On a whim, an American woman buys an abandoned one-euro house in Italy and turns it into her dream home. The offer appeals to many people.

A house for one euro in Italy – what initially sounds like a joke actually seems to be developing into a successful model. The American Meredith T. has transformed one of these abandoned one-euro properties in Italy into a dream house costing around 459,000 euros, as the British “Sun” reports.

Equipped with a spa, outdoor kitchen and wine cellar, she has created a gem in five years.

The 45-year-old said she bid on the one-euro house “on a whim” after a friend sent her an article about the unique real estate program. The starting price for the bids was one euro, but Meredith offered around 5,250 euros and won the bid for an abandoned 17th-century building in Sambuca di Sicilia, Italy.

However, the house was in very poor condition. There was no electricity or running water and the roof was heavily contaminated with asbestos. Despite the challenges, the American bought the house next door for around 32,300 euros, tore down a wall and created a property with four bedrooms and five bathrooms.

Despite the need for renovations, the Chicago-based financial advisor describes the house as “everything I expected and more.” She sees “history through the walls,” as she tells The Sun.

However, buying a one-euro house is not for the faint-hearted, she warns. “I risked everything. But if you can muster the strength, it’s worth it.”

Recently, George L. from London shared his one-euro house success story. He bought a house in the Sicilian village of Mussomeli and couldn’t be happier.

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