Americans Bought Abandoned $1 Homes In Italy - Was It Worth It?

[@tinnic]

I really don't understand the people criticising the first lady. She made it clear she wasn't selling and planned to donate the house back to the town upon her death, its clear that she isn't motivated by money. It's her ancestrial village and she clearly wanted to benefit the area. The money she spent largely circulated through the local community as trades people salary. The materials may well have also been local. Once the house goes back to the town, whatever happens to it will result in more money for the community. But you have numnuts going on about "bad investment". She's clearly not thinking in terms of ROI! Maybe have a look at Why Nigerians own Empty Mansions in their Villages. It's not about turning a profit but building something beautiful where your ancestors come from!

[@Originalman144]

The grandfather probably left for good reason. Imagine what he may have gone through to leave the dying town and now she comes back and waste a ton on money in the place he fled from overpaying for a property 10x the properties in the street next to it. He may have also been from a different town - she said it was just the last place he was noted as having lived before emigrating to the US.

[@volvo24091]

People cannot stand stupidity.

[@paranoidhumanoid]

​​@@Originalman144He left at a time of great poverty and political instability. Italy is no longer like that. In fact, their population, like in Japan, Singapore, Spain and Switzerland, is one of the longest living and healthiest in the world. It's a very beautiful and civilized way of life.

[@Originalman144]

@@paranoidhumanoid No, this place is still very impoverished just as when her grandfather left 100 years ago. Maybe slight better but there’s no services, train, airport, or goods in this area. It’s far from hospital too. If you have money it’s a beautiful and great way of life. Hence, many of the places are dilapidated and sold for 1€. I’ve visited almost every region of Italy.

[@Originalman144]

@@paranoidhumanoid Comparing this abandoned village to Switzerland or Singapore is not acceptable.

[@MrPinoCavallo]

I'm a Sicilian myself but do live in Germany. The problem with Sicily is the lack of jobs, obviously, otherwise you could not have had these prices for real estate. So the winner is the person who has already made enough money to be financially independent or the digital nomad who just needs a laptop and an internet connection.

[@Cincy32]

Do Sicilians pay property taxes annually on real estate?

[@Flat_Earth_Sophia]

Houses are cheaper in germany!

[@MrPinoCavallo]

@@Cincy32 Sicily is part of Italy, so tax rules apply to the whole country. There is an annual property tax, but I don't know if this applies to certain residents. I'm not a tax expert.

[@MrPinoCavallo]

@@Flat_Earth_Sophia No way. Maybe in the very rural areas of Eastern Germany, but I doubt that prices are lower than in South Italy. If choosing between structurally weak areas I would always choose South Italy over Eastern Germany, since in South Italy you have much better weather and you are surrounded by more culture/historic sites.

[@MaLiArtworks186]

Create an international business.

[@masoodrazaq]

The first lady did a beautiful renovation in her family’s ancestral home town. You can’t put a price on sentimentality. Wish her all the happiness there!

[@archmad]

you can, it's 500k

[@grimupnorth9336]

No children, not even leaving it to family and only staying there a few months a year, what is the point? Expensive holiday home, that's it.

[@bawane2031]

​@@grimupnorth9336peace is the point.

[@toshiamiyumi2604]

@@grimupnorth9336 you sound bitter lol

[@airzillarocks]

🤣@@archmad

[@Keesha]

That’s so cool that the first lady got the chance to return to her grandfather’s hometown.

[@Originalman144]

He left for a reason

[@arttukreutzman]

i bet she didn’t blend into the local society. you can live somewhere or you can LIVE somewhere.

[@mabel9701]

Same, love this for her

[@centurione6489]

Renovations will cost between 500 euros (cosmetic) and 1500 Euros per square meter. IF you can find a honest contractor. If you get scammed and need to go to court ... good luck with that 🤣.

[@Chicago48]

Yeh, but at what cost. I hope she was a millionaire? She probably had to IMPORT everything that was decor and furniture. It takes a special type of person to do what they do. There are no doctors, hospitals, retail. It's like going to a deserted island.

[@paranoidhumanoid]

Even with all the permitting, insurance, property tax, and requisite renovation costs, visa fees, etc. -- it's a better deal than what you get here! It's at least affordable.

[@marklabonte2925]

right? she actually bought TWO BUILDINGS. Not bad for half a mil RENOVATED.

[@paranoidhumanoid]

The second one she paid around $20K so it's a 2-for-1 deal. Property taxes in much of Europe including Italy are only a few hundred US dollars per YEAR depending on value of the home. A home assessed at $100K or less would likely be around $300-400 annually, so roughly $33/month. In most states it's a few hundred a month!@@marklabonte2925

[@kurger100]

you cannot make remotely the same money you would make in USA... Also USA is far more wealthier and tolerant than italy

[@Keesha]

Even at the present conversion rate of $440K, it’s still a deal for a permanent home. Here in NYC, that amount gets you a studio the size of a walk-in closets 😂😂

[@farzana6676]

The difference is that there's no jobs over there. You can also get a dirt cheap rundown house in some flyover state that has no jobs.

[@cds8718]

I sit here in Oakland, California near to where a few of these buyers once lived. At 54, I will never be more than a renter, enriching my landlord. It’s fascinating that people fled Italy 100 years ago for a “better life” in America. Now, we Americans are fleeing the US for a better life in Italy. A life we can afford.

