Bonjour *|EMAIL|*, Viager with a View Part VIII Parler Paris Nouvellettre® Your taste of life in Paris and France http://www.ParlerParis.com Monday, November 16, 2009 Paris, France • Printer Friendly http://www.adrianleeds.com/parlerparis/16-11-09pparis.html • Parler Paris Blog http://parlerparis.blogspot.com/ • Community Calendar (Updated Every Wednesday) http://www.adrianleeds.com/parlerparis/calendar.html • Recommend to Friends http://www.adrianleeds.com/parlerparis/tell-a-friend/index.php • Don't miss a single issue of Parler Paris! "Whitelist" Parler Paris by adding "info@adrianleeds.com" to your address book. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Watch Adrian Leeds and French Property Consultation on House Hunters International - New Dates ***"Vacation Home in Paris" - Episode HHINT-1A05*** AIR TIMES: November 23, 2009, 12:00 PM ET/PT House Hunters International Episode HHINT-402 ***"Settling Down in Paris" - Episode HHINT-1A05 AIR TIMES: December 4, 2009 7:00 PM ET/PT December 14, 2009 12:00 AM ET/PT House Hunters International Episode HHINT-402 To learn more, visit http://www.AdrianLeeds.com or email Adrian Leeds, at mailto:adrian@adrianleeds.com --------------------------------------------------------------------- Dear Parler Paris Reader, The continuing saga of "Viager with a View" is beginning to feel like an endless stream of hurdles and challenges as long as the history of France and her struggle for "Liberté, Egalité, Fraternité." When I first laid eyes on this jewel of an apartment more than four years ago, I had no idea it would become one of life's greatest challenges -- a test for tenacity and endurance. If you'd like to read Parts I through VII to catch you up to speed on the story that has twisted and turned like a tangled ball of yarn, visit http://www.adrianleeds.com/parlerparis/viager/. For now, you can catch up to the latest developments. In Part VII, the contractor had almost completed the demolition of "Le Saint-Tropez," discovering much hidden attributes, including two additional skylights having been covered over. A covered-over rounded window onto the terrace was discovered and subsequently opened which will be a kind of "portal" onto the sky from the bathtub/shower. There are three chimneys in the one small space, but unfortunately, none will be used for a working fireplace as every inch of available space in the 22-23 square meters is needed for storage and elbow room. In the "chambre de bonne" down the hall affectionately named "La Brigitte," old beams were found under the ceiling and cleaned off in preparation for refurbishment. The demolition was complete and the plumber laid the piping in both apartments. The apartment was now ready for the "chappe" (floor foundation) to be poured. This is when it all went awry. Monsieur de L., the "Syndic" delivered a copy of a letter he had written to the Notaire in my mailbox, outlining how in February of 2006, the "copropriété" had voted to 'give' the illegal terraces to the owners of their adjoining apartments, and therefore the terrace that I had always believed was not legally mine, was in fact just that -- mine! This was the first time that he had enlightened us on this issue, so that the deed to the apartment is now incorrectly written and of course, it means that all expenses related to the terrace will be my responsibility. This was GOOD news to say the least, but of course, it means that an adjustment to the deed is in order, which is likely going to cost something in taxes and fees, as nothing of this nature is 'free' in the eyes of the French government! Meanwhile, our contractor was sinking in financial problems and announced he was about to file for bankruptcy. I had already given him 30% advance payment for the work (more than enough to cover quite a lot of construction work), but to lay the chappe, he needed more money to pay for materials and labor. The money I had given him was gone -- to where or what I may never know. This was one day before leaving for 10 days in Egypt, so I declined his request, left for vacation and hoped for the best. For 10 days I basked in the Egyptian sun and forgot about the Viager with a View, at least temporarily. Then upon returning, you might say 'all hell had broken loose.' Yes, the chappe had been poured entirely, but in the process, had broken a huge hole through the ceiling of the neighbor's apartment (Madame B.) which caused damage to her "chaudière" (water heater), as well as caused a leak onto her new white carpeting and cracks in her living room ceiling! She was not happy, but kind, having tried phoning the contractor many times with no response, and no response from me while gone to the Middle East. A la prochaine... Adrian Leeds Editor, Parler Paris Share this article with a friend... http://www.adrianleeds.com/parlerparis/tell-a-friend/index.php Respond to Adrian mailto:info@adrianleeds.com P.S. Join me and other Parler Paris readers on November 17th from 3 to 5 p.m. for "Parler Paris Après Midi" where we will toast and memorialize our dear friend Gar Westfall, who suddenly passed away here in Paris on November 7th. Visit http://www.adrianleeds.com/parlerparis/apresmidi.html for more information. P.P.S. The Parler Parlor French-English Conversation Group has a new location for sessions on Wednesday afternoons!: LA BRIOCHE DORÉE, 5 rue Clément, (in Le Marché Saint-Germain at rue Montfaucon), 6th arr., Métro Saint-Germain-des-Prés, Mabillon, Odéon. Visit http://www.parlerparlor.com for more information and all dates and times. