FRENCH WORD-A-DAY

Dear Kristen
So sorry to read this, and to imagine the stress you are under. But as we know, often what seems perfect, in reality, may not be. The right one for you will present itself, sooner, I hope.
Best wishes from someone to whom you're an inspiration, in a variety of ways.
Patrine

Not to worry. The truly perfect home is still revealing itself. Timing is everything. xoxo Mary

Dear Kristin, I am sorry to hear your news. Maybe, though, if financial matters are complicated(I looked up escrow, I am still not sure what it means!) peut-être c'est un mal pour in bien ( a blessing in disguise). I remember a few weeks ago when you told us of your unexpected carefree escapade with Jean-Marc and the gelati. It can be a relief to finalise the sale of one home before gliding unencumbered into a new one. You may find something better, or different, in the six months. This house might still be available then! You might have a few adventures, or just some relaxing time. A nice cottage to rent? Some house-sitting? Une parenthèse enchantée pour vous deux? Always, though, I sense that you are a good team, with complementary skills and energies. You will work it out.

I will give you the best advice I received from my real estate broker:

Don't even start looking for a new place until your place is sold completely and you have turned over the key and cashed the check.

There are no issues with "timing" sales and moves. When you pick your new place, you are in a very good position to make a SOLID, risk- free offer! You are ready to move in, whereas other potential buyers have lots of contingencies, and the longer the process, the longer the possibility for "surprises", such as people losing their jobs or being unable to sell their homes.

The day I closed on my previous home, the trucks came and moved all of my possessions into storage. I found my new place after looking for 2 weeks and I moved into my new place in just another 6 weeks. It wasn't great staying with family or in a hotel for 8 weeks, but I had a stress free move! Plus I was able to easily plan painting and new carpeting before I moved in to my new place.

With all of the economic turmoil, to be able to have the cash in the bank when you make your offer is a huge advantage - it is as much of a "sure thing" as the sellers could ask! You may even be able to lower your offer price!

Good luck! You will find a home that you will love!

Oh dear Kristi ... we are all on this emotional roller coaster with you. Keep holding on!
Keep believing it will all work out, because it will.
Bonne fête galette des rois!

In the states the norm except for the filthy rich is to sell your property first with a move-in date for the buyers several months into future. With no encumbrances, you can begin making serious offers on homes you wish to buy. The key: making sure you have enough time between the day you sold your vinyard and the time you'll have to move out. Otherwise, store your stuff and move into a small apartment.

I wonder if JM could have succeeded with his vines if he had had a constant supply of young adult labor from the States who'd live and eat with you, do stuff with your family, and work for several weeks or a month or more for free through websites like WWOOF.com Oh, well. Good luck.

Oh my. Been there, done that, so many times and it is SO painful. If it's any consolation, almost every time it happened, something better was around the corner, and we were saved from a bad decision! But congratulations on (hopefully) selling your current one, and on your big life decision. I must have missed a post or two, b/c moving to the states seems to be off the table. Wise decision, given the current rapid and sad decline of our country. Vive la France, and bon courage in the new adventure! xxoo Lynn

Perhaps...it is a good thing. Selling your home and vineyard may be a larger, longer process than you thought...which would make it difficult to go forward with the lovely new home you found. Or...it might be a short, quick process, in which case the new home may still be available. Either way, selling the house and vineyard will provide you with the means to buy a new place without a lengthy escrow period...which is what all sellers (including you) want.

I expect that you will find your place regardless of when or where your life takes you. If you look back, you will see that your path, while not always smooth, has been a terrific path. Other than the always lingering demons of the mind, there's no reason to think otherwise now.

Bonne chance, bonne nouveau maison!

I was a realtor for almost thirty years..and of course things are different here in QC..nevertheless I understand your disspointemnts..
I am like you and start organizing in my mind..everything.
I know it is a waste of brain tie function.I just can't help it.
Bon courage..
I have also seen things..that went wrong..seem like a blessing when the next deal is done:)

It appears that "la loi de Murphy" is valid in France! Hopefully, the law will expire very soon in your case.

Ah, Kristi, reading this is so wrenching. I can't imagine living it. We are feeling so much for you and your family, and hope that this rocky path will smooth out soon. Big hugs.

Not sure where Robert lives in the US, but where I live, the new owner gets the keys on the day the funds and title are transferred, no delays. Contingency of prior sale is very common. Moving twice would be horrible to me, but à chacun son goût.

Kristie, you need a bridge loan to cover the escrow. No seller is likely to take that on otherwise. You might even get your dream house back. Ask your broker or any financial person you know.

We are all in it with you, and know that it will all work out in the end! And we will be happily reading about the next house. Who knows, you may even find several you like and have to decide among them! It's possible!

