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00:00I'm Maggie Malloy and I'm on a mission to help Irish house hunters discover the
00:05overlooked gems of affordable European property. We're on the hunt in Italy,
00:10Spain, Portugal and France for great bargains. You've definitely surprised us.
00:16Feels nicer in the sun for sure. Property experts in each country will help guide
00:20our search. Vanity and toilet you'll be like 3,000 euros. And our very own
00:26intrepid reporters Kevin McGahern and James Cavanagh will be getting to know the
00:31regions we visit. Can we give it a bit of welly? I suppose we could. Clubs are a great
00:36way to connect with people. They'll be giving our house hunters a head start on
00:40local complexities, customs and most importantly the crack.
00:45What you just said is I want to live. It's wonderful. I want to live here. From forever homes in
00:51Portuguese villages
00:52Massive crack. Not in a good way. To sun-drenched Spanish cities. We need to talk about this price.
00:58You could throw anything at me. I'll help find the best homes a modest budget can buy.
01:03It's a cracker of a house. It's massive inside. So grab your passport, pack your bags and join us on
01:10the hunt
01:10as we go in search of cheap European homes.
01:19This week myself and James are in Ostuni, the so-called white city of the Puglia region of southern Italy.
01:27Set along Italy's Adriatic coast, this region is known for its dramatic scenery, unique architecture and long hot summers.
01:36It's warmer and more rural than many parts of northern Italy with a distinct character and pace of life.
01:44So we're in Ostuni and you can really see why they call it the white city can't you?
01:48It's gleaming. I think the thing about Puglia is that it's more rural isn't it than the north.
01:54It definitely has a different more traditional feel. Do you go with the flow? The sun's shining.
01:59Yeah. And the value. You know I would think this part would be more expensive because it's so coastal
02:04and it's so rural. I want to show the house hunters beyond the house. I want to show them the
02:08culture,
02:09how to integrate. So I think maybe if I introduce them to some couples who've done it before and maybe
02:14walk that path, I think that'd be useful. The things that face couples buying versus someone buying on
02:19their own is totally different. This is going to be fun. It is, but I think we should get to
02:23work.
02:23Yeah, maybe a little bit of work. Todd Posius and Niall Sherry have been together for over 20 years.
02:30Both work in the HSE and are starting to think about the next chapter of their lives and possibly even
02:37an early retirement. After years of traveling the world together, they're considering putting down
02:42routes abroad. I'd say probably together we've been to about 100 countries in the last 20 years or so.
02:49But I think on the final count we're around 117 countries that we visited. Now as I get older,
02:56it's like it'd be nice to live, to try to live somewhere else. And we've traveled to different
03:01parts of Italy and there's lots going on there. You know, the people are great, the food is great
03:06there. We'd be interested in immersing ourselves a bit more in what's going on and the language and
03:11the people. The variety what we feel Italy can offer. And again, it's cheaper to live there. Our maximum
03:19budget is 150,000. So that's ultimately all what we've got, including any renovation. Kind of would
03:25like to probably a two-bedroom apartment, maybe a house. Ideally close to people, so we don't want
03:31to be too isolated where we are. On our holidays now, we would do an awful lot of hiking and
03:36trekking
03:36and walking. And so we do like to get out. We're not afraid of a bit of renovation in the
03:43property,
03:43we're not afraid of getting our hands dirty. The bones and the structure of the building
03:47has to be that Italian. There has to be Italy. It's traditional, it's old and it's probably been
03:56there well before us and will be there after us. We'd ideally like to have some kind of terrace. If
04:02that was real, that would be the ideal. Always a little bit of land around it or at the side,
04:07a little garden. It is a project. We know it's a project and it's not a month project. It's probably
04:14a good few year project and we're okay with that. Whatever Maggie can show us, we're happy to see it.
04:29Julia sits in the heel of Italy's boot. It's famous for its welcoming people, rich food culture
04:36and the distinctive Truly houses with their cone-shaped roofs. And while property prices in
04:43northern Italy and the major cities have soared, this part of the south remains far more affordable,
04:50particularly if you avoid the touristy coastal hotspots. Property here averages around 1400 euro per
04:58square metre, meaning a modest two-bedroom home can often cost in the region of 120,000 euro.
05:06Good news for Todd and Niall, whose all-in budget is 150,000 euro. They're looking for a two-bedroom
05:13property with outdoor space, ideally within walking distance of a lively village or town. Value is really
05:21important to them and they're happy to get their hands dirty with a renovation if it helps them achieve
05:27it. So with all that in mind, for this week's house hunt, we're staying off the coast and searching
05:34between the dazzling white city of Ostuni and the faded grandeur of Morro Luchese, a search area where
05:42their budget will stretch further than they expect. So Todd, Niall, welcome to Ostuni. It's beautiful place,
05:49very nice around. Enjoy the square here. It's lovely, isn't it? Amazing, so historical and pretty, really cool.
05:55You're our first couple house hunting this season. That's cool. How do you think you're going to work as a
05:59team?
05:59I think we do work well together. We know what we like and we do know what we do not
06:04like, which helps.
06:06It helps me anyway. Yeah. We know our budget is quite modest, so we do need your expertise. We need
06:12the help on the ground.
06:13Okay. Well, I definitely am known for finding cheap houses, so you've come to the right place. There you go.
06:18That's good. Looking forward.
06:20Well, look, I'm going to go exploring, so I'll see you later. See you later. And our first house is
06:25just 10 minutes from here. Oh, great. So will we hit the road? Let's go. Let's see you.
06:33As promised, our first property is tucked away on quiet farmland, just five kilometres from the main piazza in Ostuni.
06:41This two-bedroom country villa is full of rustic southern Italian charm. It's surrounded by mature fruit trees and olive
06:51groves on over an acre of land and costs 105,000 euro.
06:57But the low price does come with a few quirks, such as the lack of an indoor toilet.
07:03So while the setting is beautiful and the price is tempting, Todd and Niall will need to roll up their
07:10sleeves if they want to turn this rustic retreat into a comfortable, modern home.
07:16Architect Elizabeth Francis, a Donegal native who's been working in Italy for over 20 years, is meeting us at the
07:23property.
