Meredith Tabbone, 45, decided to buy a property in Sambuca di Sicilia, Italy, for around 80p – but she was horrified when she saw the condition of the house
A woman who snapped up a house for a mere 80p was left gobsmacked when she uncovered the state of the run-down property.
Meredith Tabbone, 45, forked out 1 euro – roughly 80p – for a home in Sambuca di Sicilia, Italy. She managed to secure herself a steal due to the area’s depopulation issue, with homes being deserted and falling into disrepair.
The once bustling towns and villages in the region now struggle to draw people in. This has prompted local authorities to offer homes at rock-bottom prices in an attempt to revive struggling parts of Italy.
These villages are often nestled in Italy’s stunning countryside. But they often lack job opportunities for younger Italians who are drawn towards city life.
However, Meredith decided to take a gamble on the house after discovering her family roots traced back to Sambuca di Sicilia. American Meredith chose to cough up the cash to purchase the home after deciding it was “too good to be true,” according to CNBC.
However, she soon discovered the house was “terrible at best” when she first bought it in 2019. It had no electricity or running water, its roof contained asbestos, and the floor was covered in pigeon droppings, reports the Express.
Meredith found herself shelling out £5,000 to secure the property, and anticipated spending £33,000 on the renovation project. The renovation was part of Meredith’s clever deal with the local council that enabled her to snap up the property at a bargain price. But she soon decided to buy the neighbouring property, meaning her budget had to increase.
Spending around £384,000 into the venture, Meredith transformed it into a stunning holiday home that’s close to her heart. Now featuring four bedrooms, an uber-chic kitchen, dining space, library, snazzy pizza oven, and even a sauna, it’s an impressive feat.
Speaking to CNBC, financial advisor Meredith shared, “What this home really means for me is a bridge between my past and my future. It was a chance to really reconnect with my father’s lineage.”
But it’s not just about looking back; it’s shaping her tomorrows too as it embodies her handcrafted sanctuary, perfect for work-life equilibrium, Meredith mused, “But it also speaks to my future because it’s something that I’ve created for myself … where I can think more about enjoying my life and having a better work-life balance.”
She’s full of accolades for Sambuca’s residents who embraced her warmly, adding, “There’s a real sense of community here, so I definitely think people are very happy here. I’ve started to think differently about how I’m building my business, and maybe not having the focus of my life be about work, [but] about just personal fulfillment in general.”