Dear Kristi,
I wish I had some wonderful wise advice, but all I can say is that you are very much in my thoughts as you go through these upsetting events. The right home will come along at just the right moment for you and Jean-Marc ... this I truly believe. You already have the most important thing in life: the love and companionship of family and many, many friends. My best, Cynthia

Hi Kristi,

Have the sellers signed a contract with another buyer? If not, have your realtor contact them ASAP, as your sell-a-house contingency is now gone.

I used to sell real estate in Hawaii. A contingency requiring the sale of another property is a MAJOR contingency that very few buyers are likely to accept. Usually we advised buyers to sell their own property first, or at least have it in firm escrow, before making an offer on a new property. It sounds like your sellers reluctantly went along with the deal until they found a better one, then dropped out. They may sound like false friends, but it's a real estate contract, not a friendship, and your realtor should have explained to you that the sellers have contingencies, too. One of them allowed them to drop out of the contract either without cause or for specified causes (perhaps your not signing a sell contract on your own house by a certain date). Your real estate agent should have gone over this contract with you before you signed.

If the sellers dropped out of the contract WITHOUT cause, your contract may specify that they forfeit a certain amount of money. It's usually significant, well over $10,000. Otherwise, if they violated the contract, you can sue. Usually people sue for money, but there's also something called suing for "specific performance," in which you would sue to actually get the house. Such suits are rare, but I did see one successfully go through in Hawaii (it wasn't my deal).

But a lawsuit is probably not necessary, and certainly not desirable. You need to go over the provisions of your contract with your realtor, if you haven't already.

If the sellers do not have a contract with a new buyer, you could get back in. The deal would be much more likely to go through this time. You have cash now (unless you need a new mortgage) and could shorten the length of the contract considerably.

If the sellers do have a contract with a new buyer, you never know, it may fall through. Have your agent notify theirs that you're still interested. In the US, and probably in France too, you can put in a backup offer. If accepted, it will automatically kick in if their other contract falls out. Sellers love these contracts because it gives them security, which is exactly what these sellers (like most) are looking for.

Good luck, Kristi. I know it's hard not to take it personally, but try to remember it's really a business deal. The more you think about the other party's needs and find a way to help them achieve them, the more likely you'll succeed.

Happy New Year Kristin.
Hoping it all works our for you and your family in 2017.
Hank

Oh, Chers Amis, how familiar to me too is this roller-coaster of housing-hopes and dreams suddenly shattered! Been there twice (maybe more), shed the tears, and prayed like crazy. 'Lost' domiciles still haunt me at times, except that I shiver to think of how differently life would've evolved in them. So happy to be HERE! Yes: something even better is on its way. Truly. Hugs to you both.

Our dear Kristi,
Sending love and hugs always,but especially now with this disappointing news.
Many times the way is shown by closed doors,and very unfortunately,this appears to be one of them.
Someone shared this thought with me;not certain of the author but found the words of comfort,and hope they will be for you,too.
"Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass...
It's learning how to dance in the rain!
We cannot direct the wind,but we can adjust our sails.
May love and all that goes with it be yours..."
Please know we keep you all in our prayers.
Love
Natalia. Xo

Kristi:

Take heart! As all have said above I'm sure you will find something that's
right for you and your family.

Edie from Savannah

Oh, Kristin! How heart wrenching is this second "deception"! My mind's eye was following along as I read this imagining the turn key house and the garden in the planning stages. Someone above talked about this being a detour and how you can't see what's ahead until you get off of that part of the journey. Bon courage..it will come and so will a quiet, happy heart.

This house just must not have been meant for you, which means God has something better in store. Hard as it is, keep the faith. Someday you will rejoice in what is yet to come. We are all pulling for the Espinasse family.

I know it can be disappointing when you have your heart set on something but it will happen. I cannot wait to see where your next adventure will take you and Jean-Marc.

xoxo

Dear Kristi,
Such disappointment is hard to bare. I pray you will find a new and beautiful home that will bring the twinkle of anticipation back into your eyes and thoughts, for many happy days to come. We are all with you! Bisous, Judi

Cher Kristi,
How disappointing but maybe the dream home will still be available. I understand your planning for the furniture, etc. I do the same thing - I think that it is a women thing. I don't understand all of the real estate jargon and dealings - I leave that up to my lawyer husband. We have been trying to sell our apartment building for the past 1 ½ years and the buyers have been extending the time again and again and requesting this and that. I don't want to jinx our closing, so I won't say anymore. Just wish us "bon chance ".
Kathleen

Hi Kristi,

I know it's frustrating but something will turn up and it will be just right for you and your family! We have been through this too. It is hard when you have your heart set on something and then all of a sudden it's gone. I'll keep you in my prayers and know you will find another great home that you will fall in love with!