07:24Her local knowledge will be invaluable for our search.
07:28OK, boys, welcome to your first cheap Italian home.
07:32Well, the setting is amazing. It's so rural, but so close to the town as well.
07:36I like the surrounding. I like the olive tree surrounds. It's a typical country feel.
07:41It is. And what do you think of the style of the house?
07:43Looking from outside, yeah, that's Italy.
07:46That's good.
07:47So these would typically have been farm buildings, solid stone construction. The roof is also stone, so it's very good
07:54protection from the heat and also from water.
07:57I don't see anything that's structurally of concern.
07:59So what about the windows and doors, Elizabeth?
08:02They definitely would need to be replaced.
08:04A bit prison-like now. They're not very aesthetically pleasing, are they?
08:07Are you ready for the notebook?
08:09Oh, we're ready for the famous notebook.
08:11Wee-hee! There you have it.
08:14Oh, look at this.
08:16Well, it's a nice base, isn't it?
08:17It's very authentic. You wouldn't touch the floor, like the stone.
08:21No way. It's big enough. It's big enough for us, anyway.
08:25What do you think about the ceiling?
08:26The ceiling is amazing. It's like a vaulted ceiling.
08:29You can feel the cool. You can feel the cool in here.
08:32It's cooler, which in the summertime, that would be pleasant to be inside in the evening.
08:35Yeah, yeah, yeah, absolutely.
08:36And look at the fireplace in the corner. It's really nice.
08:38That's authentic.
08:39That's authentic.
08:40There's no cooking in the room.
08:42No, I don't think. Two fridges hiding in the corners.
08:44I know. You have two for one, but you probably need some sort of appliances.
08:48Don't see any heating or air conditioning or anything, so that's something maybe we can ask.
08:53We can ask that.
08:54Yeah, yeah.
08:55But you probably wouldn't touch here.
08:56No, I wouldn't touch anything structurally in here or walls or anything. It's pretty cool.
09:02You have to watch your hair there. Okay, that's a big room.
09:05That's nearly an equally sized room. Again, super high ceilings.
09:08There's no wardrobe space at the moment.
09:11So that unit there in the corner, what do you think that is? Is it heating?
09:15Yeah, we'd love to ask that, I think, as well.
09:16I'm not sure how comfortable it would be here in the wintertime.
09:20How do we get heating into it to get us comfortable?
09:22And what do you do to bring the comfort levels in the cooler months?
09:27So it's another bedroom, like...
09:29Slightly smaller than the others, I think.
09:32Is this a modern addition?
09:33A bit more modern, because they have a kind of a modern tile on the floor.
09:36Though it feels dry inside.
09:38Yeah, yeah.
09:38There's no dampness on the walls.
09:40Yeah, yeah.
09:40Looks like our last room is still no toilet in sight.
09:43There is no toilet in sight.
09:44That's interesting.
09:46Okay, let's have a look.
09:48Oh.
09:48Kitchen.
09:49You have to walk out to come to the kitchen.
09:52That's the Italian living, I suppose, outdoor living, maybe.
09:54It's okay again. It's okay in summer.
09:56Could be work and cooker.
09:57And another fridge.
09:58So we have three fridges so far.
10:00There's no toilet!
10:04Okay, I have the most amazing outside bathroom in this building here.
10:10Okay.
10:11I hope it's worth a trek all the way through the garden.
10:14Through the forest and the trees.
10:17When it comes to moving a bathroom,
10:19Elizabeth, from outside to closer to the house.
10:22In the context of the overall spend, I don't think it's a huge cost.
10:26Okay.
10:26You would have a demolition cost, and then rebuilding,
10:29and then obviously the plumbing.
10:30Would you need some sort of local planning permission?
10:33Yes.
10:34You would need a building permit.
10:36You'd have to get a local professional to help you,
10:38and you'd have to look into what are the regulations?
10:41What volume do I have?
10:43Because they look at volume here rather than square footage.
10:45And the kitchen outside needs work for sure, I think.
10:49If you just link it in some way to the house,
10:51that would solve that problem.
10:53Yeah, that's possible.
10:53So we have over an acre of land.
10:55An acre's a lot now, yeah.
10:56It's a lot of space.
10:57And it's a well-matured garden.
10:58Yes.
10:59You can see around it.
11:00It's been here for quite some time.
11:01Talk to me about this list.
11:03I can see a couple of things.
11:04Some things.
11:05We saw some like air conditioning,
11:07maybe heating units on the walls.
11:09They do have air conditioning,
11:10and those machines do heat and cooling.
11:14But there's nothing in the main room that we saw.
11:16There's only in the two bedrooms, aren't there?
11:17Yeah.
11:18In these buildings in the summer,
11:19especially in the older part,
11:20you don't really need air conditioning that much
11:23because it stays so cool because the walls are so thick.
11:26And how do you think we'd heat it in the winter?
11:28Well, in the main room, there's a fireplace.
11:30Nice.
11:31And after running the fire for a few days,
11:33the walls absorb all the heat.
11:35So it stays quite warm, comfortable.
11:38It's on the market at the moment for 105.
11:41Okay.
11:42But I have been advised that it could be got for around 80.
11:46Okay.
11:47Interesting. Food for thought, isn't it?
11:48It's definitely food for thought.
11:50That's not bad for a first go, Maggie.
11:51No, I like that.
11:52Starting on a positive note.
11:55With its centuries-old way of life,
11:58southern Italy has a timeless charm that's hard to resist.
12:02It's exactly what has drawn Todd and Niall here.
12:05To get a real sense of what life is like,
12:08I'm meeting John Nolan,
12:09who moved from Kildare to Puglia with his partner, Dave.
12:13Thank you very much.
12:13I love the area. It's gorgeous.
12:15How long have you been here? Two years.
12:16So it's a bit of a difference.
12:18Yeah.
12:18Yeah, it's a lot warmer.
12:19Yeah.
12:21So what made you come to Puglia?
12:23My sister was looking down south at euro houses.
12:27Euro houses, that's you pay a euro.
12:29So you buy them for a euro.
12:31Okay.
12:31We said, I will come with you for a look.
