We recently used HouseAroundItaly and found them extremely annoying and time-wasting. Apart from one "scout" they used, all the others were late, took their time with us hogging our day so that we only saw 2 or 3 properties a day (annoying when we had a limited timescale of 4 days for house-hunting). Several of the properties I had earmarked to see (after many confirmatory emails before we left) were suddenly not available plus they took us to properties that were not at all suitable and clearly belonged to friends of theirs. When they heard we had another appointment later in the day with another agent, they deliberately dragged their heals, wafting around, chatting to various people (none of whom were introduced to us) and tried everything in their power to avoid us keeping the appointment. Not once did any of the "scouts" invite us to their offices dotted around Abruzzo, nor did they bring printed details of any properties that they insisted we saw. All in all, most infuriating and we wasted a perfectly good house-hunting trip with them.
Additionally, they didn't want to be clear about their agency fees, certainly nothing was presented to us in writing, despite asking for clarification many times. I shan't use them again.
Sorry to ramble on, but I'm still so cross about them (a week later!).

Noodlepip