London [UK], June 30: The Gotene region in Sweden is causing a stir when it sells land for a unit price equivalent to just one cup of coffee, with not too strict conditions, causing buyers from all over to call to inquire. Similar programs are attracting great interest from potential customers and are part of plans to attract residents, preserve or stimulate the real estate market in Europe.
The Gotene region, located about 320 km from the Swedish capital Stockholm, is offering about 30 plots of land for sale with prices starting at 1 krona (2,400 VND)/m².
According to CNN, these are plots of land where lucky buyers can build their dream house to live in or use as a vacation home. The Gotene region is characterized by rural Sweden with a population of about 13,000 people, including the main town of the same name with a population of about 5,000 people. This region is located on Lake Vanern, the largest lake in the European Union . For those who like hiking, Gotene also has a small mountain nearby, Mount Kinnekulle. In addition to the Platabergens Geopark, this region also has another area on the UNESCO conservation list, the Lake Vanern Peninsula and the Kinnekulle Mountain Biosphere.
Mayor Johan Mansson of the Gotene region said the reason the government sold the land at a "shocking price" was due to the economic recession and population decline. They decided to choose plots of land that had been for sale for many years but had no buyers, with areas ranging from 700 - 1,200 m². The program launched last month and immediately had countless people wanting to buy it.
"We have two people in charge of answering the phones and they work sweat for days. We are basically in crisis mode," according to Mr. Mansson. Due to high demand and calls coming from everywhere, the government decided to postpone the sale until early August to carefully calculate and possibly organize bidding. According to current regulations, buyers do not need to be Swedish citizens or commit to permanent residence here. However, local authorities may consider further. In addition, Mr. Mansson added that buyers must start building the house within 2 years after purchase, with an estimated construction cost of about 3 - 4 million krona.
Cheap housing times
Mayor Mansson did not rule out plans similar to the €1 home sales schemes in Italy. "We have a lot of land left and we will have to sit down and see what else we can do beyond selling 30 plots. If you want to live peacefully in this country, we can provide a high quality of life that is perfectly adequate," he said.
Currently in Italy, many small towns have launched programs to sell houses for 1 euro, mainly in the south, to cope with population decline and to restore old buildings, instead of having to demolish them. However, according to House Beautiful , buyers need to consider the costs involved to truly enjoy this type of program. The programs clearly state that buyers must commit to renovating the home within 1 - 3 years. Fees associated with completing a sale typically range from $5,000 - $6,000. After that, remodeling costs can range from around $25,000, not including other costs associated with hiring contractors to renovate and refinish inside and out in these remote locations. Currently, many localities in Italy have 1 euro housing programs such as Sicily, Tuscany and Piedmont, as well as villages on the outskirts of Rome.
Source: Thanh Nien Newspaper