A couple who bought two derelict homes after being inspired by Italy's famous ‘one euro' scheme have spent €250k transforming it into their dream home. Tamara and Gary Holm, 41 and 47, bought their Sicilian home in a private listing for just €19,000 in June 2019, after unsuccessful bids in ‘one euro' auctions.

Their home, located in Sambuca di Sicilia, an hour's drive from Palermo, Sicily, was completely derelict when they received the deeds, with infrastructural issues, birds living in the property and algae on the walls. But the couple – who live in Los Angeles, California – decided to buy the neighbouring property, which resembled a ‘hoarder's den', for a further €8,000 and combine the two to create a dream Italian pad.