19/11/2023

The Storm Before the Calm: Chapter 20

That same Saturday evening, we messaged the real estate agent. It was still available, and we could go see it the following day if we wanted. It would be the third time that we’d set up an appointment with him, but the first time we made damn sure we’d actually remember and be there. I can’t say I slept any easier that night, but at least my mind was too overwhelmed to focus on the despair of the previous days.

 

And on Sunday, we walked through the front door again. Amidst all the tools and rubble strewn everywhere. But now, this time, all I could see was potential. It wasn’t one big mess, it was a collection of small tasks that could be tackled one by one, in any manner we wanted to. The owners had done all the dirty work and opened up the layout. It was a blank canvas.

 

A sense of urgency – just like I had two years ago – came over me again. How soon can we sign? He called the owners. He called the notary (on a Sunday, no less). Tomorrow. Tomorrow?? Yes, tomorrow.

 

Joseph Buttigieg of Better Homes Gozo, you are a star.

 

And so tomorrow came, we met the owners, wonderful people, and we left the notary’s office with a feeling of ecstasy I had not felt in years.

 

Four days. Ninety-six hours. That’s all it took to go from the bottom of the emotion barrel back to the overflowing top. From utter darkness to blinding light. If that’s not a hustle story, then I don’t know what is.

 

And we had to hustle – we were told that someone else was going to make an offer of their own that very same day. It goes to show that there are times when it is appropriate to take it slow and steady, and there are times where there isn’t a moment to lose. Those close to you might try with their best of intentions to direct you one way when you ought to go the other. Stick with your gut feeling.

 

Too much had happened in four days to properly process everything there and then. Now that the dust could settle, we were in a position to march on and never look back. I would have liked that.

2 comments:

  1. I just wanted to say I bookmarked your blog. I am so glad this took a turn for the better! Can’t wait to learn more about your family’s journey.

    One question related to the deposits plus expenses. What would have changed if you called your lawyer/sued after the 31 March? I realise the six months would have been up but can’t you still sue? Certainly he could not force the sale or an unbuilt house.

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    Replies
    1. Hi, thanks for following!

      Our impression was that it was too late at that point to do anything further. To be honest I don’t know what would have happened if we tried anything after. Our priority was to move on as quickly as possible, and that meant cutting our losses and not looking back.

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