[@deasvail99]

These folks who purchased these homes already made their money in the U.S. so they can afford to live a semi-retired lifestyle abroad. There are not many jobs in these little towns..

[@Matias_L]

@@deasvail99remote work is more popular than ever. I work remote, it’s pretty tempting!

[@nenaj1]

@@Matias_LWhat company do u work for?

[@MadPutz]

You're comparing apples to oranges. There are cheap bad condition homes in small towns all across America, just like this town in Italy.

[@vistalover9607]

American system is dumb because people are INCENTIVIZED to buy houses by the government and other entities. This actually makes homes an investable assett, which appreciates in value, thus making people hoard it like stocks. Just need to run it like Austria, Japan and such.

[@sylvainh2o]

The 15k house with little repairs are the best deals.

[@fabe61]

Depends if you want to live in an old-style house or do your own thing. In many ways it is easier to modernise a ruin because you can start from the foundations up.

[@YogaBlissDance]

Thank u I said the same.

[@hoteny]

Do you get residence permit for buying these houses?

[@kerolokerokerolo]

@@hoteny I guess

[@anonymouse527]

Yeah, brother totally a winner! Didn't go for the 1 euro gimmick. Left everybody in the dust 😂

[@dsdddsd4543we]

Beautiful homes. With a population of around 5K, you either have a remote-friendly job or are semi-retired to live there.

[@hppavilionf50]

Remote friendly and can deal with the time difference. That's a tough one for most people.

[@richardnguyen1520]

I wonder if there is even high speed internet in some of these places to handle remote jobs.

[@farzana6676]

I rather buy a cheap house in Appalachia or something.

[@epoliv]

@@richardnguyen1520 Now there is Starlink Satellite internet for that.

[@hppavilionf50]

@@farzana6676 And be robbed by druggies? No thanks.

[@ninablackwell4792]

I like the idea of not turning the town into an AirBNB spot. People with a connection like the first lady or those wanting to return to become part of the community, to retire, etc should be given priority to these projects. If I were 20 years younger, I'd love to do it too.

[@sarasamaletdin4574]

But this is ideal thing to do if you are close to retirement or have already! It’s how you can work here which is the issue Although maybe you want to live with your family etc, it’s not like you have to do this :)

[@AlexFeldman]

There's nothing wrong with Airbnb. I could even argue that it's selfish of her to only live there 4 months out of the year and let it sit empty for 8 months

[@grimsonforce7504]

That's my concern which is mostly likely what most of people are doing minus the first lady.

[@matthewrodriguez6327]

Actually it can boost the economy of the village creating it a tourist/vacation spot

[@SgramITA91]

As an Italian im happy to see that people from other countries are willing to spend money in our country and help the local economies of this small/almost ghost villages. Thank you so much

[@muratbayraktar5035]

This is really sad though. You can physically see the population collapse and the erasure of a huge amount of small rural communities.

[@GoodMorning-b2w]

i might be stupid. but do you build new homes in italy, or just renovate the old buildings?

[@ingridgott]

​@@GoodMorning-b2wis not stupid ,they are renovating old houses those houses are made with strong materiales they can last many generations.

[@exa_frame]

@@GoodMorning-b2w Both, the choice is up to you!

[@GoodMorning-b2w]

@@exa_frame thx for telling me.. (it's not up to me lol) i'm not a rich investor, sorry though i think renovation would be better for the most part, because the facades of these homes look pretty.

[@lisap.1826]

I ❤ that these people followed their dreams and did what works best for them. Seeing many negative comments on living in a low population area and the cost of renovations. $400k gets a 1 bedroom apartment in a noisy congested city where i live. I would love to live somewhere that offers beautiful scenery and a slower pace of life. Good on these buyers for being brave!

[@deasvail99]

Word. People are worried that there isn't an airport or hospital nearby. Well, in many rural parts of the U.S.there isn't either. And the homes are still 10-20x more than in these old Italian villages.

[@josueravena3464]

True it is a big gamble but i guess the primary objective is creating a community to this time and eventually, if many people move in, it'll become more and more sustainable

[@Zero11_ss]

What city is that because even here in NYC where i live you can easily get a 2 bedroom apartment for far far less than you are claiming. Not that it even makes sense to compare some little random italian town with low economic standing to a major city in the first place.

[@hppavilionf50]

Regarding the cost of renovations, it's apparent that she remodeled everything to very high standards. My hunch is that it could have been done for about half had she not put in a sauna, fancy appliances, connected it to the building next door, etc. My biggest complaint is the lack of natural light. The rooms look rather dark.

[@Originalman144]

It's a crazy price -- and the properties around it are no more than $50k. She could have bought something already renovated for cheaper and closer to the train. I guess it is just symbolic for her.

[@tiffanywatson8316]

Yep, the furnishings alone are over $100K.

[@efikeffect4454]

Your ‘hunch’

[@TCJones]

They saw her coming, I live in the uk, and 4 years ago, i striped a 3 bed home back to brick, did all the work i could my self, and it cost me 18k to replace everything but the central heating boiler. And that was paying for a complete rewire, replsater, door ways to be moved etc. Ok prices have gone up with the tory gov, but 470k is nuts. But i put effort in rather than cash.

[@centurione6489]

Renovations will cost between 500 euros (cosmetic) and 1500 Euros per square meter. IF you can find a honest contractor, that is. If you get scammed and need to go to court ... good luck with that 🤣.

