Nationwide — Celina Sengendo, a 31-year-old African American woman from Houston, Texas, bought a home in Italy for $1.16 through a one-euro housing program. She shared her journey online after many people questioned whether the unusual purchase was real.
She told People that she discovered Italy’s one-euro home programs in 2019 after reading about abandoned houses being sold for extremely low prices. She researched the opportunity but waited several years before she was ready to pursue it. A YouTube video later reminded her about the program, and she was surprised to learn that the homes were still available. This time, Sengendo decided to seriously explore buying a property.
After posting about her experience on TikTok, she faced questions from people who believed the deal was too good to be true. “Why would I lie about anything?” she said in response to critics who questioned her story. Sengendo explained that not every one-euro house comes with the same rules. While some properties require proof of income, renovation deadlines, or other conditions, she said her home does not have those requirements.
The programs exist because many Italian towns have struggled with declining populations as younger residents leave for bigger cities. Local governments offer abandoned homes at low prices to attract new residents and restore older properties.
Finding the right house was the hardest part of Sengendo’s journey. She originally liked two other homes, but both had already been claimed before she could buy them. The property she eventually chose was one she almost ignored because of its poor condition. After seeing details about its rooftop terrace, however, she began imagining what the four-story home could become.
The house has enough space for four to six bedrooms, but it needs major repairs. The property requires structural work, electrical updates, plumbing repairs, and mold removal before it can become livable. She plans to hire professionals for the biggest repairs while handling some design projects herself. She hopes to transform the abandoned house into a place that reflects her vision.
When people ask about the catch behind buying a home for $1.16, Sengendo says the challenge is understanding the work involved. “The catch is that you really don’t know what you’re getting into,” she said.
Although the purchase price was low, Sengendo knows restoring the property will require time, money, and effort. She remains committed to turning the neglected Italian home into something new.