Fixer-upper in Tuscany
 

Serious fixer-upper. Has electric, water from well, BARELY habitable, 50 miles from Florence in a village with two restaurants, one bar. Open windows i,e., no glass nor screens, 1.5 overgrown acres, road (walking path) with no mass transit for 1/2 mile or 1kg or whatever, 700 years old.

$100k.

Deal or no deal?

Can get double the craftsmanship at half the cost

Throw in Diane Lane??

Double? Artistry, if you got the cash, which I won’t. Stricktly summer place. Like camping under terra cotta roof and stone walls. A ‘ruin’ if you will. Plumbing, electric and that’s it. Small garden space. Walk to bus stop 1/4-1/2 mile away. Stupendous mountainous view.

Ha!

My inspiration (back when I could get it up just looking at a mollusk).

I’m talking two beds, one bath, on separate floors with outside stone stairs to first floor from the ground floor kitchen, bath and pantry or whatever. Tiny fridge. No internets.

Second house or full time? Retirement visa has a threshold of income. Just something to consider.

I think there are more fish in the ocean.

Italy has (had?) a program where for $1 (or maybe euro) you can purchase a property in a distressed area - not near any heavy tourism spots. You've got to guarantee refurbishment and residence - I think for 2 years or so. The spot you mention sounds like one of those properties - but not for $100k.

I hear they are giving it away as most of their young men a nd women have left to large cities to make a better living leaving the elders to fend for themselves. Some Africans have settle down in those smaller villages and made it their home and are thriving or keeping afloat. I am not sure about a small village, since They are only fun or exciting for about a week or two.

You guys watch too many Under the Tuscan Sun. Diane is a dear client of mine and have known her for over 25 years. She's a real sweet heart. Careful there, bud:)

We get it on TV here all the time. Usually the English go over there and buy one. OFTEN it turns into a nightmare. Very vague rules regarding deeds and ownership. Unless you have Italian mob connections I'd stay clear of it.

Throw in Gina Lollabrigida and you got a deal.

Have you checked it & the area out on Google Earth?

I don't think you'd want that. As for Tuscany, I wouldn't mind living there, but I would have to do a few extended stays first.

Second house for winters only.

I certainly can see some nightmarish traps with ‘ownership’.

It sure would be fun…for awhile.

Visited Italy once. Fell in love with it. Beautiful views, wholesome and cheap food, yummy and cheap wine, awesome manual transmission diesel cars, a motorbike culture in the cities, etc etc etc.

Immediately started looking into how reasonable it might be to own a home there. Could I rent it out for a decade or so and then retire to it a few months each year?

Met an Italian American who ran a business in Italy for several years. After about an hour of talking with him I am more or less cured of that dream. Still want to spend extended time there in retirement but not as a property owner. Italy, as he described it, is a mess in many ways. Long story short it is not America with a different view and language.

Is this serious? I have a contact who is a high level realtor in Umbria. You need to check out the area first. Also, there a many groups covering questions surrounding this sort of venture on FB.

Side note: I am SUPER interested in something like this.

I saw someone on TV recently who had purchased a $1 fixer-upper, and then both on either side for $2 more (residences and biz purposes) ... after sinking a couple hundred grand (mebbe 250), she was very happy.

No free lunches tho.... not even $3 lunches.

Pix of the house?

Pix of Diane just as good.