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Getting a mortgage in France is easier than you think... Let us show you just how hassle-free it can be to get a French property mortgage for your dream Paris pied-à-terre or villa in the country! Visit http://www.FrenchPropertyLoan.com or contact Mortgage Manager John Rule at mailto:loan@adrianleeds.com?subject=French_Property_Loan --------------------------------------------------------------------- It's Called French Property Fractional. If you are interested in traditional fractional ownership properties currently offered by our Fractional Ownership partners, visit: French Property Fractional for more information http://www.frenchpropertyfractional.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Learn French in France... French Language School for Adults Offering True French Immersion L'Institut de Français, Villefranche-sur-Mer Learn French in the warmth of a stunning villa overlooking the lovely fishing village of Villefranche-sur-Mer on the Côte d'Azur in a full immersion program with like-minded adults. Visit Institut de Francais http://www.parlerparlor.com/institut_de_francais.html or contact Fréderic Latty at mailto:info@institutdefrancais.com?cc=adrian@adrianleeds.com&subject=Parler_Paris_Reader and be sure to tell him Adrian Leeds sent you. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Practice Your French...or English! Join the Parler Parlor French-English Conversation Group Practice speaking French and English. Make friends, discuss interesting topics, learn about other cultures, progress in understanding and speaking, naturally and easily. Meets three times a week -- come as often as you like! Special Note: New Wednesday location! For further details, visit Parler Parlor at http://www.parlerparlor.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------- You don't need to be rich to dine well in Paris - you just need to know where to go. Insider Paris Guide for Good Value Restaurants The first online restaurant guide to Paris! Published since 1996. Written and Regularly Updated by Adrian Leeds For more information, visit Insider Paris Guides at http://www.insiderparisguides.com/member/go.php?r=39&i=l0 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Find the courage, the inspiration, and the time to write about what matters most to you... The Essoyes School announces Writing from the Heart...in the Heart of Champagne 2010, April 13-19, 2010 Now accepting Applications for Spring 2010. For more information, visit http://www.essoyesschool.com or contact Janet Hulstrand mailto:janet.hulstrand@gmail.com?subjet=Parler_Paris_Reader ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Welcome to your home in Paris. Home is how you will feel in a private apartment in Paris that has the "seal of approval" from Parler Paris Apartments and me, Adrian Leeds...Parler Paris Apartments http://www.parlerparisapartments.com Introducing Our Newest Apartment...Le Charles V Le Charles V is our newest Parler Paris Apartment -- a beautifully appointed Marais studio located on the quiet rue Charles V, just steps from the charming Village Saint-Paul's art galleries and antique dealers. For location, this can't be beat -- as only two blocks away lies the Seine and the Ile Saint-Louis, Place de la Bastille is just steps away as well as the elegant Place des Vosges. Less than a five-minute walk brings you to the Saint-Paul Métro stop and numerous buses serve the area. For more information or to Reserve now, Visit: http://www.parlerparisapartments.com/rentals/charlesV.html or email: mailto:Apartments@AdrianLeeds.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Meet Other Parler Paris Readers at "Après Midi." NEXT MEETING: Tomorrow, November 17th, 2009 AND EVERY SECOND TUESDAY OF THE MONTH, 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. (Special tomorrow date November 17, 2009) The second Tuesday of every month (except November), Parler Paris and French Property Insider readers gather at La Pierre du Marais for a drink and a "schmooze" --It's an opportunity to meet and chat with other like-minded people and a great way to make friends! Costs nothing except whatever you drink. Don't miss the next gathering, Tues, November 17th, 2009 from 3 to 5 p.m. For more information, visit http://www.adrianleeds.com/parlerparis/apresmidi.html ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Buy and sell with Parler Paris classifieds: http://www.adrianleeds.com/parlerparis/advertise.html Earn money. Become and Introduction Partner of French Property Consultation: http://adrianleeds.com/introducers.php Read past issues of Parler Paris: http://www.adrianleeds.com/parlerparis/issues/readpastissues.html Know someone who would be interested in the opportunities in Parler Paris? Forward it for FREE to your friend, relative, or associate here: http://www.adrianleeds.com/parlerparis/tell-a-friend/index.php [FOOTER] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Copyright 2010, Adrian Leeds® Adrian Leeds Group, LLC, http://www.adrianleeds.com