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 ghost town and former mine in Texas to an abandoned Swiss 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...
Those seeking a fixer-upper as well as an amazing amount of space will love this listing. Priced at a mere €75,000, or £64,600 ($87.8k), with ThinkSpain, these abandoned fincas lie in Lugo, Spain, and are bursting with character and potential.
The properties are part of Coeses, a parish made up of small villages scattered among forests, paths, streams, and farmlands.
The country homes sit on almost an acre (0.4ha) of land, but are tightly packed together like a mini hamlet, with a road cutting through them. The homes on the land include a traditional two-storey house that requires a full renovation.
It’s a blank canvas and was designed in traditional Galician style. Next to the house, across the courtyard, stands a large two-storey barn in excellent condition.
The imposing building has stone walls and original wooden beams, so it could easily be transformed into an amazing residence.
Its two open-plan floors mean the buyer could be flexible with the interior layout, while also retaining its charming character.
The property also includes the remains of two sheds, of which only parts of the walls remain, and two wells that supply the hamlet with water. There's even a traditional stone wall with chantos, a typical element of rural Galicia.
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 £249,900 ($339k), it's also an absolute steal.
In some parts of the world, you can't get a whole lot of real estate for £646,300 ($878k), 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...
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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 barbecue 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?
Dating back to 1920, Villa De La Mina is located close to Terlingua, in Brewster County, Texas, and is bursting with history and potential.
Known as “The Forgotten Ghost Town and Lost Mine of Lajitas", the abandoned mining town sprawls 62 acres (25.1ha) and comes with plenty of surprises.
For sale with The Real Estate Ranch for £1.3 million ($1.8m), the amazing town is made up of 20 stone buildings and retaining walls, so the lucky new owner has endless options when it comes to renovating and converting.
They could create a unique boutique hotel, a cool family compound, or the ultimate corporate retreat.
The ghost town even comes with its own historic jail, complete with the original cell.
Thanks to windows, any unfortunate prisoners would have been able to take in amazing views of the Chisos Mountains and Big Bend National Park, so a stint here wouldn't have been too bad. And this isn't the only surprise, either...
Of course, the compound features an old subterranean mine shaft and cavern, with numerous hidden entrances located inside rocks across the property. Step inside and you'll find yourself in a long, dark tunnel that leads to the historic mine.
In 2023, the ghost town was listed for £1.4 million ($2m). Before that, it was priced at £1.3 million ($1.8m) in 2018. All this place needs is a buyer with the right budget and imagination!
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 CHF4 million, which equates to around £3.6 million ($5m).
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, an 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.
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 £4.9 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 million ($10.9m), or CA$14.9 million.
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