Casa Rosales

Casa Rosales

Thursday 7 February 2013

Just a peek

We are unable to count exactly how many houses we have seen since we came to live in Spain. It must be more than 100. A lot more.
We've seen everything from hideous ruins to brand new apartments right in the middle of Alcala; we've visited the nearby villages and seen houses there; we've followed cars out into the wilds to look at incomplete dreams in the middle of nowhere.
We've been close to buying a couple of them - there was one I was very fond of but it needed repairs and improvements beyond our budget and another that was up such a steep hill that my children nearly cried when I got them to walk up and have a look. And forget being able to park the car anywhere near!

We've seen cave houses in Granada, beautiful houses in the middle of nowhere, properties with huge gardens, swimming pools and fruit trees. None of them managed to offer enough of what we wanted even though offered more of what we didn't. We fell for a house very near Granada and had high hopes that as it was a repossession, the bank would be glad to accept our highest offer - which was short of the asking price but within the range that banks everywhere else were accepting - but they didn't. That was the one that got away and which would have been a lovely home for us, notwithstanding that we would have had to up-sticks and leave my beloved Alcala la Real to do it.

We've seen wrecks and ruins and hideously furnished and awkwardly-planned and downright ridiculous houses. We've seen beautifully restored and lovingly cared-for houses.

And now we've seen the one we want to be ours.

We went to see it on Friday last week and by Saturday had put in an offer. On Sunday, the owners came back with what they would accept and by Monday, we'd agreed to go ahead. We signed all the papers to get things going on Wednesday. FR can't even remember what the house is like inside but he's happy with the outside, the fact that there's plenty of land and a ruin in the garden.

In truth, I have had my eye on the house since we first arrived here but it was outside our price range. I've watched it fall in price over the past two years but even when it began to get closer to our budget, I didn't want to look until I could afford to fall in love with it. So, when it dropped again after Christmas, it was time to follow my gut feeling that 'this was it'. My guts have a lot of feeling at times.

Don't uncross those fingers just yet, because I'm not sure I shall believe it until the keys are in my hand. Please keep sending positive energy to ensure all goes through smoothly.

This photograph is taken from the Estate Agent's site, Undiscovered Spain, whose owner, Derryl Philpot has been not just a great help over the last few years, but great fun to be with : it's just a peek at the outside. There is another property joined on at the back, so it's not quite as huge as it looks (though bigger than you can see here...) I shall take some of my own photos to share next time we go and look. And then hopefully soon after that, photos with us living in it!  Keep calm and watch this space....




26 comments:

  1. Well I'll keep my fingers crossed for you although it sounds like it's a certainty. I'm a strong believer in fate so I'm sure that you were meant to wait for this one. Good luck xx

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    1. Thank you Ayak. I'm quietly confident but obviously, there's always a risk of finding out something terrible or being gazumped...When it all goes through, I shall certainly feel it was absolutely meant to be! Axxx

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  2. Super! And where you want to be...no disturbance for you or the children...fingers kept crossed...but sure it will be O.K.

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    1. Thank you Helen, (doesn't say which Helen you are but all the Helens I know are lovely!)
      It's in a really nice situation - and although the village is about 7kms away from town, being just 7kms away is suddenly is not a problem! Axxx

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  3. Hello Annie:
    At long last! This looks to be so very attractive and we are certain that, after such a patient wait, watching for the price to fall, that it will be yours. We do wish you well with the conveyance.

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    1. Absolutely! It's not grand (not chandelier material at all!) but it will be a lovely, comfortable home for us and when I think about it, I feel so relaxed and happy inside. We have to await the completion of some legal work on the seller's side which will take at least a month - but only because there's a period of 21 days where no one can do anything. Then, all the other bits can be tidied up and completion reached. Buying a house in Spain seems to be a strange combination of nitpicky administrative requirements and some rather lax and dubious practice! But everyone has been very nice about it so far! Thank you. Axxx

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  4. Fingers crossed that this lovely house will become the home you've been dreaming of for you and the family.

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    1. Thank you Gaynor. We are feeling very positive - FR is planning what he's going to do in the garden and the land and I'm arranging furniture and looking out for a big fridge! Axxx

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  5. Positive thoughts winging their way to you.

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    1. Thank you, Annie. I can feel them from here - I am unutterably cheerful at the moment! Axxx

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  6. Wow! The house looks gorgeous, Annie, and I'm so glad it's now within your reach. Town life may be fun, but (in my not-so-humble opinion) for children there's nothing like growing up in the country. :-) Everything crossed that the legal side goes through without a hitch.

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    1. It's a lovely house, Perpetua and I hope to be able to show the inside soon too! Town life is 'easy' and this town is easy and fun but we all long for the countryside and the children are delighted to think we'll have our own outside space again.
      Thank you! Axxx

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  7. I'll keep everything crossed for you Annie............it looks like a beautiful house..GOOD LUCK! x

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    1. Thank you!! I would hate to inconvenience anyone but I'm sure this finger-crossing is going to work. Axxx

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  8. Fantastic news, hope it all works out, you've been very patient. xxxx

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    1. Thank you Karen. Let's hope it proves worthy of the wait! Seems pretty sound. Axxx

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  9. It looks gorgeous, I love it, and cant wait to see more photos. Brilliant, brilliant news. Lots of love Janice xxxxxxxx

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    1. Thank you Janice - your enthusiasm is delightful! I am full of delight at the moment, which is delightful too. Trying to curb it a little until I have keys in my hand..Hope you're having a lovely birthday! Axxx

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  10. I'd LOVE a ruin my garden - I hope it's a romantic one.

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    1. Well....it was probably stables or animal sheds...there's not much that's romantic about village folk to be honest. The house does have a little alcove with a cross carved into it...would that do? Axxx

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  11. It looks perfect ... the hugest good luck Annie, here's hoping you're all moved in soon!

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    1. If it's not quite perfect yet, at least we can make it so - hopefully soon, Annie!! As you know, the best things take a while to reach perfection....how's the studio going? Axxx

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  12. Oh I know what a time you have had searching for that perfect new home as I have been following for a while, so I am crossing everything I can it all goes smoothly. It's really lovely! Sx

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    1. Thank you, Sophie - your interest and good wishes are greatly appreciated. It's a lovely house and we're so hoping that everything will be sorted and the keys ours in the next month or so...Thanks again, Axxx

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  13. i know that area of Spain and all I can say is ...lucky, lucky you! Lots of postive thoughts flying in your direction and I hope the keys will be in your hands soon!It was always my husband's dream to live in Spain but life took a different direction!

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    1. It's lovely to know that this is an area you are familiar with, Harriet. Sorry I missed this comment for so long! But all positive thoughts are very welcome. We're still waiting for the keys.
      I hope you'll let me know if you decide to visit the area again - you will, won't you??

      Axxx

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