Instagram's latest obsession has a specific address: Italy, small villages, stone walls, and prices that fit the budget of those who dream of... "dolce far niente".
Just scroll through your feed to find videos of enthusiastic influencers pointing to ruins with potential. Brazilians, Argentinians, and even Americans. All with the same formula: inspiring soundtrack, aerial images, and the irresistible promise that you can. Buy a house in Italy for only 25 euros.
But is it really all that simple?
The truth behind the shop window
Yes, it's possible to find properties for that price. But with one condition: you have to give up location, amenities, and, in many cases, the idea of arriving with your suitcase and sleeping there on the first day.
The €25 houses are mostly located in rural areas or little-known villages in Southern Italy and other small, sparsely populated towns in the Molise region. "The client needs to understand that these are old properties, often abandoned or inherited, requiring extensive renovations, in areas forgotten by Italians themselves," says Giorgio Colombo of the real estate network. Tempocasa, in Milan.
Where to look?
The main real estate websites in Italy, such as Immobiliare.it, Idealistic e Subito.itThese platforms allow you to filter searches by price range and region. There are also social media groups focused on low-cost opportunities, such as Facebook pages offering properties at symbolic prices.
Keywords such as “rudere” (in ruins), “da ristrutturare” (to reform) or “system property” (needs to be adjusted or fixed) They help identify this type of offer. But extra caution is needed: the low price often only covers the basic structure of the house.
Beware of hidden costs.
In addition to the advertised 25 euros, the buyer should consider expenses such as taxes, notary fees, deed, registration, and, most importantly, renovations. According to Colombo, "it is reasonable to set aside an extra 10 to 20 euros to bring the property into minimally usable condition."
Depending on the state of the building, this value could be even higher, he says.
Worth it?
If you have flexibility, patience, and are willing to deal with a fair amount of bureaucracy, it can be worthwhile. "There are cases of foreigners who renovated small houses for total values between 35 and 50 euros and today they live in or rent out the properties," says Colombo.
Furthermore, according to him, in some regions, there are incentives and tax breaks for those who decide to restore old properties.
But the idea that it's just a matter of disembarking in Sicily or in Piedmont And leaving with a deed in hand, as some videos show, "is far from reality."
Before following an influencer, follow an engineer.
Before making any decisions, the consultant's recommendation is: visit the site, consult technical professionals, and request detailed renovation quotes.
This avoids surprises and helps to understand if the dream house will turn into a nightmare with an Italian accent.
FOLLOW-US