[@LiveInnerCity]

Meredith's story is especially inspiring - she turned a crumbling property into her dream home and even gave it a historical name to honor her family. Plus she will donate the home when she's gone wow

[@kingofmambo]

She has no kids

[@kld70]

Tax shelter and write-off. She said her dad was an architect. How much you wanna best he drew up those plans and she paid him a fortune for them? How else to you explain that GROSSLY exaggerated cost? Then she gets a mortgage loan of 80% of 500K, netting her 400k tax-free money to live on. Not a bad scam on a house worth 90K tops. Oh, but wait…..she’s not done. She puts it in a charitable trust but gives her relative life tenancy (meaning her live there for free for life) while being able to claim it as a charitable deduction to shelter any other tax liability she may have on her estate. I’ve always heard Italy was corrupt…..she proves it.

[@dm96177]

The first woman featured has incredible taste and I loved the architecture and design of her home. I’m so glad she was able to honor her great grandfather ♥️

[@dontxtalk]

Oh god I hated her soulless white and gray interior haha, but to each their own.

[@sarabeth8050]

There are plenty of beautifully renovated properties not too far away from major Italian cities for 100K to 200K range. That's a lot less expensive than trying to renovate a one euro home in a remote area.

[@samelmudir]

Yeah. You can buy an apartment for 100k in a big Sicilian city. To spend 400k to live in a dying town away from everything costs too much

[@Originalman144]

@@samelmudir Yeah, such a bad investment. She must be from California. No way this makes sense anywhere else.

[@ericyuan9718]

@@Originalman144 Almost all of em were from California.😂

[@Originalman144]

@@ericyuan9718 😂😂

[@DeanBKK]

​@samelmudir remember, she bought TWO buildings by choice. Her taste in furniture and renovations also seem to be more on the luxury / expensive side. The 1 Euro home can be done for way less (1 home instead of 2, and not going all out with granite countertops and stone everywhere).

[@xtinafusco]

I remember seeing ads for these 1 Euro homes and fantasized about it lol - this is such a wonderful and honest followup on how that has worked out for buyers. I love the renovations that still keep the original character of the buildings, like the lady that bought 3 diff 1 euro homes. The first lady made hers too ultra lux modern and the scale of everything is very American - its no doubt gorgeous, but makes sense hers cost x10 of the other lady's reno.

[@mugdham2811]

One Euro is so cheap, even I want to leave everything and go there. Only if I got work from anywhere remote job it will be possible 😅

[@Davidman3976]

​@@mugdham2811 It is not only about money. If you don't belong there, those towns don't have anything to offer, and likely you'd be depressed because you don't have any ties to the place, nor the people, nor the culture. It is not like living in some wonderful city like Verona or Naples. You just don't belong there and you would notice it quickly. I live in Spain and hear that kind of stories all the time. Cheap houses are cheap for a reason. And people is getting really tired of those foreigners who buy the good ones in the city centres just to make BNB's.

[@chorizoconhuevos13]

The first house is so depressing imo, just gray and white emptiness. I hate it.

[@sherrie9241]

this is a win-win, it restores a home falling apart, and employs so many local people from wood workers, plaster master and tile etc.

[@vincenzostr4488]

If you are young it's not because you live with old people and you don't have possibility to find a partner and a job

[@eds.4815]

No mention of residence permits? Buying and renovating a home doesn’t include the right to live the the foreign country, and that’s a VERY important consideration. (Lots of Brits can’t move to their retirement homes post-Brexit.)

[@sarasamaletdin4574]

I believe you get residency too if you do this, which is one of the draws

[@eds.4815]

@@sarasamaletdin4574 Not according to anything I've read on the topic.

[@megnotmegan1966]

You need to show you make a certain amount of income, the amount depends on the country.

[@AmirPounding]

@@sarasamaletdin4574 You dont

[@bradnoah6626]

Sadly no mention of how they are legally residing in Italy. Golden Visa requirements are about $500k. You can't spend 1 Euro then renovate and stay indefinitely. Perhaps for the one lady it's based on ancestry but the others?

[@j4de934]

Those are the requirements of Monaco not Sicily Italy

[@youngpassport]

wish we could've gotten more of Ernest's story and perspective on buying his premium home. great video nonetheless

[@deasvail99]

Yeah I really liked the home he purchased and the views from the balcony were the best! I would have loved to see how he renovated it.

[@IsSheRG710]

Right like I wanted know more details too!

[@LaShaynaMonique]

straight up skipped the black man lmaooo he had about 30secs to tell his story

[@youngpassport]

Typical devaluation of the Black man in America. No wondered he decided to relocate.@@LaShaynaMonique

[@bloom4096]

Exactly! I loved his home so much and I wanted to know more about his story.

[@mr-lapina]

Long story short so you don't have to watch the video: "Was it worth?" the answer is that they still don't know but they keep selling them...

[@kaitlynr9271]

I could not stop staring at that amazing pink and blue bathroom!

[@kld70]

Right?!? So crushing on that! 🥰

[@ricardorangel3241]

Man, that first house was beautiful!! Still cheaper than most major cities here in the states.

[@connieb.6061]

but it's not a city...it's a dilapidated village in the middle of nowhere

[@ricardorangel3241]

@@connieb.6061 you're right, Sambuca di Sicilia is not a centrally located city, but I don't think she was looking for a posh flat in Rome or Milan. I think she was trying to connect with her great grandfather's hometown.

