After the diagnostics were redone & presented to the Notaire, we had to arrange to sign a Procuration (Power of Attorney) so that the purchase could commence without us being present (we were off to Spain for 2 weeks for a friend's wedding). We rocked up at the Notaires office with our 3 little angels ;) and read through the draft compromis. I always find these sort of documents interesting - yes bizarre I know. But I like to read them thoroughly to see there is nothing odd in there. All seemed ok, we've negotiated a long purchase period between compromis and acte with Madame so that we don't have to rent during the high season here in Herault.
Madame is getting a small mortgage so there is the usual condition suspensive in there about that which we've used ourselves in the past - fingers crossed all is ok on that score.
Regarding the contents of the house, Madame has specified a number of items we must leave in the house (we already said we would but I'm not surprised these are listed as when we moved in our house initially the previous owners hadn't even left light fittings!). So included in the compromis is the kitchen with appliances, electric sun shade on the terrace, woodburner, light fittings and internal window blinds (which were all made to measure anyway). I think she has to pay 5% tax on these or something but presumably she wants them listed in the contract so all is above board. This does have the interesting effect of lowering the actual declared price for the house which makes little difference to us, we still get the same price overall but presumably reduces any plus value (should any have arisen - sadly not in our case).
So having initialled both sides of all pages of the Procuration and written the obligatory long declaration in front of the notaire, we then signed away our lovely home. I was asked to deposit a very large bundle of factures for the renovation with le notaire to confirm there is no capital gain due. No doubts there...I'm sure!
It all felt a bit weird as Madame wasn't there for us to do the whole hand shaking, happy circumstances, hugging occasion. That happened a week later when we were in Spain. We're back now and whilst it sort of feels like we've sold the house, it's also a bit odd as we aren't actually moving out till October. I'm conscious of not damaging anything so it does feel like we have to be on best behaviour all the time...not so easy with our 3. Roll on September for La Rentree!