Thursday, June 05, 2008

Before the Baby Wakes...

We visited 2 apartments and 3 houses on Sunday, and I'm getting the feeling that we're going to end up going through an agency just because if the property is really good, it will be sold the day it's put on the market. We saw some nice places but there wasn't a coup de coeur (love at first sight).

There was, however, a strong "like at first sight" only to be tempered by the fact that the monthly charges were way too high. I don't know how to translate charges because my brain is mush at this point, so I'll just have to explain it as the money that apartment owners have to pay to the homeowner's association for things like communal heating, the caretaker's salary, upkeep of the elevators and so forth. [If the translation ends up being something obvious like, oh, monthly charges, then I should probably feel a little stupid. But I've never owned an apartment back home so please just overlook it.]

The charges for this particular apartment were close to 300 euros per month, so that quickly adds up to quite a chunk of change that goes right down the drain. There was another house we really liked but felt we would grow out of in a few years (fingers crossed), so I guess we're now playing Goldilocks and holding out for something Just Right.

One very interesting experience was visiting the apartment of a former green beret, who was not at all bad-looking if you're into the very manly yet slightly dangerous type...perhaps a very clear-eyed Daniel Craig with lots of French charm. Maybe even better than that. He was married and had a lovely family, but he was definitely the one that leaves an impression on a person. The funny thing is that when we first walked in the apartment we both thought, "Wow, these people must really like boats." The decor was nice but definitely had a marine theme, and then everything more or less explained itself when I noticed the green beret (this link's in French) and military honors displayed in the den. The apartment itself was really nice but ultimately too far from the station.

So now we've got feelers out and are just waiting for new things to go on the market. Wish us luck.

4 comments:

Leah said...

Good luck! It all sounds so exciting and very promising!

PutYourFlareOn said...

I think you will know when you walk into the apt that should become your home. Keep us posted on how the search goes...

Anonymous said...

OH, boy, glad it's you looking for that first home and not me. There are so many things you find out after you've lived in your home for awhile so wherever and whatever here's wishing you the best.

Kathy said...

Don't worry - there will always be more to look at. So take your time and be a little picky. Have fun with it!!!