If the thought of views of the Mediterranean, wine vineyards and sunny beaches off the Italian coast sounds appealing, the town of Sambuca may be the perfect destination – as homes are selling for just €1.
Although it may sound too good to be true, local officials are offering the homes on the hilltop town in an effort to repopulate the rural city.
And buyers will more than get their money’s worth as the dozens of homes for sale are built on land referred to as the “Earthly Paradise” on the southern island of Sicily.
According to city officials, the goal is to bring people back to Sambuca after an exodus of locals to larger cities.
However, the deal does have one condition – new owners must invest €15,000 ($17,000, £13,000) into refurbishing their new home within three years, as most of the abandoned homes are run down and dilapidated.
There is also a €5,000 ($5,700, £4,400) security deposit to consider, which will be returned once the renovations on the houses, ranging from 40 to 150 sq metres, have been completed.
The deal is similar to past ones offered by Italian cities, but the difference is Sambuca’s homes are up for grabs for anyone – as city officials told CNN they are owned by city hall.
“As opposed to other towns that have merely done this for propaganda, this city hall owns all €1 houses on sale,” said Sambuca’s deputy mayor and tourist councillor Giuseppe Cacioppo. “We’re not intermediaries who liaise between old and new owners. You want the house, you’ll get it in no time.”
If you’re interested in living in one of the houses surrounded by “gorgeous beaches, woods and mountains,” you should act fast, as 10 have already sold, according to Cacioppo.
Those interested can email: case1euro@comune.sambucadisicilia.ag.it
