Alison Koetser, founder of HelpWorksItalia, has lived in Cortona for over 20 years and is married to an Italian builder who has restored properties in the area for over 30 years.

She knows firsthand the difficulties faced by mastering a new language and grappling with labyrinthine bureaucratic inconsistencies. She also knows what it means to buy a property abroad, follow restoration works from afar and maintain what for many people is a second home. She's done it.

She set up HelpWorksItalia in 2006, designing it as a point of reference which could be accessed from both near and far. "Since then it has evolved," she says, "with the birth of owners' direct sales and rentals, it's become clear that more and more people want down to earth services at manageable prices."

"Essentially, HWI is bridging the language gap and helping people to take the 'direct' route," adds Alison, "but ensuring them a safe experience is equally important which is why we've provided various optional services at realistic prices."

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