As much of the country suffers through Artic temps right now, many of us are thinking, Wouldn't it be nice to have a home somewhere warm? Yeah, like maybe Florida. And, hey, not just any home. But how about a $3 million mansion right on the water? Now we're talking! But most of us don't have a few million to spare. But don't let that stop you! 23-year-old Andre Barbosa certainly didn't. When he found an empty stucco mansion in Boca Raton, FL, he moved right in. Never mind that it didn't belong to him. He knew how to get around that. A smarter drifter you will never find.

The palatial five-bedroom, six-bathroom, 8000-square-foot home was just sittin' there looking all, C'mere, live in me, when Andre spotted it after it went into foreclosure. The mansion is steps from the marina, and boasts a gourmet kitchen, a spiral staircase, and palm trees in the yard.

The savvy Brazilian was up on his obscure squatting laws, so he moved in (no doubt taking the best bedroom in the place), and put up a sign that apparently lets him stay there for as long as he likes. Hell, the place might even eventually belong to him!

First, Barbosa informed the Palm Beach County Property Appraiser's Office that he'd be moving in. Then he was wily enough not to let anyone see him breaking in, otherwise he could have been charged with breaking and entering. Once he was ensconsed in his new manse, he put up a notice declaring himself "Living beneficiary to the Divine Estate being superior of commerce and usury," (err, heh?) along with a copy of something called the Adverse Possession law.

Cops were called to the manse by irate neighbors, but when Barbosa presented them with these documents, they left. The Bank of America, which reportedly holds the mortgage, hasn't done anything yet.

If Barbosa can manage stay in the house for seven years ... well, it could be his! Genius, right? The mansion is currently listed for sale. I hope potential buyers don't mind that the place might come with a "roommate." Though this could make an awesome reality show.

Shouldn't we all just go grab an empty mansion?

Editor's note: Now the property is being listed as not for sale. Score: Andre.

 

Image via Realtor.com