NewsletterApril 2006

Apartment Buying (continued)

It looks like all systems go, for buying our apartment. We are just waiting for the paperwork from the bank. In France nothing is final until you have a piece of paper that says so. We hope to move in by late April; just in time to plant a garden in our yard!

Once we get the bank’s offer in writing there is a mandatory cooling off period of eleven days. We could, if we wanted to reject the loan offer during this time. Needless to say we won’t be doing that! We hope to be able to sign the final paper work at the Notaire’s office within a few weeks. A Notaire is a notary that deals with all legal aspects of a real estate sale. In principle he or she does not work for either the buyer or seller. The Notaire’s job is to make sure every one is satisfied.

Another reason we won’t refuse the loan is that we passed our second opt-out clause date. In our Compromis de Vente, the sales contract, we had a first opt-out clause – a seven day cooling off period. We could have opted-out of the contract for any reason. Buyers beware that in France, you can opt-out of any written contract within seven days, for any reason. As I understand it, this is the law with just about all contracts.

After passing the cooling off period there is another opt-out clause date that has to do with being refused by the bank. In our case two banks had to refuse our loan. If that had happened before this second opt-out clause date, about 45 days after the first, then our deposit would be returned and the sale voided.

Spring Reading

I’ve found a few interesting reads. The first is Mademoiselle Benoir by Christine Conard. The book is based on a true story. It is about a New Yorker moving to France, buying a farm and fixing it up. He then falls in love with a woman almost twice his age. The book is written in letters between the characters, giving it an unexpected intimacy. The setting is the Midi in a small village with typical local characters mixed in. There are a few clichés but nevertheless this book is well worth reading.

The next book is Romanesque Churches Of France: A Traveller's Guide by Peter Strafford. This traveler’s guide, is text book like in its thoroughness describing one of France less known human built wonders - Romanesque Churches. You can discover the history and architecture of this period in both photos and text.

Lastly, there is Brit'Mag. This glossy color magazine is bimonthly and focuses on the English speaking community in Brittany. The issue I read – March/April had many articles that were connected to America, including a few about American history, most notably about WWI and WWII and the numerous American Memorials in Brittany. There were also two articles about Americans living in Brittany and one about the Rennes American Institute, the only one in France.

Next month

What is going on in France.