Some deserted villages are trying to regain life by selling their houses for a bite of bread. But in this specific corner, the offer defies all logical: an entire house for less than one euro. Cheaper than an espresso at the counter.
A village suspended between hills and olive trees, at the gates of a natural park, offers to settle in centenary houses for the price of a cup of coffee in the area. A good real estate plan? A tourist trap? Not really. Rather a breath of fresh air for a downtown empty of its inhabitants, where the facades close one after the other.
The decor is typically Italian, with its cobbled alleys, its wrought iron balconies and its old stones bathed in light. This village, however, empties. Far from the big cities and their promises, he lost his young people, who left for work elsewhere. Result: dozens of abandoned houses, sometimes for decades, in a more or less good state. To prevent it from turning into a deserted cinema decor, the town hall has drawn a radical offer. The idea: relaunch the heart of the village by attracting new inhabitants. Not necessarily Italians. Everyone is welcome. Only one condition: renovating the house purchased. Once the contract is signed, the new owners are three years old to do the work. If you do not plan to put your suitcases, nothing prevents a vacation home or a rental. The village does not say no, as long as it becomes alive again.
At first glance, the price seems ridiculous. But you should not be mistaken: the work can be expensive. Some houses need a real new stroke. Roof to redo, plumbing, electricity, insulation … You have to be ready. The good side is that the base is solid: most buildings date from the Middle Ages or the Renaissance. It is not a ruin, it is a heritage. Besides, the village is not just a frozen postcard. There are schools, shops, craftsmen, restaurants. And above all, a real neighborhood life. In 2012, this village was even registered on the list of “most beautiful villages in Italy”. A national recognition which, however, was not enough to stem the exodus. To seize this opportunity, direction Penne, a small perched village of Abruzzo, 438 meters above sea level, in the province of Pescara.
More than 40 houses are still available to the symbolic purchase of one euro. You will understand, it is there, in this corner of Italy, that the houses cost less than a coffee and prove to be a real boon for future investors.
