Types of houses

What you see and like probably does not require definitions. Still, for a foreign purchaser, it may be helpful to understand the meaning of the words which qualify different types of buildings, as this may cause some confusion:
 

Villa

They are properties intended for single-family housing, built in prestigious areas, characterised by large sizes, spacious parks or gardens, and higher-than-usual finishes. 
 

Villetta / Villino

Single buildings, semi-detached houses, or terraced houses that, despite having features of structural independence and exclusive-use external areas, do not meet the luxury and size requirements typical of villas. In common language, especially in some areas of Italy, it is not uncommon for a small house to be elevated to a ‘villa’. The cadastral distinction, in any case, is clear.
 

Baglio

They are fortified farms with large internal courtyards typical of Sicily.
 

Casale o casolare

They are often historic farmhouses.
 

Tenuta

The term refers to large landholdings often including a historic residence (the farmhouse).
 

Palazzo

The term is used for large, architecturally significant representative buildings. In everyday language, the term is used to refer to any building of a certain height, even if lacking in prestige. 
 

Palazzina

Similar to ‘palazzo’, but smaller. In everyday language, this term is used for common flats up to four storeys high. Unlike ‘palazzo’, the word is feminine. It should not be confused with ‘palazzetto’, which is masculine and typically refers to music or sports halls.
 

Terratetto

They are buildings that develop vertically over multiple floors, typical of historic centres. 
 

Attico

These are apartments located on the top floor of a building characterised by spacious terraces. Often, a ‘superattico’ is situated above them.
 

Mansarda

These are apartments located on the top floor of a building with one or more pitched roofs.
 

Seminterrati

They are dwellings situated at a partially underground level, characterised by a floor lower than the surrounding ground, with the ceiling partially or entirely above it. 
 

Case popolari

This word is used for “council houses”. Most of them have been redeemed by the tenants, and some have been upgraded to higher standards as they are in areas which have been requalified.