The Piglet family should (dramatic pause), normally have a home to call their own again from 15th March. We’re due to complete on the city pad sale on February 15th, meaning that we need to move out really by February 11th, meaning “OH MY GOD, I’M GOING TO BE HOMELESS IN 16 DAYS!!!”
It seemed to be the perfect time to have a baby, aged 28 + 31 we were settled in life, had stable businesses, a nice home and now we are going to be homeless! What went wrong?! First of all it took much longer than we thought to actually make a baby and then the world’s economy decided to continue to being bad. So here we are at ages 30 + 33 with a bun in the oven and homeless in a matter of weeks!
Fear not for the safety of Little Miss Piglet however, as we have found a house to buy! In fact, it was the house I first presented here back in November – ironically one of the first ones we saw after accepting an offer on the city pad.
Needs some softening, nothing some plants and pots can't sort!
You may remember our original wish list?
- spacious, ideally 200m2
- outbuildings
- rural but not isolated
- character building if possible (shouldn’t be hard in France)
- ADSL required!
- Not on a busy road
- No structural renovation required in the main property
Well this property ticks all the boxes except the busy road one. There is a busy road at the end of the garden, but the gardens 1.5 hectares big, so that’s quite a way away and with some hedge growing and clever gardening we should be able to block out a fair bit of noise.
Need some hedges here
Why we didn’t buy it back in November I do not know, it just seemed to early in the search and then we went on to the other property with dreams of running gites and the like so I guess we (more like I) got sidetracked in a dream world for a while. I’m still keen on the gites idea and we will have a barn which we will be able to convert eventually if I still want to do it.
Somewhere to make our wishes
Small but pratical, I will miss my current cupboard space
Dining room
A country feel...
We made our first offer on the property last week and by Monday we had agreed a sales price and completion date with the agent and vendor. Spookily though, ever since things have gone quiet and we are waiting for them to formally countersign the offer letter we sent them to send on to the mortgage bank (the mortgage bank have agreed to speed up the process of issuing our mortgage offer if we give them a copy of the countersigned offer letter).
We didn’t have any news from the agent yesterday and no news as yet so far today. Maybe this is just normal for France, I really don’t know but judging by our experiences so far it seems as if it might be, so I am trying not to panic just yet. Afterall, the vendors agreed to everything on Monday so why would they change their mind just yet?
I have to say though, everything is slow in the property process, here are a few more examples:
1. Removal company: we’re using a removal company to remove, store and then install our belongings. We contacted them on Monday morning first thing to confirm a removal date and we’re yet to hear back. We have chased.
2. Notary: we contacted our notary ref the property we’re selling on Monday to confirm a completion date for the signature of the Acte Authentique as we’d agreed with the purchasers that we’d complete on 15th February. So far, no confirmation from notary.
3. SAFER: The SAFER is an organization who have first refusal on all agricultural and rural land over a certain size, a bit like how the townhall has first right to buy a property when a sale agrees. The vendor has to contact the SAFER and inform them that the property and land is being sold and then it can take up to two months (!) for them to come back and contest the sale. Because of our desired completion date we had to request that the fast track service was used as opposed to the normal bog standard service. Nobody in the sales chain (notary or agent) mentioned this was possible, it is only our knowledge of this that enabled us to request that it was used.
4. Our bank (three letter word with lots of L’s): refused our initial mortgage application because they were still taking into consideration our existing mortgage when deciding whether or not to lend. They wouldn’t reconsider until we could provide proof that our city pad was definitely sold (ie our buyers had got mortgage finance). This was sent to them on Monday morning. Today, I left my 6th message and finally got a call back confirming receipt but still no news on the mortgage – thank goodness we have another source to go to but I do prefer the rates our bank offer!
I’m sure there will be plenty more examples of how buying property in France is stressful over the coming weeks but let’s be positive, everything can be dealt with! So far, I’ve decided the best way to ensure that things keep moving (thanks to my business experience) is not to let up on anything! Each morning I make a list of all the people that are important to my project and I call them to touch base or to remind them I’m waiting for an update. This would annoy me so much but in France I’ve decided it’s essential.
You just cannot rely on people to get back to you, you have to remind them constantly. Proof of this is the number of people who are able to give you an update there and then and yet they hadn’t contacted you. Maybe I’m shooting myself in the foot and by calling everyday they won’t bother to update, they’ll just wait for our call, but at the end of the day it’s me that wants to move in as quickly as possible so I may as well make the effort!
Finally I can start dreaming up colour schemes and decoration for the nursery!
