Woman who bought one of Italy’s ‘one euro houses’ on the truth behind the scheme

A lady has became an alone Italian “one euro” space right into a £384k dream house – with a spa, outside kitchen and wine cellar.

Meredith Tabbone, 45, determined to bid on a one euro space on a “whim” later her pal despatched her an editorial at the scheme.

A number of miniature Italian cities have accident the headlines for promoting off vacant homes for €1 a pop within the time couple of years.

The municipalities are providing houses for the symbolic value of €1. They are saying having those houses stepped forward and i’m busy within the after few years is usefulness extra to the cities than promoting them off at complete value.

Meredith threw in a random trade in of £4,400 – for a 1600s disused development in Sambuca di Sicilia in Sicily, Italy.

The development had disagree electrical energy or working H2O, and the roof was once thick with asbestos.

Meredith purchased the house after door for £27,000 and knocked thru to manufacture a 4 bed room, 5 toilet quality.

She spent £384k and 5 years developing her dream peace space are compatible with an out of doors kitchen, spa and an out of doors birthday party room.

Meredith, a monetary aider, from Chicago, Illinois, US, mentioned: “The home was once in very sinister status – however in some ways, it was once the entirety I anticipated it to be and extra.

“It had so much charm.

“It had such interesting architectural detail – you could really see the history coming through the walls. But it was a fixer-upper, to say the least.

“It was once usefulness it. It became out smartly.

“It’s modern but in keeping. It’s a vacation home.”

Meredith started researching get an Italian citizenship in 2016 and came upon her dad Michael’s great-grandfather, Fillippo Tabbone, got here from Sambuca di Sicilia – a miniature village in Sicily.

Next studying an editorial on nation bidding on one euro homes in Italy, Meredith threw in a bid in January 2019 and discovered she has been a success in Might of that while.

She began paintings on it a hour nearest – spending £661 to take away the roof in an environmentally-safe approach.

In August 2020, she purchased the house after door by means of a non-public sale to knock thru and manufacture a three,000 sq. substructure quality.

Meredith mentioned: “Once we first noticed the home – it was once 750 sq. toes, it had disagree electrical energy, working H2O or home windows – and it was once thick with asbestos.

“To start with, the plan was once simply to show it right into a miniature absconding space.

“Year we in the beginning simply sought after it as a minute absconding – we’ve became it right into a dream house.”

Meredith has bought two guest houses in the same village for £28k in total which will need minor repairs.

She also bought a disused building for £58k, which she’s turning into an art gallery and apartment for artists to stay in.

Meredith is currently gathering the plans and workforce to start renovating the gallery later this year.

After five years of hard work, Meredith’s holiday home was finally completed in April 2024 – and she now spends four months a year out in Italy.

She said: “It was once very sluggish and tedious.

“The sunsets are spectacular.”

Meredith recommends nation believe purchasing a one euro house however mentioned it’s no longer for the collapse hearted.

She mentioned: “I went all in.

“If you’ll be able to collect the energy it’s usefulness it.”