<strong>Valuable insight:</strong> The Italian town of Biccari<a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fedition.cnn.com%2Ftravel%2Farticle%2Fbiccari-italy-cheap-houses%2Findex.html" target="_blank"> </a>made headlines when it began to selling off both dilapidated one euro homes and ready-to-occupy houses with the aim of reversing depopulation trends. Russian interpreter Aksana Klimavets, seen with the town's mayor Gianfilippo Mignogna, assisted a Moscow businesswoman in buying an old dwelling here.
Valuable insight: The Italian town of Biccari made headlines when it began to selling off both dilapidated one euro homes and ready-to-occupy houses with the aim of reversing depopulation trends. Russian interpreter Aksana Klimavets, seen with the town's mayor Gianfilippo Mignogna, assisted a Moscow businesswoman in buying an old dwelling here.
Comune Biccari
<strong>Cut price:</strong> The three-floor house, located on a narrow cobblestone alley, was fully refurbished, when it was sold for €15,000 (around $16,800).
Cut price: The three-floor house, located on a narrow cobblestone alley, was fully refurbished, when it was sold for €15,000 (around $16,800).
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<strong>Left behind:</strong> The former owners left lots of furniture, as well as a stroller, inside the property, which had been inherited several times over.
Left behind: The former owners left lots of furniture, as well as a stroller, inside the property, which had been inherited several times over.
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<strong>Ready-to-occupy:</strong> The buyer plans to add more windows and another fireplace to her new Italian home.
Ready-to-occupy: The buyer plans to add more windows and another fireplace to her new Italian home.
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<strong>Notary problems:</strong> Klimavets says the process of buying the property proved to be complicated as she and the buyer found it very difficult to find a notary.
Notary problems: Klimavets says the process of buying the property proved to be complicated as she and the buyer found it very difficult to find a notary.
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<strong>Unfortunate obstacles:</strong> "When we did manage to find a notary we were told to transfer the money straight away just before the deed, which is impossible given strict Russian rules on outgoing international payments that take many days," Klimavets adds.
Unfortunate obstacles: "When we did manage to find a notary we were told to transfer the money straight away just before the deed, which is impossible given strict Russian rules on outgoing international payments that take many days," Klimavets adds.
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<strong>Positive outcome:</strong> Despite the many challenges faced, the buyer has fallen in love with Biccari and is looking forward to spending time in the property.
Positive outcome: Despite the many challenges faced, the buyer has fallen in love with Biccari and is looking forward to spending time in the property.
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<strong>Happy customer: </strong>Rolf Bauer, a retired engineer from Germany, also opted to purchase a renovated home in Biccari after becoming aware of the scheme.
Happy customer: Rolf Bauer, a retired engineer from Germany, also opted to purchase a renovated home in Biccari after becoming aware of the scheme.
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<strong>Turnkey property: </strong>His 50 square-meter house is spread over three floors, with panoramic views, and features a stone staircase leading to the front entrance.
Turnkey property: His 50 square-meter house is spread over three floors, with panoramic views, and features a stone staircase leading to the front entrance.
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<strong>Perfect retreat:</strong> "I like the village vibe, I believe fate sent me here," says Bauer. "I drove over to Puglia this summer to pick a home and it was the first town I stopped in. It was perfect."
Perfect retreat: "I like the village vibe, I believe fate sent me here," says Bauer. "I drove over to Puglia this summer to pick a home and it was the first town I stopped in. It was perfect."
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<strong>Hassle free: </strong>Bauer says having a good and affordable agent to help him through the process made it much easier, stressing that things would have been very different if this wasn't the case.
Hassle free: Bauer says having a good and affordable agent to help him through the process made it much easier, stressing that things would have been very different if this wasn't the case.
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<strong>Key factor:</strong> "I immediately found the surveyor's office, he was great," he adds. "Having the right person who helps you pick the house most suitable for you is very important."
Key factor: "I immediately found the surveyor's office, he was great," he adds. "Having the right person who helps you pick the house most suitable for you is very important."
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<strong>New owner:</strong> Mariano Russo, with mayor Mignogna, purchased a cozy 55-square-meter two-floor house in the town for €7,000.
New owner: Mariano Russo, with mayor Mignogna, purchased a cozy 55-square-meter two-floor house in the town for €7,000.
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<strong>Modernization plans: </strong>"It's already livable. We might just modernize the grid running water system and heating, perhaps fix parts of floors," says Russo.
Modernization plans: "It's already livable. We might just modernize the grid running water system and heating, perhaps fix parts of floors," says Russo.
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<strong>Charming location:</strong> The entrance of the house, which has a panoramic terrace, is located on a picturesque alley in the town's historical center.
Charming location: The entrance of the house, which has a panoramic terrace, is located on a picturesque alley in the town's historical center.
Mariano Russo
<strong>Successful sale: </strong>Although the home technically had two owners, both agreed to the sale. Like Bauer, Russo also credits his agent for helping to ensure the process was simple.
Successful sale: Although the home technically had two owners, both agreed to the sale. Like Bauer, Russo also credits his agent for helping to ensure the process was simple.
Mariano Russo
<strong>Fortunate position:</strong> "It's crucial to have someone that guides you along the way, we were lucky to have this agent," Russo says.
Fortunate position: "It's crucial to have someone that guides you along the way, we were lucky to have this agent," Russo says.
Mariano Russo
<strong>New lifestyle:</strong> Russo plans to live in Biccari with his wife and two daughters for much of the year.
New lifestyle: Russo plans to live in Biccari with his wife and two daughters for much of the year.
Mariano Russo