Meredith Tabbone’s Italian Dream Home: A 1-Euro Home Turned into a Luxury Getaway
Meredith Tabbone lives in Chicago, but for the last five years, she’s spent countless hours and nearly half a million dollars to build her dream home in Italy.
The 1-Euro Home
It all started in early 2019 when Tabbone learned about a town in Italy, Sambuca di Sicilia, that was auctioning off abandoned properties starting at 1 euro, or roughly $1.05.
The Coincidence
At the same time, Tabbone, who works as a financial advisor, was deep into researching her family history. She had just traced her great-grandfather back to the same Sicilian town before he started a new life in America.
The Renovation
A few months later, Tabbone became the owner of the 1-euro home. She also bought the building next door and got to work managing a local crew on the massive renovation.
The Cost Breakdown
While bids for the Sicilian properties started at 1 euro, Tabbone placed a bid of 5,555 euros for her building. With taxes and fees, she spent 5,900 euros (roughly $6,200) to take ownership of the property.
Simple, but Significant
Tabbone’s goal with her Sicilian property was to build a vacation home where she could also host visiting friends and family. To start, Tabbone’s renovation team made structural changes like breaking down several walls to open up common areas, leveling the floors across the two buildings, adding steel beams to protect against earthquakes, and adding two terraces.
The Result
The finished project is "a thousand times better" than her original vision, she says. "It’s modern, but it’s still cozy. And it really showcases all of the best features that were already in the home," like original archways, a trough in the kitchen, and a unique staircase.
A Bridge between Past and Future
Tabbone says her Sambuca property is more than a vacation spot. "What this home really means for me is a bridge between my past and my future," she says. "It was a chance to really reconnect with my father’s lineage. 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."
Conclusion
Meredith Tabbone’s story is a testament to the power of following one’s passion and taking calculated risks. With her 1-euro home now turned into a luxury getaway, she’s found a sense of community and fulfillment in her life.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How did you find out about the 1-euro home auction?
A: I learned about it through online research.
Q: How did you manage the renovation process?
A: I worked with a local crew and managed the project remotely from Chicago.
Q: What was the total cost of the renovation?
A: Roughly $446,000.
Q: Do you plan to sell the house?
A: No, I plan to keep it in the family and donate it to the village if I pass away.
Q: What’s your favorite feature in the house?
A: The dry-heat sauna in one of the guest bedrooms.
