Actually, it's pretty much all good news. Long time readers of this blog will know that we originally put the house on the market about two and a half years ago. The market here has been just as bad as in the U.S. so it is not surprising that it took a while for it to sell.
A young Italian couple from our village bought the house so now it will have people here to take care of it full time. We have mixed feeling about letting it go but after moving to Whidbey Island, with our half acre of landscaping to care for there, taking care of this place just became too much. We love the grapes, olives and grass but would rather come here to relax and travel within Italy and Europe.
On Thursday we begin looking for a new place. Our criteria includes a little roomier living area and kitchen, two bedrooms, two baths, a garage and outdoor entertaining space. We also want to be closer to Lucca so it is easier for guests to come and go. Being out here in Partigliano has been fun but it is always a bit of a hassle for guests. They either need a car or we need to ferry them around. We are hoping to have a place that allows for more freedom coming and going. We also would like to be able to bicycle down in the flatlands.
The movers are coming on May 18 to empty the house and put everything in storage. Then we will have a week to tidy up any loose ends before we leave Italy on May 25.
The entire sales process in Italy is much different than it is in the U.S. Generally, the buyer gives the seller a deposit of 1/3 of the purchase price. If the seller back out of the deal they owe the buyer twice that amount and if the buyer backs out the seller keeps the deposit. We actually skipped that step because the buyers needed to get a mortgage. For the final contract everyone meets in the office of the notaio (notary). An Italian notary is actually a sort of a lawyer and he does what is handled in the U.S. by an escrow officer and the title insurance company.
So, this afternoon Dom and I, our translator/facilitator, the buyers, their geometra (agent) and the notaio all met to go over the contract. It was a bit different than when we bought the house as the notaio had everything on his computer. A large flat screen monitor was mounted on the wall so we could all read the contract and see what corrections and changes he made as we went along. Finally, when everything was agreed, he printed the contract and everyone signed. A representative from the bank was also there to handle the mortgage. We actually received a check for part of the purchase price and the lender will wire us the rest of the money in 1-2 weeks after the deed is filed. We will be able to pick up a copy of the certified deed in a week or so.
Afterwards, Dom, I and Doris Fortino, a local REMAX agent and our sales facilitator, went for a celebratory drink at a nearby wine bar. Doris is a real estate agent and is also helping us find a new house.
We are looking forward to the next phase of our Italian adventure.
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