Tips on buying a cheap house in Italy from those who’ve done it

Silvia Marchetti, CNN
8 minute read
Updated 7:38 PM EST, Thu December 2, 2021
<strong>Valuable insight:</strong> The Italian town of Biccari<a href="https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/biccari-italy-cheap-houses/index.html" target="_blank"> </a>made headlines when it began to selling off both dilapidated one euro homes and ready-to-occupy houses with the aim of reversing depopulation trends. Russian interpreter Aksana Klimavets, seen with the town's mayor Gianfilippo Mignogna, assisted a Moscow businesswoman in buying an old dwelling here.
Valuable insight: The Italian town of Biccari made headlines when it began to selling off both dilapidated one euro homes and ready-to-occupy houses with the aim of reversing depopulation trends. Russian interpreter Aksana Klimavets, seen with the town's mayor Gianfilippo Mignogna, assisted a Moscow businesswoman in buying an old dwelling here.
Comune Biccari
<strong>Cut price:</strong> The three-floor house, located on a narrow cobblestone alley, was fully refurbished, when it was sold for €15,000 (around $16,800).
Cut price: The three-floor house, located on a narrow cobblestone alley, was fully refurbished, when it was sold for €15,000 (around $16,800).
Comune Biccari
<strong>Left behind:</strong> The former owners left lots of furniture, as well as a stroller, inside the property, which had been inherited several times over.
Left behind: The former owners left lots of furniture, as well as a stroller, inside the property, which had been inherited several times over.
Comune Biccari
<strong>Ready-to-occupy:</strong> The buyer plans to add more windows and another fireplace to her new Italian home.
Ready-to-occupy: The buyer plans to add more windows and another fireplace to her new Italian home.
Comune Biccari
<strong>Notary problems:</strong> Klimavets says the process of buying the property proved to be complicated as she and the buyer found it very difficult to find a notary.
Notary problems: Klimavets says the process of buying the property proved to be complicated as she and the buyer found it very difficult to find a notary.
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<strong>Unfortunate obstacles:</strong> "When we did manage to find a notary we were told to transfer the money straight away just before the deed, which is impossible given strict Russian rules on outgoing international payments that take many days," Klimavets adds.
Unfortunate obstacles: "When we did manage to find a notary we were told to transfer the money straight away just before the deed, which is impossible given strict Russian rules on outgoing international payments that take many days," Klimavets adds.
Comune Biccari
<strong>Positive outcome:</strong> Despite the many challenges faced, the buyer has fallen in love with Biccari and is looking forward to spending time in the property.
Positive outcome: Despite the many challenges faced, the buyer has fallen in love with Biccari and is looking forward to spending time in the property.
Comune Biccari
<strong>Happy customer: </strong>Rolf Bauer, a retired engineer from Germany, also opted to purchase a renovated home in Biccari after becoming aware of the scheme.
Happy customer: Rolf Bauer, a retired engineer from Germany, also opted to purchase a renovated home in Biccari after becoming aware of the scheme.
Comune Biccari