You know how much I love telling you all about bad driving? Well last night Rich & I were watching a programme on bad driving and it brought back a memory that I thought I'd share with you, which still makes with laugh and cringe!
About 16 years ago I was living in Ireland, in a sleepy village just outside Dublin and I suppose I was what you'd call a 'Corporate Wife'. Maybe I looked the part but really I was far too young and irresponsible for the role. Any how I was asked by my then partner to pick him and a female colleague up from Dublin airport, after a business trip.
The word female colleague freaked me out to start with, she was bound to be glamorous, slim and also highly intelligent! What the hell could I say to make small talk with such a person? 'Oh Hi, I'm Emma, I stay at home and make cakes & do finger painting all day with my 3 kids who are all under 10'. I could see her eyes glazing over now!
Next dilemma, what the hell do I wear to pick up 2 business people without feeling like a frumpy mummy but also without looking like a complete tart? Eight clothes changes later, I opted for knee length boots, opaque tights, shortish skirt and cream jumper, hair down. Yep, I'd got it, I looked fab.
Now to say I was nervous about driving was a understatement but dosed up on Prozac (that's another story), I got into the brand new Range Rover and off I went. The kids were with a sitter so I actually quite enjoyed the time alone, belting out a few 'Man hating' songs along the way.
It was the first time I'd driven to the airport and I was quite proud that I found the way to the car park. I pulled up to the ticket machine, opened my window and to my horror found there wasn't a machine. I looked around frantically to see if anybody else had the same problem but the other cars were all managing just fine, although none of them were in my lane, which to be honest, I was quite thankful for. I got out the car and noticed the ticket machine, phew! It was a bit high so I had to stand on the Range Rover skirts, on tiptoe, get my ticket and quickly get back in before the barrier went down again but I'd made it!!!
I'd arrived a bit early so I went and got myself a wine as I had no intention of driving home and needed a bit of calming and dutch courage for meeting the glamorous colleague.
Out they came from arrivals, her looking every bit as glamorous as I imagined! We all traipsed to the ticket machine to pay before getting back to the car. Ticket machines also put the fear of God in me, I always put the ticket in the wrong hole or upside down but after faffing about in my handbag I pulled it out and inserted it. €55 the machine said. That can't be right I thought. I re-inserted it but no, still €55. Luckily there was help kiosk thing so we went and asked why it was so much. 'How long have you been here?' ' Ermmm about 40 mintes' 'Hmmm, that's odd' replied the kiosk woman. 'Are you driving a bus' she asked. 'Ermmm no not really, although its quite a big car' I replied. She then checked her CCTV and there was me climbing onto my car, in my little skirt, christ it did look little, to get my ticket from the bus lane!!!!
I did try and laugh it off and glamorous colleague (never did find out her name) & ex partner were pissing themselves laughing but I've never felt such a prat! In hind sight 'Corporate wifing' or 'Airport Runs' weren't really my thing.
Friday, May 26, 2017
Tuesday, May 16, 2017
FRUSTRATION - buying a house in Spain
Well its been another two weeks of waiting for some news on this house and this morning we heard that it would be at least six months until anything is heard.
The bank have to put a notice in the town hall to see if anybody claims the land. If they don't then there will need to be another valuation ( €287) and the process will start again. If people start claiming the land then who knows what will happen????
What I find most annoying is that the bank are trying to sell an illegal house. You would have thought they would have done checks on the houses on their books and not wasted their customers money getting surveys done and paying a mortgage deposit, although that is re-fundable.
Whats next eh????
The bank have to put a notice in the town hall to see if anybody claims the land. If they don't then there will need to be another valuation ( €287) and the process will start again. If people start claiming the land then who knows what will happen????
What I find most annoying is that the bank are trying to sell an illegal house. You would have thought they would have done checks on the houses on their books and not wasted their customers money getting surveys done and paying a mortgage deposit, although that is re-fundable.
Whats next eh????
Friday, May 5, 2017
Buying a House in Spain -The House Valuation
A few weeks ago the bank contacted Daddio to tell him the house needed to be valued and they'd send a Valuer out the next day.
