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Ever looked at your rent and thought, you know what, I could probably just buy a house in Italy instead? Well, your property fantasy might not be as impossible as it sounds.
A medieval town in Sicily is the latest Italian destination to put homes on the market for just €1, giving would-be homeowners the chance to pick up a property for less than the price of an espresso.
The town in question is Naro, in the province of Agrigento in south-western Sicily. The local council has launched a new Case a 1 Euro scheme, designed to breathe some life back into its centre by encouraging people to take on abandoned or dilapidated properties and restore them. The scheme is open to both Italian and foreign buyers, subject to the local requirements.
Naro isn't short on reasons to stick around once you've finished wielding the metaphorical (or actual) sledgehammer. The town sits inland on a hill with views stretching towards the sea and across the surrounding Sicilian landscape. Its centre is packed with medieval and Baroque architecture, including the imposing Chiaramontano Castle, a medieval fortress perched at the highest point of the town.
Naturally, there is a catch to that €1 price tag. These aren’t move-in-ready homes. The properties need renovating and buyers will have to foot the bill along with the usual purchase costs, including notary fees, registration and cadastral taxes. You'll also need to stick to the local planning and safety rules and get the work finished within the timeframe set by the scheme.
Like other Italian towns that have launched similar schemes, Naro is trying to tackle depopulation and the deterioration of its historic centre.
The council’s project allows owners of unused properties to put them forward for the scheme, while prospective buyers can apply through the online platform. The municipality says the aim is to encourage restoration, bring buildings back into use and support the town’s wider regeneration. The Naro scheme is open to Italian and foreign nationals, although buyers still need to meet the relevant requirements and go through the application and purchasing process.
Towns across Italy like Sambuca di Sicilia and Salemi have spent years experimenting with €1-house schemes in an attempt to attract new residents and investment to places where populations have dwindled and old buildings have been left empty.
The municipality’s official website currently has a dedicated section for the Case a 1 Euro project, where property owners can submit their properties for consideration.
So if you've been waiting for an excuse to dramatically announce to all of your friends that you’re moving to Sicily, this could be it. Just make sure you’ve got rather more than €1 in the bank.
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