Living abroad tips and hints for money savers

seven-day-weekend

Right....Valuation seems to be acceptable, as the bank have verbally offered our buyer his mortgage. Just waiting formal mortgage paperwork now (!) and then the deposit. Buyer is hoping for completion end of April.

My husband is going out in the middle of April just to make sure the place is OK.

I know it's not over till the fat lady sings, but she is in the dressing room having her hair and make up done.

Watch this space!

Savvy_Sue

Hi there all, would any of you care to offer help and guidance on the driving of cars to Portugal and then selling them?

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/3904439

I'm not sure any of you know Portugal personally, but general pointers might be useful ...

seven-day-weekend

Savvy_Sue wrote: »

Hi there all, would any of you care to offer help and guidance on the driving of cars to Portugal and then selling them?

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/3904439

I'm not sure any of you know Portugal personally, but general pointers might be useful ...

I've answered on the other thread too.

You will either need to matriculate your car, or return it to the UK after 183 days.

We did ours in Spain, it took ages and cost 500euros, not including changing the lights. However, I think we were unlucky with the time it took, I don't think it normally takes that long.

We are now transferring it back onto UK plates! Still a faff, but nowhere near as bad.

I recommend you post on the Portugal forum of www.britishexpats.com , there will be people who know more than me there.

Hope this helps a bit.

seven-day-weekend

UPDATE on our house sale:

Our buyer has been formally offered, and accepted, his mortgage. Fat Lady due to sing on April 26th!:j:T:beer:

droopsnout

I've replied to the Portugal enquiry, though I wasn't really able to offer advice. The young lady needs specialist advice, but I suspect that they are enterprising people and will find a way.

S-d-w, so pleased to read the good news re the house. Fingers crossed now for a quiet countdown to the 26th!

seven-day-weekend

droopsnout wrote: »

I've replied to the Portugal enquiry, though I wasn't really able to offer advice. The young lady needs specialist advice, but I suspect that they are enterprising people and will find a way.

S-d-w, so pleased to read the good news re the house. Fingers crossed now for a quiet countdown to the 26th!

Thanks, solicitor says it's on the 25th. However, he did warn me in solicitor-speak that 'this is Spain so it may not be on the 25th', but at least we have a date!!

We can have our deposit though. That will cover the fees we have paid to update the papers, with a bit to spare .:beer:

droopsnout

Well, it really looks as if a happy ending is in sight! Fingers are crossed for you.

Have you ever had one of those moments where suddenly all seems well, you are at peace with the world, and there's nowhere you'd rather be? A sudden feeling of complete contentment as you look around? I had one of those yesterday, standing on my veg patch on a cold but sunny evening, whilst chatting to our friends, with a carrier bag full of spinach and lettuce in my hand.

And I just realised even more than usual how lucky I am to be here.

s-d-w, I'm sure you know what I mean, and I bet you've had that feeling since you moved back to the UK! I really do hope that the house sale goes through without any more hitches now, and that you and Mr s-d-w are as relaxed and happy as I am!

Btw, how's the work side going? You seemed to have plenty going on.

seven-day-weekend

droopsnout wrote: »

Well, it really looks as if a happy ending is in sight! Fingers are crossed for you.

Have you ever had one of those moments where suddenly all seems well, you are at peace with the world, and there's nowhere you'd rather be? A sudden feeling of complete contentment as you look around? I had one of those yesterday, standing on my veg patch on a cold but sunny evening, whilst chatting to our friends, with a carrier bag full of spinach and lettuce in my hand.

And I just realised even more than usual how lucky I am to be here.

s-d-w, I'm sure you know what I mean, and I bet you've had that feeling since you moved back to the UK! I really do hope that the house sale goes through without any more hitches now, and that you and Mr s-d-w are as relaxed and happy as I am!

Btw, how's the work side going? You seemed to have plenty going on.

Yes, I know that feeling droopsnout, and have had it both in Spain and the UK.

Job front is very good! We have a dogsit next week in a village near us for this weekend, then five days in Oxford, then a weekend in May in the nearby village, then most of June is taken up with house/dog/cat sitting, two week sitting in August in a a picturesque market town and then September we have one in Dudley and one in Birmingham for ten days each.

Looks like we will have to have our own holidays in the winter!:rotfl:

droopsnout

Sounds like you are going to be two busy bees!

seven-day-weekend

We now have our deposit from the buyer. If the buyer fails to complete, we get to keep it. This will at least re-coup what we have spent having the papers updated!

Both we and the buyer had agreed (legally through solicitors), that we would not accept a deposit until we know we would definitely be able to complete (i.e. got our paperwork done), and they would not pay it until they were definitely able to complete (i.e. formal mortgage offer). That way, if either side had had to pull out through no fault of their own, no-one would lose their money. We all felt it was fairer that way.

Of course if they suddenly decide they don't want the house, and pull out through choice, that is entirely different! Don't think that will happen though!