Up for a challenge? With a little elbow grease, these promising derelict buildings could be transformed into incredible dream homes. From a charming abandoned farmhouse in Maryland to a characterful stone villa in France's Dordogne region, these disused buildings for sale are sure to spark your imagination. Click or scroll through for more...

This old country house sits in the quaint village of Hayredin, 34 miles from the Bulgarian city of Vratsa in the foothills of the Balkan Mountains. Encompassing four rooms, the house is currently spread over just one floor but the attic space has the potential to be converted into a second story. On the market for just $10,000 (£7.9k), the abandoned brick house would make the ideal fixer-upper.

There’s an annex at the back of the house with two more rooms, while the spacious grounds have plenty of space for barbecues and alfresco entertaining. Outside, there are two walnut trees, two birch trees and a pine tree, so a green-thumbed buyer could easily transform the garden into a relaxing oasis.

Love a farm building conversion? Next to the annex is a two-story storage building, which could be converted from a farm building into extra accommodation that would be perfect for guests. There’s the option to buy an additional piece of land next to the property to increase the size of the garden further too. 

The house is in a quiet, secluded spot, but the main street of the village is just 650 feet away. Local amenities include grocery stores, cafés, a restaurant and bus services to Vratsa and the capital, Sofia. Outside the village is a river with fishing and camping areas – ideal for nature lovers.

This quaint detached stone property is located in Haute-Vienne in the region of Limousin in France. With just one bedroom and 860 square feet of space, the petite property is on the market for just $29,000 (£22.7k).

Inside, the abandoned home's interior has been neglected and left to rack and ruin. While the spacious kitchen may be derelict, it still has promise. A closer look reveals the original stone flooring, ceiling beams and old open fireplace.

Behind the kitchen is the utility room, which has a staircase leading up to the attic. While the rundown attic is currently uninhabitable, it could be turned into a valuable extra living space with some elbow grease and professional help.

Outside, the house overlooks a picturesque backyard that features a sizable storage barn, which is crying out to be converted into a rustic residence for guests.

If you're looking for a house that's steeped in history, this derelict heritage residence dates back to the early 19th century, when a two-room shack was built on the site by local resident, Barnett Carr. Over the course of two generations, rooms, floors and the wraparound porches were added to create the beautiful Victorian structure we see today.

Sadly, the magnificent house has suffered years of neglect and now sits abandoned, waiting for a new owner to breathe life back into it. This gorgeous porch with intricate woodwork and hand-turned spindle posts was added by former owner Snyder Hiriam Carr in the late 19th century, along with two upstairs rooms.

Talk about a fixer-upper with bags of potential! While the home's sorry condition extends to the interior spaces, the bare bones of the house are full of promise, with original features such as period fireplaces, architraves and woodwork found throughout. 

The spacious landing upstairs features pink paneled walls, offering a glimpse of the building's past grandeur. Any prospective buyers would have to completely renovate the derelict dwelling, which is on the market for $39,000 (£30.5k). Essential works that would need to be carried out include stabilizing the structure, overhauling the roof and adding new plumbing and electrics, as well as making cosmetic repairs.

Located in Svanskoh, Sweden Näs Trollhagen sits in half an acre of land filled with fruit trees. Offering views over the picturesque Lake Mellen-Swan, it looks like a fairytale home straight from the pages of a Brothers Grimm tale, but just wait until you see what's inside... 

Built around 1850, the currently empty home offers almost 1,300 square feet of living space and three large bedrooms. Downstairs, you'll find a roomy kitchen-diner, while upstairs lies the bathroom and spacious attic, which could easily be turned into an additional bedroom.

Perhaps the home’s most unusual feature is its otherworldly living room, which is currently set up to showcase a serious troll collection. Decorated with all manner of figurines and woodland creatures, the sizable space could make a bright and airy reception room with a fresh lick of paint.

Thanks to its rural location, the lucky new owner will be able to enjoy year-round outdoor adventures, from wild swimming to forest foraging and picturesque hikes. Perfect for someone seeking a unique home that they can but their own stamp on, this vacant house for sale has it all, plus at $50,200 (£39.2k), it's a real estate bargain. 