[@MrEvans1]

Still looks better than half of LA tbh ​@connieb.6061

[@xGARIDx]

1$ for property other expenses for restoration and probably they must buy materials from local shop, markets for expensive value comparing non local market. That mayor of that city is really smart guy

[@wilsonbethlehem3101]

The mayor is a crook a.k.a. mafia. 😂

[@deasvail99]

​@wilsonbethlehem3101 sounds like 99% of our politicians. They don't need the mob to screw people over, though.

[@italico3222]

all Americans are

[@ruisgallego3239]

@@wilsonbethlehem3101 all Americans are

[@JohnFromAccounting]

It's meant to build up the local economy, so how is that a bad thing?

[@MrRobcher]

For americans its the italian dream but it ideal only if you want to stay for a long time and do not intend ever to sell.An italian would never consider living there are those houses are in the middle if nowhere and you need a car for everything.

[@SaceedAbul]

We Americans love living in the middle of nowhere. Have you seen Texas ?

[@MrRobcher]

@@SaceedAbul Try to see the roads in Sicily,it looks like a warzone

[@SaceedAbul]

@@MrRobcher sounds like Houston

[@SymphoniesOfTheNewMillennium]

@@MrRobcher Sai quanti anni hanno quei villaggi? Da quelle strade passavano le carrozze e i cavalli! Se non ami questi tipi di villaggi certo non vai li.

[@joshuacoldwater]

You need a car to get everywhere here in the US. If something is a daily walk, at least it is in this BEAUTIFUL cities. I would not mind walking around ALL DAY.

[@gasparini76]

When you have deep pockets... life is soooo easier...

[@pvanukoff]

Yup, and they keep saying "remember, money doesn't buy happiness" 🤣

[@deasvail99]

Imagine getting to travel to Italy for four months a year as a 44 year old. Definitely not the financial situation for most people in their 40s.

[@HughJass-313]

​@@deasvail99 ❤❤

[@11kabula]

@@deasvail99 true! But one just has to plan...

[@arttukreutzman]

My previous boss wanted to fulfill his dreams so he bought the apartament in old city centre in Cracow, Poland. Due to lack of knowledge of local regulations, language barrier (believe me, not all builders, city hall officers, carpenters or plumbers can speak english) the project instead of 2 years took 5. when he has lost his patience and a lot more money than planned he sold it and moved back to Netherlands. In the beginning i was a bit jealous to be honest but at the end of the day it’s good to learn on someone’s else mistakes.

[@Kevin-zz9nc]

Polish people who live here in Ireland all tell me everything is straightforward here. If you consult three attorneys in Poland you get three different answers.....

[@arttukreutzman]

@@Kevin-zz9nc i assume purchasing the property and renovating it in italy is on yet another level especially with zero Italian or knowledge about the culture and legal system

[@izl1104]

@@Kevin-zz9ncsame in America too. Consult three different attorneys and they got three different answers. Only one is legally correct.

[@renatoovelar7442]

@@arttukreutzmanIm always told Italian bureaucracy is one of the worst in the world

[@chemicle]

It's a bit misleading to call it a house for 1$ - the reality is that that she' spent near a 1/2 million dollars. That's the equivelent of knocking. place down and rebuilding entirely from scratch - so this is a projected based retiredment deal. It certainly brings investment into town.

[@manojmurali7462]

American Dream: Save money and move to Europe.

[@God_emperor_Doom]

Bidenomics pal 😂. I miss the TRUMP era

[@God_emperor_Doom]

@@flipacoin3593 true brother 🤞🏻💪🏻☦️✝️

[@seanatsnow]

I've been in europe for almost 5 years. I Can't Wait to get back to the usa... it's n9t that great man... really hard to make money. And it's a socialist Marxist society. So the gov controls business . I've really enjoyed learning European culture... but there are way more cons than pros... BTW... I've lived in the s pacific for 10 years also..so not my 1st rodeo

[@andrewlopez1906]

@@God_emperor_Doom as do I but unfortunately housing hasn't been affordable for a lot longer than that. And I live in California, not on my own

[@nicholascooper843]

​@@God_emperor_Doom Most of the people in the video moved in 2019 though.

[@typhon1861]

Honestly mad respect to the first lady, she built a beautiful home in a town that meant something to her. Idk why everyone is going after her for overspending, she can clearly afford it 😂 and its not your money. If I could afford it i would also spend that for a home like that. For some people, a beautiful home that has everything you want is priceless. Sadly I'll probably be a renter most of my life in Toronto 😂

[@TheModernInvestor]

7:18 Could you buy a 4 story home in your country for $15,000 ? I always wonder why more people dont buy a home overseas, whether it be to relocate entirely for a MUCH lower cost of living or simply as a vacation home. The world is vast, and theres a lot to explore.

[@CM-qv5mz]

Hellooo everybody welcome back, to another comment! Hope you're all doing well and having a fantastic day.

[@perfectallycromulent]

the problem is, if these were great places for vacations, people would be already vacationing there, and the houses wouldn't be cheap. the world has been open for tourism since the 1960s, there's no new places to discover. and you can get a 4 story home for $15K in my country, the United States, it's just going to be falling apart and in a terrible neighborhood full of other houses that are falling apart, in a city like Detroit, that's lost more than half of it's population since it's peak.

[@BatsiraiMusuka]

@@perfectallycromulentit’s a matter of choice. Personally, between Detroit and these…I’d pick Italy. It’s more charming.

