How many of us have been sitting at home, seen a dreamy picture of a foreign country, and started planning our life there? That'd be a lot. But how many of us have actually gone ahead, bought a property and planned that future life -- without setting foot in the location?

Michael Barrett may just be a first. The Chicago native spent much of last year's lockdown drooling over homes for sale in Italy. But instead of being content with drooling, he and wife Aida went one step further -- and bought a house, sight unseen.