House Hunting.. IN GERMANY

Okay, let me bring you all up to speed. My wonderful husband extended our stay here in Germany and we decided we would prefer to live off post in a house. Not just because of our extension, but we have encountered an array of issues in stairwell. The biggest concern is the massive MOLD issue. We had to go through an army of people to get permission to even MOVE out of our disgusting building. With the success of our ETP (exception to policy) we got word of a realtor wife of a soldier who was assiting families in locating homes in Germany and only charging a small fee of 300 dollars. THIS IS Fantastic considering if we looked for a home on our home the realtors here in Germany can charge you pretty much whatever they want and its always in EURO and with our economy on the crapper our dollar is very weak now. She found a home in a town not to far from post and it was wonderful, more then what we wanted. Everything was slowly working out in our favor for once. My housing facility we have on post, refused the German contract that the landlords company had given to me, I am assuming for several good reasons yet could never GET anyone to fully tell me why I couldnt do a german contract. So many people do german contracts without an isssue but I could not. So the housing represenative looked up the landlords address online and sent me directly to his home to retrieve the signature I needed for my contract. I was so happy about doing this, seeing as I was more then likely intruding on his own space. But I was so adament about getting out of our sick whole of a home and getting my kids better I went there. His wife of course didnt speak english very well and called her husband on his cell phone. I spoke with him over the phone explained everything and the military contract I had with me that I needed the signature. Bare in mind the contract I had was in english and GERMAN, so that both parties could read it. He was excepting and understanding and his wife signed it. Things continue to roll we get our money together because we have to put the money up front ourselves and the army will repay us.. IN TIME.. bare that in mind. Takes the army FOREVER to give you the money you deserve but for damn sure they will take it when they need it. Twice I went to retrieve my key from the landlords ground keepers. The final time we were actually in the HOME and going through it marking down the things we felt were messed up when out of no where these men wanted me to sign some paper that was in german. Yeah I totatlly refused to sign something I CANT READ. From there it all WENT down hill FAST. The gentleman come back saying they cant give me the keys without a german contract. EVEN THOUGH WE HAVE a military contract IN play already. A very valid contract. So I head back to housing. Only for them to tell me I cant do a german contract , again not explaining why. From there we decided fine we dont want the house. They call the ground keeper, and sure enough what do they say. "if they want out of the contract ( the contract they claim isnt vaild cuz its a military contract) they have to pay 3 months rent and find new tenants. Okay people,,, bare with me, I WENT IN SANE. I was crying hysterically cuz at this point I am beyond stressed over the entire back and forth situation. My realtor calls me and we explain the situation to her and well we actually thought we had it resolved. HAHA , yeah thats funny. Monday rolls around and I call the ground keeper to meet to get the key and give the security deposit back , only to be told again by them that the landlord now will only except a german contract. They state that my military contract does not meet german laws (FALSE) and that it is to vague. Well, well, well. Housing can no longer assit me they say, and send me to legal. YUP YOU READ THAT RIGHT. I had to meet with a lawyer on a home I HAVE NEVER lived in. Okay, so longer story cut short, the lawyer got us out of the contract. The landlord claimed I fraudulously went about getting his signature. Yes the same man that liked me and said we were very family oriented, said I was fraudulant. FUNNY. I laughed..

So here I am, 2 months into trying to move out of my MOLD disgusting home and Im still in it. Finding a home in germany is not easy and its VERY expensive. I have found a few online and I am hoping to see one that I like very much this weekend. Just waiting for my realtor to call with my appt time. Im sure your wondering why housing hasnt shown me anything. Well, according to them there is nothing available. However I can give props to Ms. VERA. She has been a god sent and is trying to help us the best she can.

First and formost. If you get moved to an overseas location. No matter how nervous or offset you are,, YOU WANT TO LIVE OFF POST. Had I known all the things about stairwell housing and neighbors and everything We would have NEVER lived on post.

If you are in the move to Germany and have some questions.. ASK ME!! I can fill you in on so much and give so many helpful links. A few websites to check if your house hunting.. remember german realtors can charge you 1-3 months rent just to look at a house whether you chose it or NOT, so becareful and ask A TON OF QUESTIONS.

www.immowelt.de
www.immobilienscout24.com

These are 2 really good ones. www.freetranslation.com can help you learn some words. Mieter is Renter.. Miete is to rent. This is what your looking for.

Fantastic day to everyone. Vent more later. :)