As I have spoken to quite a few of you, this story might sound familiar.
To everyone that has lived in the UK, finding a house is as easy as rocking up to the lettings agencies, tell them what you want, put the money and move in. Easy.
Here you also have agencies... and that is where the similarities end.
So when Celeste was here she "volunteered" to find a place for me. Off she went to the Regis (as lettings agencies are known in this country). So after visiting a couple, she calls me to say that she got a list of properties and we need to start calling people. My reply: get the agencies to call for you. That is what they are there for, right? WRONG!!!
Basically, the only thing the Regis do is hol a list of available properties (which normally is pretty out of date since all properties are gone) and it is your job to go and call the contact names for wach property yourself. That could be the actual tenant, the concierge or someone that happens to be available for that property. And that is to arrange a viewing.
Once you decide you want the place, you apply for it. Since there is more demand that places available, the list of people applying for a property is inmense. Chances of getting a place: pretty slim.
So in our search, I found this apartment in a converted farm. Lovely place let me tell you. I went to the regis. Again the list of "interested" people is as big as a pack of 500 A4s.
Me, being a dodgy spaniard as I am, tried jumping the queue. I got to offer a paid trip to Spain for the 2 guys in the agency... and they refused. You have to admire their integrity (try that in London and you get anything you want. Nothing that cannot be solved with a good old brown envelope).
Anyway. I did not get the place. And getting one can take a long time (some of the guys at work were looking for 1.5 years).
I hope I get it faster than that.
Hun, you cannot imagine how much I thank you for all the effort you put into it.
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3 comments:
Sounds painful mate. Wish you luck there
Just moved myself. Must say went much much faster than yours
I understand your frustration about the search hun.
Like what I said after that incident when I went to "Regie Braun" and spoke to the lady who couldn't wait to let me finish asking questions and swiftly proceeded to her filing task for the day - considering that I clearly informed her that I'm a rookie on 'Swiss house search' - "They are absolutely not hungry for commission" - or do they even need one.
But then again, citizens are their priority so that may be the main reason why she couldnt put up with listening to my questions anymore.
The whole mission was fun tho hun. And it was a pleasure for me to be able to have an idea of what houses are like in Switzerland. I must say they're lovely and spacious.
Goodluck sweety. Hope you get it soon.
Like Adrasteia, I have just moved and it took me six days to find the place and one to move... But Toto, you are not in Kansas anymore.
Best of luck with house-hunting, ManuMan.
Hugs and positive energy from E15.
(Maricuxi)
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