I’ve just returned from scouting in Mazamitla…
Set in the Sierra del Tigre mountain range, this quaint mountain town is about 80 miles south of Guadalajara and is known as the “Switzerland of Mexico” for the chalet-like cabins that dot the surrounding forested hills.
On Thursday, I gave you an update about a scouting trip to a hotel on the market here…and the incredible Los Cazos community I discovered as a result. (You can read that update here.)
Los Cazos is one of the oldest communities in Mazamitla and has huge lots and luxury homes set in a stunning pine forest.
As we drove through the area my jaw was on the floor. That’s the way these things go when you’re scouting. A random lead turns into a chance discovery.
It’s lot of fun in this business. The travel, the adventure…and the weird and wonderful properties my team and I come across as we scout the world for the best real estate opportunities.
Houses around the world come in all shapes and sizes…from old churches to windmills, to coned-roofed homes that look like something from a fairytale.
Today let’s look at some of the quirkier listings my research team have come across recently.
Check them out below…
A Windmill in Santorini – €500,000 ($536,500)
This windmill is on the slopes of Mount Profitis Ilias and offers stunning vistas of the villages of Santorini and the Aegean Sea.
Picture yourself on a famously beautiful Greek island, sipping wine and looking out at the Aegean Sea…
Santorini is renowned for its sunsets, wine, and archeological sites…it embodies Greek island allure. If you want cliff-top villages, dazzling white architecture against deep blue skies, and panoramic views this might be for you…
On the edge of a hilltop town sitting on the slopes of Mount Profitis Ilias, Santorini’s highest point, is a quirky converted windmill. It has a panoramic view of the island and the sea.
The Greek island of Santorini is a popular vacation destination, famed for its breathtaking sea views and whitewashed villages.
The windmill’s first floor has a spacious living room with an open-plan kitchen and dining area, a bathroom, a bedroom with an ensuite bathroom, and a smaller living room. The second floor has a bedroom with a 360-degree panoramic view.
The outdoor area has a hot tub and sunbathing area. The other side of the terrace has a dining area with a built-in barbecue. See the listing here.
A Traditional Italian Trullo – €490,000 ($526,600)
Trulli homes are specific to the Itria Valley, in the Italian region of Puglia. They initially served as temporary field shelters or permanent dwellings for agricultural laborers in the area.
The Itria Valley, located in the Puglia region of southern Italy, is renowned for its picturesque landscape, dotted with ancient olive groves, vineyards, and the iconic trulli—whitewashed stone buildings with conical roofs unique to the area.
This valley encompasses charming towns like Alberobello, known for its UNESCO-listed trulli; Martina Franca, with its baroque architecture; Locorotondo, one of Italy’s most beautiful villages; and Cisternino, offering quaint streets and panoramic views.
The area’s rich soil and favorable climate contribute to the production of excellent wines, olive oil, and cheese, making it a destination for gastronomy enthusiasts.
Puglia’s long, slender shape allows you to be near the sea at all times. East of the Itria Valley you have the Adriatic Sea and to the west is the Ionian Sea, where you can enjoy long sandy beaches and the rhythmic crash of the turquoise waters.
Close to Alberobello is a restored two-bedroom trullo with two cones, dry-stone walls and an alcove. It also has an infinity pool, air conditioning, and underfloor heating.
You can find more information about this property here.
An Old Church Near Ireland’s “Marble City” – €485,000 ($522,300)
“The Old Church” is just a short drive from the “medieval capital of Ireland,” Kilkenny City.
This next home is as quirky as it gets. This former church is in County Kilkenny, Ireland, and was converted to a private residence in the early 1990s.
“The Old Church” is a 20-minute drive from Kilkenny City, one of Ireland’s hottest tourist destinations. Known as the “Marble City,” the city is famous for its medieval buildings and castle. Kilkenny Castle was the most-visited attraction in the country in 2023 according to the Irish Office of Public Works.
This renovated church home is also just an eight-minute drive from the luxury 5-star Mount Juliet Estate Hotel and Golf Club, one of Ireland’s best golf courses.
The church is next to two pubs and a shop in the village of Knocktopher, and less than two hours to Dublin airport.
This property is a historical listed building. In the belfry you’ll find a 200-year-old large bronze bell engraved with the names of the donors and the founder of the church.
The first floor consists of an entrance porch, hall, two bathrooms, a living room, a sitting room, a kitchen, and a home office.
The second floor of the property has two bedrooms and a bathroom. See the listing here.
Ronan McMahon, Overseas Real Estate Expert
P.S. If you’re interested in any of these listings you should hire an attorney and do your own due diligence. I haven’t visited these properties in person or done any due diligence on them.
