By Chloe Dobinson,Maria Ortega,Matt Jackson

Copyright manchestereveningnews

Meredith Tabbone was left stunned after buying a house for just 80p and finding it in a shocking state of disrepair. Meredith paid roughly one euro for a property in Sambuca di Sicilia, Italy , taking advantage of an opportunity created by the area’s population decline, with empty homes falling into ruin. Once-bustling communities are now battling to draw in new residents, prompting local councils to flog houses at rock-bottom prices in a bid to breathe life back into Italy’s declining regions. Whilst these charming villages sit within Italy’s stunning rural landscape, they frequently lack adequate job opportunities, pushing younger Italians towards city life. Nevertheless, American Meredith decided to gamble on the property after discovering her family roots traced back to Sambuca di Sicilia. She handed over her cash for the house, tempted by what she considered a deal “too good to be true,” according to CNBC. Yet, Meredith soon discovered the property’s condition was “terrible at best” following her initial purchase in 2019. The home had no electricity or running water, contained asbestos in the ceiling, and the floors were covered in pigeon mess. Meredith shelled out £5,000 to acquire the crumbling property and originally anticipated a £33,000 cost for repairs. She negotiated a clever deal with the local authority that enabled her to buy the bungalow for a tiny fraction of its worth. However, her aspirations expanded and she purchased the neighbouring property, significantly increasing her expenditure. In total, Meredith invested roughly £384,000 into the renovation, crafting a stunning holiday haven complete with four bedrooms, a contemporary kitchen, dining space, library, fashionable pizza oven, and even a sauna. Speaking to CNBC, financial adviser Meredith said: “What this home really means for me is a bridge between my past and my future. It was a chance to really reconnect with my father’s lineage.” Yet for Meredith, it extends beyond simply preserving heritage; it’s also about forging her own journey. She added: “But it also speaks to my future because it’s something that I’ve created for myself, where I can think more about enjoying my life and having a better work-life balance.” Regarding the hospitality in Sambuca, she shared how the local community embraced her with open arms, improving her quality of life. She said: “There’s a real sense of community here, so I definitely think people are very happy here. I’ve started to think differently about how I’m building my business, and maybe not having the focus of my life be about work, [but] about just personal fulfilment in general.”