[@steflift5165]

@@BatsiraiMusukayou can earn more money working remotely from Detroit than working remotely in Italy, so the premium does have an (opportunity) cost

[@KandyGTV]

​@perfectallycromulent where in the US are you going to get a 4 story building for $15,000? Not even cities like Detroit have that low of prices.

[@amandabricker3059]

I think my hope for these homes is that people do have the best of intentions. I heard about it when they first started it and was so worried about those villages being hyper inflated once people started using them as AirBNB’s. As well as how that’d affect the culture. I genuinely hope people, especially Americans- because we get such a bad wrap all the time- respect the culture and adapt. Whether it is a vacation home or a long term home, I hope the villages can prosper. ❤️

[@josephkelly4893]

Such a great idea to invite a boost to the economy. The flow on to local business would be huge. Good to see a positive story regarding accommodation. Peace from Australia

[@freakalmighty2533]

The first lady is an angel. I hope everybody who participates in this initiative will demonstrate the same respect and affection to our towns and our people.

[@lelandsutton3264]

Great video. I always saw these places going viral but wanted to know how it would actually turn out

[@5trider29]

Loving the modern/post modern architecture. I hope the towns get back on its feet and restores to its new glory. I would love to buy this home.

[@bellavita4048]

Hi Meredith of Sambuca, I love your story and how you are keeping the family tradition alive! I hope you can pass down the house to a relative rather than donate back to the village. Have you tried searching for relatives in the town? I'm sure there must be more cousins or nieces in the area. Best wishes

[@JohnyArt]

love this type of episodes

[@hppavilionf50]

I'm very curious as to how long it takes her to get there from mainland Italy and what sort of social life there is in a dying town. Sounds fun and all until you want to make new friends, the average age in the town in 80, and you can't understand each other. Update: So there are some flights from Chicago (Meredith's hometown) to Palermo with 1 or 2 layovers and then it's a 1 hour drive to Sambuca di Sicilia. Not as bad as I expected, but not something you do for a quick check-in on the property.

[@pjacobsen1000]

Yes, there does seem to be a clash between the ideal, the romance of living in an ancient Mediterranean mountain village, and then actually having to live there, with very few shops, restaurants, things to do, and few neighbors.

[@thomasmccallan6914]

I wouldn’t assume that everyone wants to be friends with people their own age in an area that they are not from. Personally I would want to be friends with the locals no matter their age. Plus if you are good at convincing your friends, you should tell them to buy property too.

[@floxy20]

It sounds perfect for retirement living.

[@hppavilionf50]

@@floxy20 as long as one is healthy, can climb stairs all the time, doesn't need medication, specialists, etc.

[@anyexpat]

@@hppavilionf50 That is not realistic when you are 80 / 85 etc

[@johnlocke3481]

I am so genuinely happy for these people. This is a dream come true. I wish you a long and healthy life.

[@serge488]

Danny has a good heart, good for him to pursue his dreams!

[@pattybonsera]

This is very inspiring! I am 3rd generation Italian and my dream is to buy one of these homes. My great-grandparents came from Sicily and mainland Italy in the early 1900s. Their names are on the Wall of Honor at Ellis Island. For $475,000 American dollars, the first renovation is outstanding! And you know that those buildings were built to last. I live in Colorado Springs, and you can't even find a single-family home here, made of 2x4s and pressboard for less than half a million dollars. I'll take that Sicilian renovation over crappy stick-built any day.

[@toniderdon]

The first lady has done a really amazing job

[@goldeneastgun]

Renaissance basically means revival. "Some people say I have two $5 dollar bills... but I like to think of it as $10 dollars..."

[@Ella-Bella2024]

🤣

[@jennifercopley1626]

Her taste is excellent her english is of a working standard.

[@MAC06141]

So good to see a heart warming video like this …..enjoy life …….you deserve it ❤love from Western Australia ❤

[@cloynelson2974]

Their plan to repopulate villages kinda went south if people treating it as vacation houses.

[@gelatinpacket]

This was the comment I was going to make. How is a single, at-the-end-of-middle-aged person living there a few months out of the year going to help with population and the local economy? This just seems like it’s not at all in line with the original goal of the 1€ home project. Buying two homes and making them into one also seems to go against it.

[@SigmaLibra]

Renovations bring money to local artisans. Vacation rentals bring customers to restaurants, cafes and other local businesses. That means the local young people can stay and work in the area instead of having to leave to find jobs. They can have families there. It's more about retaining and increasing the existing population than bringing in long-term foreigners.

[@cloynelson2974]

@@SigmaLibra wow it's been a while. You're right, foreigners do bring income. But it's allocated in particular seasons and is limited mostly to gig jobs. They can give an extra penny to locals, but are not scalable (there is a limited real estate space) and are not sustainable (keeping the economy bound to tourism flow is a risky biz). Without stable job opportunities, it wouldn't be so attractive to people with families.

[@SigmaLibra]

@@cloynelson2974 I grew up in a mountain tourist area. Three months of winter and 3 months of hikers in summer can easily sustain most businesses through the low seasons.

[@cloynelson2974]

@@SigmaLibra that's an interesting perspective. Honest question: were there a lot of people who had moved there to do business (and brought their families), or was it mostly local people's initiatives? Also, did you move out of there?

[@rhvre]

Don't tell her what she could've bought there for $475 000 straight up.

