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Hi Justine......as an architect the structural sound of the building is number 1 and the inside is second......I have been looking to buy a house in France and I am trying to be as thorough as possible and most of all not fall in love with heritage properties as for personal experience is a long and expensive process. Justine don't get sick please
In Australia if there is storm damage or an unexpected damage to your roof, we cover it with tarpaulins (large waterproof sheets) until the repair is made. It keeps the water out while you are waiting. I hope this information helps you, water damage in the walls can cause dangerous black mould to grow, which can make you very sick. Fingers crossed you are able to get it fixed sooner rather than later.
Black mold is serious. Years ago, it infected the building where I was working and we were laid off for months because it took a long time and a lot of work to get rid of it.
This reminds me of the film Under the Tuscan Sun - based on true story of a woman who buys a villa in Tuscany and all the challenges she comes up against, including getting things done with permits and other red tape. It’s really eye opening - the idyllic homes we see on film take a lot of work, money and patience to maintain! That said, I know if anyone can make it work it’s you Justine!
Having myself moved to Italy and renovated an old house, I can confirm that the stories are all true! 😄 Keeping my fingers crossed for your project, Justine!
Yes, please! Videos from España would be appreciated. I love everything about that region - the food, the art, the architecture and especially the people. I would be delighted to learn about fashion ❤
I’m so sorry you had to deal with that situation. It sounds so stressful and unfortunately it’s not over yet. Hoping your permits come through quickly and that the roof repair is affordable!
Most people would have caved under so many problems. I probably would had had a breakdown and here you are with a smile on your face. You are amazing. So sorry for all you’re going through. Wishing you miracles along the way.
I believe home renovation is one of the most stressful experiences a person can go through, but Mme Leconte seems to have first rate stress management skills. It’s admirable.
I totally understand the pain of renovation. Once you find one problem, more just cascade after. One project turns into 10 projects. And finding and hiring the right people takes forever 😫. We are there right now. Good luck with your house renovation, too. It will be beautiful when completed. 🙏🏽❤️
I learned when renovating my apt (joining 2 apts and living there throughout 😮), you learn the true meaning of the words “as long as.” Well- “as long as you are doing [ FILL IN] you may as well do [FILL IN].” I became a nervous wreck and developed a facial tic. It magically went away once the 16 month project was done. Misery, thou are renovation 😢.
@@GiftSparks At the closing meeting, my husband told the seller we weren't changing anything. We're changing EVERYTHING now 🤣! It just snowballed out of control.
You poor thing! Keep your courage and lovely smile. I completely understand with the challenges of restoration. We are on our 13th year of renovating a 400 year-old convent in central France. For many winters, we would have literal icicles in the house! That was not bad at all in comparison with other problems we faced. But, despite all, it is becoming gorgeous (and finally sort of warm enough) It is worth the wait and the inconveniences. Keep up the great work! I love your channel.
Amazing you can't fix your house without permits and it takes a year to get all that in order. Ridiculous, really. I'm glad you have the ability to find another place to wait it out.
The same applies to many European countries. The administration times may vary, but most countries require permits for almost everything. Also every regions property taxes are based on things such as calculated living space (with windows and heating), number of bedrooms, bathrooms and in some cases the materials used indoors. Italy is alot tougher than France as regulations are more detailed and vary entirely by region, and include the shape and color you may be permitted for a swimming pool build to be given the green light. Hard for an American to wrap their head around until you stop and think what it is that pulls millions of tourists to these places every year? This is how they managed to keep the Tuscan countryside views basically the same (or very similar) through the ages. You go for the scenery, the architechture and culture of ehich these things are the bedrock. If everyone coukd do whatever through simple ownership Europe would look like some areas of the US and none of the several thousand year old cultural and regional charm would remain visible.
That's true and also sad. The thousand year old charm is there, but people suffer because of that. Tourist can see perfect scenery, but locals have leaking roofs and not heated houses because of it. It's the same in my country. Justine is lucky covid is gone, because we had to wait for permits for more than a year during those fun times. And couldn't leave houses at the same time.
You need permits and the towns’ permission for a lot of construction or additions, as well, in the USA. There are also zoning issues in certain neighborhoods that won’t allow certain things. And some people have HOA’s, or Home Owners Association that they pay every month in certain neighborhoods and the HOA control a lot of things
Of course you need a permit for construction! Isn't it the same in the USA in specific places with character? I've been to Washington DC. Georgetown was a doll. Are people able to knock down and rebuild anything they want without a permit there? How do they make sure that the character of the town will be preserved?
@@frosting6439yes. It varies greatly here, from state to state and county to county. There are definitely still places to go where getting permits will be pretty easy.
Would love to see a video about Spain and fashion history! I hope things start to run more smoothly for your renovation, it will be worth it in the end I’m sure!
Hang in there Justine. You will survive this and come out stronger. I can’t believe the amount of stress you’ve been going through. When things calm down a bit, would love to see your journey on how you manage stress and still ended up with such a productive period in work. Best of luck - we’re all rooting for you.
I deeply empathize with this since I've always struggled with old-Europe-charm houses. Your calm, positivity and irony are always so refreshing and empowering!
Despite such frustrating event in your life, you manage to keep it cool and managed to storytell without any hint of bitterness. Such an amazing quality you have. That's pretty much admirable!
Hope your not dealing with mold now. Its terrible when we purchase property with unknown underlying issues. I am certain you will get the renovations done and that home in France will be magnificent. Staying tuned.
First of all, do be wary of mold issues with all that moisture in an old building! My husband and I were just looking to buy a house, and could not because it was simply not fit to live in on account of mold due to moisture, though the interior looked perfectly fine to the naked eye. Secondly, you look radiant in that color and makeup!
Yes.. I’m with a French man, we moved from Creuse to Indre last March. My partner searched and searched for houses with good roofs. Last summer was so hot for us. We now hate hot weather. Our decorating has had to be postponed over winter though to wait for a minimum of 11 degrees night for the paint to dry! …and we still have boxes everywhere 😩
I am so sorry to hear of your house project problems! There is always at least one unpleasant (& expensive) surprise when restoring a house. I truly hope your permit is issued very soon and the carpenter queue shortens!
My heart goes out to you - the house looks so charming, and I can only imagine the frustration and disappointment of this turn of events! I hope your chapter in the long story of this home will take a brighter turn. Yes, please do the fashion history video!
Dear Justine~Thank you for being so honest about your house situation! Most people just show how wonderful their lives are but you are always so true and logical!! You will get through this! I know you will 😊 ! Take care and good luck ❤
Dear Justine, I really admire you! You are a very strong and patient person. I am sure sooner or later everything will be resolved! keep us posted 😊I love your vlogs and life’s approach!
@@justineleconte can relate to this! My life has brought me, a non patient person, challenge after challenge that require patience. Ugh. So everybody sees me as patient but it’s a hard earned learned skill that I actually don’t feel so good at. But I think that you really love the house and so you have evaluated that it will be worth it. Thanks for the video ❤ good luck!
