Homes for sale where they’ll pay you to move there
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These houses come with a cash reward
Moving house is considered one of the most stressful and financially challenging things you can do in your life, but some locations offer an incentive that could definitely ease the burden. Around the world, towns, cities and states are offering cash rewards to new residents that up sticks and set up home there. Let's explore the places that'll pay you to stay, plus properties you can snap up right now.
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Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA
In an attempt to attract creatives and digital nomads, the US city of Tulsa, Oklahoma, has created the Tulsa Remote program. The scheme will see $10,000 (£7.8k) paid out to eligible applicants who commit themselves to living in the city for at least one year. Aimed at remote workers, those eligible will also gain access to a coworking space with complimentary snacks and beverages, as well as monthly workshops with local entrepreneurs! Let's take a look at the sort of home you could buy here...
Modern ranch, Tulsa, Oklahoma: $140,000 (£111k)
This modern ranch home lies in the Mingo Valley neighborhood of Tulsa and is currently for sale with Realtor for just $140,000 (£111k). For this bargain sum, you'll get a charming residence, plus 9,365 square feet of exterior space.
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Modern ranch, Tulsa, Oklahoma: $140,000 (£111k)
This stylish property includes a contemporary interior covering 1,821 square feet. Modern fixtures and finishes complete the home's four bedrooms and two bathrooms, and there's also a large garage and driveway.
Modern ranch, Tulsa, Oklahoma: $140,000 (£111k)
Built in 1976, the house has undergone a fantastic refurbishment and offers a custom-designed kitchen with granite countertops and a floating island for family meals. The open-plan living area has a working wood-burning stove, while hardwood floors decorate the ground floor. If this is the type of real estate Tulsa has to offer, we'd seriously consider relocating!
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North Platte, Nebraska, USA
The midwest town of North Platte, Nebraska is in dire need of skilled workers, so much so that it's willing to pay graduates to move there! This incentive can include everything from free land to partial rent payment to the value of $10,000 (£7.8k). The scheme is aimed at out-of-state residents and the town is also running a new housing project to encourage people to relocate. Let's take a look at some of the real estate in North Platte...
Coldwell Banker Real Estate
Spacious family home, North Platte, Nebraska: $360,000 (£286k)
This all-American home has lots of curb appeal and offers plenty of opportunities for extending and renovating. With four bedrooms and four bathrooms, the interior is spread out over one and a half floors and benefits from 3,943 square feet of space.
Coldwell Banker Real Estate
Spacious family home, North Platte, Nebraska: $360,000 (£286k)
The large family home was built in 1963 and sits on almost half an acre of land. Plus, with a double garage and an idyllic front porch the property has every feature a growing family could need.
Coldwell Banker Real Estate
Spacious family home, North Platte, Nebraska: $360,000 (£286k)
The interior of the home is in need of some modernizing, but the structure of the property is in fine condition. Currently for sale with Coldwell Banker for $360,000 (£286k), this Nebraskan dwelling isn't short of charm.
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Saskatchewan, Canada
Over in Saskatchewan, Canada you'll find a pretty lucrative Graduate Retention Program. This scheme sees the province, which sits close to the border of America, offering CA$20,000 (£11.8k/US$15k) to graduates who choose to stay in the region. The cash is paid out over seven years, as long as the resident files their tax returns in Saskatchewan. So what sort of property can you buy in the province?
Characterful bungalow, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan: CA$399,500 (£237k/US$298k)
Located in the attractive city of Saskatoon, this quaint 1940s bungalow is very typical of the sort of property you can find across Saskatchewan. With a 1,650-square-foot interior and a spacious front garden, there is plenty of potential for development here.
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Characterful bungalow, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan: CA$399,500 (£237k/US$298k)
Inside, the house is light-filled and airy, with nine-foot ceilings, extensive glazing, original wood wainscoting and hardwood floors in many of the living spaces. With four bedrooms and three bathrooms, there's more than enough space for a family to spread out.
Characterful bungalow, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan: CA$399,500 (£237k/US$298k)
Outside, the garden is a zen-like escape, with a pond, a faux stream, a firepit and plenty of mature trees. Currently for sale with Century 21, this cozy bungalow can be bought for CA$399,500 (£237k/US$298k).
Albinen, Valais, Switzerland
In order to tackle its decreasing population, the shrinking alpine village of Albinen decided to pay people to relocate there. Those happy to dedicate 10 years to living in the village will receive CHF25,000 (£15k/$25k), with an additional CHF10,000 (£8k/$10k) awarded per child. To be eligible, you'll need to be under 45 years old and own a Swiss passport. Let's explore the property opportunities in the area...
