Family buy £8k abandoned home in Bulgaria without even seeing it so they can live mortgage free

This Welsh couple didn't want to spend the next 25 years paying off a mortgage in the UK so bought a home in Bulgaria - but they did so before viewing it in person

A family purchased an abandoned home in Bulgaria for a mere £8,000 without even seeing it in person, all in the pursuit of a "mortgage-free" life. Maxwell, 38, and Leah Jones, 29, have always harboured dreams of a self-sufficient lifestyle, and were not keen on spending the next quarter-century paying off a mortgage in the UK.

The couple snapped up their three-bedroom house in Popovo, Bulgaria in January, 2025, which was a steal compared to similar-sized properties in their hometown, which typically sell for around £300,000.

Joiner and landscaper Maxwell and partner Leah, who works in health and social care, flew out in May, 2025, to visit the property and plan to relocate there permanently by the end of the year. For more property stories sent to your inbox twice a week sign up to the property newsletter here.

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The couple claimed that living on a "stringent budget" would only cost their family-of-four £300 a month in Bulgaria, while a "comfortable month" would set them back £680.

This is a stark contrast to their current expenses, which include £680 monthly rent, a weekly food shop costing up to £200, and £250 a month for electricity and gas. The couple estimated that refurbishing the house would cost between £15,000 and £20,000.

Maxwell, from Prestatyn, Wales, said: "It was exactly like it looked online. Now we're mortgage-free. There is a lot to do - it's a shell, but we're up for a challenge."

Maxwell and Leah said the preferred an "alternatively" lifestyle and already homeschooled their two children - Lorenzo, two, and Indy, nine. They eat organically and even make their own toothpaste but their dream of living self-sufficiently seemed unattainable in the UK due to high costs.

Maxwell and Leah began their property hunt in Bulgaria just before Christmas 2024, inspired by social media posts. Maxwell remarked: "We were due to buy a house in the UK but it became hard to put all this money out and still be paying it off for 25 years. We looked at the price in Bulgaria and it became a no-brainer."

The couple settled on a house they found online and secured the purchase by January, 2025 - a property that offers three bedrooms and a barn which Maxwell envisions will be his future live DJ streaming venue.

Maxwell plans to jet off in two months to undertake the re-wiring ahead of the family's relocation later in the year, but with no rigid renovation budget or timetable, the couple are avoiding the pressure to create a "showhome" style to their Bulgarian purchase.

Maxwell said: "If the kids help out with painting and there are a few brush strokes on the skirting board - that's OK. It will be an ongoing project - it might take years."

The low cost of living in Bulgaria, the favourable climate and relaxed lifestyle significantly influenced their decision to chose the country, as well as the chance to become self-sufficient as much as possible, including growing fruits and vegetables and keeping livestock.

The couple have estimated the cost-of-living in both countries and the outcome helped them to decide to make the property purchase:

Maxwell said: "Our neighbour says he pays £15 to £20 a month for electric. We pay about £3,000 a year for electric and gas in the UK. Council tax is only £25 a year. We estimated you could get by on about £300 to £400 a month in Bulgaria - on a stringent budget. The cost of our rent - £680 - will be everything you need in Bulgaria for a comfortable month there."

Maxwell went on to say that the couple were fortunate as they had the ability to work remotely, as he had recently launched a wellness supplement brand, which had assisted them in securing visas.

Maxwell added: "Breaking from the norm is as scary as it can be rewarding. But in Bulgaria the kids are playing out all day, in this country kids are striving for that next toy or app - it's constant dopamine hits. We want to keep a creative space in our children."

You can follow the family's journey on TikTok @maxwellmydailys and @indandihomeed.

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