Towns That Are For Sale: CNBC

These Towns Are For Sale!
This Feb. 8, 2012 photo, shows a for sale sign in front of a home, in Yardley, Pa. The average rate on the 30-year fixed mortgage jumped after standing pat for three straight weeks at record lows. But the rate stayed below 4 percent for the 12th straight week, keeping home-buying and refinancing attractive for those who can qualify. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
This Feb. 8, 2012 photo, shows a for sale sign in front of a home, in Yardley, Pa. The average rate on the 30-year fixed mortgage jumped after standing pat for three straight weeks at record lows. But the rate stayed below 4 percent for the 12th straight week, keeping home-buying and refinancing attractive for those who can qualify. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

News items pop up regularly about entire towns and villages going up for sale. In April, Buford, Wyo., sold to a Vietnamese buyer for $900,000. The same month, a couple bought the tiny town of Wauconda, Wash., for $360,000. In May, the French “ghost village” of Courbefy sold to an American photographer for about $643,000.

Why buy a whole town? Many buyers see business potential, seeking to transform an abandoned burg into a tourist destination. One man used his July purchase of the town of Bankersmith to put his brand on the map of central Texas. He changed the name to Bikinis, after his “breastauraunt” chain.

Buying a tiny town or a vacant village is not a sure-fire investment. Actress Kim Basinger bought the town of Braselton, Ga., in 1989 for $20 million, then reportedly sold it in 1994 for only $1 million.

For those who might like to own a town (and perhaps give it a wacky new name) and have at least $250,000 to spend, we offer eight options, including two international villages, shown here from least to most expensive. Have your deposit ready: One of the following towns is up for auction on eBay; another hits the auction block Aug. 15.

Below are the towns that are for sale (check out the entire list here):

Garryowen, Mont.

Towns That Are For Sale

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