“Here people are more important than money”: American couple buys a house for 1 euro in a small Italian town

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It sounds too good to be true: in Italy houses are sold for a symbolic euro. The catch: you have to renovate it and dig deep into your pockets. An American couple got their hands on a $1 house – and it changed their lives.

Jeffrey Pfefferle, an American in his late fifties, read an article on CNN’s homepage in 2019 about ridiculously priced houses in the small Sicilian town of Mussomeli, many of which cost only a symbolic euro. The community wants to combat population decline. Initially, Pfefferle and his partner Leon McNaughty thought the offer was a scam. In 2021 they flew to Italy and took a look.

It was the trip that changed her life. After a tour they were so enthusiastic that they bought a house for 30,000. The corona pandemic played into their hands: other foreign couples had to cancel their viewing due to the restrictions, and so they got the house for a ridiculous price. On the day of the purchase, McNaughty and Pfefferle discovered another item while walking through Mussomeli. It cost 1 euro and will now be her home.

The 1 euro house has four floors and a garage, but obviously needs to be completely renovated. “There is now electricity, the sanitary facilities are ready,” Pfefferle told CNN. Local craftsmen shape the future home. “Work is slower than in the US. But the local population quickly finds solutions when there are problems,” says the American. The couple is impressed by the working style and the pleasant atmosphere in Sicily. “Mussomeli offers the things we value in life in abundance,” says the early retiree.

“Time is the most valuable asset”

The way Italians live impressed former entertainment manager Pfefferle: “It is a place that offers quality of life where people are more important than money. A place that prefers a slower pace and appreciates the important things in life more.”

The couple is especially fascinated by the sense of community. As soon as there is a problem, the residents of Mussomeli come to help. This was also the case when the windows leaked. “If someone needs help, we are there for each other,” says the American. The residents of the small town welcomed the two Americans with utmost kindness and care. “It taught me that time is our most valuable asset,” says Pfefferle. And: “There is time to enjoy life to the fullest with those we love.”

In the long term, the couple aims to leave Southern California and live the Italian dream. Pfefferle and McNaughty are currently applying for visas. The couple must remain in the US until all administrative matters have been resolved. (jwg)

Source: Blick