Alpine apartment, Albinen, Valais: Alpine apartment, Albinen, Valais: CHF144,600 (£115K/$145k)
If you like the sound of life in Albinen, then check out this alpine apartment in the heart of the village. Offering unobstructed panoramic views, the apartment comes with its own private balcony overlooking the Valais ranges, home to the highest mountains in all of Switzerland.
Alpine apartment, Albinen, Valais: Alpine apartment, Albinen, Valais: CHF144,600 (£115K/$145k)
While compact, the home is a charming mountain retreat. With just three rooms, the one-bed, one-bath flat offers plenty of opportunities for a facelift, plus lots of characterful details, including timber ceilings and door surrounds. If that wasn't enough, the home is located just down the road from the Valais Alps, as well as the skiing and hiking hotspot of Torrent.
Alpine apartment, Albinen, Valais: Alpine apartment, Albinen, Valais: CHF144,600 (£115K/$145k)
Complete with a cellar, the apartment comes fully furnished with satellite TV and internet access so the only thing you need to move is yourself! This attractive Alpine home is currently for sale with RE/MAX for just CHF144,600 (£115K/$145k).
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Vermont, USA
In May 2018, the US state of Vermont began offering $10,000 (£7.8k) to people willing to move there to work remotely for an out-of-state employer. The Remote Worker Grant Program was created to address the state’s aging population. The scheme is currently accepting applications and lucky candidates will receive up to $5,000 (£4k) a year over a two-year period. Let's take a look inside a house in the heart of Vermont...
Charming timber home, Franklin County, Vermont: $298,000 (£237k)
Boasting 2,266 square feet of interior space, this traditional clapboard home lies in Franklin County, Vermont. The quaint property dates back to 1865 and sits on half an acre of land in the heart of Saint Albans City.
Charming timber home, Franklin County, Vermont: $298,000 (£237k)
Inside, the house is light and attractive, with three bedrooms and 1.5 bathrooms. The large kitchen-diner offers sliding barn doors, granite countertops and an array of modern appliances. This stylish room also opens out onto an outdoor terrace – the perfect spot for morning coffee or alfresco dining.
Charming timber home, Franklin County, Vermont: $298,000 (£237k)
For sale with Century 21 for $298,000 (£237k), the characterful two-story house also offers a cozy living room, formal dining room, two staircases and a detached two-car garage. Meanwhile, the back garden comes complete with a stone firepit, outdoor seating and a sizable lawn.
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New Haven, Connecticut, USA
The city of New Haven, Connecticut, is granting as much as $80,000 (£63.5k) in incentives to new residents in order to boost its dwindling population. First-time buyers interested in moving there can also receive up to $10,000 ($7.8k) interest free to use as a down payment on a house. The best bit? After five years, the loan is 100% forgivable. Let's take a look at what's on offer in New Haven.
Coldwell Banker Real Estate
Timber townhouse, New Haven, Connecticut: $185,000 (£147k)
This attractive timber townhouse is typical of the sort of property you can buy in New Haven. Located in a housing complex in Lighthouse Point, the homely residence is for sale for $185,000 (£147,000) with Coldwell Banker. With a spacious front garden, the rear of the house looks down over the communal swimming pool and woodland.
Coldwell Banker Real Estate
Timber townhouse, New Haven, Connecticut: $185,000 (£147k)
Inside, the dwelling is light and welcoming, with zoned rooms and a modern kitchen, finished with quartz countertops, new cabinets and appliances. The main living space connects the home to an outdoor private deck – the ideal spot for evening relaxation and summer barbecues.
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Coldwell Banker Real Estate
Timber townhouse, New Haven, Connecticut: $185,000 (£147k)
Built in 1985, the home offers plenty of large windows that draw in swathes of natural light. Set over two floors, the house offers five airy rooms, including two bedrooms and 1.5 bathrooms. With 1,244 square feet of space, plus a parking garage, this attractive townhouse offers plenty of bang for your buck!
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St. Clair County, Michigan, USA
St. Clair County lies to the north of Michigan's largest city, Detroit. The region recently launched a Community Foundation, aimed at college students who are looking to buy their first home and settle down. Also known as the Come Home Award, the program is paying out $15,000 (£11.8k) to each student who decides to make the move. Let's see the sort of house a student could snap up in the region...
Colonial-style house, St. Clair County, Michigan: $179,000 (£142k)
This attractive clapboard house in the heart of Port Huron, St. Clair County, would make a perfect first home. Listed with Realtor for just $179,000 (£142k), it offers a spacious garden, a bright interior and three bedrooms fit for a growing family.