[@SaceedAbul]

A mansion literally 3:48

[@Calipeixegato]

Right?!? She spent half a million dollars on a house in a town of 5,000 people where they are desperate to repopulate? Talk about having money to burn.

[@flux928]

It's an investment into her ancestral village. She said it will never be sold and can only be donated back to the village. Money isn't everything.

[@johnl.7754]

Probably at the beginning she didn’t think it would cost so much but at the end it did.

[@Originalman144]

A large villa with land and a pool , surely. She's cooped up in a small place with no natural light

[@iq-ride9329]

I don't understand why would anyone would do this unless they're Italians and work or live nearby. I mean, the visa and residency requirements alone are a headache.

[@Originalman144]

I think since her grandfather is from there the visa and residency was easier. For the other people, yeah not worth the headache. Just rent a nice flat in Florence or Rome for $3k a month for the 3-4 months per year you are allowed in the country and go where you want.

[@Laura-fn6fl]

If any of your grandparents was born an Italian citizen, you can apply directly for citizenship.

[@SigmaLibra]

Lol, this woman is from Chicago. Chicago regularly has -30°C in the winter.

[@halvulcan2842]

@@SigmaLibra -30c???? where in chicago do you find these lovely temperatures??

[@jazzyjaz8949]

This video was FANTASTICO!!!

[@eldemcan]

Its such a beautiful house designed very similar to my taste. I am happy for her, hope she enjoys that space many more years

[@GianGianniGiannuso]

Sono Italiano, vi spiego come funziona: I sindaci "vendono" case abbandonate da decenni a 1€ ma con " alcune "restrizioni: Devi venire A VIVERE in quel paese sperduto con 10 abitanti. Devi ricostruire da capo la casa. Non puoi venderla. Non puoi fittarla. Non puoi guadagnarci. E se tutto questo ti va bene, devi pagare il 51% di tasse allo stato italiano. Fidatevi, venite in italia come turisti, non come buisness.

[@italico3222]

ita lio ta

[@agbook2007]

Certamente. Non puoi farlo altrimenti.

[@Precimolobye]

Wow, the renovation on the first home is absolutely stunning and looks wonderful! A great idea to purchase the second house next door to it for sure!!

[@ajka7667]

to the man who collects food and makes food from it for those in need ... all the best to you ... I ask God to reward you for that

[@fmls8266]

In my italian region, you can buy a fully furbished high quality villa near seaside with 200k

[@jaydeebulje4493]

The Boomerang Effect. Gli Italiani came to the States, Australia and the UK fleeing post war abhorrent living conditions and now the Americans, the Brits and Aussies are fleeing abhorrent conditions for a better life, The Boomerang took a while to come back, but here it is and I'm onboard, great video and stories

[@margaritoamargo6347]

They said the house cost 1$ now im seeing it cost $1.05 wtf! complete lies.

[@Serkunny]

It's 1 euro, so it converts to $1.05

[@jackanapes1492]

@@Serkunnywhoosh

[@lavieestduresansconfiture3912]

😂

[@la_dweng6407]

😂😂😂😂

[@nomadicroadrat]

Having left the States 20 or so years ago, have no regrets. Am privileged to have been at the beginning of what is now called a "digital nomadic" lifestyle and professional career. Italy is not for every one even for €1.

[@ashwiniachu9791]

I loved the first women doing her best..the people who plan to buy and then turn it into Air BNB are the ones who are making life tough in North America.. I wish they don't get the house..it's always not about money ..

[@oliverstrahle]

I'm not keen on lots of AirBnBs generally - but surely the idea of these schemes was to repopulate these towns. This woman's house is sitting empty for most of the year. It would do more for the town if she did AirBnB it while she was in the USA.

[@jennifertoliver9546]

It's lovely we visited Florence, Tuscany and Orvieto and Porto Ercolle, in 2018, my Daughter spent 10 months there and loved it. We loved the markets, the people and the food!

[@jacquesmertens3369]

The first woman with her 450K renovation cost may have received a visit from local 'families'. I wouldn't be surprised if they made her an offer she coudn't refuse. It's Sicily after all. Advice for Americans: if you have money in an Italian bank, the local 'family' knows how much you have. Make sure your Italian bank accounts are nearly empty.

[@Pythoner]

who needs her?

[@AmitUP-tp2kw]

6 years ago my friend bought a renovation project at a prime location. It is a big property with many rooms. They are living in it and renovating it at the same time. It is already 6 years and project is far from finish.

[@PnoMonies]

The first home is absolutely breathtaking. Yesssss Queen!!!!! Good for you!!!

[@mihadalzayat6957]

I renovated a home in south florida and I will never ever do that again. The frustration and exhaustion is not worth it. You've been warned.

[@mannyjeanpierre4062]

do you mind giving more detail/elaborating???

[@okaycola2]

Taint for the weak

[@LeoMidori]

Florida will be under water anyway, plus the hurricanes alone are awful. I can't see a future there 20 years down the line.

[@CHIEF_420]

​@@LeoMidori🌎⌚️

[@beardedpanda5086]

Interesting to get a more local perspective on the influx of expats. Would also be nice to see an economic analysis on the effect of people coming in

[@diegoflores9237]

Expats? They're called migrants

[@beardedpanda5086]

@@diegoflores9237 expats.

[@sandratestolinilembo3915]

I did read that one of the conditions was to start a family and well as age . Yet no one of these new owners has children .

