What you need to know about 1-euro houses in Italy, from someone who bought three.

Do you read all those stories about houses selling for just one euro in Italy and think they must be too good to be true? According to one woman who took advantage of this offer, it's a real bargain. Rubia Daniels, a California resident, was one of the first people to buy a home in Mussomeli, Sicily, in the spring of 2019. The whole procedure went smoothly, and she bought three houses: one for herself and two for her children.

When she arrived in Italy to begin renovations, she traveled with her husband and brother-in-law - on her third trip, she brought along a group of family and friends, some of whom had also bought homes for themselves. Daniels knows Europe well. She had visited two or three times a year before the pandemic, but had never been to Sicily before.

How did things work out so well for her? Here's what to do - and what to avoid - if you're interested in buying one of Italy's one euro homes.

Select your project

First of all, does this one euro house really only cost one euro? Of course, there are taxes and fees and building work, and it turns out that not all schemes are equal in terms of the price of the house itself. "I know people who went to another city, and that's where the auction ended up," Daniels says.

Each city has its own rules, whether it's the pricing structure, the deposit system, the number of architects or lawyers you have to engage (and pay), or the time you have to complete your renovations to avoid penalties. Make sure you choose what is right for you.

You should also be aware of the criteria for repair. In Mussomeli, for example, you can do whatever you want with the interior as long as you keep the facade as it was originally. Daniels is already planning to incorporate his art gallery in one of the homes.