She is not that patient. She wanted the house to be done in 6 months or so..... But that's a quality in her case because I believe it can make one productive and effective as a business person :)
I love Spain! My husband and I walked the Camino Frances (890km) and loved the culture and lifestyle. Would love to see what you have planned with the inspiration Spain gave you. Good luck Justine with your home, renovations are rarely straightforward 💛
As a house-owner who is renovating it herself, I know that the relationship between you and your house will always be a sort of a hate-love one. No matter how much you love it, it will give you brakedowns. You will cry a little, you will curse a little and you will even slam doors sometimes...and than you pull yourself together and continue working on your little 'safe-haven-paradise-castle'. It's like a Marathon or climbing the Mount Everest, but it is worth it! The house will be yours not because you bought it, but because you created it.
What a disaster! In France are home inspections required before the purchase of real estate? Where I live the bank won't give you a mortgage loan until the house has passed inspection first. Roof inspection is mandatory. Any major repairs must be done by the seller before the sale is completed. Hope time passes quickly for you and all the repairs go smoothly. So sorry you had to go through so much stress!
I'm so sorry this tragedy is happening to you! I'm wondering why these serious structural problems weren't disclosed prior to sale. The owners must have known about these and possibly other problems. In the US, a prospective home buyer can get the house inspected from roof to cellar prior to making an offer; so helpful. Good luck, dear Heart. I'm hoping everything goes well for you.
Yes in the UK also especially with a building of that age we would pay for a complete structural survey which would red flag issues. Sorry for all your trouble Justine!
In France too. I guess this young lady did a lot wrong… Now she is complaining but when you buy, you thoroughly check what you buy and most of all, you have to consider if you are capable of doing the renovation…
The house in France looks so dreamy! It's a big renovation project but I'm hoping it will all be sorted out soon. I admire your optimism and focus during such a stressful time. I also like that you found something good to do in Spain. Sometimes hard times lead us to where we are supposed to be. I'd love to see a video about the outfits from the carnival. Wish you all the best and looking forward to next video as always.
I live in a coastal area of the US where we have a very long hurricane season, and I’ve seen how terrible it is when a storm rolls through and creates/exposes all sorts of problems in a house! But your property is gorgeous, so I hope you can get the issues resolved so your place is livable in all seasons. Bonne chance!
So sorry to hear about your troubles with your beautiful home in France. It stood for so long before you moved in and please have hope that it will be resurrected! How nice that you were able to spend time in Spain. Hope all goes well with the renovations moving forward.
Justine! you are a hero ! Upon seeing the video I sadly thought you have left France for good. But now I am so happy you just left for a while and you are back to face the big process of renovating your home. Glad you are in good spirits and we have you back! Cheers from Toronto to you and to Provance,eh?
This just gets to show once again that we never know what someone is dealing with. I hope that from this point everything goes more smoothly🤞you're extremely resilient
I just finished this adorable vintage memoir titled A Year in Provence. It's all about an English chap who buys a little villa to renovate, and it sounds like the process has not changed since the 1980s! There's a lot of wry humour around how the lining up of permits and carpenters just takes SO LONG, and how eventually the writer learns to play the system. You might find it a good commiserate read!
Justine, so very sorry about your renovation challenges. I also moved into a home that was virtually derelict but with a beautiful water and woods view and the house had good design. It has been totally worth all the challenges. Sending you support and applause. Also, would love to hear more about Valencia 🌹🌹🌹
As an (american) architect, you have my sympathies for your living situation and the renovation time and hassles. I am looking forward to the video from Spain and also for updates on the renovation! Good luck!
uuuf, this is one of the good things about the U.S. vs. Europe. While of course it varies from place to place, but overall, even with the post-pandemic supply and labor issues, I am currently building a brand new house plus a major renovation on an existing one in my state of Virginia and we are moving at a much faster pace. We also have a lot of permitting required, too, but it takes days or weeks, not months. Wishing you much progress and solutions, Justine! It will be stunning and fabulous once you get there. P.S. the roses at your front door are to die for!
Not in the Netherlands, we bought our house during pandemic and did not have any problems with labors and materials at all. We also completely renovated the house.
Much love Justine…sorry you’re going through so much . With you all the way it will get better you are strong. I’m 73 years young. Looking forward to Spanish fashion history. My mum family are Spanish. I married a Kiwi ( New Zealand er). Love your videos. 🌟💜🍒
Oh Justine, this is such frustrating news! Looking forward to whatever you want to share with us next - Spain, France, house, garden, fashion, food, festivals,... whatever you do will be interesting!
I’m surprised that this was not discovered by your engineer while the house was under review…. Also surprised that French law doesn’t protect you from ‘sellers’ who dont expose the truth regarding major problems with a property that is being sold. It is a law here in America. Sorry that has happened to you Justine. You are such a good person. Wondering if you reached out to the sellers Realtor or attorney if you could come to some sort of agreement?
How wonderful is your resilience; inspiring. I rented a house in Aveyron for several years that was impossible to heat, no insulation, single pane windows. I used it as my photography studio but the near zero temperatures inside drove me out. Of course, I retired, left France, and now live in Morocco. Happiness.
I feel your pain, Justine. It will be worth it in the end. I can't wait to see how this progresses. I feel sorry for you, Justine. Hang in there! I love Provence. It's gonna be manifique!
We had over 20 buckets (large) in our house when we moved in and mushrooms growing out of two walls as they were damp even in the summer .... roof fixed which was not straight forward as the slate tiles on the rear are an unusual size and took a while to source and no more rain. The house is mid 1400's has no heating and was as cold inside as outside in the winter. We put some sheepswool in the roof space and re lime plastered the walls. We wear more clothes when it's cold, heat one room and cooking keeps the kitchen warm. We accepted the house would be on the colder side but the joys of living in an old, unspoiled building, outweigh that inconvenience.
Oh Justine, I am so sorry to hear about your house in France. It must have been so stressful and takes so much time and headspace. I cannot even begin to fathom what you've been through, all in parallel to running your two businesses. That's resilience! Wishing you all the best for the upcoming months!
I have a suggestion Justine about the house… A gut job… Keep the exterior of the house but remove everything inside (walls, plumbing, etc. )and start with new materials… It’ll save you a lot of money in the long run and you’ll have something designed to your specifications exactly. Also you can remove anything of value before you begin. The exterior of the house is beautiful and of course definitely worth saving. And of course you need a new roof.
Qué pena lo de la casa... Espero que se solucione pronto y que no sea muy caro. Me encanta escuchar que España te inspira, y la fiesta de las Fallas es espectacular, es una explosión de creatividad y talento. Buena Suerte Justine! Gracias por tus videos.
There's a great scene in the series 'Au service de la France' where the main characters are sitting around a table with a gigantic stack of forms that all need to be stamped. All you hear in a rhythmic chant is 'tamponne, tamponne, double tamponne'... I think this seems to highlight the love that France seems to have with forms! Best of luck with the renovations! I hope going forwards that any indoor water features are intentional and part of a design.