Colonial-style house, St. Clair County, Michigan: $179,000 (£142k)
The roomy property offers a modern broken-plan layout, with zoned rooms and high ceilings. Recent renovations include a new siding to the facade in 2008, while the unfinished basement offers the chance for further conversion opportunities.
Colonial-style house, St. Clair County, Michigan: $179,000 (£142k)
With 1.5 bathrooms, 1,709 square feet of interior space, a garden lot of 0.25 acres and a large garage, there is plenty of space both inside and out. Built in 1962, the property lies in a quiet, sought-after village, making this house an ideal investment for a post-college buyer.
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Pipestone, Manitoba, Canada
The rural Canadian community of Pipestone, southwestern Manitoba, is hoping to boost its economic growth by encouraging people to set up both a business and a home in the area. The region is offering business grants of up to CA$32,000 (£18.9k/US$23.8k) and is even willing to sell some local plots of land for CA$10, providing you’re willing to build a house on it! All you need to do is put down a deposit of CA$1,000 (£595/US$745). Let's take a look at the sort of home you could own here...
1950s ranch, Pipestone, Manitoba: CA$221,270 (£131k/US$165k)
Built in 1956, this unique ranch has a lot of mid-century curb appeal! The three-bedroom house offers a striking stone and timber facade, with an asymmetric roof and plenty of windows. Let's have a nose around the inside...
1950s ranch, Pipestone, Manitoba: CA$221,270 (£131k/US$165k)
Inside, the house offers bags of space and covers 2,308 square feet. The open-plan layout is made light and bright thanks to large windows, while the kitchen offers cherry cabinets, hardwood floors and a stone splashback.
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1950s ranch, Pipestone, Manitoba: CA$221,270 (£131k/US$165k)
As well as a large interior, the lot covers an enormous 8,098 square feet, including a garden and a separate garage. Listed on Realtor, the property is offered for just CA$221,270 (£131k/US$165k) – a real bargain for such a unique piece of real estate!
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Alaska, USA
Over in wild and beautiful Alaska, the Permanent Fund Dividend means that all residents who have lived in the state for a full year, and who intend to remain an Alaskan resident, receive a yearly sum. The annual amount comes from a state-owned fund which is fed by Alaska's oil revenues, so the money varies depending on the stock market. In 2017, for example, it paid out $1,100 to every adult and child residing in the state. Let's take a look at some Alaskan real estate...
Timber chalet, Anchorage, Alaska: $367,000 (£292k)
This attractive 1970s timber chalet lies close to the Alaskan capital of Anchorage and offers a vast plot size of almost 9,000 square feet. With a large wraparound deck, this rustic home has bags of curb appeal.
Timber chalet, Anchorage, Alaska: $367,000 (£292k)
Built in 1975, the house underwent a contemporary makeover in 2014 and is now a chic and stylish space. Inside, the stunning property offers four bedrooms, two bathrooms and just over 2,000 square feet of living space.
Timber chalet, Anchorage, Alaska: $367,000 (£292k)
The south-facing property offers plenty of windows, framing fantastic views across the mountainous landscapes. Vaulted ceilings and an open-plan layout create an airy feel, while a sweet outdoor terrace offers the perfect spot for evening drinks. Currently for sale with Alaska MLS for just $367,000 (£292k), this attractive timber home is a real delight.
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Ponga, Asturias, Spain
The tiny but picturesque Spanish village of Ponga has the oldest population in Asturias. To ensure the idyllic spot thrives for years to come, the hamlet is offering young couples that meet their criteria €3000 (£2.6k/US$3.4k) to move there, with the same amount given again for each child that moves or is born there. So what sort of house can you expect to live in if you move to Ponga?
Stone cottage, Ponga, Asturias: €249,100 (£223k/$280k)
This stunning stone cottage lies in the town of Ponga in northwestern Spain, overlooking a verdant valley. With stunning surroundings, the quaint village home is nestled in the heart of Ponga Biosphere Reserve, which was recently designated a UNESCO-protected site.
Stone cottage, Ponga, Asturias: €249,100 (£223k/$280k)
For sale with Iberia North Property for €249,100 (£223k/US$280k), the traditional property offers three floors, four bedrooms and two bathrooms. There's also a gorgeous covered terrace, a large veranda and two Juliet balconies – ideal for soaking up the amazing views.
Stone cottage, Ponga, Asturias: €249,100 (£223k/$280k)
Inside, there is 1,883 square feet of space, as well as lovely chestnut floors, ceilings and beams in almost every room. In the garden, there's even a separate cabin with its own kitchen and storage facilities. The home dates back to the 18th century and has been in the same family for over 200 years, offering you a great opportunity to own a rare and beautiful piece of real estate.
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