by Anna Gandolfi
Originally from Rome: “When I was a child, my family struggled to make ends meet. When I was 22, I started selling accommodation in the Como area.” There are now 50 employees, 80% of whom are women. “Milan, darling? There is a lot of money in circulation, if it stays here it will be better. I spend a million on communication”
First floor with elevator, good condition, cellar, fitted wardrobes, residential unit in 19th century building. Corso Magenta. Incredible price: 21,733 euros per square meter. Total payout to interested parties: one million 630 thousand euros. Do the math and you will see that we are dealing with a two-room apartment of 75 square meters.
Can someone willing to spend 21,000 euros per square meter really choose a two-room apartment?
“In just a few weeks we have already received 18 requests for information.”
The ad also appeared for a while on the most popular portals (from real Estate.it to idealista.it, in the usual forest of “renovatable”, “renovable” and “excellent offer”). Below is the contact: Zampetti Immobili di Pregio. An agency that, among other things, has gotten to know those who are not looking for a representative home. Half of Milan is covered with advertisements and hardcover books featuring the face of the company’s boss: Fabrizio Zampetti. A very brilliant picture (but here the topic is secondary for now).
The 21,000 euros and more per square meter is news, but more for a house with a total area of 75 meters.
“It is a special solution in a historic building (I do not specify what it is, confidentiality is required). Then we’ll be in Corso Magenta.”
Are you saying that the galloping market in Milan makes such announcements often?
«It’s new for me too. Those who spend this amount per meter are usually looking for larger houses. But the suggestion works: the calls come primarily from those who want a high-quality pied-à-terre.”
A value that in this particular case is high or dizzying. The company’s headquarters are in Via Leopardi: Fabrizio Zampetti, Roman, born in 1971, Milanese by adoption, is founder and managing director. In the photos she appears in sophisticated clothing, in hyper-hyper-glamorous settings. “Whoever puts his face on it has nothing to hide: I am quite clear.”
Could customers really come from pop portals?
“They rarely come this way. In this case too, we decided to make the product known in this way.”
But couldn’t ultra-luxury real estate sell well through good word of mouth?
“For us, at least 70% of sales.” But communication is important.”
And it’s huge.
“American mode: Every ad there has the face of its speaker. It’s a way of being in the market that I’ve made my own.”
With dandy style that doesn’t go unnoticed.
“Elegance is a figure, not just in clothes.” I try to convey this to the entire team. We also created a magazine that talks about culture, luxury real estate and design: “Home and Elegance”».
On the company website he writes under his photo: “Zampetti doesn’t look at the clock, he doesn’t commit or bind the customer in any way, he never gives up.” Colorful.
“These are not my words, but those of the journalist Alessandro Feroldi, who dedicated the book “All’insegna del bello” to me.”
How much do you spend on communications each year?
“We are not far away from a million euros.”
The most important trade?
“From 15 million, Corso Magenta again.” But let’s not just think about the center: I sold a villa in Lambrate for 10,000 euros per square meter.”
Who is speaking to you?
“80% Italians aged 40-50.” I work a lot with lawyers, names from haute couture, and recently also in the financial sector. There are managers, CEOs, judges.”
The examination of customers’ wallets receives a “rivet”: “There is privacy.” But a compass lies in the agency’s reference book, which also lists the satisfied reviews (among others) from Lupo Rattazzi and Federica Formilli Fendi online. The letterhead says “Big!” by the showman and dancer Stefano De Martino. Zampetti doesn’t confirm this, but Bobo Vieri and Marco Borriello would have found a home through him.
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Will Milan become a city only for the rich?
“There is a lot of money in Milan. It’s good that they turn back and stay here.”
What do you think about students camping because they can’t find affordable rent?
“The Milan market was influenced by key moments: the transition between lira and euro, where a billion became a million; Covid, which has increased sales of accommodation with open spaces; Brexit. The return of brains and capital has had a big impact: there are people who tell me that they couldn’t find anything in London comparable to what they find in Milan for 15,000 euros per meter. The city is undoubtedly well positioned, but the prices are not those of New York, Miami, London or Paris.”
How did you start selling houses?
“I was born in Rome into a very humble family in the Ardeatino district. It wasn’t easy to make it to the end of the month. I moved to the Como area, to Mozzate, and at 22 I was hired in a real estate agency. I sold two- and three-room apartments for a hundred million lire.
Then Milan.
“It’s a meritocratic city that rewards those who know how to do things: they lead by example.” If someone doesn’t appreciate my style, I don’t care: as long as it’s talked about. I only care about my customers’ opinions.”
How many employees does your company have?
“About fifty, 80% women: they are the best. We manage around a hundred properties every year.”
Is it easy to find new employees or do you also have difficulty hiring new employees?
“You have to be available seven days a week, if we don’t motivate you, there’s no point in showing up. And I find motivated people. Our real estate agents include lawyers, architects and designers.”
Compensation of your employees?
“On commission”.
Where does he live?
“In Brera, on 300 square meters. A beautiful house that I love.
You were born in Rome but share your last name with a cult TV personality from the 80s who is very Milanese.
«The Commendator Camillo Zampetti (Guido Nicheli in the series “The Boys of the Third C”, ed.). I know, I know”.
Are you a bit of a commentator too?
(Laughs)
“If Nicheli were still alive, he would appreciate my style: it was very elegant. And maybe he would be my customer.
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September 17, 2023 (modified September 17, 2023 | 7:06 p.m.)
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