The day of the valuation day arrives and they go to the house to meet the valuer. No show!
Its now the next week before the valuer arrives. Not quite sure why she has to be met at the property, its not as if its locked or anything! She establishes that the Casteral Document (Land Registry) shows the property to have 5000M2 of land but the Ecritura (Deeds) show 1700 M2 and it was changed in January 2017???? Another odd one is that there is a triangle of land, going half way through the pool which isn't registered to anybody!!!!
The property its decided is to be valued with 1700 M2 of land.
Ten days pass until the valuation comes in at €95,000. The offer was for €120,000.
No problem. Withdraw the offer of €120,000 and offer €95,000 and sort out the land issues ourselves. Twelve days later and ermmm no can do say the bank, it still needs to be €120,000. So then, will the bank lend €120,000 for a house that THEY value at €95,000???? The same house that they have had as a reposession for 9 years!!!!
I'll let you know............
The day of the valuation day arrives and they go to the house to meet the valuer. No show!
Its now the next week before the valuer arrives. Not quite sure why she has to be met at the property, its not as if its locked or anything! She establishes that the Casteral Document (Land Registry) shows the property to have 5000M2 of land but the Ecritura (Deeds) show 1700 M2 and it was changed in January 2017???? Another odd one is that there is a triangle of land, going half way through the pool which isn't registered to anybody!!!!
The property its decided is to be valued with 1700 M2 of land.
Ten days pass until the valuation comes in at €95,000. The offer was for €120,000.
No problem. Withdraw the offer of €120,000 and offer €95,000 and sort out the land issues ourselves. Twelve days later and ermmm no can do say the bank, it still needs to be €120,000. So then, will the bank lend €120,000 for a house that THEY value at €95,000???? The same house that they have had as a reposession for 9 years!!!!
I'll let you know............
Monday, April 24, 2017
The Den
Rich and I are a bit bored at the moment and are taking every opportunity to explore all the little roads and lanes around us. We love finding a bit of mud or a river to play in (in the car obviously).
Last night, well early evening we went for a little venture out in my Landy, hoping we may see some interesting houses (out latest hobby) or maybe some wild life ( as we're a bit past wild life). We kind of drive up tracks only suitable for 4x4's. It can be a bit embarrassing when you roll up somebodys drive by mistake or go swanning down a dead end road, past houses with people outside BBQ-ing, pretending you know where you are going, only to have to do some very technical reversing, past all the BBQ-ing people again, whilst still trying to look like you are meant to be there and are not burglars, casing up potential houses.
Towards the end of our drive I decided we should take a right, up a little track. We admired the little stream on the left and commented how remote the place was when suddenly, around the corner were around a million tissues, I kid you not. We also came to a dead end. Whilst maneuvering, I got to inspect the 'tissues' closer. The tissues were in fact wet wipes and between the wet wipes were around a million condoms, all colours of the rainbow!
We soon realised that this is where the prostitutes must bring their punters. I always wondered how they managed to do business on the side of the road but they obviously have 'dens'. Judging by the amount of wet wipes and condoms, they must do a roaring trade!
The locals must know where these dens are so I was totally mortified to be spotted by two cars driving out of one, in our sign written Discovery!!!!!
Last night, well early evening we went for a little venture out in my Landy, hoping we may see some interesting houses (out latest hobby) or maybe some wild life ( as we're a bit past wild life). We kind of drive up tracks only suitable for 4x4's. It can be a bit embarrassing when you roll up somebodys drive by mistake or go swanning down a dead end road, past houses with people outside BBQ-ing, pretending you know where you are going, only to have to do some very technical reversing, past all the BBQ-ing people again, whilst still trying to look like you are meant to be there and are not burglars, casing up potential houses.
Towards the end of our drive I decided we should take a right, up a little track. We admired the little stream on the left and commented how remote the place was when suddenly, around the corner were around a million tissues, I kid you not. We also came to a dead end. Whilst maneuvering, I got to inspect the 'tissues' closer. The tissues were in fact wet wipes and between the wet wipes were around a million condoms, all colours of the rainbow!
