If there were a gold medal for €1 houses, it would likely go to Rubia Daniels, who made headlines around the world — from the New York Post to the Daily Mail and CBS — for buying no fewer than five. Brazilian by birth and resident in California, she ultimately chose Mussomeli, in the heart of Sicily, for her buen retiro in a €1 home.
Rubia, you’re Brazilian, you live in San Francisco, and you first read about €1 houses while on holiday in Indonesia. What drew you to the heart of Sicily?
When I began my journey in search of a €1 house, I was looking for a village that, although small, could still offer essential services such as a hospital, pharmacy, restaurants, shops, supermarkets and banks. Mussomeli is complete; this town truly offers everything, and that was very important to me.
But in the end, if I understood correctly, you bought more than one €1 house. How many in total?
That’s right. In total, I bought five houses: three for myself, one for my aunt and one for my daughter.
When did this adventure begin?
It all started in spring 2019.
€1 properties are usually in very poor condition. What kind of work did you carry out, and how did you transform them?
I have to say the properties were completely dilapidated when I bought them; they required total reconstruction. It has truly been an incredible experience of complete transformation.
What were these houses like before, and what are they like now?
What were once ruins are now fully renovated homes: a journey of rebuilding, vision and determination.
Let’s reveal a little secret: I understand you have a background in construction. That must have helped.
Yes, I’ve always been passionate about construction, demolition, creation and transformation. Bringing something back to life gives me deep satisfaction.
How was your experience with local builders? They’re sometimes cited as one of the challenges in the €1 house market.
There is certainly strong demand for local contractors. It’s important to have realistic expectations about the pace of life in a small Sicilian village; things move more slowly, and you have to tune into the local culture.
That said, in Mussomeli there are highly skilled professionals — companies, architects and engineers — who are competent and dedicated to their work.
If I come to Mussomeli, will I always find you ready for a coffee?
Absolutely. At any time, we can enjoy a coffee together in one of the wonderful bars in Mussomeli.
You’re now something of a €1 house expert. What is the most common mistake people make when embarking on this path?
One of the most common mistakes I notice is that many people arrive in Mussomeli with very little time. They become distracted or overwhelmed by the number of properties and agencies. Time passes, and they leave without making a decision, often feeling frustrated.
Those who succeed, as I did, carry out their own research beforehand. That way, when you arrive in Mussomeli, you already know what you’re looking for. You have your shortlist, your questions, and you are guided by estate agents who genuinely care about the client’s interests.
Municipalities offer these houses at a symbolic price, but are the additional costs, such as notary fees, equally low?
The costs associated with €1 houses include the estate agency’s commission and the standard closing costs, similar to any other property transaction.
Your goal isn’t purely residential. Once renovated, what do you plan to do with the buildings?
That’s right, my plans go beyond residential use. One house will be my home, and one floor will become an art gallery. The second property could turn into a restaurant, as my son is interested in opening one.
I also intend to transform the third into a wellness centre, with open spaces for martial arts, yoga, meditation and more. It’s my way of giving back to a town that has welcomed so many of us.
Did you feel like an outsider buying a piece of history, or like a new citizen helping the village to thrive again?
My first experience in Mussomeli felt like coming home. I was welcomed as part of a family. Mussomeli has truly experienced a revival since the €1 house project began.
Today, the town has many new businesses and is culturally diverse, with Americans, Brazilians, Belgians, British, Chinese, Argentinians, Guatemalans and many others.
It’s an incredible social and cultural mix, united by the same goal: restoring houses and becoming part of Sicilian life. A dream for many.
If you had to sum up this experience in one sentence for someone reading this interview and dreaming of doing the same, what would you say?
If I had to sum it up in one sentence, I would say: if you have the opportunity to take part in the €1 house project, don’t hesitate — it’s absolutely worth it. It’s a unique and transformative experience.
What aspect of Sicilian culture surprised you the most, coming from California?
One of the aspects of Sicilian culture that struck me most, especially coming from California, is the pace and depth of life. Sicilians live more slowly and are deeply connected to their community. They take time to socialise, share a coffee and truly converse. When they ask “How are you?”, they genuinely want to know. In California, “How are you?” is often just a phrase, without real intent. In Sicily, the connection feels real and human.
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