It looks gorgeous. See it is all coming together now. Everything happens for a reason is what ‘they’ say..lol xx
Thanks Claire! It’s amazing what just a few days difference can make! I feel totally different about everything compared to a week ago – and thank goodness about that, I was beginning to get stressed!
Oh frabjous day! Calloo! Callay!
So pleased you’ve found what looks like a super house.
I know what you mean about having to keep pushing people to get what should be a normal service.
I began to think that I should visit their offices armed with a cattle goad and a horse whip.
It has always been a mystery to me how French businesses keep going given their refusal to communicate with their clients.
And as for SAFER! Well, it’s just a bribe, the fast track service, isn’t it?
But well done…I’m so pleased for you.
Thanks Fly, I do hope it is a super house but it does seem perfect and Mr Piglet and I are soooo excited! Even though it is a downwards move so to speak we’re overthemoon and can’t wait to get in!
I will bear in mind the cattle goad and horse whip if I need to step things up a bit, at the moment the constant pushing seems to be paying off, but as you say, it is a mystery as to how French businesses keep going…
Oh, it does sound like you have plenty to do chasing everything down. It all sounds so complicated but I’m sure with your determination everything will turn out fine. It’s a beautiful house with spacious rooms and soon it will be all yours!
Thanks Classyrose, I sure as do hope that everything turns out fine, at least for now it’s all going in the right direction and our little piglet will have a home for when she arrives!
Oh no!
You didn’t go for the Pole Dancing Emporium?
Why ever not?
Unless, of course……..
You’re planning to convert the barn into one?
Congrats on the new housie – let me know when I can start advertising the pole dancing thing.
All the best
Keith
The barn will be converted and we may just put a pole in there too!!! I want a dancing room if possible with sprung floor so why not add a pole or two? LOL!
Very happy you have a deal for a new house. As you say, you will have to push very hard to get all the steps done before you have to move. Good luck!
Thanks Michel, very hard indeed! There are so many things that could go wrong and delay the process but I’m used to the buying process so hopefully if I keep tabs on everything and everyone then we can limit the possibles for disaster.
A lot of people I know just raise their eyebrows when I tell them our planned move in date, I am determined to get in as close to it as possible though, I have to otherwise I won’t have somewhere to live when I give birth!
Ohh, looks fab!! It’s nicely renovated too -much better than a lot of the complete holes that I’d looked at in Bretagne!
Thanks Ksam. You should have seen some of the places we visited – I am sure they would have been very similar to some of the places you looked at!
I’m so very happy for you, and keeping fingers and everything crossed that this all goes through without a hitch. The house looks lovely and I can just imagine it surrounded by lots of pots of flowers and shrubs. xxx
Thanks Ayak! We’re already planning the garden and what hedges to plant around the land and how to landscape the front of the house… I can feel more jardinage jeudi posts coming soon!
I have to tell you there is never a perfect time to have a baby. You just have to jump in with both feet. Life seems to be that when you figure everything out it likes to throw you a curve ball. Congratulations on your new home. I love it ! It is beautiful and I am sure you will make it even more beautiful. When can I come and stay. I hope you make a garden.
Jumping in with both feet is something Mr Piglet and I are very good at! We got married in France in June 2007, just months after making an international move and whilst running two businesses in two separate countries… We never do things by half, that’s for sure! If I’m not stressed about something then it’s not right and I wonder what is wrong…
The garden is in planning, lots of hard work to come!
Yay! That house looks wonderful! I’m so jealous because we could never have all that space here near Aix. Take care, Meredith
Thanks Meredith! But we’ll never, ever have the sun or the same weather that you have in Aix so I’d be prepared to compromise! We did think about moving further South but Mr Piglet has to stay in this area for his business whereas I have total flexibility… I’ve made him promise the next house will be further South!
Interesting. It’s the one I would have told you to pick. Sometimes, when it’s right it’s right even though it may be early in the process.
Good luck with the rest of the process and with baby Piglet.
LOL! It’s the one I liked from the outset (apart from when we got carried away with the house with gites) and I keep reminding Mr Piglet of that fact… I can’t help it!
It was a process we needed to go through though and whilst it was long and painful now we feel 100% happy with the house we’re buying. I reckon we could give the estate agents a good run for their money though in terms of local housemarket knowledge – we must have visited about 25 in total!
