Happy Friday, friend!
We all know the classic real estate dictionary. "Cozy" means you can touch opposite walls at the same time. "Rustic charm" means the doors refuse to close on the first try. And "it has great bones" is the universal translation for: you are going to need a lot of plaster and a strong cup of coffee.
But here is the truth - we actually love a property with "great bones."
Buying a home that needs some serious elbow grease is the absolute best way to get exactly what you want, in the location you want, without paying a premium for someone else's questionable design choices. You get to be the architect, the visionary, and occasionally, the person frantically watching plumbing tutorials on YouTube at midnight.
This week, we have tracked down five properties that require a healthy dose of optimism and a good tool belt. From a massive Spanish former postal office to a French village home where everything needs updating except the roof, these are the ultimate blank canvases.
Grab a hard hat and a tape measure - here is what we are working with this week.
THE AH SI RETREAT: JOIN US IN TUSCANY
October 13-17, 2026 · Val di Chiana, Italy · Limited Spots Left
Fantasizing about buying a house is great. Sitting down and mapping out exactly how the taxes, visas, and legal structures work is better.
This October, we are bringing a small group of future expats to the Agriturismo Sant'Angelo in Tuscany for a 5-day masterclass. We will tour properties, share unhurried dinners, and get down to business.
You will get face-to-face time with the local legal and tax experts who handle the heavy lifting. They will give you straight, unfiltered answers about how to actually execute a move to Italy, without the sugarcoating.
The table is small by design. Come claim your seat.
If you have a business and are interested in advertising with us - reach out.
Let's get our imagination going!
