Ever fancied taking on the title of mayor? If so, you won't find a better opportunity than these incredible towns for sale. From a Wild West ghost town in Colorado to an abandoned French hamlet, these unique settlements around the world are the ultimate real estate investments.
Click or scroll on to discover the best communities on the market right now...
Part farm and part abandoned village, this rustic estate lies on the cusp of Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park in Andalucia, Spain.
With 3.5 acres (1.4ha) of land, the rural retreat offers a unique opportunity for those seeking a refuge in nature, with good access via a dirt road.
The property comes with an abandoned farmhouse that needs a total restoration. The main house spans 1,097 square feet (102sqm) and is divided into two floors.
There’s also a 1,194-square-foot (111sqm) secondary building that could be transformed according to your needs.
The vacant village has electricity and well water, which guarantees comfort and self-sufficiency all year round.
Plus, the property is home to a considerable number of olive trees, while the rest of the land is farmable, providing multiple possibilities for agricultural projects.
What's more, the property provides stunning panoramic views across one of Spain's most picturesque regions.
Listed for sale via Inmobiliaria Grazalema for a mere €290,000, which equates to around £240,600 ($300k), it's also an absolute steal.
Tucked away in the verdant Eyrieux Valley in the department of Ardèche in southeast France lies this sleepy, picturesque hamlet. Its charming stone buildings stand at the foot of a dense, forested hillside, offering an ambitious buyer a slice of rural living in the French wilderness.
The settlement is currently on the market with French estate agency Espaces Atypiques for €440,000, which translates to around £364,900 ($456k).
The buildings that make up the hamlet are quintessential examples of French rural architecture with their clay-tiled roofs, rustic stone exteriors and quaint, shuttered windows.
Overall, there are 20 structures ranging in size spread out across a sprawling 32-acre (13ha) lot, which includes stretches of meadows that run down to the nearby river. In total, there are 5,920 square feet (550sqm) of living space, from homes to barns and cellars to reimagine.
The hamlet is a fascinating time warp – the interiors of some of its homes look as though they're frozen in a different decade. A buyer might choose to preserve this vintage charm, while bringing the accommodation up to scratch for modern living.
Extensive renovations are required throughout the acreage, however, some of the work has been taken care of. Remedial projects across the roofing and building exteriors have already been carried out, so a buyer can focus on repurposing the faded living spaces.
Some structures require more work than others. Nevertheless, the possibilities for this lofty barn are limitless, from a characterful home conversion to a whimsical wedding and events venue.
The hamlet generates electricity from a hydraulic turbine, which converts energy from the river and supplements this with power from the grid.
With a little work and vision, this forgotten corner could become a bustling community once more, or even an eco-resort for environmentally conscious holidaymakers.
In some parts of the world, you can't get a whole lot of real estate for £623,200 ($779k), but in Romania, you can buy an entire village.
Listed with Romania Sotheby's International Realty for a mere €750,000, this adorable miniature settlement lies in Maramures County and covers less than an acre (0.4ha) of land, but it packs a punch when it comes to quaintness.
Known as Ferești, the village was built in 2014 to keep important and slowly dwindling Romanian traditions alive. Let's find out more...
In this part of the country, locals wear striking Maramures costumes and take part in unique annual traditions. For example, during the Easter period, boys will go to girls' homes and sprinkle them with water.
For your money, you could bag the entire village, which is made up of five carefully restored traditional homes, a stocked pond, a stone storeroom and a timber pavilion, making it the perfect option for anyone looking to create an off-grid compound.
Each of the adorable tiny homes is bursting with character. Some have curvaceous roofs, front porches and window boxes overflowing with flowers, while others feature grass roofs or façades akin to hobbit homes.
Cute stone pathways connect the buildings. Amazingly, the five houses provide just 7,534 square feet (700sqm) of inside space, highlighting just how petite they really are.
Stepping inside one of the residences, you'll be greeted by gorgeous period beams, imposing fireplaces, brick accents, rustic furnishings and plenty of traditional décor.