After the storms in Sydney Australia, I had to wait 8 months for a roofer, I’m not the only one, I had a temporary patches and plastic bins. Had to throw out a lot. Now my wooden floors are curling up. Cement render is cracking, but I love this place, it’s my paradise. Hang in there.
Ugh, what an ordeal! But it sounds like some great things have come out of it. How wonderful that you were so inspired by your unplanned evacuation! You will overcome the challenges and make that a beautiful and amazing home for yourself, I’m sure! Looking forward to seeing the journey unfold. Yes please, to a video about fashion history from Spain! Stay strong, Justine!
We are renovating a cottage, the only things going for it are a new roof, and rewiring. So while it doesn't leak, here I am in the one partly insulated rooms (thanks to us), with an electric heater, ugg boots, warm pyjamas, and a pure wool rug layered up on my lap. It's 3 degrees outside. We are going wall by wall, taking them off (flood damaged at some point) adding insulation, then applying lining boards. There is so much work to do - put in a kitchen, retile the bathroom, the list goes on and on. Keep the faith, and have that image in your head to inspire you - that's what I am doing.
Justine, I am so sorry for all the trouble you're finding to build your house in France. I really hope everything is solved and you can settle in as soon as possible. Best of luck to you! As a Spaniard myself, I am glad that you can counter that stress in this beautiful country and yes, I would LOVE to watch a video where you analyze the folk fashion of Valencia (as a side note, if you look at other traditional outfits in the north of Spain, you will see many similarities between them, but the southern flamenco dresses are the "typical spanish", but kind of exclusive of Andalusia 😉). In any case, I hope you have a nice staying in Spain and gather your strength and patience to deal with any obstacle. Cheers!
Yes, snow bird will be you for a few years. We did that working on one of our places. Another recommendation for industrial tarps to cover your roof, if allowed, until the work is done. Mold, for sure, another recommendation to watch. Regular inspections and keeping up on the progress is key. You can do it!
I’ve just moved to France from California and am astounded by how much energy I spend on trying to navigate broken websites, trails to incredible frustration! Government websites with phone numbers that are disconnected and have been for years, yet seem to be the only link to a vital appointment or piece of paper🤣. I’ve been thinking about it for the past few months and have developed all kinds of theories. Having to do with things that I adore about France in other contexts, like Socialism, like the love of connection and personal interaction, the love for history and the elaborate, the private part that says “That’s his problem, not mine” (I m guessing Co-Dependence Anonymous probably doesn’t have a lot of French members, though I could be wrong.) The slowness of life, without monetizing everything, as we Americans tend to do; where work is part of life, but not usually central to happiness. I’m sure there are many other explanations. The educational system, the rigidity of structures, the Napoleonic Code! It’s as if the very things that I love and appreciate are the things that’s are driving me absolutely NUTS! I’m thinking the solution is what you did. I’m concluding that when necessary, I need to take a literal or metaphorical “trip to Espagne”! I do know, and have experienced time and again, wherever I live, to not be in opposition to whatever is coming at me. So dearest Justine, I am so admiring of your surfing these incredibly difficult waves! But every thing you have learned in your life and your business is serving you so well in this new context. You have got this! Whatever you decide, I am excited for you. Look at how you have created structures and systems (and wonderful friendships) to care for what matters most to you. Soon (or rather, in Provençal time) you will be including your beautiful house in your sphere. With affection and admiration and bisous.
You might want to think twice about socialism. It only succeeds when there are plenty of natural resources and a healthy dose of free market is injected into it, as in Sweden and similar countries. It will tilt sideways if immigration isn't handled in a moderate way, though. The homogeneity (not the diversity) of parenting mores are what created the beautifully mannered culture. (I absolutely loved the book "Bringing Up BeBe.") Their focus on enjoying life can make every day special no matter where you live, if applied. The new politics of being "green" is troubling - whole fields full of abandoned vehicles purchased by the government with tax payer money, for example. Why? Because no one thought of asking how much replacement batteries would cost. Those vehicles will disintegrate, functionally, before that is fixed. Letting the state rule people's medical decisions (while lying to them about the real science) has not worked out well ANYWHERE it has been implemented. We are seeing the logical conclusion of that with unexpectedly high death rates following the rollout of a certain experimental drug whose technology is powerful, but uncontrollable. Too many died quickly (with the obvious cause denied) and others are dying of inflammation r/t the body's confusion about what is and what isn't self. The state should not be the arbiter of what is and is not good for people in quite a lot of different areas of life. Why did you leave California?
I remember thinking, “Oh, no,” when you announced that you’d bought a “fixer upper” in southern France. My sister and brother-in-law had the same experience and after 7 years they discovered that the repairs would never end, so they’ve finally sold and moved on. I hope you have a better outcome!
Keeping everything crossed for your renovations now. Well done for long going through all the stress. A Valencia video would be wonderful, thank you! 😊
Old houses always need renovation and repair somewhere. Tarps over the roof and then drying out the house which will take time. Good luck, Justine! It will be a great house - eventually. Don't give up!
I was just watching your videos earlier. 😄 It really is the same here in Germany, we needed an electrician and a plumber and it was a nightmare. Keeping my fingers crossed for you and your lovely house that you can get the roof fixed and the rest set in motion.
Thank goodness for amazing friends! I get the permit system. I'm in the US, it just makes sense to me. It helps to make sure the work is getting done properly because part of the permit process is passing inspections. Especially in historic dwellings, were you have to meet code in some aspects but also are required to maintain the integrity of the structure. In the US, if you're adding on to a dwelling, making alterations to electrical or plumbing (like, replacing it), having any sort of abatement done, or putting a new roof on, etc... it all requires permitting. That might mean the person you hire is permitted by the gov't to do the work and you just need an inspection afterwards or you need to pull the permit with the city to make sure you're complying with codes and everything done is up to code and safe. In fact, in the US, if proper permits aren't pulled and say, an electrical fire happens in a room you added on and didn't get permitted, insurance may not cover the damage and if you decide to sell, that $$ you put into that addition won't even enter into the property's valuation. I'm just honestly baffled that you don't secure a contractor first and then get the permits. Here in the US, permits expire, so you have to have your contractor on board and then they go and do all the permit pulling. Your contractor or your architect.
So sorry this is happening to you, and so glad you're ok ... We're having our own challenges here with our house, and wondering if inspections are required there. We had one when we were looking at ours to make sure the important systems like plumbing and roof were up to code ... Holding for you ease and flow - and speedy renovations! ❤
So great to see this video. Totally understand the hurdles you have to jump over to do your Reno. Fingers crossed 🤞🏼 it moves forward this year! You’ve taken on a huge project and it will be worth it in the end. Would love to see more videos from your stay in Spain!!
The typical dress of Valencia is one of the most beautiful and expensive of all the dresses in Spain. I remember being dressed like that as a child and feeling so very special. I would love to have a couple of pieces done as an adult. I’m so glad you got to experience Valencia during a massive celebration. It’s so special.