12:33But as we looked into it, it turns out there's so many stipulations.
12:37Like you have to have the work done within a certain period of time.
12:41Okay.
12:41Or else you could lose the money that you put into this euro house.
12:44Oh, really?
12:45Yeah.
12:45So we thought we'd leave my sister and her partner alone for a few days.
12:49And we came up here to Astuni.
12:51Mm.
12:51Came up for two nights and thought, oh my God, this is it.
12:55And what were some of your reasons for making that move?
12:58Mortgage kept going up, wages weren't.
13:00So we didn't really have a life.
13:01Yeah.
13:02Sold the house, sold everything we own.
13:05And decided to move over.
13:06So two years into it, are you still loving it?
13:09Absolutely.
13:10Yeah, every day.
13:11No regrets.
13:11Yeah, no regrets.
13:12Even the sunshine when you wake up in the morning.
13:14I'd say psychologically it's just nicer seeing that.
13:17It does.
13:17And it's your spirits.
13:18And it gives you a nice feeling to walk out there with the sun and your coffee.
13:23Yeah.
13:24The simple things.
13:28It's so pretty, but what's it like to live here?
13:31It's great.
13:32There's a great cafe culture here.
13:34It's just a beautiful vibe.
13:35Even though it's quite pretty like a museum, it's a working town.
13:39Oh, very much so.
13:40People live here.
13:40It's all real.
13:41It's not Disney.
13:42Yeah.
13:42Even though it looks like it.
13:44What are the people like?
13:46Really nice.
13:47They're actually very like the Irish.
13:48Ah.
13:48There's not a lot of materialism around.
13:51And people don't earn a lot of money here to be honest.
13:54Ireland in the 80s is what me and my sister call it.
13:56It's very family orientated here.
13:59So at night time you'll have kids running around.
14:02There's not a lot of crime.
14:03And do you have a lot of the language?
14:05I'm getting there.
14:06Okay.
14:07But you still find you can connect regardless?
14:08Always.
14:09Yeah.
14:09They'll make an effort and we'll make an effort.
14:11You have no issue getting your steps in here.
14:14Absolutely not.
14:15You see 90 year olds flying up and down the steps here.
14:18Buns of steel.
14:20Well, they live so long here, don't they?
14:21They do.
14:22It's the steps and the diet.
14:23Absolutely.
14:23At least till 150.
14:25So I have another 20 years left.
14:29So that's the Adriatic over there.
14:31What a view.
14:32And a line of olive trees all the way.
14:34Oh my God.
14:35Was there anything you were kind of nervous about moving over here?
14:38You have to be realistic nowadays and not everywhere is gay friendly.
14:42So Southern Italy, very religious.
14:44We didn't know, are we going to be accepted?
14:46Are they going to be waiting at pitchforks at the end of our driveway?
14:48And they weren't?
14:49None at all.
14:50Okay.
14:50No.
14:51And we have had absolutely no trouble at all.
14:53Yeah.
14:54It sounds like it's more traditional than conservative.
14:57Very traditional.
14:58They're very open-minded at the same time.
15:00So acceptance was no problem.
15:02Was there any logistical issues?
15:04There was.
15:04There's a lot of bureaucracy in Italy and it's very hard to get your head around.
15:09I definitely recommend learning Italian.
15:12Not fluently, but learning enough to get by and get yourself a good agent.
15:16You really have to have a good agent behind you.
15:20Before we wrap up our first day in Puglia, John has brought his partner Dave along to meet
15:25Todd and Niall.
15:26The one thing you'll just have to learn to enjoy the process because everything is piano piano.
15:32Tranquilo.
15:33Just relax.
15:34There's a great expat community from all parts of the world.
15:37They're great friends.
15:38Meet up with them every now and again, but you do need to embrace the Italians themselves
15:41and get used to their community and their lifestyle.
15:45I know he said challenging.
15:46It can be challenging as any project, but it's nice to hear from you.
15:49You're so positive about it.
15:51Maggie, I think job well done.
15:53They're all getting on.
15:53Yeah.
15:54I think there's something about making that first connection with a human being in your
15:59new country.
15:59Yeah.
16:00That just makes everything else seem more attainable, doesn't it?
16:03And someone who's walked the path already.
16:05Who could at this?
16:06Yeah.
16:07We're like, we should set up a dating agency maybe.
16:09Setting up people.
16:12James and I shouldn't get carried away just yet.
16:15I still have to find a house for the boys.
16:18Luckily, I have my cheapest one coming up.
16:21It's like a blank canvas in here.
16:22I'm not even sure what this room originally is or was or should be.
16:25And James learns about the tough realities of renovating in Italy on horseback.
16:34This week, myself and James are in Puglia in the heel of Italy.
16:38We're helping Todd Pussius and Niall Sherry find their dream Italian home on a modest budget
16:45of €150,000.
16:47They're looking for a two bed property with a terrace or outdoor space.
16:52And importantly, it has to feel authentic and Italian.
16:56So far, we've seen this rural retreat on the outskirts of Ostuni.
17:01It has a huge plot of land, but no indoor toilet.
17:05And it's on the market for €105,000.
17:09Look at the fireplace in the corner.
17:10It's really nice.
17:11That's authentic.
17:12That's authentic.
17:13For our next property, we're heading almost as far south as you can go in Puglia.
17:18To the beautiful Salento town of Murolecese.
17:22Just off the main square sits this unique townhouse.
17:26It may only have one bedroom, but for a small house, it's built on quite a grand scale with a
17:33gorgeous roof terrace.
17:34But the real surprise here is the price.
17:37This property is on the market for just €56,000.
17:43First, architect Elizabeth Francis and I are meeting Todd and Niall on the main square, so they can experience the
17:51atmosphere of this beautiful location.
17:54Don't you feel like you're truly in southern Italy now?
17:57Well, you do today with the sun.
17:58I feel I'm blending in the colour scheme with my attire today.
18:02Looking around here, this is exactly the kind of style we were looking for on the house hunt because it's
18:06just typically Italian.
18:07So, there's an alleyway right behind you and we are all going to head down there now and look at
18:12your house.
18:13That's exciting. Let's go.
