Bargain in Italy Expat couple renovate house with finds from landfill site
An American couple buys an abandoned house in Italy at a bargain price. They resort to unusual methods to renovate it cheaply.
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- Because they liked the area around Lake Iseo in Italy so much, a US couple moved there.
- They bought an inexpensive house in need of renovation.
- To save money, they used materials and furniture from the local garbage dump for the work.
Kristina Knighten and Paul Cordier bought an abandoned house on Lake Iseo in northern Italy for just 19,500 pounds (21,850 francs). The couple had been so fascinated by the place for years that they wanted to settle there, reports The Sun.
However, in order to be able to live there, the house first has to be renovated. The two Americans are doing a lot of the work themselves. And they also save costs with a special method: the couple obtain the materials and furniture they need from the local landfill.
"Paul came back with a perfectly preserved sink - and for free," Kristina tells The Sun. They only had the roof and floors replaced by professional craftsmen for around 59,000 pounds (around 66,100 francs).
Sister to follow
The aim is to create a rustic ambience. This is why parts of the existing house will also be used in the renovation. The total budget is 93,000 pounds (around 104,200 francs).
Paul's sister is also planning to move to Italy soon. She has already bought a vacant apartment opposite her brother's house. However, Paul and Kristina are currently living there while work is being carried out on their house. Rent-free, on the condition that they also renovate the apartment. They are unlikely to get bored any time soon.