R
ubia Daniels, a 51-year-old planning consultant from San Francisco, stunned her friends when she revealed she'd bought six homes in Italy for $1.06 each. The properties were located in Mussomeli, a centuries-old hill town in Sicily, and came with a catch: they were in various states of disrepair.

    Daniels, who has lived in the US since 1996, partnered with a local initiative to breathe new life into abandoned real estate. She spent around $25,440 on administrative fees and agency costs before embarking on renovations. The first property, which was completely collapsed, now boasts a beautiful marble bedroom after a $63,600 restoration.

    Daniels drew on her professional experience to lead the ambitious renovations herself, with help from her family. Her vision extends beyond family homes – one of the properties is earmarked as a future wellness retreat offering yoga and meditation classes. She plans to finish renovating the rest of the homes for less money than she spent on the first one.

    The properties were furnished using local vendors, with everything from sinks to flooring sourced nearby. Daniels' goal was to give back to the community in a meaningful way. "We wanted to do it with the community in mind," she explained. "We love it here – it's much nicer than California."

    What drew her to Mussomeli wasn't just the bargain prices, but the relaxed pace of life and affordable living costs. A coffee and croissant costs €1.50, a fraction of what it would cost in California. Daniels' project has gained international attention, with at least 30 people now interested in one of the homes.

    For Daniels, the appeal was clear: "You're getting the house basically for free and you can turn that into whatever you desire." Her two aunts plan to retire in Mussomeli permanently, and she hopes to create homes for her daughter and elderly relatives.