In total, the village features six full bathrooms and 14 bedrooms, with 22 beds. So there's more than enough room for you and your entire entourage. The village also boasts a sauna, a hot tub and a barbeque zone, as well as a zip line and a treehouse.
Providing plenty of bang for your buck, this remarkable commune is ready for a brand-new mayor – could that be you?
When you think about real estate in California, you might picture the sprawling mega-mansions of Los Angeles, or the mid-century modern pads of Palm Springs, but if you fancy a slice of the good life, you could consider an altogether different type of property.
Offering far more than just a single-family residence, the town of Bridgeville in Humboldt County is currently up for grabs for £1 million ($1.3m) via Madrone Realty.
This small, tight-knit community was founded in the late 19th century and was originally known as Robinsons Crossing. The scenic Van Duzen River runs through the town – when a bridge was added in 1875, the settlement was renamed Bridgeville.
Featuring quaint streets lined with white-picket fences and shiplap-clad homes, the historic outpost is encircled by the rural scenery of Northern California.
The 83-acre (33.6ha) community made headlines as the first town to be listed on eBay when it landed on the online buying site in 2002. After the initial sale fell through, real estate developer Bruce Krall (pictured) snapped up Bridgeville, selling it once more via eBay in 2006. But months later, following the sudden passing of the settlement's new owner, it was placed back on the market.
In the years that followed, Bridgeville has been listed and unlisted numerous times, but it's now back on the market and in search of a new owner to help write the next chapter of its story.
The community underwent renovations to its buildings in the early 2000s, however, there's still plenty of work needed to breathe new life into this timeworn town.
Nevertheless, there's no shortage of potential here: as well as the substantial acreage on offer, the sale price includes several homes and cabins, a 150-year-old post office, a vacant café and a cemetery. Are you up for the challenge?
Offering a fascinating insight into life in the Wild West, this authentic frontier town in Colorado boasts style, history and opportunities in abundance. For sale for the first time in over 40 years via RE/MAX Pinnacle for just less than £1.3 million ($1.6m), the tiny town is an absolute steal.
Whether you want to create a unique vacation destination or set up your own business, this town is sure to appeal. Let's find out more...
Located in Silverton, a former mining town, this impressive Wild West set-up was once part of the Old Town Square. It lies at the base of the San Juan Mountains on the notorious Blair Street, where the town's miners would have gathered for refreshments and all sorts of late-night activities.
One block from the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad depot, the town was perfectly placed for those venturing to Silverton in search of riches beyond their wildest dreams.
Back in its heyday, the square featured a saloon, a hotel, a general store and perhaps even a post office and jail. Today, the historic buildings are wonderfully preserved and house a range of artisan businesses.
For your money, you'll gain two operating commercial business buildings, three commercial rental spaces and one additional building that’s currently being used for storage. Three of the units were originally located in the mining ghost town of Eureka, Colorado and were later picked up and moved to Silverton.
In addition to this old-school photography studio, there's a two-bedroom residential unit positioned above the Emporium gift shop, which was built in 2005. Though it's currently operated as a vacation rental, you could easily make it your new home.
Other highlights include the original 1875 San Juan County Courthouse and the 'Swanee's Old Mine Sluice' in the centre of the square, where tourists can pan for gold and gems. This is one seriously amazing investment opportunity for the right buyer.
In the early 1900s, cinnabar, a lucrative form of mercury, was discovered in and around Villa de La Mina, turning the quiet locale into a thriving mining town.
Once filled with workers seeking their fortunes, the Texan village boasted homes, a fortress and, of course, a lucrative mine. However, as with most boomtowns, the precious materials soon ran out and residents quickly abandoned Villa de La Mina, leaving it to ruin.
In the 1960s, the 62-acre (25ha) town was purchased and developed into a collection of guest houses for visitors to the Big Bend area.
Villa de La Mina was later sold to actor Herman Everett of TV series Badlands, Texas fame, who bought the land several years ago. He planned to restore it but quickly realised he didn’t have the time for a renovation project of this scale. Everett reportedly envisioned the town as "a great place for rich people who want to get away from the city."
The ghost town has been deserted since the 1970s, serving only as a filming location for a few B-rated movies, including the 1972 Western horror flick, Enter the Devil.
