Umbria, Lazio and Tuscany
Making an offer to buy a property in Italy is a serious affair, not to be taken lightly as it is in some other countries. You pay a deposit with your offer and you will not only lose this if you decide to pull out but also have to pay any expenses incurred and the agents' fees on both sides.
The procedure also protects you, the buyer, in that if the seller pulls out after signing acceptance of your offer, or after the compromesso, he or she has to return the amount you have paid at that point plus an equivalent amount. In other words the penalty for pulling out of the deal is the same for both parties.