Ouh la la, what an update!! Je me doutais bien que tu étais très occupée. Géniale cette inspiration de l'Espagne, c'est vrai que déjà, ce pays est une fête au niveau des couleurs, moi qui adore le jaune, orange, couleurs flashy, j'adore ce que l'on peut y trouver et voir en termes de vêtements, architecture. Very inspiring! 'Merde' avec tous les permis et l'architecte...
I just recently moved to an apartment which i thought was great…until i moved in. I also had to wait for months for approval and now nothing is still straightforward with planning and renovations. It was also very expensive that I had to do a lot of extra time at work to compensate. I understand that you have to do some renovations but on the onset i can see that it is a lovely and charming house. Hopefully, it is worth it at the end. Good luck to your project and other endeavours! Keep us updated!❤
Oh goodness the same reason I left Florida for saner parts north. The weather is very difficult for even the best-built structures. Water always finds a way in during the rainy season- bugs, mold, mildew follow, usually in places that are difficult to uncover. It’s the dirty little secret of “paradise”. You made a very rational decision.
As a person who has been diagnosed with micotoxin illness due to a water leak in my relatives home, my advice is, do NOT skip mold testing and remediation if you plan to stay in your house.
the weather was amazing, so was the food, so were the people I met... A really good time considering that I was kind of without a house during these weeks!
Justine, you don't need a permit to fix the leaks in the roof, only if you want to change the roof by, say, putting in a velux window. Get the roof fixed first, perhaps in a temporary way, just to make sure no more water gets in, and install the heating. Ask the neighbours what kind of heating is cheapest/most appropriate where you are. You don't need a permit to install heating either. Be VERY careful about Spain!! I was in Valencia too, and I thought it was so nice that I decided to move there. Once I had done that, I realised that making a living there is all but impossible, and, as that is the case, a lot of people there will do their very best to trick you into spending all your money and you may find yourself driving home with little more than the shirt on your back!! Sorry, I know that's not what you want to hear, but don't say you weren't warned.
You need a permit to get urgent repairs done to the roof? That's crazy! Congrats for getting lots of work done despite the situation. And yes, I would love to see the festival you went to 😁
Hi, Justine. In the USA, we normally have real-estate inspected before we purchase it. In other words, we’d know what all the problems are in a house and often negotiate price changes based on this. So sorry your lovely home has so many issues. I hope you make it as beautiful as you are one day!!
Wow! When you post, Justine, your news is BIG news☔️ What a situation… First, I am grateful to your friend who opened her home to you! Second, I’m not surprised that you put your nose to the grindstone! Your work ethic has always been admirable. More: I would LOVE to learn more of the fashion history! Please create a video for us! Lastly, I hope your architect can speed up the process. You seem a reasonable woman (Americans tend to not be so under such circumstances; I am one and I am often embarrassed & stunned by our culture’s behaviors… it has been worse since isolation from covid) You seem to have handled it in stride, tho you wouldn’t have filmed any meltdowns! Did I hear a hint of consideration towards moving to Spain? Please keep us updated! Wishing you a hUge break re: permits etc! Reminds me of the movie “Under The Tuscan Sun” starring Diane Lane! One of my favorite comfort films! If you haven’t seen it, Justine, I think you might enjoy ❤ from NorthEast USA
Here in Australia, we have same regulations and similar delay time frames to get renovations done. And yes - tarps when it rains - we had to use them too. When we bought our post war derelict in the late 1990's, we started on plans and inspections immediately, submitting plans to council and then looked for finance. Same time frame delays here too. Structural work always takes priority, and is the most common rookie mistake ppl make. Our roof was collapsing, the walls spreading, and it still took 3 years to get inspections then plans drawn up, approval and find finance, and start work. But because of unforseen problems we lived in lock up for 7 years. Renovation is a work of love and passion. Never buy a historic building unless youre in it for the long haul! Looks like you have it sorted and have the determination to stick with it. Shes been waiting for someone to love her enough to spend the money and time to restore her. Good luck...look forward to the results.
So sorry to hear about your struggles with your house. It takes a lot of love and devotion (and unfortunately money) to bring such a beautiful historic structure into modern times. Wishing you the best! ❤
Wishing you all the best with your home renos, Justine. I can imagine this being extremely stressful. I’m impressed that you’ve been able to find a silver lining in the inspiration you received in Spain. Thank you for sharing all of this; you’ve inspired me in turn.
roof goes first, that's correct you have to do an emergency roof repair and deal with whatever problems they cause you, because otherwise the structure will get damaged or worse eg fungus you have to get an emergency repair from a roofer, top priority next, make sure the electrics are safe
You can also get a very inexpensive but good quality Tarpaulin / Bâche de protection marque "Werckmann", 4 x 6 mètres for 12.99 euros at any "Action" store in the bricolage section; you can piece a few together if need be with a rolled over-fold and duct tape / ruban adhésif grey in the same aisle. I have seen people use old tires to hold them securely on the roof.
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Most important, you are safe and sound. We watch your vid from anywhere.
Hi Justine, I live in Saudi Arabia and the link says it’s not secure to connect, pls advise
does Surfshark work with mac's security system? I had problems with other VPNs.
Hi Justine......as an architect the structural sound of the building is number 1 and the inside is second......I have been looking to buy a house in France and I am trying to be as thorough as possible and most of all not fall in love with heritage properties as for personal experience is a long and expensive process. Justine don't get sick please
😅
In Australia if there is storm damage or an unexpected damage to your roof, we cover it with tarpaulins (large waterproof sheets) until the repair is made. It keeps the water out while you are waiting. I hope this information helps you, water damage in the walls can cause dangerous black mould to grow, which can make you very sick. Fingers crossed you are able to get it fixed sooner rather than later.
In Canada too.
Too true-- we had black mold and had to tear down three rooms to the bare supports, bleach it out, and rebuild them.
Sorry your house is a money-pit! Very unfortunate. Take care!
In UK too.
Black mold is serious. Years ago, it infected the building where I was working and we were laid off for months because it took a long time and a lot of work to get rid of it.
This reminds me of the film Under the Tuscan Sun - based on true story of a woman who buys a villa in Tuscany and all the challenges she comes up against, including getting things done with permits and other red tape. It’s really eye opening - the idyllic homes we see on film take a lot of work, money and patience to maintain! That said, I know if anyone can make it work it’s you Justine!
I also referenced that movie! It’s one of my favs❤
I thought the same ❤
Having myself moved to Italy and renovated an old house, I can confirm that the stories are all true! 😄 Keeping my fingers crossed for your project, Justine!
SO true - in The Netherland they made a whole (multiple season) show about people moving abroad into old homes and the catastrophes that follow.
Under the Tuscan Sun is one of my favourite movies. Glad to know that you know this movie.
You did not run away; you made a tactical retreat to regroup😊 You’ll get there in time and your home will be just as beautiful as you’d wanted!
