These countries will practically hand you a house if you’re willing to fix it up.
Buying a home doesn’t have to mean draining your savings. In some places, entire villages are filled with abandoned homes just waiting for someone to breathe life back into them. Governments and local communities are offering homes at shockingly low prices—or even for free—if buyers commit to renovating them. It’s a win-win: you get an affordable home, and these towns get a second chance at life.
Some programs even provide grants, tax breaks, or direct payments to encourage new residents to move in. Whether it’s a charming cottage in the European countryside or a traditional home in Japan, these opportunities allow adventurous buyers to own property for a fraction of what it would cost elsewhere. If you’ve ever dreamed of fixing up an old home in a stunning location, and willing to put in the work, these 11 countries are offering deals that are hard to resist.
