We Finally Bought A House

Good News!!  We finally found a house. It had only been on the market for 6 months so the owners, The Salters, are a bit surprised by the quickness of the sale. As we have viewed so many houses in so many different villages and changed our priorities too often, we  are thrilled to both fall in love with this one.  It was built in 1896 and renovated between 2000 and 2006. It has an over an acre of land which encompasses three sides of the house. It has everything we wanted in a house except a pool, which Brian is happy not to have. It even has a built-in dishwasher.



Our house and attached barn. Grape vines arch over the living room windows, next the entrance way door, driveway to the right.

Photos by the estate agent.

                      





       Back of property garden which ends at a farmer's field

         
                       















           Front yard: house on left and outbuildings on the right looking out to driveway

We will have very little work to do except for an unfinished upstairs bedroom which we will make into a master with en suite and a walk-in closet. Like all the rooms, the three bedrooms are large  and have much desired high ceilings so no bumping of our heads on "low beams."  The house is situated at the edge of a small hamlet, near the village of Villemain (Veelman), population 175 and surrounded by fields. Across the road and down a little way is a newly planted orchard which will be for the people who live in the commune. The other inhabitants of the hamlet are all French so we will now be able to immerse ourselves while still having our new English speaking friends. The sellers are English, of course, but they are not moving back to the UK as most sellers are, but going to stay in their mountain home in southern Spain.

The procedure to purchase property is quite different from other countries. We verbally gave the agent an offer and he verbally relayed it to the Salters. They countered, we re-countered and a deal was struck. Still nothing in writing at this point. Certain inspections, relevant to this area, had to be completed before we signed the "Comprise de Vente" (Sales Agreement)


Gas
DPE:  energy efficiency rating (which was done at time of listing)
Lead
Electrical
Asbestos
Termites
Risques natural:  flooding
Fosse septic: septic tank. 

No boundary survey is required -  probably been in the same place for centuries.
 All inspections were complete within a few days and the house passed each one.

 At the estate agent's office on Friday the 25th,  we and the Salters signed the Comprise de Vente. We have seven days to change our minds. The Salters do not have that option. They, should they die in the meantime, and their heirs, are bound by law to sell to us. "The French love paperwork" is an understatement in the extreme. Copies of our passports, birth certificates and marriage license were put into the mix and the two hour ordeal of signing or initialing, which included statements handwritten in french by us, gave birth to about three pounds of papers. Having had 25 years experience in Florida we don't quite understand the French focus on septic systems but, we solemnly swore we would care for our fosse septic as if it were a sacred vessel holding royal "merde", not just ordinary....Well, you know.
 At the end of the seven days the paperwork will be sent to the Notaire who will contact the Mayor of Villemain to ensure that the village does not want to buy the property, ensure there will not be a disco or train line or any other detriment in the planning which will affect our property value, that there are no liens and finally calculate the taxes and fees owed by each party. This costs the buyer 7% of the purchase price and includes the government's pound of flesh. We expect to have the closing on January 19th and have our stuff delivered soon after that. We can't wait!!

By Brian

I am in the habit of walking with Angus before the sun rises as I have always enjoyed the dawn; the best part of the day. In this area of France the morning mist lies over the winter wheat like spun silk and the rising sun paints a watercolor sky.            Oh, Anthony Whiting* where are you?

On one occasion  a large doe emerged from the mist about 30 meters away ambling towards us. As soon as she felt our presence she bounded off to the safety of the woods, after all this is still hunting season.

Robert Burns wrote:

 I'm truly sorry man's dominion

Has broken Nature's social union

An' justifies that ill opinion

Which makes thee startle

At me, thy poor, earth born companion

An' fellow mortal!

So pleasant has our French adventure been in almost all respects our adjustment so far to this new life has been quite seamless. Let's hope home ownership will be the same.

Our Thanksgiving was not as planned. Poor Brian had a miserable cold and sore throat; dinner was a bowl of chicken soup. Next year we will celebrate in our new home the first of many Thanks Givings.








Colors of the season just outside our gite.......








   



*A remarkable Florida artist    www.whitingstudios.com