Yes, please! Videos from España would be appreciated. I love everything about that region - the food, the art, the architecture and especially the people. I would be delighted to learn about fashion ❤
And if I consider, Justine might make it in her fabulous way, I just can't wait ❤
I'd love vidros from there, as well!
Seconding this comment!
If you come again to Valencia, visite the museo de la seda, you would love it. 😊
@@allall8329 yes, it would be truly inspirational for sure
I’m so sorry you had to deal with that situation. It sounds so stressful and unfortunately it’s not over yet. Hoping your permits come through quickly and that the roof repair is affordable!
Most people would have caved under so many problems. I probably would had had a breakdown and here you are with a smile on your face. You are amazing. So sorry for all you’re going through. Wishing you miracles along the way.
I believe home renovation is one of the most stressful experiences a person can go through, but Mme Leconte seems to have first rate stress management skills. It’s admirable.
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I am so sorry that you had to leave the roses, despite the physical deprivations. You have showed Courage Plus.
I totally understand the pain of renovation. Once you find one problem, more just cascade after. One project turns into 10 projects. And finding and hiring the right people takes forever 😫. We are there right now. Good luck with your house renovation, too. It will be beautiful when completed. 🙏🏽❤️
I learned when renovating my apt (joining 2 apts and living there throughout 😮), you learn the true meaning of the words “as long as.” Well- “as long as you are doing [ FILL IN] you may as well do [FILL IN].” I became a nervous wreck and developed a facial tic. It magically went away once the 16 month project was done. Misery, thou are renovation 😢.
@@GiftSparks At the closing meeting, my husband told the seller we weren't changing anything. We're changing EVERYTHING now 🤣! It just snowballed out of control.
@@dominiqueuniquenique9752 Sure-- as long as you are doing THIS you may as well take care of THAT! I will never live through another renovation again.
Good thing is at least you guy own something 🙏 Which isn't my case and I am not alone in that
You poor thing! Keep your courage and lovely smile. I completely understand with the challenges of restoration. We are on our 13th year of renovating a 400 year-old convent in central France. For many winters, we would have literal icicles in the house! That was not bad at all in comparison with other problems we faced. But, despite all, it is becoming gorgeous (and finally sort of warm enough) It is worth the wait and the inconveniences. Keep up the great work! I love your channel.
Amazing you can't fix your house without permits and it takes a year to get all that in order. Ridiculous, really. I'm glad you have the ability to find another place to wait it out.
The same applies to many European countries. The administration times may vary, but most countries require permits for almost everything. Also every regions property taxes are based on things such as calculated living space (with windows and heating), number of bedrooms, bathrooms and in some cases the materials used indoors. Italy is alot tougher than France as regulations are more detailed and vary entirely by region, and include the shape and color you may be permitted for a swimming pool build to be given the green light. Hard for an American to wrap their head around until you stop and think what it is that pulls millions of tourists to these places every year? This is how they managed to keep the Tuscan countryside views basically the same (or very similar) through the ages. You go for the scenery, the architechture and culture of ehich these things are the bedrock. If everyone coukd do whatever through simple ownership Europe would look like some areas of the US and none of the several thousand year old cultural and regional charm would remain visible.
That's true and also sad. The thousand year old charm is there, but people suffer because of that. Tourist can see perfect scenery, but locals have leaking roofs and not heated houses because of it. It's the same in my country. Justine is lucky covid is gone, because we had to wait for permits for more than a year during those fun times. And couldn't leave houses at the same time.
You need permits and the towns’ permission for a lot of construction or additions, as well, in the USA. There are also zoning issues in certain neighborhoods that won’t allow certain things. And some people have HOA’s, or Home Owners Association that they pay every month in certain neighborhoods and the HOA control a lot of things
Of course you need a permit for construction! Isn't it the same in the USA in specific places with character? I've been to Washington DC. Georgetown was a doll. Are people able to knock down and rebuild anything they want without a permit there? How do they make sure that the character of the town will be preserved?
@@frosting6439yes. It varies greatly here, from state to state and county to county. There are definitely still places to go where getting permits will be pretty easy.
Would love to see a video about Spain and fashion history! I hope things start to run more smoothly for your renovation, it will be worth it in the end I’m sure!
Yes, please do a video about historical fashion in Spain.
I love that you're so honest about the frustration that you have faced
Hang in there Justine. You will survive this and come out stronger. I can’t believe the amount of stress you’ve been going through. When things calm down a bit, would love to see your journey on how you manage stress and still ended up with such a productive period in work. Best of luck - we’re all rooting for you.
Stop lying. You don't come out stronger --- you come out broke, in debt, and stressed out.
I deeply empathize with this since I've always struggled with old-Europe-charm houses. Your calm, positivity and irony are always so refreshing and empowering!
Despite such frustrating event in your life, you manage to keep it cool and managed to storytell without any hint of bitterness. Such an amazing quality you have. That's pretty much admirable!
Hope your not dealing with mold now. Its terrible when we purchase property with unknown underlying issues. I am certain you will get the renovations done and that home in France will be magnificent. Staying tuned.
First of all, do be wary of mold issues with all that moisture in an old building! My husband and I were just looking to buy a house, and could not because it was simply not fit to live in on account of mold due to moisture, though the interior looked perfectly fine to the naked eye. Secondly, you look radiant in that color and makeup!
Yes.. I’m with a French man, we moved from Creuse to Indre last March. My partner searched and searched for houses with good roofs. Last summer was so hot for us. We now hate hot weather. Our decorating has had to be postponed over winter though to wait for a minimum of 11 degrees night for the paint to dry! …and we still have boxes everywhere 😩
So sorry to read you are having similar struggles! Hope it’s resolved in a reasonable manner moving forward 👍🙏🏻
I am so sorry to hear of your house project problems! There is always at least one unpleasant (& expensive) surprise when restoring a house. I truly hope your permit is issued very soon and the carpenter queue shortens!
My heart goes out to you - the house looks so charming, and I can only imagine the frustration and disappointment of this turn of events! I hope your chapter in the long story of this home will take a brighter turn. Yes, please do the fashion history video!
Dear Justine~Thank you for being so honest about your house situation! Most people just show how wonderful their lives are but you are always so true and logical!!
You will get through this! I know you will 😊 ! Take care and good luck ❤
Dear Justine, I really admire you! You are a very strong and patient person. I am sure sooner or later everything will be resolved! keep us posted 😊I love your vlogs and life’s approach!
actually... I'm not a patient person. I like to get going and to get things done. So having to be patient is quite the challenge if I'm honest 😕
@@justineleconte can relate to this! My life has brought me, a non patient person, challenge after challenge that require patience. Ugh. So everybody sees me as patient but it’s a hard earned learned skill that I actually don’t feel so good at. But I think that you really love the house and so you have evaluated that it will be worth it. Thanks for the video ❤ good luck!
She is not that patient. She wanted the house to be done in 6 months or so..... But that's a quality in her case because I believe it can make one productive and effective as a business person :)
You can do this, Justine! Over wintering in Spain never sounds like a bad idea and you have the fortitude to see your dream reno to its conclusion...
