versatile space serving as both a cosy bedroom and a welcoming living area. Complete with a double bed, a snug sofa, and a small television, this room offers a serene retreat after a day of exploring. While some other properties may combine a bedroom and living room in a way that feels cramped and lacking in separation, this room somehow achieves a harmonious balance, offering the best of both. As an added bonus, there is a small balcony, treating you to beautiful vistas of a charming church, the sleepy streets, and picturesque countryside.

Adjacent to the bedroom/lounge lies a petite kitchen, with amenities including a small fridge, kettle, and assorted utensils. The kitchen also features a small cooktop, and while lacking an oven or built-in hob, the space presents an opportunity for customisation and modernisation to suit individual preferences, and adding these features won’t prove too costly. This kitchen could be considered on the small side, but there is still plenty of space to cook without feeling cramped.

Following a slightly narrower staircase unveils the crown jewel of this residence: a delightful terra cotta terrace comprising the entire the top floor. Here, a quaint table and a couple of chairs invite al fresco dining and leisurely moments amidst the beautiful Sicilian landscape. This terrace has seating lining its perimeter, ensuring ample space for guests when entertaining. Additionally, the adjacent roof is relatively flat, which means the terrace sees sunlight for a significant portion of the day, perfect for enjoying the warmth and soaking up the views.

Equipped with a 700-litre water tank, the property ensures a steady water supply. While the city of Noto provides water for a few hours each day, considering an upgrade to a larger water tank could offer added peace of mind, ensuring an ample supply for the needs of its occupants.

Priced affordably at 100,000€, this property presents an attractive opportunity for tourists or short-term residents seeking a cosy retreat in Noto. This residence exudes a blend of functionality and charm, promising a warm welcome to all who step through its doors.

Surroundings

Noto is a picturesque town of 24,000 people, situated in the south-eastern corner of Sicily just a few kilometres away from the coast. Noto is renowned for its architecture, and it truly is a beautiful and relaxing place for residents and visitors alike.

Casa Bovio occupies a prime location in the heart of Noto, situated on Via Fratelli Ragusa. Within a mere 5-minute walk from the property, residents can explore an array of charming bakeries, butchers’, and other shops, as well as the iconic cathedral of San Nicolò. For your weekly shop, there is a Despar supermarket conveniently located within a 10 to 15-minute walk or a 5-minute drive. Additionally, the house is just steps away from Fontana d’Ercole (Hercules’ Fountain) on Corso Vittorio Emanuele, one of the town’s lively main streets, boasting a myriad of restaurants and cafés.

When Noto was destroyed by an earthquake in 1693, three architects were given free rein to rebuild the city in whichever way they wanted. All of the buildings were rebuilt in a majestic Baroque style with a beautiful golden colour, and the streets were redesigned so that they would align with the rising and setting of the sun, bathing the streets in a golden glow reflected off the honey-coloured limestone at sunrise and sunset. In fact, UNESCO has protected Noto and other surrounding towns as World Heritage Sites since 2002 because of their revitalised Baroque beauty.

If you’re looking for a day of soaking up the Sicilian sun at the beach, a short 15-minute drive leads you to Lido di Noto (Noto Beach) where you can relax on eastern Sicily’s pristine shores. Alternatively, the nearby town of Avola offers its own beautiful beach and is renowned for its exquisite red wine grapes. For those craving further exploration, the vibrant city of Catania, with its bustling industry and international airport, is a mere 80-minute drive away, promising a wealth of history and culture to discover.

Potential

This property stands out from many others on the Sicilian market, having already undergone restructuring, rendering it structurally sound and move-in ready. However, it also presents an exciting opportunity for personalised renovations to suit your unique vision for the house. It has been used as a rental property over the last few years, and It is a very promising investment opportunity for a short term let on sites like Airbnb, as it could generate between 10,000 and 15,000 euros per year in rent.

Starting with the kitchen, the addition of an oven and built-in hob could significantly enhance its functionality, whether for short-term rentals or catering to tourists. This upgrade, costing only a few hundred euros and a few hours of installation, promises to increase the property’s value and potential rental income.

Considering the water supply, while the current 700-liter water tank meets basic needs, upgrading to a larger tank may be wise to accommodate guests accustomed to more liberal water usage.

A fresh coat of paint for both the interior and exterior walls would rejuvenate the property’s appearance. Interior painting is relatively straightforward and cost-effective, while exterior touch-ups may require a higher investment of up to 5000€.

Furthermore, replacing the slightly older air conditioner in the living room is advisable, especially given Noto’s hot summers, ensuring optimal comfort for occupants.

For further enhancements, replacing outdated iron window frames and aluminium shutters with more modern wooden ones could elevate the property’s aesthetic appeal. While this may entail a higher cost (up to 5000€), it offers long-term benefits in terms of durability and visual appeal.

If you are interested, but unsure of how to get started, don’t worry – we will help you every step of the way!