18:17This is your house and where the paint gets a bit cleaner down the alleyway is where your house stops.
18:22Very substantial looking, I think.
18:24It's authentic.
18:25It's a tall building.
18:26I know it's maybe a little bit needs attention, but that's just cosmetics.
18:30I don't see anything that's particularly of concern that it would be a bigger job than that.
18:35More maintenance than renovation.
18:37You know, we wouldn't touch a lot of that.
18:39The shutters and things we love.
18:41The stonework, it's just authentic and beautiful.
18:44Maybe just cleaning a little bit of the graffiti with GIF.
18:47A little bit, yeah.
18:48I think so.
18:49No SIF now, Todd.
18:50Oh, it's SIF now, yeah.
18:54SIF.
18:54Okay, so we are inside. Look at that ceiling.
18:58That was the first thing I saw when we came in the door, the height of that ceiling.
19:02This would be a very typical star vault.
19:05It's very elegant and it's beautiful to look at, but it's also structural because there's a stone roof above this
19:11and it distributes the weight down.
19:13I love the floor.
19:15I love the floor.
19:15I love those tiles.
19:16So these floors would be from, let's say, the 1950s.
19:20Very typical, these sort of terrazzo tiles.
19:23It's like a blank canvas in here.
19:25I'm not even sure what this room originally is or was or should be, so it's perfect for what we're
19:29looking for.
19:30Okay, so why don't you two go and explore the rest of the house on your own?
19:33Myself and Elizabeth will meet you in a little while up on the terrace.
19:40Okay, that's definitely the kitchen of the house.
19:42Oh, yeah, I think so.
19:43I like how it's kind of molded into one piece, the sink and the whole countertop.
19:48Yeah, it's very nicely done, nicely finished.
19:51I think over there there might be a little bathroom, I think.
19:53It's like a bathroom sink and the toilet in there.
19:56A modern bowl there.
19:57The space is a little bit maybe tight with the chairs.
20:01Yeah.
20:01But instead of having chairs, maybe you have a bench.
20:06Okay, I think we have our bedroom, Todd.
20:08It's a good-sized room.
20:09Yeah, looks like the only bedroom.
20:11That's the first point I'd make.
20:13I think so.
20:13I know there's no wardrobe there at the moment, but where the bed is, it kind of gives you the
20:17feel.
20:18You can have a smaller unit in there.
20:20There's good light coming from the window.
20:22It's a really nice room.
20:23That looks like a shower room in the corner.
20:25Yeah.
20:26So we have no toilet here.
20:27No, I don't think so.
20:28So there's only one toilet which is downstairs.
20:31And I'm not a big fan of the toilet next to the kitchen.
20:34No.
20:37Hey.
20:38Hey, hey.
20:39So what do you think of your terrace?
20:40Amazing, isn't it?
20:41It's a good size space around it.
20:43Yeah.
20:44And you can see all the streets leading each direction and the old buildings.
20:49And you have a second terrace potentially up here as well, if you wanted it.
20:53So you have quite a lot of outside space.
20:54Do you believe we would be able to convert it into a conventional terrace?
20:59Yeah.
21:00Put some sort of flooring, paving.
21:02It's strong enough structurally.
21:03And keep maybe this as a pergola or something to get this a shaded area.
21:06Maybe keep that in the sun.
21:07It might be nice.
21:08Yeah, it'd be cool.
21:09So what do you think of the rest of the house?
21:10Blank canvas to work with, which is good.
21:12The only downside to the bedroom is that there's only a shower room, which is a bit of a negative
21:17for us.
21:18How easy would it be maybe to flip and install downstairs shower and have the toilet upstairs instead?
21:25So, not easy.
21:26I wouldn't say it's easy, but it's definitely possible.
21:29There's just about, I'd say, just about enough space for a toilet in the shower space.
21:34Get permission for it.
21:35And downstairs, I would keep the little bathroom as it is, but put the shower immediately when you come in
21:42the door.
21:43It's the only place where you have the full head height.
21:45I think if there would be a second bedroom, I think it would be very hard to say no.
21:50Okay.
21:50So it's just a matter really of trying to figure out whether you could switch around the uses of the
21:55other rooms maybe a little bit.
21:57So take, for example, that lovely vaulted sitting room.
22:00Get your kitchen in there or even get a kitchen living room in there and it frees up another room
22:05somewhere else.
22:06I feel like I might have something that might tip it over the edge for you.
22:09How does 56,000 sound?
22:12Wow.
22:12We like a good bargain.
22:14We like a good bargain.
22:1556 is a bargain, isn't it?
22:1656 sounds like a bargain to me.
22:18By giving up the bedroom, the price kind of reflects that.
22:22Yes.
22:23My mind is racing now.
22:25Yeah.
22:25I am.
22:27That last house really was a bargain, Maggie.
22:30But at that price, it's clear the lads will have some renovation work ahead of them.
22:35And, as we've already discovered, getting work done in Italy isn't always straightforward.
22:41Especially if you're not a local.
22:44Oh, they're all so beautiful.
22:46I've come to meet Emilia Bunyard, a horse riding instructor and food guide.
22:52She knows firsthand what it's like to renovate here, having moved to Puglia 10 years ago.
22:57And it wasn't without its challenges.
23:00So you know firsthand all about this.
23:03You renovated.
23:04Can you tell me a little bit about your journey?
23:05When I moved here, I didn't speak any Italian beyond, you know, sort of vino and coffee, please.
23:11That's important.
23:12Good morning, buongiorno.
23:13I wanted to do a renovation project.
23:14And it was much harder.
23:15It was much harder than I thought.
23:17I mean, partly because people don't turn up on time.
23:20The sense of time here is very different.
23:22People are much more relaxed.
23:23Mm.
23:24Which is beautiful, but...
23:26You have a sense of urgency from where you're from.
23:28When you're kind of going, oh, here's my budget.
23:29Yeah.
23:29Here's my schedule.
23:30And I've got, like, this much time to finish it.
23:33That's quite stressful.
23:35Bureaucracy here is absolutely confusing, and I still don't understand it.
23:41I had to kind of have a word with myself and go, okay, kind of, like, all the beautiful
23:45things that outweigh the stressful things are worth it, but I have to accept how it is
23:50rather than, I can't change it.