I love Spain! My husband and I walked the Camino Frances (890km) and loved the culture and lifestyle. Would love to see what you have planned with the inspiration Spain gave you. Good luck Justine with your home, renovations are rarely straightforward 💛
What a nightmare, you are so reasonable and calm about all the setbacks, I would have melted under the stress xx
hehehe I'm talking about it months after it happened. I wasn't chilled back then, believe me 🙃
@@justineleconte I bet you're beautiful when you're angry 😁😊
@@himenyx153 Lol I know right?!
@@himenyx153 never heard the old saying?talk about inserting yourself, maybe you should go try that. any relation to Eva, Alice?
@@catspaw3815 Most people have heard that saying. Most women find it patronising and dismissive.
As a house-owner who is renovating it herself, I know that the relationship between you and your house will always be a sort of a hate-love one. No matter how much you love it, it will give you brakedowns. You will cry a little, you will curse a little and you will even slam doors sometimes...and than you pull yourself together and continue working on your little 'safe-haven-paradise-castle'. It's like a Marathon or climbing the Mount Everest, but it is worth it! The house will be yours not because you bought it, but because you created it.
What a disaster! In France are home inspections required before the purchase of real estate? Where I live the bank won't give you a mortgage loan until the house has passed inspection first. Roof inspection is mandatory. Any major repairs must be done by the seller before the sale is completed. Hope time passes quickly for you and all the repairs go smoothly. So sorry you had to go through so much stress!
Fashion History sounds like fun, Spains fashion at the festival looked delicious.
I'm so sorry this tragedy is happening to you! I'm wondering why these serious structural problems weren't disclosed prior to sale. The owners must have known about these and possibly other problems. In the US, a prospective home buyer can get the house inspected from roof to cellar prior to making an offer; so helpful. Good luck, dear Heart. I'm hoping everything goes well for you.
Yes in the UK also especially with a building of that age we would pay for a complete structural survey which would red flag issues. Sorry for all your trouble Justine!
True is, she bought a bargin. Very low price is usually good indicator that sth is off.
In France too. I guess this young lady did a lot wrong… Now she is complaining but when you buy, you thoroughly check what you buy and most of all, you have to consider if you are capable of doing the renovation…
The house in France looks so dreamy! It's a big renovation project but I'm hoping it will all be sorted out soon. I admire your optimism and focus during such a stressful time. I also like that you found something good to do in Spain. Sometimes hard times lead us to where we are supposed to be. I'd love to see a video about the outfits from the carnival. Wish you all the best and looking forward to next video as always.
How on earth are you so positive ❤
I would have cried a river by now!
I live in a coastal area of the US where we have a very long hurricane season, and I’ve seen how terrible it is when a storm rolls through and creates/exposes all sorts of problems in a house! But your property is gorgeous, so I hope you can get the issues resolved so your place is livable in all seasons. Bonne chance!
Sorry to hear what happened. Hope everything will be sorted out this year 🤞🤞The video idea regarding history of fashion sounds amazing.
So sorry to hear about your troubles with your beautiful home in France. It stood for so long before you moved in and please have hope that it will be resurrected! How nice that you were able to spend time in Spain. Hope all goes well with the renovations moving forward.
Yes, interested in seeing the amazing costumes from Spain, and anything else you found inspirational. Good luck with the renovations!
Justine! you are a hero ! Upon seeing the video I sadly thought you have left France for good. But now I am so happy you just left for a while and you are back to face the big process of renovating your home. Glad you are in good spirits and we have you back! Cheers from Toronto to you and to Provance,eh?
Yes, please do that video on the fashion history of Spain. I love learning about different countries, historical dresses, and celebrations x
Happy to hear you felt welcomed in Spain, hope the house issues get sorted out soon. Come visit us whenever you need
This just gets to show once again that we never know what someone is dealing with. I hope that from this point everything goes more smoothly🤞you're extremely resilient
It’s to your credit that you still remain upbeat despite the set backs! You have amazing problem solving skills and enormous tenacity! Keep going! ❤
I just finished this adorable vintage memoir titled A Year in Provence. It's all about an English chap who buys a little villa to renovate, and it sounds like the process has not changed since the 1980s! There's a lot of wry humour around how the lining up of permits and carpenters just takes SO LONG, and how eventually the writer learns to play the system. You might find it a good commiserate read!
Justine, so very sorry about your renovation challenges. I also moved into a home that was virtually derelict but with a beautiful water and woods view and the house had good design. It has been totally worth all the challenges. Sending you support and applause. Also, would love to hear more about Valencia 🌹🌹🌹
As an (american) architect, you have my sympathies for your living situation and the renovation time and hassles. I am looking forward to the video from Spain and also for updates on the renovation! Good luck!
uuuf, this is one of the good things about the U.S. vs. Europe. While of course it varies from place to place, but overall, even with the post-pandemic supply and labor issues, I am currently building a brand new house plus a major renovation on an existing one in my state of Virginia and we are moving at a much faster pace. We also have a lot of permitting required, too, but it takes days or weeks, not months. Wishing you much progress and solutions, Justine! It will be stunning and fabulous once you get there. P.S. the roses at your front door are to die for!
Not in the Netherlands, we bought our house during pandemic and did not have any problems with labors and materials at all. We also completely renovated the house.
@@shaiXder fantastic! Everywhere is different.
Saying a prayer for you. Keeping a watch for things to improve quickly.
The traditional costumes of Valencia are a work of art for people interested in fashion and crafts.❤
Much love Justine…sorry you’re going through so much . With you all the way it will get better you are strong. I’m 73 years young. Looking forward to Spanish fashion history. My mum family are Spanish. I married a Kiwi ( New Zealand er). Love your videos. 🌟💜🍒
Oh Justine, this is such frustrating news! Looking forward to whatever you want to share with us next - Spain, France, house, garden, fashion, food, festivals,... whatever you do will be interesting!
I’m surprised that this was not discovered by your engineer while the house was under review…. Also surprised that French law doesn’t protect you from ‘sellers’ who dont expose the truth regarding major problems with a property that is being sold. It is a law here in America. Sorry that has happened to you Justine. You are such a good person. Wondering if you reached out to the sellers Realtor or attorney if you could come to some sort of agreement?
Wishing you luck with the renovations, it sounds intensely frustrating. 😣
I’d love to hear about the fashion history of the festival.
How wonderful is your resilience; inspiring. I rented a house in Aveyron for several years that was impossible to heat, no insulation, single pane windows. I used it as my photography studio but the near zero temperatures inside drove me out. Of course, I retired, left France, and now live in Morocco. Happiness.
I feel your pain, Justine. It will be worth it in the end. I can't wait to see how this progresses. I feel sorry for you, Justine. Hang in there! I love Provence. It's gonna be manifique!
