Quote:
Originally Posted by maisie21
Hi Mary Ann
We are a British couple.
Ofena is a small village in Abruzzo, nestled in a valley. It is known locally as the 'oven of Abruzzo' as it is south facing and gets quite hot in the summer.The temperature at the moment is in the mid 30's.
We are going to Ofena again 29th July for two weeks to work on the house.It is apparently fiesta time in Ofena at the beginning of August as well.
We have been relying on HAI's 'girl friday' Francesca Palmy to liaise with a good builder for us as the agents that we dealt with originally have really let us down and the renovation work that they 'supposedly' monitored was of a very poor quality.So now we are dealing with Francesca who is a lovely girl.I can always give you her contact details if you wish.
Our house is very old with vaulted ceilings and we also have a 600sq. metre garden that has grape vines,olive trees, walnut, apple, pomegranite and artichokes growing in it.
I understand how you feel about leaving your daughter, i feel the same way about leaving my children but they are encouraging us to move.
We have just started taking classes in Italian, as my language skills at the moment are very limited.
Hope to hear from you soon.
Judy.
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Hi, Judy,
Thank you so much for replying. It was nice reading your email. I have heard this type of situation several times whereby people are let down by builders. I just am not sure which way is best. Judy, is it best, you think, to hiere a builder who has been recommended to you through a realtor? Do you think that increases the chances for a smooth operation? When we were in Abruzzo last year, I remember writing down the name of constructin companies as we drove by for the future.
I think you said you are not far from the ocean? We wee searching in Abruzzo for a low level area near the sea. The realtor brought us to great heights beautiful, but too much for us, for I need this to be a place I can easily drive down when i am older, in my 70's. lol I am 58, my hubby, 61. Got to think of the future, right?
Ofena sounds nice and I plan on looking it up on the map. How about we keep in contact? I would love to know how things are progressing for you, Judy. Pretty exciting, huh? Now, so you hired someone to restore the building? When will it be finished and then, did you say, you will move there for good in 2 years? (I may be thinking of someone else.)
Take care, be well,
MaryAnn