A charming example of abandoned buildings you can actually buy, this quaint little village house located in the heart of the commune of Cubjac-Auvézère-Val d'Ans in the Dordogne, just oozes period appeal. On the market for just $51,000 (£40k), this empty piece of real estate in one of the most spectacular regions in southwestern France is a real bargain. 

While the exterior benefits from an idyllic wraparound balcony and original timber shutters, the interior is in need of a makeover. However, thanks to its original spiral staircase, rustic fireplaces and exposed stonework, it isn’t difficult to imagine how amazing this property could be after a thorough home renovation. 

Offering 656 square feet of inside space, this abandoned house for sale has two bathrooms and three bedrooms, as well as double glazing, original tiled floors and wood-burning stoves. With plenty of windows, the interior is bright and airy, providing idyllic views over the village.

Located next to local shops, bakeries and bars, the home is perfectly positioned for anyone seeking a peaceful holiday retreat. Overlooking the pretty river Auvézère, the building is a mere 20-minute drive from the picturesque town of Périgueux.

Nestled in the picturesque village of Gowanda in New York, this stunning Victorian-style property was constructed in 1940. With its scalloped tiling and stunning pediment windows, this heritage home may be a little rough around the edges, but it's got no end of curb appeal.

Featuring a white and red color scheme, the kitchen is somewhat dated, however, with new appliances and a fresh lick of paint across the cabinetry, it could be brought back to life again. After a deep clean, we reckon those original backsplash tiles will be sparkling in no time too.

Encompassing four bedrooms and one-and-a-half bathrooms, this vacant home, currently on the market for $59,900 (£47k), could be the perfect fixer-upper for a family. Spread across almost 2,400 square feet, there's a host of period features hiding throughout the house, most notably this beautiful curved staircase, complete with an ornate wooden banister.

In the living room, a spectacular bay window provides a wow-factor focal point, while cornicing and ceiling roses offer plenty of period charm. Elsewhere, there's a spacious two-car garage and a laundry room, plus as the roof is less than 10 years old, the buyer is unlikely to be lumbered with the costly task of replacing it.

Doesn't this look just like a real-life doll's house? Sitting in a two-acre lot in Vernon, Indiana this Queen Anne-style home overlooks the beautiful Muscatatuck River. On the market for $64,500 (£50.4k), the three-story house was built in 1884 by carpenter Robert Leavitt and has been deserted in recent years.

Inside, it's easy to imagine the property's grand former life, from the dark wood accents to the original hardwood floors and built-in cabinetry. The interior covers 3,400 square feet of living space, with 10 rooms overall, including three bedrooms located on the second floor.

Featuring a stunning bay window, this living room would have once been a regal entertaining space but today it stands dusty and vacant. The house requires a complete renovation, including new bathrooms and a kitchen, but any work must be in keeping with the preservation covenants attached to the deed.

The restoration of the property's original wood detailing would also be part of the sale agreement – we'd love to see this ornate banister that leads up to the attic restored to its former glory.

Formerly the AJ Gillen Department Store, this property is located in the once-prosperous cotton town of Maxeys in Oglethorpe County, Georgia. On the market for $65,000 (£50.9k), it was built around 1907 and has 9,600 square feet of interior space. Inside, this derelict commercial space has the bones to be a pretty spectacular home...

The department store closed in 1929 after the collapse of the cotton economy, but the building's beauty is still clear to see. Offering bags of potential, the empty property has a spectacular central staircase made from cast iron. Just picture how stunning this focal point would look after a careful restoration.

At one time, the ground floor was home to menswear, shoes, furniture and groceries, while the top floor was dedicated to ladieswear and home goods. The two-story brick building features an overhead skylight and plenty of large windows, allowing lots of natural sunlight to filter inside. All in all, we think there's plenty going for this promising fixer-upper.

Outside, the storefront features cast-iron columns, window pediments and cornice detailing, as well as a large bay window on the upper floor. Some stabilization work has already been carried out to strengthen the structure, but a serious overhaul is needed to bring the beautiful building into a habitable state. What's more, thanks to its historic status, the property may be eligible for state and federal rehabilitation tax credits, so the lucky new owner could stand to bag a bargain.