23:52Have you become a bit more relaxed as a person?
23:55No!
23:55Hell no!
23:57No!
23:58No!
24:00Niall and Todd have arrived, and Emyria has kindly offered to help us explore the area.
24:18We heard a lot about the red tape here initially.
24:20Any advice for us how we might proceed if we were to move here?
24:24The expectation is that you know the system, and you know the hidden fees, so someone might
24:28give you a cost but it might not include like the taxes and I think that locals
24:34know to expect those things and I obviously didn't found out as it came
24:39up so you have to learn to know what questions you have to be like more
24:44thorough than you would you would expect and I suppose that's part of the
24:48difference in the system. Any advice how to tackle the red tape? I think hire an
24:52expert I mean you have a geometra here if you're renovating a geometra is
24:55somewhere between somewhere between an architect and an engineer but like they
25:00will be super super useful for you. Budget extra and be patient back home
25:18building and expenses for building is through the roof what what are the prices
25:22like over here? You know the prices have gone up also for properties here and I
25:27think for labor and now materials the cost of materials has gone up but still yeah
25:31you know I think a fraction of what it is at home absolutely. Is it easy to get
25:35people to do work for you or you're waiting and waiting? Be prepared for
25:40everything to take longer than you expect so be relaxed about that and learn
25:45Italian. The Pugliese people are super welcoming super friendly and once they take you to heart they you know like
25:52they're your mates for life. I think if you don't integrate you might as well just eat pizza and
25:56stay at home. Yeah you may as well stay in Ireland what's the point you know you have to make
26:00some sort of effort to get into the country you're living in.
26:03So you're ten years in. Any regrets? No no not really I don't. Overall I absolutely love it here. It's
26:11been hard work but totally worth it.
26:14That's lovely. This is all ahead of you. Oh yeah looking forward to it. Yeah still a smile on her
26:19face.
26:19That's good. Some tears maybe but smiles.
26:24Well salute day to you. Yes. Salute day. Thank you. Grazie, grazie.
26:29The next day it's back to business and time to look at our third property.
26:36This time we've headed north of Ostuni to the town of Caravino. An up-and-coming place that still offers
26:43great value.
26:44Just a short walk from the town centre are two gorgeous apartments. Both are for sale but I'm focusing on
26:51the top one as it has three bedrooms, a roof terrace and my favourite feature, a wraparound balcony.
26:59It could do with some updating and needs to be properly subdivided from the rest of the building so there
27:05is work to do but the asking price is just a hundred thousand euro.
27:11So I really want to show the lads an apartment. This building is very typical of sort of post-war
27:16construction in Italy so they're quite well built, they're spacious, they have their own front door off the street.
27:23Okay. It's an apartment but it's similar to a house. The top one is the one I love the most.
27:28The one on the bottom at the same time though is fully furnished and lived in so what I'm thinking
27:33of doing is showing the lads around this one and then I'll just let them wander up and see the
27:38other one as well.
27:42So this is the main living space here. More spacious than I expected from the outside.
27:47We have three smaller rooms off that could potentially be bedrooms of different sizes. Then we have a big formal
27:54dining room that leads on to a really big kitchen and bathroom to the back.
27:59Lots of space, different rooms. I would be inclined maybe to open it up a little bit.
28:04Okay.
28:05There's a lot of potential to improve this space. You can see that there's a little bit of damp in
28:10the ceiling coming from above but that's something that's fairly straightforward to repair.
28:14I think it's a really good place here. The lads loved yesterday's house though and I'm not sure whether even
28:20a large apartment is going to be enough to sway them away from that house.
28:24Very different, big contrast.
28:26Yeah, absolutely.
28:28Hey!
28:30Romeo, Romeo!
28:33So have you ever thought about apartment living?
28:35Oh, we certainly have.
28:36We would definitely not roll it out.
28:38So what I want to show you is this apartment here and all above us comes with it.
28:44But the apartment down below is also for sale and this one's fully furnished.
28:48So I think it'll give you more of an idea of how to live in the space.
28:51Looks great from here, doesn't it?
28:53Looks clean and tidy.
28:55So you guys have a look. Myself and Elizabeth will meet you on the roof.
28:59Right, see you later.
29:00See you in a bit.
29:03Unexpectedly big.
29:04I wasn't expecting the high ceiling here.
29:07No, it's absolutely enormous, isn't it?
29:09I like that. It's a big double bedroom.
29:12It's a large kitchen.
29:14Huge. And I think we came through from the light room there.
29:18The middle room is a bit dark, isn't it?
29:20The middle room is very dark.
29:21There's no windows in there.
29:22There's no windows, no natural light at all.
29:24This is a little bit dark still.
29:27Yeah.
29:28The fireplace did surprise me.
29:29I didn't expect that.
29:30It's amazing, isn't it?
29:31Yeah.
29:31In an apartment.
29:32Yeah, it's pretty cool.
29:34We have the bathroom and the toilet leading up the kitchen.
29:37Your favourite touch.
29:39Not sure about that.
29:44OK, we have some light here, I think.
29:46The first impression, just the light coming through the window.
29:50Look at that floor.
29:51It's a little bit over-fashioned, but I think it's staying here.
29:56We wouldn't be touching that.
29:57No.
29:57Going anywhere near that with a Kango hammer, that is staying exactly where it is.
30:01After a bit of thinking about how best to fit what we would like into this room.
30:06OK, that's a lovely balcony.
30:08OK.
30:08Oh, there's a full view of the town from here.
30:10I think that's a coast.
30:1310 minute, 20 minute drive.
30:14Yeah, maybe, maybe.
30:15You wouldn't walk.
30:16So what else have we got here?
30:17OK.
30:18Oh, look at that now, up the hill.
30:19OK.
30:20Very cool.
30:21That's the old town.
30:23So how did you get on in that upstairs apartment?
30:25Do you like it?
30:26Yeah, I don't know where to start.
30:28Just the space.
30:30Each room is very generous.
30:32Yeah, and the good high ceiling is not quite as high as the apartment on the ground floor,
30:35but still pretty high.