In need of a total overhaul, the village's 20 buildings, which include a prison, grain store, a dynamite shack and a cantina, were all constructed from sturdy rock hauled in from the Rio Grande River. While they remain in excellent condition, they likely need new roofs, wiring and plumbing, as well as redecorating.
Yet the most exciting aspect of this listing is that the cavernous mine is included in the sale price. Numerous tunnels run off the mine, including one that opens into a large, natural cave. The space could be transformed into a tourist attraction or even a cool cave dwelling.
Big Bend National Park is currently experiencing a fresh influx of tourism and Villa de La Mina is ideally located to take advantage of the increased footfall. A shrewd investment, it could be reimagined as a historic boutique hotel, offering guests a trip back in time.
Villa de La Mina is for sale through Limpia Realty for just under £1.4 million ($1.8m).
Perched on a mountainside overlooking the glittering blue-green water of the Verzasca river in southern Switzerland, this extraordinary village benefits from spectacular views across the valley.
On the market via Swiss real estate marketplace Homegate, the remarkable community is listed for sale for just under CHF 4 million, which equates to around £3.5 million ($4.3m).
The traditional Swiss village was fully restored in 2014 and includes more than 13 acres (5.3ha) of land and seven beautifully renovated stone houses.
Marketed as a safe haven for budding survivalists, the community runs entirely off the grid. There's a vineyard, orchard and agricultural land for growing produce, as well as a swimming pool that supports efficient water management.
The village's seven homes offer a total of 12 bedrooms. The historic structures have been sensitively restored to combine modern amenities and appliances with period architectural features, including open hearths and timber ceilings that showcase rustic, exposed beams.
Preserving their traditional layouts, bedrooms are located upstairs in the vaulted, timber-lined eaves. Many include balconies that look out across the spectacular natural vistas of the Verzasca Valley.
Alongside the accommodation, there's a consecrated chapel flanked by Grecian-style columns and adorned with breathtaking murals and religious iconography. Elsewhere, there's a vast stone cellar that's ideal for storing supplies.
Further down the mountainside is a private parking area large enough to fit up to five cars. Access to the main village site is provided from here via a motorised funicular – a type of cable railway – so there's no need for arduous trips up and down the slope.
On the market with Pouliot Real Estate for £4.4 million ($5.5m), Tut Hill is located in the town of Pittston, Maine. Nestled on 40 acres (16.2ha) of land, the picturesque settlement includes 21 buildings and structures that were the brainchild of local antiques dealer Kenneth Tuttle.
With his heart set on building an antique village, Tuttle bought the main house in 1967 and expanded his settlement from there, saving historic buildings from other towns that were going to be demolished.
While the community may have been established in the not-so-distant past, the structures date back to the 19th and 20th centuries and include a showroom for over 30 cars, along with numerous barns.
There are a total of nine residences in the village, which are made up of five family homes, three apartments and a studio guesthouse. All but two of these properties are currently rented out to tenants, so the new owner will have a steady income.
The stunning natural backdrop of the village boasts a pond, apple trees and flowering bushes.
Other ornate buildings include a historic restored antique shop, a restored 1825 church meeting hall, two shops and a mechanic's garage.
Previously listed for sale in 2019, the rural hamlet of Campo in San Diego County, California is now back on the market with realtors Top Gun CRE for £5.3 million ($6.6m).
Located one hour east of San Diego, the town comes with 28 buildings and according to the listing agents, the potential for high cash flow in the hands of a business-savvy buyer.
A quiet 16-acre (6.5ha) setting, Campo is currently home to around 100 people and comes with a range of commercial and public buildings including a post office, metalworks, lumber yard and church.
However, the current residents are looking for a new owner to expand and nurture the town, investing in recreational and cultural facilities and optimising the economic opportunities available to its population.
Primed for revitalisation, there are numerous homes included in the sale too, many of which have already undergone renovation work.
“The diverse portfolio includes a range of residential units, many of which have been recently updated with essential modern amenities such as new roofing and vinyl plank flooring, ensuring attractiveness and comfort for residents,” the listing says.
