Truemors
With housing prices at record highs in North America and the U.K. you may want to consider buying a home in Italy instead. The mayor of Salemi, a small town less than half an hour outside of Palermo in Sicily, has announced plans to sell homes in the ancient Mediterranean village for the bargain price of a Euro. Mayor Vittorio Sgarbi is hoping the low prices will revive the town, which was struck by an earthquake 40 years ago.
"There are 3,700 houses owned by the council, almost all in the old town, that are in danger of falling down - of crumbling and dying," Mr Sgarbi explained.
What's the catch? The homes being offered for sale were all damaged in the earthquake and will require extensive renovations to be made habitable. Buyers will be expected to finish the renovations within two years and will not be allowed to make any changes to the original style of the home.
"In exchange for a token payment of one euro we will offer them one of these houses and ask that they undertake to restore them within two years while respecting their original characteristics."
Mayor Sgarbi's initiative has generated some celebrity interest. Rock star Peter Gabriel is said to be considering buying one of the homes in the historic Sicilian town, and Inter Milan football club president Massimo Moratti has already taken over one of the homes.
Want to take on the challenge? Contact Mayor Sgarbi via his website http://www.vittoriosgarbi.it/j/, by visiting his MySpace page at http://www.myspace.com/vittoriosgarbi, or call the Salemi city hall in Sicily at (+39)0924-991-111.
Most RecentMost Recommended Comments (2)
at 17:13 on September 21st, 2008
I'm looking for a new home, with whom do I contact to get a home here?
at 02:47 on September 22nd, 2008
You can try to find information on the website of Vittorio Sgarbi http://www.vittoriosgarbi.it/j/