[@electric-fire21]

Once they complete the renovations i wonder what the cost of upkeep is. Do they have to pay property tax, home insurance, etc? If the costs are pretty low, it would be a fun second home to live out a few months of the year

[@sandrakirkpatrick3116]

The best Reno I have seen. I can’t believe you’re only going to be there four months a year. I would go for at least 6 months. It is amazing.

[@CinnastixChick]

As soon as I pay off my student loans, I'm out of the US. It's too expensive here, even with a practical college degree

[@Karachi12234]

There are no job in village

[@josiahallenswife6899]

Jobs pay less in arias where the cost of living is lower. That’s why the expenses are lower in the first place.

[@Ryan-cb1ei]

@@josiahallenswife6899 I don’t think some of you understand that living here would still be better than what a lot of Americans experience. More relaxing, walkable, and free healthcare.

[@josiahallenswife6899]

@@Ryan-cb1ei You still have to pay for healthcare in the form of higher taxes. Many of the countries where healthcare is "free" take %10+ out of your paycheck specifically to pay for your healthcare. My family pays less than this for our insurance (including the deductable) in the US. Also, you can choose to walk, create relaxing habits, etc. in the US if that's important to you.

[@ana419]

Why bother to pay your student “loan” there, if you’re out anyway? It’s a scam. Education is free everywhere else in the world, as it should be, being a Universal Human Right by law. (ICESCR) Americans do not even know how oppressed they are. Go work and build up your retirement elsewhere, and let them collect their loan after you’re retired from whatever pittance SS is left there. Most corrupted “developed” country on the planet.

[@PokeObsession]

Meredith did a good job with the renovation. I’m so happy for her!

[@Swagg3r3d]

she did an amazing job. omg.

[@hsuantingchen490]

lovely episode, enjoyed it!

[@fernmiranda]

This makes me really sad because the reason the homes were sold was for people to move to the town and help the local economy. Instead, everything is being bought out by rich people who use it as a vacation spot for a short time during the year. This does not help the economy. At best, it boosts the tourism during certain months. How are grocery stores, post office, bakeries, etc. supposed to survive off an empty town save for 4 months out of the year? We really live in the most boring dystopia imaginable.

[@SigmaLibra]

You forgot about the hundreds of thousands being spent on local artisans for renovations.

[@jennyhammond9261]

Great taste! I especially love the flooring and stairs.

[@Inyourbox-kr5uf]

Only living in that house for 4 months a year should be a crime

[@niqmk10]

Conclusion, never buy $1 Home if you don't have at least $500K in hand

[@okaycola2]

15k but go off

[@jhonnydiamond]

Hater, 30k or less are enough. Moreover with 500K dollars you can buy a brand new fantastic house in Italy, in USA with the same money you buy a tiny and old house in the middle of a trash city

[@geeksauthority]

A $500,000 residence amidst hundreds of dilapidated homes? Hard pass unless you really wants to be there !

[@volvo24091]

A fool is born every minute.

[@okaycola2]

A bit too extravagant for only 4 months of the year but maybe she sublets it

[@Hasmiral]

As european, I spent a few years in the states and I always heard people say: Oh I love italy and italian food-but they have never been there and they thought chicken alfredo was a real italian dish . I somehow get that feeling of back then again watching this story. Italy has a very specific culture and you litterally have to "feel" it and dig down to integrate. I am married to a sardinian husband and I inhaled his culture -without this I wouldn`t have been accepted in the family. It`s also a burden. I bet many of the one euro americans never learn to speak italian...

[@WillieFungo]

Why do Europeans have such a chip on their shoulders about Americans? All over the internet, you guys are moaning about Americans.

[@blueskies773]

The first woman did something beautiful for her ancestry and community. I want to hear more stories like hers.

[@SaceedAbul]

You can buy a castle for 400,000k

[@morisnakus6108]

Yes, in France or UK, and renovation would be minimum x20 of the purchase price. Rather buy 3501€ apartment.

[@GregoryMichaelCarter]

Exactly

[@Uns46]

@@morisnakus6108buy an apt for €3501???

[@jhonnydiamond]

ahahahahah you neeed many millions for a castle. Stop saying bullshits

[@SigmaLibra]

But can you afford to heat it afterwards?

[@SimonTmte]

The towns will die out and you'll be left with a really expensive renovated house in the middle of tons of long ago dilapidated housing, it's like building a brand new home on a landfill

[@thexvault]

with more remote jobs you will see more people leaving for less congested areas.

[@rcbrascan]

Most of these remote small towns doesn't even have reliable internet or cell towers.

[@Normalhumman]

@@thexvaultCovid is over. No more remote jobs. It’s really silly to think people will leave major hubs that have stood test of time and move to remote places.

[@Originalman144]

@@rcbrascan Starlink. But the location is still terrible. No train, no medical services, no shops, no airport.

[@holdencawffle626]

So true!

[@hummersd]

Might have to skip NYC and just move to Italy/Sicily. Went last year to coastal Taormina, and loved it. Next looking into other islands; Sardinia and Capri, but also all over mainland-so many places to explore! 🇮🇹

[@IsSheRG710]

NYC is just a different city. Not for everyone but can’t be compared to these smaller coastal Italian towns

[@explosivehotdogs]

Cannot go wrong with Sardinia or Capri. I'm not really for comparing somewhere like NYC though - they're apples and oranges. Ultimately the cliché holds true: home is where the heart is.

