Rae Knopik, 31, and her fiancé Declan Norrie, 31, have secured a €1 (86p) home in Troina, Sicily, after a whirlwind romance that began in Florence. The social media personality, who has over 35,000 Instagram followers, said winning the house has changed her life forever, allowing her to reconnect with her Sicilian roots.
How They Won the House
Rae, an American whose ancestors emigrated from Sicily to the US, moved to Florence to explore her heritage. There, she met Declan, and four weeks later, she moved to Australia with him. During the Covid-19 pandemic, the couple discovered the €1 property scheme in Troina and applied on a whim. After a series of interviews, they waited 12 months before being told in May 2022 that they had won, beating around 60,000 other applicants.
Condition of the Property
The couple visited the house in June 2022 and bought it immediately. The property had been uninhabited for over 60 years and required a complete renovation. Rae noted, "We knew it was going to be a complete renovation. We didn't know how long it'd been since someone had lived in the house." Despite the challenges, they were pleased to find running water.
Renovation Requirements
The couple must fund the renovation themselves and adhere to local regulations, which vary for €1 properties. Rae emphasized that these homes are not simple bargains, requiring significant effort and money. She plans to transform the house into a retreat for family and friends, and the couple intends to marry in Italy, with locals expected to attend.
Troina: A Romantic Setting
Rae described Troina as looking like "a castle in the sky" and "quite romantic." She hopes the home will be used by her family for years to come, adding, "Me and Declan want to settle there at some point for months or even years."
