Many of the historic houses bought by foreigners in Italy require restoration, remodeling, and modernization. The most prevalent examples are the numerous farmhouses that have been almost completely neglected since they were erected in the 18th and 19th centuries and were frequently abandoned many years ago. There are also large numbers of theaters, museums, churches, and other public buildings that need renovation. In addition to being preserved as a cultural asset, many Italian cities that were once famous for their architecture have also suffered from extensive demolition during the period from the late 1800s to the early 1950s when modern architects such as Giuseppe Sanzio Bertoni, Gio Ponti, Piero Portaluppi, and Antonio Sant'Elia showed a preference for new construction over old. Even today, many buildings in Italy are destroyed instead of restored or maintained. The main reason given by politicians for allowing buildings to be torn down is usually cost. Since funds are limited, only the most important projects can be completed. However, preservationists argue that many of these buildings could be saved if they were restored instead of demolished. In conclusion, renovation is common in Italy because often there are not enough funds to complete a project in its entirety. However, some projects do get approved which means that restoration is preferred over demolition.