Finding Out Yourself
Nobody has provided us with instructions or answers to our questions via email prior to signing for the house. Tomorrow we have an appointment with the notary to sign and purchase the house. There’s been no sight of the contract, no instructions—nada. Since we need to check everything, we’re also ensuring clarity on this matter. In a few days we return to The Netherlands, so there is no second chance. We decide to drive to the notary in Penela ourselves.
A few things we need to arrange before signing tomorrow
Upon arrival in the office of the notary, she informs us about the documents we’ll be signing the next day. She mentions that we’ll need a translator. “You’re telling us this just one day before?” we exclaim.
Clara from the real estate agency will be present, but she cannot translate for us as she’s related to the owners.
Furthermore, the notary requires confirmation from the bank regarding payment of the first 10%. She also needs confirmation of the house payment for tomorrow. And… just a detail, we need to pay today also.
She will verify with the owners tomorrow whether they received the payment. If not, we won’t be able to proceed with signing. It is so simple.
“Really? No communication whatsoever for quite an official thing as buying a house, involving a lot of people and an amount of money, how is it possible?” we ask ourselves incredulously.
Fair enough, we send her the necessary details. We ask our friend Gui to be our translator and tomorrow, the house will be ours at last!
