Built by someone who's watched too many people fall in love with the wrong house.
Jesse
Born and raised in the Netherlands, currently planning a move to somewhere with more olive trees and fewer rain clouds. Some of you know me as "that guy who sends you property listings you didn't ask for."
When I'm not scrolling listings at unreasonable hours: cycling, hiking with my girlfriend, or trying to convince her that this particular farmhouse is different from the last one. She has heard that before.
I'm a self-confessed property obsessive. Where others spend their evenings watching football, I'm scrolling rural Tuscany at midnight, binge-watching property shows, and falling down real estate rabbit holes on TikTok and Instagram. It started as a hobby. Then it became something more useful.
Why Olivings exists
Growing up in the Netherlands, I watched a TV show called Ik Vertrek ("I'm Leaving"). It follows people who move abroad to start a new life, only to discover that their property is not quite what they thought. Things that seemed obvious to viewers at home: check that foundation, ask about the septic system, find out why the price is low. Not so obvious when you're standing in the sunshine, imagining your new life.
That's the gap Olivings tries to close. Every property on the site comes with an honest review covering what the listing leaves out: local taxes, renovation realities, zoning restrictions, climate considerations, and the questions worth asking before you commit. And if you find a property elsewhere, paste the listing and get the same analysis on demand.
I'm not an estate agent. I have no commission to earn and no incentive to tell you a property is better than it is. That's the point.
What Olivings is not
Nothing on this site replaces a lawyer, a surveyor, or a notary. It should mean you arrive at those conversations better prepared and with fewer expensive surprises.
The name
Olivings is a small word made from two ideas: olive and living. The olive tree is everywhere in Southern Europe: ancient, resilient, generous. It felt like the right symbol for the kind of life these homes invite: rooted, unhurried, and full of flavour.
Get in touch
I'd love to hear from you: whether you've found something on the site, want to suggest a listing, or just want to talk about old stone houses. Find me on Instagram and TikTok, or write to jesse@olivings.com.
Something missing, a question, or just want to say hello? You can also send me a message directly using the chat bubble in the bottom-right corner.