Monthly Archives: February 2014

Money matters

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It is a boring topic but to buy property anywhere you have to deal with money. After arriving back home right away we figured out how to wire money.

We had 20 days contractually to pay the 10% deposit. A few months ago, just before we retired, we opened a new checking account with USAA. We know that since they cater to the military and families they have members all over the world. My local bank always seems unfamiliar with these procedures not to mention the exchange rate is ridiculous. USAA gives the official exchange rate with no mark-up. We are very happy with them.

We had the numbers our bank in Italy gave us and we called up our bank. Easy, peezy! All was simple. Then we waited to see if it would arrive OK.

Four days later it has arrived in Italy. We got an email from Jim today and he will arrange for the final signing of the compromesso. Once this is complete if we back out we forfeit our deposit. If the seller backs out they have to pay two times the deposit to us. Normally once the compromesso is signed the deal should go through without a problem.

More Pictures of La Casa

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Funny thing we noticed about Italians. They won’t call an apartment an apartment. It is la casa. I am not sure why. I always thought that was house. I guess technically it is. It also means home. Maybe that is why.

Several people have asked for more pictures. I am posting some below. They just don’t really give the feel of the place. Mainly the big living area with soaring ceiling. I just couldn’t get that in a picture.

buffet_and_table

This is the room from which you enter the kitchen. I think it would make a splendid kitchen. I’d put the cabinets where the long metal cabinet is. I’d like the floor to be tiles. I’d keep the table in here.

entry_kitchen_terrace

See back on the right side? That is the arched entry through a 3 foot thick wall into the tiny kitchen. The entry to the terrace is next to it.

kitchen

This is the kitchen.

fireplace

This is the closed up fireplace in the same room. I think it could be prettied up and opened.

picture_window

This is the big picture window in the dining end of the living room space.

pellet_stove

This is the pellet stove in the living space.

entry_stairs

Entry up stairs. Down at the bottom is the front door. Ownership starts there. Notice the closet to the left. Closets are very unusual in Italy.

archway_into_living_area

Arched entry into living room space from entry hall.

master_bedroom

Master bedroom

living_room_sofa

Living room. Sofa end opposite picture window dining area.