We had over 20 buckets (large) in our house when we moved in and mushrooms growing out of two walls as they were damp even in the summer .... roof fixed which was not straight forward as the slate tiles on the rear are an unusual size and took a while to source and no more rain. The house is mid 1400's has no heating and was as cold inside as outside in the winter. We put some sheepswool in the roof space and re lime plastered the walls. We wear more clothes when it's cold, heat one room and cooking keeps the kitchen warm. We accepted the house would be on the colder side but the joys of living in an old, unspoiled building, outweigh that inconvenience.
Oh Justine, I am so sorry to hear about your house in France. It must have been so stressful and takes so much time and headspace. I cannot even begin to fathom what you've been through, all in parallel to running your two businesses. That's resilience! Wishing you all the best for the upcoming months!
I have a suggestion Justine about the house… A gut job… Keep the exterior of the house but remove everything inside (walls, plumbing, etc. )and start with new materials… It’ll save you a lot of money in the long run and you’ll have something designed to your specifications exactly. Also you can remove anything of value before you begin. The exterior of the house is beautiful and of course definitely worth saving. And of course you need a new roof.
Hoping all the best for you Justine! Nevertheless, hope you don't let go of your French home. It looks absolutely stunning.
it's a set back, I lost a battle... but not the war 😆 Not giving up!
@@justineleconte So glad you were able to stay safe during the heat wave. Looking forward to more house adventures!
Family friends bought near Avignon about 20 years ago. Took several years to complete the renovations. It's a lovely home now.
Qué pena lo de la casa... Espero que se solucione pronto y que no sea muy caro.
Me encanta escuchar que España te inspira, y la fiesta de las Fallas es espectacular, es una explosión de creatividad y talento. Buena Suerte Justine! Gracias por tus videos.
There's a great scene in the series 'Au service de la France' where the main characters are sitting around a table with a gigantic stack of forms that all need to be stamped. All you hear in a rhythmic chant is 'tamponne, tamponne, double tamponne'... I think this seems to highlight the love that France seems to have with forms!
Best of luck with the renovations! I hope going forwards that any indoor water features are intentional and part of a design.
I empathise completely, having gone through massive Reno's myself. You are very, very brave to face it all with such poise. Courage!!!!!
After the storms in Sydney Australia, I had to wait 8 months for a roofer, I’m not the only one, I had a temporary patches and plastic bins. Had to throw out a lot. Now my wooden floors are curling up. Cement render is cracking, but I love this place, it’s my paradise. Hang in there.
Ugh, what an ordeal! But it sounds like some great things have come out of it. How wonderful that you were so inspired by your unplanned evacuation! You will overcome the challenges and make that a beautiful and amazing home for yourself, I’m sure! Looking forward to seeing the journey unfold. Yes please, to a video about fashion history from Spain! Stay strong, Justine!
We are renovating a cottage, the only things going for it are a new roof, and rewiring. So while it doesn't leak, here I am in the one partly insulated rooms (thanks to us), with an electric heater, ugg boots, warm pyjamas, and a pure wool rug layered up on my lap. It's 3 degrees outside. We are going wall by wall, taking them off (flood damaged at some point) adding insulation, then applying lining boards. There is so much work to do - put in a kitchen, retile the bathroom, the list goes on and on. Keep the faith, and have that image in your head to inspire you - that's what I am doing.
Justine, I am so sorry for all the trouble you're finding to build your house in France. I really hope everything is solved and you can settle in as soon as possible. Best of luck to you!
As a Spaniard myself, I am glad that you can counter that stress in this beautiful country and yes, I would LOVE to watch a video where you analyze the folk fashion of Valencia (as a side note, if you look at other traditional outfits in the north of Spain, you will see many similarities between them, but the southern flamenco dresses are the "typical spanish", but kind of exclusive of Andalusia 😉). In any case, I hope you have a nice staying in Spain and gather your strength and patience to deal with any obstacle.
Cheers!
Yes, snow bird will be you for a few years. We did that working on one of our places. Another recommendation for industrial tarps to cover your roof, if allowed, until the work is done. Mold, for sure, another recommendation to watch. Regular inspections and keeping up on the progress is key. You can do it!
I’ve just moved to France from California and am astounded by how much energy I spend on trying to navigate broken websites, trails to incredible frustration! Government websites with phone numbers that are disconnected and have been for years, yet seem to be the only link to a vital appointment or piece of paper🤣.
I’ve been thinking about it for the past few months and have developed all kinds of theories. Having to do with things that I adore about France in other contexts, like Socialism, like the love of connection and personal interaction, the love for history and the elaborate, the private part that says “That’s his problem, not mine” (I m guessing Co-Dependence Anonymous probably doesn’t have a lot of French members, though I could be wrong.) The slowness of life, without monetizing everything, as we Americans tend to do; where work is part of life, but not usually central to happiness. I’m sure there are many other explanations. The educational system, the rigidity of structures, the Napoleonic Code!
It’s as if the very things that I love and appreciate are the things that’s are driving me absolutely NUTS!
I’m thinking the solution is what you did. I’m concluding that when necessary, I need to take a literal or metaphorical “trip to Espagne”!
I do know, and have experienced time and again, wherever I live, to not be in opposition to whatever is coming at me.
So dearest Justine, I am so admiring of your surfing these incredibly difficult waves! But every thing you have learned in your life and your business is serving you so well in this new context. You have got this! Whatever you decide, I am excited for you.
Look at how you have created structures and systems (and wonderful friendships) to care for what matters most to you.
Soon (or rather, in Provençal time) you will be including your beautiful house in your sphere.
With affection and admiration and bisous.
You might want to think twice about socialism. It only succeeds when there are plenty of natural resources and a healthy dose of free market is injected into it, as in Sweden and similar countries. It will tilt sideways if immigration isn't handled in a moderate way, though. The homogeneity (not the diversity) of parenting mores are what created the beautifully mannered culture. (I absolutely loved the book "Bringing Up BeBe.") Their focus on enjoying life can make every day special no matter where you live, if applied. The new politics of being "green" is troubling - whole fields full of abandoned vehicles purchased by the government with tax payer money, for example. Why? Because no one thought of asking how much replacement batteries would cost. Those vehicles will disintegrate, functionally, before that is fixed. Letting the state rule people's medical decisions (while lying to them about the real science) has not worked out well ANYWHERE it has been implemented. We are seeing the logical conclusion of that with unexpectedly high death rates following the rollout of a certain experimental drug whose technology is powerful, but uncontrollable. Too many died quickly (with the obvious cause denied) and others are dying of inflammation r/t the body's confusion about what is and what isn't self. The state should not be the arbiter of what is and is not good for people in quite a lot of different areas of life. Why did you leave California?
I remember thinking, “Oh, no,” when you announced that you’d bought a “fixer upper” in southern France. My sister and brother-in-law had the same experience and after 7 years they discovered that the repairs would never end, so they’ve finally sold and moved on. I hope you have a better outcome!
