Not just Italy. The Croatian village is also tempting to buy cheap houses

Not only Italy. The Croatian village is also attractive for cheap houses

The village of Legrad is located on the border with Hungary and currently has around 2,250 inhabitants. 70 years ago, it was half as much, Reuters reports. The management therefore decided to attract new potential residents to empty houses literally for nothing. According to Mayor Ivan Sabolica, people from different parts of the world have already contacted us, but the municipality would primarily like to attract interested parties from the region.

“We primarily target people from this area. And we have succeeded in that so far," states the mayor. "So far, we have offered 19 properties, which includes houses, but also plots for construction. We want to sell another 17 at the end of the month," added Sabolic.

The houses are in various states. Some are basically ruins, missing windows and doors and walls covered in mold. Nevertheless, the municipality wants to support the buyer with the amount of HRK 25,000 (84,000 crowns) for the necessary renovations. And for those who buy houses from a private owner, he wants to pay 20 percent of the total amount, or up to HRK 35,000 (118,000 crowns), according to Reuters.

Commit for 15 years

However, the offer has several key conditions. For example, applicants must be under 40 years of age and financially self-sufficient. At the same time, they must commit to living in the village for at least 15 years.

Danijel Harmnicar, who plans to move into one of the houses with his wife and two children, was not deterred by such a condition. "It's no problem at all," he stated tersely. "We liked the house, so we expressed interest. We lived in a rented apartment before, but this is ours now," he added.

According to the mayor, there is interest in the houses. He therefore does not rule out that other municipalities in the area will follow the model in the future.