
Bargain-rate houses: Two new towns in Italy are offering homes for sale at bargain rates. Click through the gallery to see images of what's on offer. This is Mussomeli, in Sicily, which is offering places for €1.

Buyer's market: "Owners calls us each day to dispose of their old houses," says Mussomeli heritage councillor Toti Nigrelli. "There are 100 on sale now and potentially another 400 are suitable."

Renovation deal: Buyers must commit to refurbishing their Mussomeli property within three years, or they risk forfeiting a €5,000 security deposit.

Repopulating project: Located a short distance from the historic temples of Agrigento, Mussomeli is hoping to lure in new residents with its scheme.

Home improvement: Many of the abandoned stone farm dwellings on offer in Mussomeli are in good condition, needing only minimal work.

Straightforward process: Images of Mussomeli dwellings can be viewed via the website www.case1euro.it, which has an interactive map with detailed information on each building.

Medieval village: Interested buyers will be given a guided tour of Mussomeli once they arrive to view the property, visiting top sites and tasting the local cuisine.

Town festivities: Various festivals are held in Mussomeli throughout the year, including Batticchié and Festa della Madonna dei Miracoli.

Scenic location: Located in Sicily, Mussomeli is home to one of Italy's most breathtaking fortresses, dubbed the Enchanted Castle.

Mysterious castle: According to legend, the phantoms of three girls, who were locked up by their tyrannical father and starved to death, have been heard crying at night.

Dream deals: Not to be outdone, the rural village of Zungoli in the Campania region near Naples is also offering €1 homes.

Revitalizing scheme: Dozens of 50- to 100-square-meter dwellings in need of some TLC are listed on Zungoli's official website.

Idyllic place: Named one of Italy's Most Beautiful Villages in 2015, Zungoli straddles the Apennine Mountains, equidistant from the Adriatic and Tyrrhenian coasts.

Picturesque village: Zungoli is a maze of caves and alleys, with medieval bridges leading to farm dwellings and dome-shaped mansions

Modernizing attempts: "We want to make things easy for new buyers," says Zungoli's mayor, Paolo Caruso. "My town has upgraded infrastructure, public LED lights and great Wi-Fi. Piazzas and pavements have just been revamped. Life quality is important."

Purchasing process: Buyers must commit to renovating a Zungoli property within three years as well as explaining what type of project it is.

Sealing the deal: If the plan is approved, Mayor Caruso will send over a contract. Then the buyer must fly over to Italy to complete.

Constructive proposal: "Transparency is key, but people must really come see for themselves the beauty of the place, taste the great food and breathe the fresh healthy air," Caruso adds.