30:37Now, the kitchen is dark, but that room in the middle is really super dark.
30:40The same issue as the one on the ground floor.
30:42What can we do about that?
30:43So what I would do is I would open up that wall
30:46and maybe take down the wall to the smaller room with the window.
30:50And so you'd have one large living, dining kitchen space.
30:54Yeah, I like the idea.
30:55I think it's a good idea.
30:56And don't forget we have up here too.
30:58Yeah.
30:58So we don't just have a roof terrace.
31:01We have another room in there.
31:03I know technically there's two rooms,
31:04but really that main central room there could be a fantastic summer kitchen
31:09for you leading out onto this terrace.
31:11It could be a bedroom.
31:12You've got so many options.
31:14And just be open-minded about it, I suppose,
31:15about what you can do with it.
31:17So if I told you that the apartment on the ground floor was €100,000,
31:21what would you think the top two floors were?
31:24Let's go €115,000.
31:25Right.
31:26Well, it's on the market for exactly the same price.
31:28Oh, wow.
31:29100,000.
31:30Oh, okay.
31:31That's a nice surprise.
31:32Yeah.
31:34We're getting a start to get a feel for what's good value around,
31:37but we're not quite sure yet.
31:38It's all good value.
31:40You're just not used to good value in property,
31:42and you don't know what to do with it.
31:46It's been an action-packed few days.
31:48We've seen some real bargains and gathered plenty of useful advice.
31:53Now it's time for us all to unwind back in Ostuni and try some of that world-famous Italian cuisine,
32:00though not everyone is feeling adventurous.
32:03I see somebody doesn't have any food on his plate.
32:07I'm a bit picky.
32:08Are you?
32:09Let's put it mildly that I'm a bit picky.
32:11I'd struggle with a lot of what's on the table right now.
32:13I'd probably have a bit of bread.
32:15No.
32:15So what's a typical dinner?
32:16A typical dinner would be good Irish dinner.
32:18Good meat and two veg, maybe.
32:20Okay.
32:20Or maybe even meat and one veg.
32:22And the veg will be potatoes.
32:25You're not going to get the most out of Italy at all, are you?
32:28No.
32:28Not with what's on this table.
32:30But, you know, you never know.
32:31So I have an idea maybe for you to broaden your palate a little bit.
32:36Okay.
32:36Are you up for the challenge, though, of maybe broadening your palate?
32:39Definitely up for the challenge.
32:41Well, we start with this.
32:43Yeah, manage.
32:44I think we might manage that one, James.
32:46A bit of mozzarella?
32:47Maybe a bit of mozzarella.
32:48Yeah, baby steps.
32:50Yeah, baby steps.
32:50And then octopus.
32:52That might be pushing it a bit too far, James, I think.
32:55Do we need to hide the octopus in the mozzarella?
32:58Maybe between the two slices of bread.
33:00In the spud.
33:04The slagging will continue until tomorrow when we have to visit our last property.
33:09I'm not saying it's hideous, but maybe it's not to my taste.
33:13And maybe Niall will prove us all wrong.
33:19Myself and James are in Puglia in southern Italy, helping Todd Posius and Niall Sherry find their dream European home.
33:28They're looking for a two-bedroom house or apartment with authentic Italian charm and outdoor space or a terrace.
33:36They don't want to be too far from a town and will take on a renovation project.
33:40Their budget is €150,000 and so far we've seen three contenders.
33:48A rustic villa with potential but no indoor toilet.
33:52A small but impressive townhouse at an absolute steal of a price.
33:58And a second floor apartment with sea views.
34:01Before I show Todd and Niall our final property, I've come to the small tourist town of Albero Bello to
34:09learn more about a building style we've often seen across the countryside since we arrived here.
34:15These are truly houses. Their distinctive beehive shaped stone domes are a centuries old architectural tradition of this part of
34:25southern Italy.
34:26And as a result, Albero Bello is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
34:32James is on a mission here to help Foodshy Niall discover the amazing culinary culture Puglia has to offer.
34:40But by happy coincidence, I found a truly home nearby that's been lovingly restored by Sue and Michael Foley.
34:49When I see these truly houses dotted all over the countryside, they're either falling down like a pile of stones
34:55or they're magnificent.
34:57What was this one like when you came first?
34:59Well, it was an absolute complete ruin. It was encased in plant life.
35:05There was no outside paths. There's no driveway. You just had to kind of walk down here.
35:10How do you even think about making that into a functioning house?
35:14Well, it helps that he's a builder.
35:16We knew a lot about the true loves because we had seen a lot of them. And I have a
35:21lot of friends here who do it.
35:22And they are protected, I'm assuming.
35:24This one's a protected grade one listed building. So, yeah, it wasn't an easy process.
35:31OK.
35:32But if you've got the right people, it is and it helps.
35:35Are these tops typical?
35:37They can vary between towns or they might have a special meaning to the original family that lived there.
35:44Oh, lovely.
35:47So, we're straight into our first cone. Do you know, it's small, but it feels so spacious with the height
35:53of the ceiling.
35:54Most of this wasn't here when we found it, but Michael's restored it slowly, slowly.
36:00You know, you take pride in restoring something like this because it is so old.
36:05People used to work on the land in these trulies. They would have to pay tax.
36:08But then other people would come and try and take tax off them as well. So, they have a keystone
36:14in the trulie.
36:16So, when they knock it out, the roof collapses or part of the roof. So, what they used to say
36:22was,
36:23well, nobody can live in here.
36:25What house?
36:25So, they didn't have to pay their tax.
36:28And then they just build it up again.
36:30Yeah.
36:30You build it on the round. And so, you just build it all the way up to the top and
36:33put the pinnacle on.
36:35They were masters of stone. Yes.
36:37And they would build that up in maybe a day or two.
36:40That's true. And it's not like they're looking in and seeing a fitted kitchen and all in here.
36:43Exactly.
36:44Well, they're definitely living here.
36:48So, in our second cone here, we have an amazing bathroom, I have to say.
36:54It's a real labour of love, I feel, that room was for you.
36:59Okay, so we have a good big living space now back here.
37:02We tried to make sure that we used all local products and obviously a lot of recycled pieces, particularly even
37:10with the furniture.
