Our adventure 29-6-2022
When we think of Marieke, we think of our saving angel
Buying a house and emigrating is quite an adventure! If we have to tell everything we've been through, we could write a book. But if we hadn't had Marieke who jumped in somewhere halfway, we would have had a trilogy.

Like many other people, we started searching the internet on various sites. We had just started Italian language lessons and she was very empathetic with us. We had already read well and had therefore already been looking for someone who would like to help us with all the rules etc, because however you get used to it in every country it is different and if you don't keep it nice Dutch) cheese you have eaten it can cost you dearly. Posted a message via the world women on facebook asking who knew someone to help us. That is how we ended up at Marieke's site.

But we had already seen a house and before we could send an email to Marieke. On Tuesday evening with the language lesson, the number that was listed in the ad was called 'just' and before we knew it we had an appointment to come and have a look. Our teacher was in contact with the nephew of the owner and she was also our interpreter during the viewing. More or less we had to decide the next day and make an offer, because there was another couple who were interested in the house. Well long story short finally made an offer and deposit, but when the papers came it didn't feel right. Then slightly panicked Marieke called. The moment she picked up her phone, I started to tell the whole story like a waterfall and ended with want to help us?

Later it occurred to me that she couldn't do us at all and I hadn't even politely asked if she had time for me to call. Fortunately she was very helpful and asked if I could email the whole story what we had done so far incl. all the papers we had received so far so she could have a look at it in the evening. Well I can tell you tell it took her a full evening to read it all. Finally we received a message back the next day DO NOT SIGN! We'll call tonight.

So that was clear! Everything was wrong and the oh so friendly, helpful cousin suddenly became less helpful and friendly with the arrival of Marieke. In the end Marieke could have put it all right if we really wanted to buy that house, but in the end we said ourselves we're going to stop. Fortunately, we got our money back, but also a good lesson. You can't do this without professional help.

So we started looking again, but now with a better feeling we have Marieke standing next to us! Eventually we had seen a number of houses that we wanted to visit. Marieke has arranged the appointments for us. Unfortunately, she was unable to attend due to personal circumstances. But everything was perfectly arranged and planned for those few days. House 1 fell in love instantly everything that came after fell into thin air! After telephone contact with Marieke, we did some serious math. We wanted to make an offer on house number 1. We blindly trusted Marieke for her insight and knowledge.

This also did not go entirely without a struggle. We turned out not to buy 1 house but 3 (on paper)! But Marieke has again found a solution for that. And so we had one surprise after another every time. Our house already sold everything for transport and then it seemed that the transfer could not take place on time because of papers that were not yet complete from the seller's side. Marieke also acted on this immediately. Even on the day of the transfer it was exciting and we had palpitations again, but she also arranged this immediately. So every time we got short of breath, Marieke made sure we could keep breathing. We have had a bumpy road and sometimes with big potholes in it, but in the end everything turned out well. We could never have done this ourselves.

We have bought a fantastic house for an even better price (thanks to Marieke), which even the notary looked up to while reading the deed. We have now been in our dream house for exactly 2 months and we enjoy this beautiful, special place every day. We have also been able to realize our b&b Casa Biron in 4 weeks and are therefore already open to our guests. Everyone who comes here as a guest or as a friend / family speaks about a beautiful unique place and about the many possibilities here.

Marieke again plays a major role in this, and she sees options for what we can do or what we can register for. So even though the official part is done and she's done her 'job'. She continues to help and assist us and that makes Marieke special.  Without her we would not have been here and able to realize our dream.

Cari Saluti
Ronnie and Bianca Dorst