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Buy a home for only a Euro in western Sicily, update with contact info
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by Tina Kells | September 3, 2008 at 12:19 pm
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Buy a home for only a Euro in western Sicily, update with contact info
uploaded by Va_lentina
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.
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Most RecentMost Recommended Comments (16)
at 12:23 on September 3rd, 2008
Someone on NP should buy one, and then make a documentary about the renovation process.
at 15:12 on September 3rd, 2008
This is a glimpse of the city of Salemi, the town became famous thanks to its new mayor, Vittorio Sgarbi and sale of some houses to one euro.
(I apologize for my bad English)
Va_lentina has contributed a photo to this story.
at 15:51 on September 3rd, 2008
By 'someone', you're referring to the crazy-about-Italy-blonde-in-Vancouver? Nice try, Jordan; unless you're willing to help with the repairs. :o)
at 19:14 on September 3rd, 2008
Isn't there enough bad reality TV already? Can we please move on already?
at 00:18 on September 4th, 2008
This is the house where Pablo Neruda (played by Philippe Noiret) lived in the Italian movie "Il Postino" (directed in 1994 by Michael Radford and Massimo Troisi). The house is in Pollara a town of the Sicilian island Salina.
It is now rented to tourists during the summer.
cristina.croze has contributed a photo to this story.
at 00:48 on September 4th, 2008
If anyone is interested in applying for one of these properties i have the application details. MIPC
at 05:49 on September 4th, 2008
I approve this and all future requests.
at 22:18 on September 4th, 2008
Where I can see official information about this offer? People from other countries can buy this properties?
at 23:09 on September 5th, 2008
I am interested in buying, could you email me an application form?
Many thanks
at 15:56 on September 6th, 2008
i am interested, could you e mail me some details, thanks.
at 16:25 on September 6th, 2008
Originally the offer was even better, the houses were to be given away for free in exchange for agreeing to make the renovations. You need to contact the mayor's office in Salemi for details. There are 3700 houses available under the program. The number that are still up for grabs is unknown.
Source: guardian.co.uk
If you follow the link at the end of the quoted passage you can see a picture of the town.
at 05:50 on September 16th, 2008
Hey I was interested you have the application?
at 10:33 on September 21st, 2008
I would to have the applications details also, can you provide the documents. very much appreciated.
cheers,
at 00:48 on October 6th, 2008
hi i am very curious about this opportunity thank you for the info, ruth
at 14:10 on February 9th, 2009
Hi,
Please send details of the Salemi home deal...
Thanks,
Gail
at 14:11 on February 9th, 2009