🔹 Hello, Lake Como.
Rainy Valentine’s. Carnival chaos. And quietly, behind the confetti, Lake Como real estate just entered a new phase.
Prime homes are stretching toward €12K per sqm, buyers are paying extra to skip renovation drama, and the East Shore is suddenly the cool side of the lake.
If you blinked this week, you missed a shift.
It’s a lot to unpack.
Let’s dive in.
P.S. If carnival pastries (that occupied the bakeries) aren’t your thing, Bar Al Centrale in Moltrasio might be. Best cakes on the lake.
-Simona
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🔦 Spotlight: Property Market Review
What's Happening:
Lake Como’s property market is shifting toward a value driven era. According to the latest Investropa Market Forecast, prime lakefront assets and Como city are significantly outperforming the national average due to a chronic shortage of move-in-ready homes.
Facts:
The Price Gap: The average price is €3,800/sqm, but prime waterfront "trophy" assets are asking €10,000–€12,000/sqm.
Top Performers: Como City’s Centro district led the market with a 9%+ jump, while the Varenna-Lierna corridor is seeing the strongest momentum on the Lecco shore.
Yield Sweet Spot: Compact 50–80sqm apartments with lake views are the fastest-moving assets, appreciating 5–8% annually.
Infrastructure Lift: The Variante Tremezzina road project is expected to boost long-term values in Menaggio and Tremezzina as accessibility improves.
What does it mean for us:
The "Turnkey" Premium: Buyers are paying a massive premium for renovated homes to avoid high renovation costs and Italian bureaucracy.
The East Shore Pivot: With the West Shore nearing price ceilings, investors are targeting Varenna and Lierna for higher growth potential.
Borrowing Power: With mortgage rates dropping to approx. 3.7%, buyer activity in the mid-market segment is expected to remain steady through 2026.
Scarcity Value: High-end lakefront properties are forecast to rise 20–35% over the next 5 years due to near-zero new supply.
What's your take? Are we missing anything important?
⭐ In Case You Missed It
✨ Openings
🏛️ A Record Reopening. Villa del Balbianello opened its 2026 season, welcoming 460 visitors on its very first day. Time to get out your FAI membership card, if you have one.
🧖 Science Meets Serenity. The Longevity SPA is set for a full launch in March 2026 at The Lake Como EDITION in Cadenabbia, offering high-tech biohacking and wellness treatments.
🛍️ Retail Giants Expand. The "European T.J. Maxx," Pepco, is arriving in Appiano Gentile, marking a significant provincial expansion.
🏗️ Local Projects & Life
🏎️ The Elegance Returns. The Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este has opened its 2026 opening registration and revealed the schedule for the world's most prestigious historic car event, arriving this May.
📡 High-Tech Heritage. Ultra-fast 5G technology is heading to 40 small municipalities, specifically targeting villages with fewer than 2,000 residents to boost connectivity in historic centers.
💰 Real Estate & Business
🌸 Floral Legacy. In a successful "passaggio generazionale," the historic Floreal shop in Lomazzo has transitioned to new leadership, ensuring a beloved local business stays in the community.
📅 Tax & Safety Watch. Local businesses have until March 2nd to submit the Modello OT23 to INAIL to claim significant premium reductions for safety improvements made last year.
📈 The Seasons Lengthen. Forbes Italia reconfirms that tourism on the Italian lakes is no longer just for summer; high-end visitors are now flocking to the region well into the shoulder seasons.
🌍 Tourism & Global Mentions
🏛️ Art Nouveau Flair. A stunning historic "pink villa" featuring rare Art Nouveau details has hit the global market, offering a rare chance to own a piece of architectural history in Como's most exclusive neighborhood.
🏘️ Medieval Gems. Both Nesso (famed for its waterfall) and Bellagio have been named among the top 12 medieval villages to visit in Lombardy for their timeless architecture and stone alleys.
📐 Concrete on the Coast. Architect studio Ceresa Grandis has completed Casa Punta Spartivento in Bellagio - something a bit different on the lake.
🏠 Real Estate
🏡 3 Room Renovated Villa, Nesso ($$): €540K · 122m² ·
Lake views, 5 meters from the lake, 2 floors, energy efficiency: B.
View
🏡 3 Bedroom Detached Villa with the View, Argegno ($$): €510K · 200m² ·
Garden, terrace, double garage, parquet, lake views.
View
🏡 6 Room Villa for Sale, Carate Urio ($$): €1.9M· 214m² ·
City and lake views. Double garage, 2 bathrooms.
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🏢 Businesses for Sale
🏢 Office/Shop near Duomo for rent, Como. €3500/month · 30 m² . Located in street level.
View🍕Modern restaurant/bar for transfer, Como. €110K · 49 m² · Rent - 4166 Eur/month. In the historical center of Como, arranged on two levels, the property was entirely renovated at the end of 2024.
ViewOffice on auction, Como. €228K · 166 m² · Large and bright office located in the vibrant heart of the area. Garage included. Date of the auction - March 18th.
View
💼 Job Opportunities
👗 Department Manager: Armani Outlet (Vertemate). 3+ years of experience in the same role required.
Apply🚁 Travel Consultant: Queen of Clubs Lifestyle Luxury Services (Chasso). In-office position for Luxury Experience Designers.
Apply🥂 Marketing Assistant: Spuma (Carate Urio). A catering studio that is behind some of the most recognised Lake Como events.
Apply
Have a property, business, or job to feature? Submit it here
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📅 Events This Week (Feb 19–23)
Legend: 🏛 Culture · 🎭 Theatre · 🎶 Music · 💼 Business · 🎾 Sport · 🕯 Candlelight
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That’s all for this week!
If you found something interesting, make sure to forward this email to your curious friends.
↓ Have something to share? Hit the reply button - I personally reply to all the emails.
- Simona