37:11Is this sink that's locally made?
37:13So, there's a local artisan stone merchant, really, isn't he?
37:17Yeah. In the worktop I made myself.
37:19So, that's a Wexford worktop.
37:20That's a Wexford concrete worktop.
37:22It's absolutely gorgeous.
37:25So, talk to me about this floor.
37:26This stone is particular to Puglia.
37:28Okay.
37:29And it's called kyanke.
37:31We tried to lay it in a particular way that seemed really ancient as well as the house is probably
37:37a thousand years old.
37:38And it took him three times as long.
37:41Because I took pictures of other floors that I've seen, it gives you an idea of how to do it
37:47and what to do.
37:47I mean, it is really important to try and use everything locally.
37:51As many things as you can to recycle as well.
37:54Make it look old and keep within a budget as well, which is really important.
37:59Yeah.
38:01What a view.
38:03You have everything out here in this garden.
38:05Talk to me about your pool because this is above ground.
38:08Have you limitations here?
38:09Yes.
38:10So, this is an above ground pool which is dismantle-able at any time.
38:14So, if somebody comes and wants to charge you a tax on your pool, you can just pull something out
38:20and the whole thing goes down.
38:21That's not a pool.
38:23I don't know.
38:24How much did you pay for the place?
38:26So, it was 65,000 euros.
38:29Really?
38:29Yeah, it's amazing.
38:30Wow.
38:31That was in 2020, wasn't it?
38:34Yeah.
38:34Mostly, Michael did everything himself, but obviously we did use a lot of local people as well that came in
38:40to help us.
38:41So, if you add everything together, how much do you think you've spent doing the place up?
38:45Probably between 200,000 and 250,000.
38:49Okay.
38:49For the renovation.
38:50Yeah.
38:50It's amazing.
38:51I can't believe it.
38:53I think that if you wanted to buy one of these Trulies and you got the local people to come
38:57and do it, you could obviously do it a lot quicker.
39:00Yeah.
39:00Yeah.
39:00What was your most expensive thing, do you think, that you did?
39:03Hmm.
39:05How much beer and wine would you enjoy them?
39:10What I love about this renovation is that Sue and Michael reused so much stuff out of the rubble of
39:17these Trulies.
39:18And in doing so, they've really honoured the old building.
39:22In Puglia, food is at the heart of everyday life.
39:27And if Niall and Todd want to settle here, understanding that culture could be key to fitting in.
39:32So, I'm in the centre of Albero Bello meeting local guide Melina Panaro, who's going to help me, and hopefully
39:40Niall, understand why food matters so much to the people of Puglia.
39:45So, I have two guys with me, one is Niall, and he's a fussy eater, doesn't like a lot of
39:50different foods.
39:51We need to change that.
39:53OK.
39:53You're up for that.
39:54Yes, I can help you.
39:56Because in the south, it's all about food, isn't it?
39:58Yes.
39:58When people come here, we share everything with other people, especially in little towns like Albero Bello.
40:05OK, you sound perfect for this mission.
40:07Let's go feed Niall.
40:08OK.
40:10Grazie.
40:11Prego.
40:12Melina is taking myself, Todd, and a nervous Niall on a nonna culinary tour of Albero Bello, where we visit
40:20some of the few remaining residents of this unique village.
40:24I'm going to try to introduce them to some delicious meals prepared by the local experts.
40:30What are these?
40:31They're very pretty.
40:32They are, this is a typical pastry here.
40:35OK, we are used to eat them in the morning for breakfast.
40:39And we drink coffee, our traditional coffee, mocha.
40:43Thanks.
40:46And a little biscuit.
40:47We have to try this.
40:48Very nice.
40:49It's all.
40:50It should represent, let's say, what we should eat.
40:54It should be the first choice.
40:56So, for her and for her family, the most important thing is to eat food of high quality.
41:03Good morning.
41:04Good morning.
41:05Good morning.
41:06Good morning.
41:06Good morning.
41:07Good morning.
41:08Good morning.
41:11Good morning.
41:12Oh, an actor.
41:14American actor.
41:15So, what is going on here?
41:16What's this?
41:17These are the fava bands, you know?
41:19And this is our typical dish.
41:21OK.
41:22I want to try.
41:23It's dangerous, but...
41:24OK.
41:25But be careful.
41:26Of course.
41:27Oh, it's harsh.
41:29OK.
41:31You are better.
41:33You are better.
41:34One fava dinda and one million to go.
41:38Truly.
41:39Truly.
41:40Truly.
41:41This region's cooking grew out of simple ingredients and a history of making the most of very little.
41:48But, over time, it's become one of the most distinctive food cultures in Italy.
41:53Meals here aren't just about eating.
41:55They're about hospitality, family and community.
41:59These are the fava beans.
42:01Oh, OK.
42:02It's like math.
42:03You know how old is she?
42:0650?
42:07No, 50.
42:09I am 56.
42:10Oh, my God.
42:12She's 80.
42:1380!
42:14Oh, wow.
42:15Wow.
42:16It's the olive oil.
42:17Oh, yes.
42:18Yeah.
42:19It's a good life.
42:21Me being a fussy eater now, it's kind of hard to eat.
42:24There's kind of a variety of food, but it's interesting.
42:27It's good.
42:27It's interesting, yes.
42:29Mmm.
42:30Well, Niall might not be completely converted just yet, but he's at least starting to see
42:37that here in Puglia, understanding food is a big part of understanding your new neighbours.
42:45For our final property, we're back in the town of Caravino.
42:49We're looking at a central, spacious second floor apartment that's ready to move straight
42:55into.
42:56It's relatively modern, currently laid out with two bedrooms and the best terrace we've
43:01seen so far.
43:03It's on the market for 110,000 euro.
43:08It's very traditional Italian streets.
43:10Yeah.
43:10So the first impressions are nice.
43:12The apartment's a little bit more modern feel to it.
43:15No, I'm not saying it's hideous, but maybe it's not to my taste.
43:19I think it needs a little bit of work to bring it up to what we would like it to
43:22look like.
43:23I think so.