We soon realised that this is where the prostitutes must bring their punters. I always wondered how they managed to do business on the side of the road but they obviously have 'dens'. Judging by the amount of wet wipes and condoms, they must do a roaring trade!
The locals must know where these dens are so I was totally mortified to be spotted by two cars driving out of one, in our sign written Discovery!!!!!
Friday, April 7, 2017
Stage 3 Buying a house in Spain ONLY IN SPAIN COULD THIS HAPPEN!
So the legal lady gets given the casteral number to do a legal check on the property, make sure its all legal and there are no debts or fines. Does the check but the land doesn't show up, just the house. On the map it shows it on a plot of 4000 m2 and a plot of 500 m2 but by law plots can't be divided. We were told that the plot is 1700 m2??? A bit of a difference.
She phones the agent to find out what it says on the deeds. They tell her to call head office. She calls head office, they tell her the bank holds the deeds. She phones the bank, they tell her the town hall would know. She phones the town hall, the person is on holiday and they tell her to call next week. FFS!!!!!!!
Does anybody in this country know what they are doing???? Surely the bank didn't give a mortgage on this property X many years ago if the property is illegal???
Lets see what happens next week *(sighs very loudly)
She phones the agent to find out what it says on the deeds. They tell her to call head office. She calls head office, they tell her the bank holds the deeds. She phones the bank, they tell her the town hall would know. She phones the town hall, the person is on holiday and they tell her to call next week. FFS!!!!!!!
Does anybody in this country know what they are doing???? Surely the bank didn't give a mortgage on this property X many years ago if the property is illegal???
Lets see what happens next week *(sighs very loudly)
Buying a property in Spain - Next stage
The day after the offer went in we were informed by the bank that the offer had been accepted! After a really shit week, this news was most welcome.
We spent the next week chasing the agent for the casteral number so we could check out the situation with the electric. In Spain if there are debts on the electric, it goes with the house and the next owner has to pay them before being re-connected (for a huge cost).
Four days and 5 chase ups later we finally receive the casteral number. We already had the address for the property but the casteral number showed a different address but the right property? (Only in Spain).
Phoned Iberdrola (the Spanish electric company) who didn't have any details of the property ever being connected at that address. Now, this could be because the property has been disconnected for many years and its gone from the system or it could be the wrong address. What do we do now????
In the mean time the bank were demanding more details of finances which haven't yet been submitted as the quarter only finished last week, so more delays. However the papers for the mortgage application are now signed and a mortgage application fee (€1000) has been paid.
Meeting the builder tomorrow to discuss Daddios renovations that he wants.
We spent the next week chasing the agent for the casteral number so we could check out the situation with the electric. In Spain if there are debts on the electric, it goes with the house and the next owner has to pay them before being re-connected (for a huge cost).
Four days and 5 chase ups later we finally receive the casteral number. We already had the address for the property but the casteral number showed a different address but the right property? (Only in Spain).
Phoned Iberdrola (the Spanish electric company) who didn't have any details of the property ever being connected at that address. Now, this could be because the property has been disconnected for many years and its gone from the system or it could be the wrong address. What do we do now????
In the mean time the bank were demanding more details of finances which haven't yet been submitted as the quarter only finished last week, so more delays. However the papers for the mortgage application are now signed and a mortgage application fee (€1000) has been paid.
Meeting the builder tomorrow to discuss Daddios renovations that he wants.
Thursday, March 30, 2017
BUYING PROPERTY IN SPAIN - Easy peasy????
Whilst browsing through the Internet, for properties for a friend, who is thinking of investing in a property in Spain but lives in the UK, I come across the perfect property. The property in question looked amazing value for money although did require a bit of updating but nothing major.
