There are some towns in italy with programs by which you can buy a house for very cheap provided you put some renovation effort into it. I don’t know if that can be your own ‘wood butchering’ or if you must hire a local who is not you.
Yes, I have heard of these programs. Kind of like a homesteading agreement. I am not sure if it is the form of real estate tax credits or how it works.
I think they really want USA and Brits to move there and put some money in the economy.