A COUPLE have told how they are renovating their Italian home on a budget after buying the derelict house for just £19,500.
Kristina Knighten, 38, and Paul Cordier, 46, said they take items from the local dump and reuse them in their home.
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The couple say they never expected to settle in one place, but fell in love with the Lake Iseo region after holidaying there six years ago.
They were shocked by the affordable housing market and moved back a year later to buy a two-bedroom fixer-upper for £19,500.
Kristina and Paul hired a contractor to replace the roof and floor for around £59,000.
However, Paul will carry out the rest of the structural work himself to save money.
The Londoner was also able to find some gems at the local dump, including a brand new sink, some butcher blocks that can be used as tables and materials to build a kitchen.
“He would go to the dump regularly, drop off stuff and come back with other stuff,” Kristina recalls.
“He came back with a sink in perfect condition, it was a style we really liked – for free.”
However, she revealed that not every dumping trip yielded a great find.
“He also came back with a toilet and bidet. I’m not a fan of those,” Kristina said.
Paul also built a kitchen countertop from reclaimed wood, which Kristina described as “sturdy and beautiful.”
The duo revealed they are trying to stick to a budget of £85,000 to £93,000.
To achieve this, they want to use as much of the existing house as possible, including the previous owner’s bed frame.
“We wanted to keep the rustic feel of the property,” explains Kristina, who is originally from Chicago.
“We’re going to mix traditional lime plaster, exposed wooden beams and recycled materials. I hope it comes to life.”
Kristina and Paul, both teachers, met in late 2013 while working in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
Rules for buying in Europe as a Brit
Chief Financial Officer Ross Irvine shared some steps to consider if you are looking to invest in a home in Europe.
- Apply for an ‘overseas mortgage’ or ‘international mortgage’.
- By applying for citizenship you increase your chances of obtaining a mortgage.
- Before signing any documents, you should request a bank guarantee, read everything carefully and keep receipts of all transfers.
- In some countries you must have a will drawn up before purchasing real estate.
Source: William Russell
They started dating in 2014 and have lived a nomadic life, having visited over 30 countries together.
The couple never intended to settle in one place, but they were working on putting together a down payment for an investment property in Chicago.
But during a trip to Italy in 2018, they came across Lake Iseo.
“It was super dramatic, it took our breath away,” Kristina recalls.
After looking at the house prices, purely out of curiosity, they couldn’t believe how cheap it was.
They could afford to use their $40,000 (£30,500) to buy with cash.
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The following summer the couple returned and found an abandoned house.
“There was a lot of work to be done, it was exactly the same as the last time she was there,” Kristina said.
“There was a toothbrush in the bathroom and the beds were made.”
The couple completed the purchase in the summer of 2020, with just $10,000 (£7,500) of their deposit left after legal fees.
They were living in the United Arab Emirates at the time and decided to wait and save some money before starting the renovation.
The couple moved permanently, renting an apartment in the city from summer 2023, while work on the property began in March 2024.
“The roof is done, the subfloor is laid,” Kristina said.
The couple now live with Paul’s sister Izabella, 44, who bought a house in the idyllic spot after getting married there in April 2024.
Although her home also needs a complete renovation, it is currently habitable.
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