A couple have told how they bought a Sicilian mansion at auction with a starting bid of one euro and transformed it into a stunning $250,000 Renaissance-style palazzo.
The municipality in the mountain village of Sambuca di Sicilia auctioned 16 abandoned houses in January 2019, with prices starting at a symbolic euro.
Massoud Ahmadi, 70, and his wife Shelley, 60, eventually bought an abandoned 18th-century mansion in the village for just $10,500 at the sale and immediately set to work refurbishing it.
The crumbling interior walls were stained brown and the rooms were cluttered with old junk, including a retro pram.
Massoud Ahmadi, 70, and his wife Shelley, 60, eventually bought an abandoned 18th-century mansion for just $10,500 at auction in January 2019 and immediately set to work refurbishing it
The house was in a sorry state when the couple bought it, but thanks to their efforts it slowly took shape and now looks unrecognizable
A ladder through a hole in the ceiling of the second floor was the only way to access the top floor before the renovation, but now a staircase makes life easier
The crumbling interior walls were stained brown and the rooms were cluttered with old junk, including a retro pram.
The couple completed the renovation last January and now split their time between Sambuca di Sicilia and their home in rural Montgomery County, Maryland.
They spent $200,000 on the once “uninhabitable” three-story property, with some of the larger investments being a new staircase, installing new plumbing, and repairing the roof.
Initially, Massoud ‘couldn’t fathom’ renovating the building within a three-year period imposed by the municipality – but he succeeded thanks to the help of local architects and craftsmen.
“After” photos show the two-bedroom, 250-square-foot home retains its original wood windows, majolica tile floor, and double barrel vaulted ceilings.
It also features three bathrooms, a living room and an open marble kitchen. To top it all off, there is a rooftop terrace with mountain views.
The couple completed the renovation last January and now divide their time between Sambuca di Sicilia and their home in rural Montgomery County, Maryland, near Washington, D.C.
Massoud reckons their Italian property is now worth at least $250,000.
The semi-retired economist said, “The house was uninhabitable and I couldn’t really fathom the project because it was above my pay grade.
“I look at before and after pictures and it’s incredible.
‘My architect did a fantastic job and when I first walked in I couldn’t believe my eyes.
‘It takes a lot of patience, but the end result is something I will enjoy for years to come. It’s a renaissance house.
“I look at before and after photos and it’s incredible,” says Massoud
The 250-square-foot, two-bedroom home retains its original wood windows, majolica tile floor, and double-barrel vaulted ceilings
“My architect did a fantastic job and when I first walked in I couldn’t believe my eyes,” said Massoud
The owners say ‘the balance of the house has actually been redone and it gives you a mix of modern and historic’
Everything from the kitchen cabinets to the marble floors was sourced locally from businesses in the village to maximize the economic impact
“We redesigned practically everything, but we decided to keep and preserve the historic elements.
‘The property was originally built 350 years ago so we have retained much of the original stone walls, original tiled floors and double tongued ceilings.
‘But the balance of the house has been essentially redone and it gives you a mix of modern and historic.
‘You see a glimpse of the past but also have modern amenities, including an elevator.
“Everything from the kitchen cabinets to the marble floors was sourced locally from businesses in the village to maximize the economic impact.
‘For the $200,000 we spent, you couldn’t find anything comparable to the view, the tranquility of the village, all the amenities and the proximity to the sea.
“It was really painless and the only problem was Covid, which basically put the project on hold for a few months.”
Massoud said they have no plans to sell their doer upper but market wise I bet someone would jump right in for $250,000 because you can’t find a property that compares to the views and all the village amenities for that price everywhere in Italy.’
Massoud is now looking to expand the house after purchasing an adjoining property, which could provide four more bedrooms, a garage and a garden
When asked his advice to others considering the same move, Massoud said: ‘I would definitely recommend doing what we did. Be patient, take your time and work with the locals’
The couple say they are “overwhelmed” by the quality of the food and wine on offer in the village’s restaurants, as well as the “thriving sense of community”
Massoud is now looking to expand the house after purchasing an adjoining property, which could provide four more bedrooms, a garage and a garden.
In terms of what Sambuca di Sicilia has to offer, the couple say they are “blown away” by the quality of the food and wine on offer in the village’s restaurants, as well as the “thriving community spirit.”
As for what visitors can expect, Massoud said, ‘When I first arrived I really loved the village. It’s a beautiful little village. I like the baroque architecture of the buildings and I loved the location.
‘It is close to Palermo, it is only 20 minutes to the beach and historical sites such as the Valley of the Temples are only an hour away.
‘It’s very easy to travel around Europe. I drive to Palermo, park my car for long term parking and then I can fly to Rome, Paris, Venice and London.
‘My house in the United States has a rural feel because I live in an agricultural area. The buildings there are huge, but I don’t really see my neighbors.
‘But here I can walk down the street to a bakery and to a café and get a cappuccino or an espresso. Access to restaurants and the quality of food and bars is remarkable.
“There are dozens of vineyards nearby that are internationally renowned and they’re the perfect setting for wine tasting, plus they serve you great food to go with the wine.”
When asked his advice to others considering the same move, Massoud concludes: ‘I would definitely recommend doing what we have done. Be patient, take your time and work with the locals.
‘I was very impressed by the hospitality of the villagers. They welcomed us with open arms. I have made many friends, literally everyone in the village knows us by name.
‘I’ve never really lived in a small town and for me the experience was exciting.
“I walk out the door and everyone says good morning or good evening and everyone wants to buy me a cup of coffee or a glass of wine. It feels like my second home.’