We roughly knew where the property was so off we went, to have a look. As a bank re-possession, it was obviously empty, the gate was open and on closer inspection it was minus its doors and windows! Feeling a bit criminal like, we threw caution to the wind, traipsed through the jungle of a garden and had a good look around. Every light switch, bit of wiring, everything really had been robbed and there was a gaping hole in the roof where the property had been entered. Undeterred though we thought it was worth an offer.
On the website it gave you a box to tick if you wanted to put an offer in. It also asked if you'd viewed the property and then gave you a box for the offer. First though there was a trip to the bank to check the mortgage situation. All good, so far. We waited and waited for a response on the offer - nothing.
We contacted the bank, who contacted the agents representing the bank and were told the offer wouldn't be put in until we'd viewed the property with the agent. No problem, we contacted the agent who promised to call us back with an appointment. Two days later, still nothing. Phoned again and were told the person we needed to speak to was on holiday. Another four days pass and still no contact. Another call to the agent and we were given the contacts phone number. We phone the contact, Natalia, no reply. Repeat 6 more times, give up! Do they actually want to sell houses????
Natalia finally calls us and tells us she hasn't got her diary and she will call the next day. Next day, nothing! Eight more attempts to get Natalia to answer her phone and we finally get a message from her telling us to contact Pablo. Contact Pablo, who answers after call number three and make arrangement to meet him the next day at 5.30! Yaaaaay!!!
Next day at 5.30, we all await eagerly for Pablo to arrive at the property. No show. We call Pablo, no answer, we call Natalia no answer! We continue ringing them both until Natalia finally answers and tells us she will contact Pablo. Finally we call Pablo and he answers!!!! He denies ever making the appointment but promises to meet us in the morning. Exasperated we head home for a much needed wine. Hard hard can it be to put an offer in on a bloody house?
Two bloody weeks, yes two weeks it takes to put an offer in on a house! Did have to laugh though that when Pablo finally shows, he optimistically arrives with a key for the now existent front door.
Pablo hadn't realised how bad the house had got and thought the offer was a good one, so apparently the offer is now in! Watch this space .......
We roughly knew where the property was so off we went, to have a look. As a bank re-possession, it was obviously empty, the gate was open and on closer inspection it was minus its doors and windows! Feeling a bit criminal like, we threw caution to the wind, traipsed through the jungle of a garden and had a good look around. Every light switch, bit of wiring, everything really had been robbed and there was a gaping hole in the roof where the property had been entered. Undeterred though we thought it was worth an offer.
On the website it gave you a box to tick if you wanted to put an offer in. It also asked if you'd viewed the property and then gave you a box for the offer. First though there was a trip to the bank to check the mortgage situation. All good, so far. We waited and waited for a response on the offer - nothing.
We contacted the bank, who contacted the agents representing the bank and were told the offer wouldn't be put in until we'd viewed the property with the agent. No problem, we contacted the agent who promised to call us back with an appointment. Two days later, still nothing. Phoned again and were told the person we needed to speak to was on holiday. Another four days pass and still no contact. Another call to the agent and we were given the contacts phone number. We phone the contact, Natalia, no reply. Repeat 6 more times, give up! Do they actually want to sell houses????
Natalia finally calls us and tells us she hasn't got her diary and she will call the next day. Next day, nothing! Eight more attempts to get Natalia to answer her phone and we finally get a message from her telling us to contact Pablo. Contact Pablo, who answers after call number three and make arrangement to meet him the next day at 5.30! Yaaaaay!!!
Next day at 5.30, we all await eagerly for Pablo to arrive at the property. No show. We call Pablo, no answer, we call Natalia no answer! We continue ringing them both until Natalia finally answers and tells us she will contact Pablo. Finally we call Pablo and he answers!!!! He denies ever making the appointment but promises to meet us in the morning. Exasperated we head home for a much needed wine. Hard hard can it be to put an offer in on a bloody house?
Two bloody weeks, yes two weeks it takes to put an offer in on a house! Did have to laugh though that when Pablo finally shows, he optimistically arrives with a key for the now existent front door.
Pablo hadn't realised how bad the house had got and thought the offer was a good one, so apparently the offer is now in! Watch this space .......
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