43:23It's quite funny with its little 1980s kind of cladding and stuff on it, but that can
43:29be removed.
43:29You could take off the stone, you could re-plaster it, and you could paint it to
43:33make it similar to the other buildings.
43:36That's good.
43:37That's good.
43:38Okay, we have the hallway.
43:41Quite narrow here, very high space.
43:44And again, it's steep steps just on the street level.
43:47And then to the right is the bedroom, so have a look in there, will we?
43:50Yeah, cool.
43:51Decent sized room.
43:52And again, the floor is nice.
43:54It's a bit strange with those windows.
43:56They're very high up, aren't they?
43:57A prison cell kind of feel, isn't it?
44:00It's interesting that there's a bedroom leading off the bedroom.
44:03Yeah, which is not particularly practical.
44:05So you have to walk from one to another.
44:08Yeah, yeah, yeah.
44:09And from here it looks even darker in there.
44:13Okay, that's the bathroom.
44:15At least it's not off the kitchen.
44:16That's true.
44:17It's functioning.
44:18Yeah.
44:19Functioning bathroom.
44:20Okay, last but not least, this is a sitting room and kitchen, I think.
44:25Much more light in here.
44:26This is nice space.
44:27That's what I expected.
44:28It's a nice flow.
44:29It's a kitchen just there.
44:30Again, no doors, just kind of this arch opening.
44:34Massive fireplace in the corner.
44:35That is, that is a statement.
44:39And it's again, this is the same level floor here.
44:41Oh.
44:42So it's a little bit maybe busy road here.
44:44It's like five streets.
44:46I think everything looks nicer in the sun.
44:48I think so.
44:49And it feels nicer in the sun for sure.
44:53So it's safe to say we've seen a lot of roof terraces.
44:56It's very open, good size, right in the sun.
45:01Okay, it needs a bit of upgrading.
45:03Did you see the kitchen?
45:04Yeah.
45:04Wow, that was a bit of a surprise.
45:06That was a bit of a last thing.
45:07But one thing we've learned probably over the last few days is the Italians don't like
45:10to be too far from the kitchen.
45:12You do have those options either to keep living kitchen downstairs, make a bedroom at
45:17this level, or keep your kitchen up here for your outdoor dining on the terrace and
45:22use below as a guest bedroom, an extra bedroom when you need to.
45:25I was surprised when we came up now that that extra room, that opens up all the options
45:29I think in this property for sure.
45:30Was the flow a little bit better than yesterday's house?
45:33A little bit better, but there was one kind of negative point downstairs.
45:36The two back rooms were a bit darker, and the fact that one bedroom leads off another
45:41is not particularly practical for what we'd be looking for.
45:44The first room, you can manage.
45:46The one behind it, it's more about just changing your outlook on that room.
45:50If that was a walk-in closet, an en suite, they're more prone to not having big floods
45:56of natural light in them anyway.
45:58You could just do a really, really nice lighting design in the room.
46:01Maggie, you're definitely messing with our minds this time, I think.
46:04I think it's this thing about Italy though, the houses have weird layouts sometimes, and
46:10you have to really just get your head around them.
46:12And if you can figure them out, you will get a bargain.
46:15So let's have a chat about this price.
46:17Oh, here we go.
46:18It's on the market for $110,000.
46:19OK.
46:21That's probably a little bit more than we expected.
46:25We thought there would be less than the house number three yesterday.
46:29Really?
46:29Yeah, because the amount of space yesterday.
46:31You wouldn't have to spend much to move in.
46:33No.
46:33Yesterday, there were things to deal with before that.
46:36Yes.
46:36We thought this would be just a definite no-no, but I think no, that's not the case now.
46:40OK, so you go figure all that out, and then come find me when you've made your decision.
46:44That was good.
46:45Talk later.
46:48I think Niall and Todd are happy with the selection of properties I've shown them over
46:53the last few days here in Puglia.
46:55First, there was the rustic countryside villa.
46:59Then, we travelled to the town of Murolecese to see a compact one-bedroom townhouse.
47:05Next, it was Caravinho, where we visited a light-filled, spacious second-floor apartment.
47:10And again in Caravinho, our last property was another large, second-floor apartment.
47:17My final task in Puglia is to find out if the guys are any closer to their dream European home.
47:25So, I'm assuming you have some sort of a decision, or at least one kind of is floating towards the
47:29top, is it?
47:30I think we are a little bit torn between the first and second property.
47:34They're very different, but each of them had something that we ultimately asked for.
47:39But we ultimately, I think, are going for number two, are we?
47:43Are we going for number two?
47:44Oh, I wanted that one!
47:46That's not fair!
47:46Oh, sorry Maggie!
47:48That's a good house.
47:49We think so.
47:50We think it's a good starter for us here in the region and this country.
47:54It's pretty much a walk-in condition.
47:56We can put out a stamp on it, maybe a little bit renovation.
47:59It would be a very nice place in a very nice town.
48:02It was a great price too, wasn't it?
48:04And a good bargain.
48:04What's the plan then?
48:05What are we doing?
48:06Probably get in touch with the agent on this one, because I think we're close to looking at maybe putting
48:10an offer on it, so we're really interested in it.
48:12Yes!
48:13We really did fall in love with it, so I think we really need to see it again, get a
48:17proper feel when there's no cameras around, so we know what's going on and get a proper feel for the
48:22local vibe.
48:22So I think that would be really what we want to do.
48:24Well, best of luck!
48:25Thanks for all your help!
48:27It was a great time!
48:29I really loved Todd and Niall's way of thinking about this house, staying back another couple of days, having another
48:35look at it, because that's the thing.
48:37If you see a house out here and you get a good feeling about it, you just have to go
48:42for it, or you might never do it.
48:46I love the Italian way of life. I want to live here. The connection between family, friends, food, gathering, I
48:54think it's just so gorgeous.
48:55It is, it is. It kind of hooks you in, doesn't it? I think you do need flexibility, though.
49:00Big time.
49:01And patience. But I think if you have that and you're willing to just go with this Italian pace, I
49:07think you can really get a bargain here.
49:09Yeah, well the payoff is this, which is fab.
49:39In the développement.
49:56Let's find acession for this podcast.
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