[@EconomicWarfare]

This is absolutely amazing ❤ That library 😍

[@vanityfair001]

I liked the first story because the owner showed us the complete finished project, and she also had family ties to the community so she was very passionate about protecting it. Also I loved the way she styled the property.

[@Allinmyworld]

People renovating one euro homes would be a great TV show that i would love to watch on HGTV. Seems like a lot of the homebuyers are people in their 50s with disposable income buying vacation properties. Hopefully more prospective buyers might possibly remote workers living aboard that way the buyers can live and work and stay their full time. Countryside is absolutely beautiful

[@n.e.g.u.s]

@17:45 Revival and renaissance mean the exact same thing, she has a library but not one with a dictionary ?

[@benevolentconcepts]

Lol I love this! My thoughts exactly I was questioning my vocab for a minute

[@SigmaLibra]

There's a subtle difference: Revival - to bring back to (the old) life Renaissance - to be reborn (into a new life)

[@travguru8]

Initially it sounds wonderful to buy a home for so cheap in a beautiful country. However, my concerns would be the building structure, earthquakes, language barriers, safety, and access to everyday things we have in America at our fingertips. Then the huge cultural differences and laws in a foreign country, and no familiar faces at all, or if an emergency occurs. Overall it's best to think long and hard before jumping ship to move to any foreign country from the US.

[@MelodiedeVivre]

I feel like these places would be good for those who wfh or are creatives/artists who needs time away from cities/everyday environment.

[@hexo-mobius]

How do you go from $1 EURO to $6,200 just to purchase the home? "Taxes & Fees" but no actual breakdown? 2:33

[@Curlyblonde]

Mafia.

[@brianlinger4653]

She said it was auction that starts at $1. So multiple bids drove up the price probably.

[@angellohector]

03:00 can you imagine if she'd accidentally bought the same home that her grandfather grew up in

[@sydneybristow5588]

I'm watching this now with tears in my eyes. Italy is the best place on earth for me and I've never been and probably will never be able to go...much less move there. I'm Italian on my mother's side of the family and we shared our love and yearning for Italy most our lives until her passing. Sadly, she never made it to Italy before her passing and it looks that way for me. Living in the USA is great but I and my mother always felt like we belonged in Italy not the USA. So I watch these videos about people's dream homes in Italy and celebrate with them on just how fortunate they truly are. Italy will always be in my spirit as well..my mama's. We dream together mama. I love and miss you every day.

[@connieb.6061]

@sydneybristow5588 why it's a patriarchy with no jobs, no future, and inhospitable locals

[@SpockvsMcCoy]

The homes are cheap because they are in dying towns and villages that are losing population... which pretty much describes all of Southern Italy. Unlikely that the number of foreigners moving into those areas is going to offset young Italians moving out and older Italians dying. Thus, I don't see any price appreciation in renovated homes beyond normal inflation. A modest renovation of 40,000 Euro is fine if you can work remotely or are retired. However, a 400,000 Euro home renovation in a dying town just because your ancestor was Italian is illogical.

[@howelltaylor6774]

Im glad there seems to be a lot of respect for the old homes and not trying to change the Architecture to much. It is well to keep the local culture customs and traditions and these people seem great. Alas sometimes new people bring there old problems with them causing local upheaval.

[@danielbocelli]

475k!!! That's insane

[@jaimillo30]

Yeah that sounds not so affordable or even the way the people live in Italy, I guess she wanted the best of two worlds.

[@Omar-kl3xp]

@@jaimillo30in Italy with $475k you can literally buy a big mansion in a big city ,that’s very much overpriced property

[@Robertking1996]

There's an English couple who bought an actual 2/3 story proper country house with a barn in the country side of Milan for about $350k including renovation costs. That makes more sense to me, you could drive to Milan & Turin within an hour, have access to things but have a nice house. The Sicilian houses would be great as summer homes like the $50k one.

[@venoxee4954]

They gave her the rich american prices obviously haha

[@cariwaldick4898]

My house in Texas would sell for 475k, easy, and it's not as customized and unique as her home. She's got her dream home, and she managed to save a property that wouldn't have survived otherwise. It might not be in keeping with other Italian properties, but why judge her for her choices?

[@italyhousetour]

3:11 her right motivation ❤ and the work she has done are something exciting, well done! 👏👏👏

[@kandreasworld4374]

I was considering doing this because I can do all the work myself. Then I found out that Americans are not allowed to live there for more than three months out of the year. For me, I wanted to completely move there. I don't have the kind of money for two homes and a lot of airfare.

[@zackgravity7284]

lets hope short term rentals dont destroy this place

[@intercalz]

Spending 400k plus and not even living in a B grade European city. Wow, that truly is the definition of passion. Hopefully, she is not an economist.

[@silverado7253]

Those are luxury fixtures and appliances. Not sure if they had to make structural renovations plus the labor. I thought the same thing until I saw her walking on the glass floor above her sauna. That is $650k minimum in the US even in cheapest markets.

[@forlisac1]

Love that some buy with the mission of giving back to these amazing communities.

[@stuff4232]

this is nice for the property value but sucks they choose the most bland boring design for the renovations you could possible do.

[@toddpdroneworks563]

Yeah, crazy they did what they liked and not what you like ehh?

[@Miggy19779]

First lady's lace looks amazing, what a renovation! Amazing work.