Renovations may also increase a property's resale value, yet home flipping is unusual in Italy because homes are frequently passed down from generation to generation. Also, most houses in Italy are not owned, but rented. Thus, there is less of an incentive to sell and move unless you need the cash. However, if you do decide to sell up and move abroad, then Italy is a great place to make money by flipping houses. There are many cities with a lot of house renovations going on that can be taken advantage of. In fact, according to some studies, half of all Roman apartments have potential for profit making flippers. That means that if you look hard enough, there's sure to be a good deal available. When looking at properties, it's important to see what type of renovation is needed before getting involved in any deal. For example, if there is a lot of work required on heating or plumbing systems, then avoid these properties like the plague! They're not worth the hassle. The best time to buy houses in Italy is when they first come on the market. This way, you will be able to take advantage of lower prices and have more time to find out whether the property has any problems with its title.