Dream Home in Sicily: An American’s €1 Bid

Chicago-based financial adviser Meredith Tabbone had never even set foot in before she placed a bid on a €1 house there. However, she had long dreamed about moving to at some stage in her life; setting up a vacation home where she could escape with family and friends, and eventually retire.

Meredith hails from Morton, a small town near Peoria, Illinois, but her roots stretch back to Italy. Her great-grandfather was Sicilian, and despite growing up in the US, she’s always felt a strong connection to . She had visited the mainland several times before and loved the cuisine, the history, the culture, and the people. Consequently, when Meredith came across an article online about a depopulated town in Sicily—the exact town her great-grandfather was from—auctioning off homes for €1, she was sold.

“I saw it, I double-checked. It’s actually the town that my dad’s family is from and I thought, ‘well, I’ll see what’s what’,” Meredith tells iBestTravel. “I did no research; I didn’t know the value of the homes. I just saw a black and white photo of the front of the house and a very rudimentary hand-drawn map of the town.”

Sambuca: A Town Revitalized

Sambuca is among numerous towns in Italy auctioning off homes for €1 to reinvigorate the region. The southwestern Sicilian town, about an hour’s drive from the capital , has seen its population decrease by 30% since the 1950s. Furthermore, this decline has accelerated recently. Last April, the council attempted to attract new residents by auctioning off 16 abandoned buildings for €1. All 16 were sold, with an additional 100 purchased privately, most of them by buyers from the US.

“The minimum bid was €1, and it was a silent bid,” Meredith explains. “You filled out the property number and your name, then wired the deposit and stated how much you were bidding on the home. Afterward, they opened the bids, and the highest number won.” On average, all homes sold for $5,000, with Meredith sealing her deal at $5,555, while the highest bidder paid about $25,000.

Almost all the homes purchased under this scheme required roughly $10,000 to bring them up to a livable standard—more of a refurbishment than a complete overhaul. Meredith says her home probably needed the most work; yet, she claims the entire process has been straightforward, and it even revealed a special family connection along the way.

“My dad passed away when I was a senior in high school, and the people here remind me of my dad and my great-grandfather,” Meredith notes. “I also found out that my great-grandfather was born and raised about two blocks from where I purchased my house, and it turns out his family still lives there in that cul-de-sac. It’s wild.”

Overcoming Challenges

This revelation likely explains why Meredith felt at home as soon as she arrived in Palermo for the first time. Moreover, it contributes to her confidence in the project, even though it’s still in its early stages. Renovation work began in February but was halted until mid-May following Italy’s lockdown. Therefore, with Europe-wide travel bans in place for US citizens, Meredith hasn’t been able to oversee the work in person. Nonetheless, her architect has been approving projects on her behalf. The two have collaborated long-distance through texts and photos, and she reports that the quality of work has been exceptional.

Her property is an 18th-century building that had stood empty for more than a century. It still had the traditional horse stable in the basement when she first viewed it with her best friend in June. Although it lacked electricity and running water, it possessed considerable charm. In fact, it features abundant architectural detail, including vaulted ceilings, beautiful tile work, and spacious rooms. While it requires extensive restorations, estimated at around $50,000, Meredith can see its potential, to the extent of purchasing the adjacent house to create a larger home.

Once finished, which is projected for March 2021, the property will incorporate modern amenities such as heated floors, solar panels for sustainable energy, and windows that gaze over the beautiful landscape, featuring vineyards, valleys, and Sambuca’s stunning baroque buildings. Meredith describes the location as exceptional, with nearby beaches and towns, as well as significant Greek, Roman, and Arab ruins to explore. Sambuca itself boasts a variety of traditional restaurants, cafes, and bars where locals gather in the evening for a glass of wine on the terrace. Meredith is eager to enhance the town’s offerings by opening her own cafe.

“I’ve found a space pretty close to my home in the central part of the town, a place to serve wine, sandwiches, little bites, and to display local artwork. I want to give back to the community while creating another attraction for visitors—a place to relax and enjoy a conversation.”

Ultimately, Meredith intends to retire in her house in Sambuca, but for now, she will use the property as a vacation home that she can share with her loved ones, all while enjoying the beauty of Sambuca as it embodies its dolce vita.