Thinking of buying a home in Milan? Just not where the ground is sinking"
The Milan real estate frenzy doesn’t stop: investment hype, urban dreams, and still-manageable interest rates push many to sign on the dotted line… without checking what’s underfoot. Literally.
The hidden threat: subsidence
Subsidence is the gradual sinking of land over time. In Milan, some districts are sinking at rates of 2–3 mm per year. You won’t notice it right away, but over time it leads to cracked walls, misaligned pipes, unstable foundations, and a sinking feeling—both literal and financial.
Main causes:
Overextraction of groundwater (especially in the 1950s–60s)
Heavy urban construction on unstable terrain
Soil types: sand, gravel, and clay that don’t handle pressure well
High-risk zones: where your dream home could slowly collapse
Not all areas behave the same. Some are more prone to subsidence:
1. Corvetto, Rogoredo, Mecenate, San Donato
Swampy soil, high groundwater levels, chaotic development. Estimated drop: 2–3 mm/year.
2. Bovisa, Dergano, Affori
Old industrial zones cleaned up but still unstable. Watch out for ground floors and basements.
3. Lambrate, Ortica, Rubattino
Sandy, porous soils vulnerable to the weight of new buildings.
4. Lorenteggio, Baggio, Muggiano
Recently urbanized on artificial fill. Localized sinkings on the rise.
5. Rozzano, Peschiera, San Giuliano, Segrate
Outskirts growing fast—some parts have dropped 5 cm in 10 years.
“We’re not Venice,” but the data is sinking in
According to Italy’s National Research Council and Politecnico di Milano, satellite technology (InSAR) now tracks ground shifts with millimeter precision. And Milan… is shifting.
Buyers should know. Sellers should disclose. Banks should assess. And yet—most don’t.
Mortgages and awareness: better to grow roots than sink your house
A mortgage is a life-altering decision. If your house sinks every year, your property value might fall faster than your equity.
The truth? Price per square meter isn’t everything. What you need is geotechnical evaluation, experienced guidance, and a mortgage partner who sees more than the listings.
Good news? Yes. There are solutions
From ground stabilization to advanced monitoring, there’s hope. But first comes awareness.
Thinking of a mortgage? Choose experts who guide you from your financial plan all the way to the soil beneath your feet.
Want a mortgage that’s smart and safe? Meet our expert partners in the Mortgage Section at GoalValor.com. Invest in property—with a solid foundation.
