An Italian village is selling homes for US$1.25 so it doesn’t become a ghost town
New owners must renovate the homes within three years, which will cost approximately US$25,000
By Leanna Garfield
On the Mediterranean island of Sardinia, the old village of Ollolai is at risk of turning into a ghost town.
Over the past half-century, the town’s population has declined from 2,250 people to just 1,300. And now, there are hundreds of abandoned homes.
In an effort to lure new residents, Ollolai’s government is selling 200 of these homes for US$1.25 each. According to CNN, the village has already sold three houses, and more than 100 people from across the world have expressed interest.
But there’s also a catch. As part of the deal, the new owners must pay to renovate their homes within three years, which is expected to cost around US$25,000.
The village’s mayor, Efisio Arbau, says the goal is to preserve Ollolai’s culture.