Built around 1847, this crumbling wood-clad home in Dallas, North Carolina has seen better days. On the market for $125,000 (£97.8k), it's a pretty extreme fixer-upper, best suited to an ambitious buyer with plenty of renovation experience.

With 1,947 square feet of interior space in a pretty poor condition, the home is redeemed by its promising original features. This living space offers a traditional brick fireplace, however, the peeling, damp walls would have to be tackled first before any restoration work could get underway.

What once may have been a sizable bedroom is now a shell of a room with a moldy ceiling and wood-clad walls in need of serious attention. However, if you can see past the obvious issues, the room could be an attractive space once more, thanks to the large windows and airy proportions.

With a half-finished deck, crumbling roof and piles of trash, the back of the house is very much a work in progress. Nevertheless, it could make a peaceful suntrap once the major structural issues have been taken care of.

This weatherboard home in the town of Uralla in New South Wales, Australia could make a rewarding investment. On the market for $165,000 (£129k), the vacant property has three bedrooms and one bathroom. 

Inside, the interior could definitely do with an update. The empty home features a garish pink kitchen with both an electric cooker and a wood stove. However, the exposed brick hearth and picture window could make stunning character features in an updated scheme.

The main living space, which features splashes of bright yellow, has a slow combustion wood heater, while located at the rear of the house, a bright and airy sunroom leads outside.

At the rear of the property, there's a small yard with a parched-looking lawn that with a little elbow grease could be transformed into an outdoor oasis. There's also a parking space for one car and a handy storage shed.

Looking for an abandoned house for sale in America? Located in the city of Bisbee in Arizona, this two-bedroom, two-bathroom property currently lies uninhabited. However, the 1,200-square-foot structure could be a stylish home with a little bit of work. 

Built in 1910, it's on the market for $189,000 (£147.8k) but needs some serious attention. Partially renovated, many of the interior walls have been left with bare plaster, including this open-plan living space.

Elsewhere, many of the original windows, trims and doors are still in place, features that could impart plenty of character to a sensitive renovation. There's no shortage of outdoor space either, with a terraced yard, workshop and storage shed.

Offering no end of rustic charm, some of the rooms have already been stripped down to the studs to reveal the original Douglas Fir wood. Upstairs, there's also a 670-square-foot attic, which would make a perfect third bedroom if converted.

With its peeling cladding, moss-covered roof and crumbling porch, this abandoned farm in Brookville, Maryland is on the market for $749,000 (£585.3k). The property comes complete with 11.5 acres of land, which includes the main house, guest house, a caretaker's house and numerous barns.

Built in 1830, the derelict home is full of original features including ornate staircases, mantelpieces and the heritage pine flooring. The once-grand entryway is crying out for restoration, with its boarded-up front door, dirty paintwork and peeling wallpaper.

The three-bedroom, one-bathroom main house may have seen better days but repairing those sash windows and letting the light flood in would really transform the feel of the home. In this upstairs bedroom, the radiators have been ripped out, however, the covered fireplace could be hiding an architectural gem.

With two built-in cupboards, this wood-clad space could make the perfect family games room. Elsewhere on the top floor, the farmhouse has two separate attics which could be converted into living spaces or additional bedrooms.

Close to the stunning Sicilian coastline, this abandoned castle for sale is desperately awaiting the fairytale ending it deserves. On the market for $1.2 million (£957k), the promising structure could be converted into a wow-factor heritage home.

The grand castle is set in a colossal 17 acres of land, complete with an olive grove and carob trees. If you’re feeling particularly ambitious, it's possible to purchase an extra 143 acres of land to push the property's potential development space to a whopping 160 acres.

Currently, the derelict site isn't in a habitable state, but an extensive renovation in keeping with the regal structure could breathe new life into this incredible building. Here, the damage to the roof and walls is clear to see – years of neglect have reduced the palatial property to a shell.

Although the castle has managed to retain many of its original features, such as its turreted wall, arched windows and dynastic details, it’s in need of a major overhaul. However, with a total floor space of 21,500 square feet, encompassing the castle, a country house and a number of outbuildings, there's plenty of property to play with.