A London-based chef and mother-of-two has snapped up a fortuitous property deal – two homes in Sicily for just €1 (86p/US$1.16). Nade Stefanova, 39, bought a small palazzo in the village of Campofranco, central Sicily, where she soon plans to relocate with her two children. Originally from Bulgaria, Ms Stefanova has been living in London for 15 years. “I couldn’t overlook the fact that the €1 offer included a second house,” she told The i Paper. “While my main interest was the larger house, getting both together was an added bonus.” (Photo: Nade Stefanova)

The €1 homes scheme

Italy’s €1 homes scheme offers abandoned or neglected properties in small towns and villages for the symbolic price of just €1. The aim of the scheme is to breathe life into depopulated areas by attracting new residents and investment. The scheme usually involves a deposit of between €2,000 (£1,710/$2,308) and €5,000 (£4,280/$5,777) as a guarantee that the buyer will renovate the property within a set timeframe. Unlike most €1 home buyers, Ms Stefanova did not find the deal through the usual housing schemes launched by depopulating towns. This means she is not committed to completing the refurbishment within three years, nor to paying the €2,000 deposit. However, Ms Stefanova is required to reopen a hidden doorway between the two homes, to avoid being taxed as if she owned a second separate property. A single mother to a girl, aged 10, and a boy, aged 12, Ms Stefanova had been searching for her dream home all across Italy. In April this year, she finally found it. She signed the purchase deed earlier this month and plans to start renovating this summer, with work set to take around a year.

The children love the Italian people

“Campofranco is a charming and peaceful town where everyone knows one another,” she said. “The locals are warm, always greeting you with a smile, and they make you feel truly welcome. My kids have really fallen in love with the Italian people.” Nestled near the mountains and not too far from the coast, the town is surrounded by nature. Ms Stefanova said: “The main house is quite spacious, around 200 square meters, spread over four levels with two terraces and a lovely view”. On the ground floor of the house, there is a kitchen and living room, with a large reception area on the first floor. The second and third floors are bedrooms, with a bathroom on the top floor. As the smaller house is in poor condition and will require more renovation, Ms Stefanova plans to use it as a garage and storage. (Photo: Nade Stefanova)

Water and electricity providers

The mother-of-two does not yet know how much the full renovation will cost. She plans to take it one step at a time and intends to handle the work herself, hiring professionals only for anything beyond her abilities. “The first things on my to-do list are contacting the water and electricity providers and informing the local council that I’ll be living in the house,” she said. (Photo: Eduardo Parra/Europa Press)

Looking for work in baking

Ms Stefanova hopes to find a job related to pastries and cooking in Sicily. Economic struggles, the rising cost of living and a sense that “opportunities are becoming limited” are among the reasons she is keen to leave the UK behind. “The weather is another factor – it’s often gloomy and rainy,” she said. “I used to overlook it because of the decent quality of life, but that’s no longer enough.” The hospitality industry is also under pressure, she said adding: “On top of all this, crime rates continue to rise, and I no longer feel safe living [in the UK].” (Photo: Shutterstock)