Croatian Town Offers Homes for Less Than a Dollar - The Catch You Need to Know

A northern Croatian town suffering from population decline has launched an irresistible offer: homes for less than a dollar.

Legrad, located near the Hungarian border, has taken this drastic measure to attract new residents. Once the country’s second-largest town by population, Legrad's numbers dwindled following the collapse of the Austro-Hungarian Empire about a century ago.

Mayor Ivan Sabolić explains, "We became a border town with very few transport links to other regions, leading to a gradual decrease in population over time." In an effort to revitalize the town, the mayor is selling 19 empty houses and abandoned plots for just one penny each - roughly half a shekel. So far, 17 homes, in various stages of disrepair, have been sold.

According to Reuters, the town will cover 25,000 pennies for necessary renovations, about 20 percent of the total cost, with the rest to be paid by the new residents.

House for less than a dollar. Photo: Reuters

Despite the tempting price, not everyone can buy a house in the town. The mayor has decided that only young couples under 40 can purchase a home, with a requirement to live in the town for at least 15 years. Furthermore, despite generating interest worldwide, the houses are only available to Croatian residents.

Daniel Herminker, who purchased a home for his family in Legrad, says, "It's much nicer to live in your own house than to be a tenant. If it means committing to live here for 15 years, that's not an issue for us. We aren't planning to move."