Pictured here is what looks to be a woodworking shop, showcasing the town's craftsmanship and offering a possible new direction for the community as a creative hub.
Campo is also just a mile away from the US-Mexico border, with many of its residents employed by US Customs and Border Protection. Within an hour's drive of the Pacific Ocean, too, this well-located town has the potential to be a thriving hotspot.
Known as The Ranch at Fisher Creek, this remarkable and remote estate is set in the foothills of Canada’s Rocky Mountains.
The gates to the 480-acre (194ha) compound are an easy one-hour drive from the city of Calgary and its International Airport, but this property was almost definitely built for someone looking to create their own private paradise.
The estate can be accessed via a road or by flying in since it comes with its very own helipad. There are various homes and buildings across the property, too, including a sprawling main residence, endless guest lodges and luxurious equestrian facilities.
There are plenty of outbuildings and annexes that are waiting to be put to use and house all of your friends and family.
At the moment, there are five bedrooms and 10 bathrooms in total, as well as ample land for creating more accommodation or other essentials, like a chapel or village store.
Built for hosting and recreation, the ranch exudes a genuine sense of fun, offering unique opportunities to indulge in rugged frontier adventures and wilderness pursuits, while ending your days in refined luxury.
If you've fallen in love, then this rural private wonderland is for sale via Engel & Völkers Calgary for £8.3 million ($10.4m), or CAD $14.9 million.
If you'd rather own your own private island, complete with everything any other village comes with, then how about this remarkable listing?
Santa Maria Island lies between Trapani and Marsala off Sicily, Italy, and really is the ultimate private playground for someone with the right budget.
Available through Vladi Private Islands for £14.1 million ($17.6m), or €17 million in the local currency, the island spans 28.4 acres (11.5ha) and from Birgi in Marsala, can be accessed via a small motorboat in under 20 minutes. You could also fly in via seaplane.
The island boasts a Belle Époque mansion of 4,951 square feet (460sqm), as well as a 16th-century chapel.
The private isle also provides a keeper's lodge and a shelter for animals. Plus, Santa Maria Island is home to palm trees, maritime pines, various plants and flowers, as well as an olive grove.
In fact, in 2016, 1,500 litres (396 gal) of olive oil were produced here, so the buyer will have the opportunity to generate an income.
Described as being pollution-free, everything grown on the island is 100% organic. The listing also states that is "protected from any nuisance" since it benefits from an archaeological zone.
What’s more, the new owner can produce their own electricity and collect and reuse rainwater, making this island both self-sufficient and eco-friendly.
Mellonsfolly Ranch lies in the Manawatū-Whanganui region of New Zealand, amidst 25 acres (9.9ha) of unspoiled native bush. As well as being situated in one of the world's most spectacular landscapes, the unusual Wild West town also has a fascinating origin story.
It was built in 2006 at a cost of around £4.8 million ($6m) by cowboy-obsessed businessman, John Bedogni.
It was Bedogni's dream to create a replica of an 1860s Wyoming frontier settlement and once it was finished, he used the ranch as a whimsical private retreat for family and friends. However, when he fell on hard times in 2012, his friend, car parts tycoon Rob Bartley, bought the ranch from him, for an undisclosed sum.
Bartley turned the property into a boutique hotel. It served as a wedding and events venue too and the mogul also rented it out in its entirety for around £4,220 ($5.3k) a night.
Today, the amazing faux town boasts 10 themed buildings, including a licensed saloon, a courthouse that doubles as a movie theatre, a sheriff's office, a general store, a hotel and a billiard's hall.
It's clear that each building was lovingly crafted and has been meticulously maintained. They feature plenty of authentic décor and trinkets from the era, too, such as chuck wagons, cannons, clay bird shooting machines and teepees that further enhance the Western experience.
There's also accommodation for up to 27 guests, a commercial kitchen and a laundry facility, so the ranch could easily be utilised as a themed hotel. Plus, it comes with a separate three-bedroom home that is ideal as a main residence for the owner, or even overflow accommodation.
The town is currently for sale with Bayleys Realty Group. What's even better is the price is up for negotiation!
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