Wow what a fantastic house and just look at all the land with it. I ♥♥♥ the bedroom, its huge !! Good luck with the move and baby piglet too.
thanks Anne
The bedroom is huge and I bet the beams will take a fair bit of dusting! I’ve already asked Mr Piglet if he will be able to put an ensuite and dressing area in for me 
Little Piglet’s room is a fair size too and I cannot wait to start decorating it! I’m already scouring the internet for ideas as aside from the cot we don’t have any furniture or anything yet…
I’m gobsmacked too at how French businesses manage to function. No one ever gets back to you. Ever. If they say “I’ll call you back” you know they are lying through their teeth.
Well done on choosing such a lovely house. I remember it from your first piccies. I hope you don’t get too stressed out by all the crap you have to deal with though – that’s what is so tiring especially in your state where it’s best to be as stress-free as possible.
A friend once told me that if they hadn’t been chased at least twice then they wouldn’t reply… no further comment required!
I am trying to only get stressed by the things I can control and to relativise a lot… I am already practising deep breathing! LOL! At the moment I am keeping the levels down but had a bit of a scare on Thursday so I’m keeping things to a minimum now and Mr Piglet is being an absolute star!
Hooray! The three little piggies shall have a house to live in! And a very handsome one, too.
How exciting it all is for you. Keep calm, you’ll get there, things will fall into place despite the lackadaisical attitude of the removals company, notary, bank and SAFER. Remember this is France, and you are only the customer, the person who pays their bills and keeps them in business.
I LOVE the three little piggies expression!!! Excellent!
You’re right, everything will fall into place and has started doing so, it feels like we’re walking up hill through mud but we’re getting there!
How did I miss this ????
I love that house ! I wanted that house ! I am so glad that is settled. As to the paperwork and getting things signed off… are you sure you are not in Argentina ?
It will all come out fine, it is always like this, last minute, right down to the wire worries and annoying details. This is everywhere, worse in some places than others ( Argentina) ..
I love that house and I really like the green view and the kitchen.
You can always build or buy a free standing cupboard, no? Personally, I am over the kitchen full of cupboards idea and now want those with under the counter cupboards and free standing pieces plus a big pantry.
What fun you will have, and that bedroom is perfect for you and Mr Piglet and Baby piglet.. I am very happy for you ..
I sure do hope it will all come out fine, it always seems to me as if there is SOMETHING that could go wrong and that things are never as straightforward as they could be!
Unfortunately the kitchen isn’t big enough for a free standing cupboard but I do have a little walk in cupboard so I’ll put plenty of shelves up in there. It’s perfectly fine it’s just that I am totally spoilt for kitchen space where I am right now.
Oh, gorgeous house!!! I am so happy for you. All the piglets will be cozy in their new home.
Yeah!
xo
C
Thanks Charley, just need to x my fingers that we pull it off now!
It’s beautiful! Am slightly jealous here, what a garden!!!
And don’t worry, property buying/selling is a pain in the a** everywhere. We had three different buyers and not one got their mortgage together in the end. Will give it another try next year, I reckon…
Good luck with it all, exciting times. xx
Don’t be jealous, think about having to mow the lawn!!! Goodness me, that is going to be a task and a half!
Sorry to hear about your buyers all not getting mortgages, that’s really tough! I was terrified that ours wouldn’t get a mortgage but lo and behold they did! I now have to really hope that we get a mortgage… xing everything I have here!
Very happy for you. House looks great. It is still near Lyon? This is my first time to your blog, don’t know the whole story. We moved back to France in October (lived here on a 1 year sabbatical in 2008), we live in the sw, just 1 hour northeast of Toulouse in a very rural area. Looking at buying property now. Hard to find something that has everything you want, seems there is always 1 box that isn’t ticked. Good luck with the sale of the city pad and the move and the baby and …..
Thanks for stopping by Alisa! France has a habit of drawing you back doesn’t it? I love SW France but it was too far away from the airports offering flights to Portugal for me and also too far away from Mr Piglets family which was a shame! There are some lovely properties around there!
How are you settling in since you have moved back? Does it seem different second time round?
The house is 40 minutes drive from Lyon centre so is perfect as we’ll still be able to pop into town for a spot of shopping or to see friends. Location was a crucial factor for us as I didn’t want to feel cut off with a new born and as a first time mum!
Wow, that’s a lot to juggle at once! But you’ll be so happy once you’re in and then baby Piglet can arrive to a comfy cozy country home! Congrats! Things in France DO have a way of working out…. eventually
Thanks Lindsey! I have everything crossed at the moment, unfortunately the house and baby are just half of what’s going on at the moment but we will get there!