Keeping everything crossed for your renovations now. Well done for long going through all the stress. A Valencia video would be wonderful, thank you! 😊
Old houses always need renovation and repair somewhere. Tarps over the roof and then drying out the house which will take time. Good luck, Justine! It will be a great house - eventually. Don't give up!
I was just watching your videos earlier. 😄 It really is the same here in Germany, we needed an electrician and a plumber and it was a nightmare. Keeping my fingers crossed for you and your lovely house that you can get the roof fixed and the rest set in motion.
Thank goodness for amazing friends!
I get the permit system. I'm in the US, it just makes sense to me. It helps to make sure the work is getting done properly because part of the permit process is passing inspections. Especially in historic dwellings, were you have to meet code in some aspects but also are required to maintain the integrity of the structure. In the US, if you're adding on to a dwelling, making alterations to electrical or plumbing (like, replacing it), having any sort of abatement done, or putting a new roof on, etc... it all requires permitting. That might mean the person you hire is permitted by the gov't to do the work and you just need an inspection afterwards or you need to pull the permit with the city to make sure you're complying with codes and everything done is up to code and safe. In fact, in the US, if proper permits aren't pulled and say, an electrical fire happens in a room you added on and didn't get permitted, insurance may not cover the damage and if you decide to sell, that $$ you put into that addition won't even enter into the property's valuation. I'm just honestly baffled that you don't secure a contractor first and then get the permits. Here in the US, permits expire, so you have to have your contractor on board and then they go and do all the permit pulling. Your contractor or your architect.
So sorry this is happening to you, and so glad you're ok ... We're having our own challenges here with our house, and wondering if inspections are required there. We had one when we were looking at ours to make sure the important systems like plumbing and roof were up to code ... Holding for you ease and flow - and speedy renovations! ❤
I lived in France for a year as an English teacher in Provence and hearing your accent is really making me miss living there!
So great to see this video. Totally understand the hurdles you have to jump over to do your Reno. Fingers crossed 🤞🏼 it moves forward this year! You’ve taken on a huge project and it will be worth it in the end.
Would love to see more videos from your stay in Spain!!
The typical dress of Valencia is one of the most beautiful and expensive of all the dresses in Spain. I remember being dressed like that as a child and feeling so very special. I would love to have a couple of pieces done as an adult. I’m so glad you got to experience Valencia during a massive celebration. It’s so special.
Keep the faith Justine! Everything will work out just fine for you I'm sure ❤
You will overcome these tribulations Justine and you will look back on this period and know how strong you are!.
Ouh la la, what an update!! Je me doutais bien que tu étais très occupée. Géniale cette inspiration de l'Espagne, c'est vrai que déjà, ce pays est une fête au niveau des couleurs, moi qui adore le jaune, orange, couleurs flashy, j'adore ce que l'on peut y trouver et voir en termes de vêtements, architecture. Very inspiring! 'Merde' avec tous les permis et l'architecte...
I just recently moved to an apartment which i thought was great…until i moved in. I also had to wait for months for approval and now nothing is still straightforward with planning and renovations. It was also very expensive that I had to do a lot of extra time at work to compensate. I understand that you have to do some renovations but on the onset i can see that it is a lovely and charming house. Hopefully, it is worth it at the end. Good luck to your project and other endeavours! Keep us updated!❤
Bonjour Justine !
Merci pour votre vidéo ❤
Yes, we would be interested in your videos you made in Spain. Greetings from Germany 😊
Noted!
Oh goodness the same reason I left Florida for saner parts north. The weather is very difficult for even the best-built structures. Water always finds a way in during the rainy season- bugs, mold, mildew follow, usually in places that are difficult to uncover. It’s the dirty little secret of “paradise”. You made a very rational decision.
As a person who has been diagnosed with micotoxin illness due to a water leak in my relatives home, my advice is, do NOT skip mold testing and remediation if you plan to stay in your house.
You are so strong to persevere under such stressful circumstances. I will continue to follow you on your channel.
So glad Spain was good to you! xxxm
the weather was amazing, so was the food, so were the people I met... A really good time considering that I was kind of without a house during these weeks!
Justine, you don't need a permit to fix the leaks in the roof, only if you want to change the roof by, say, putting in a velux window. Get the roof fixed first, perhaps in a temporary way, just to make sure no more water gets in, and install the heating. Ask the neighbours what kind of heating is cheapest/most appropriate where you are. You don't need a permit to install heating either. Be VERY careful about Spain!! I was in Valencia too, and I thought it was so nice that I decided to move there. Once I had done that, I realised that making a living there is all but impossible, and, as that is the case, a lot of people there will do their very best to trick you into spending all your money and you may find yourself driving home with little more than the shirt on your back!! Sorry, I know that's not what you want to hear, but don't say you weren't warned.
You need a permit to get urgent repairs done to the roof? That's crazy! Congrats for getting lots of work done despite the situation. And yes, I would love to see the festival you went to 😁
Hi, Justine. In the USA, we normally have real-estate inspected before we purchase it. In other words, we’d know what all the problems are in a house and often negotiate price changes based on this. So sorry your lovely home has so many issues. I hope you make it as beautiful as you are one day!!
Wow! When you post, Justine, your news is BIG news☔️ What a situation… First, I am grateful to your friend who opened her home to you! Second, I’m not surprised that you put your nose to the grindstone! Your work ethic has always been admirable. More: I would LOVE to learn more of the fashion history! Please create a video for us! Lastly, I hope your architect can speed up the process. You seem a reasonable woman (Americans tend to not be so under such circumstances; I am one and I am often embarrassed & stunned by our culture’s behaviors… it has been worse since isolation from covid) You seem to have handled it in stride, tho you wouldn’t have filmed any meltdowns! Did I hear a hint of consideration towards moving to Spain? Please keep us updated! Wishing you a hUge break re: permits etc! Reminds me of the movie “Under The Tuscan Sun” starring Diane Lane! One of my favorite comfort films! If you haven’t seen it, Justine, I think you might enjoy ❤ from NorthEast USA
Here in Australia, we have same regulations and similar delay time frames to get renovations done. And yes - tarps when it rains - we had to use them too. When we bought our post war derelict in the late 1990's, we started on plans and inspections immediately, submitting plans to council and then looked for finance. Same time frame delays here too. Structural work always takes priority, and is the most common rookie mistake ppl make. Our roof was collapsing, the walls spreading, and it still took 3 years to get inspections then plans drawn up, approval and find finance, and start work. But because of unforseen problems we lived in lock up for 7 years. Renovation is a work of love and passion. Never buy a historic building unless youre in it for the long haul! Looks like you have it sorted and have the determination to stick with it. Shes been waiting for someone to love her enough to spend the money and time to restore her. Good luck...look forward to the results.
I’m very sorry you had to go through this… I hope that everything works out well, sending you good vibes 🤗
Thank you for the update. 🎉
So sorry to hear about your struggles with your house. It takes a lot of love and devotion (and unfortunately money) to bring such a beautiful historic structure into modern times. Wishing you the best! ❤
Yes, this all sounds very exciting. Perhaps meant to be? Inspiring?
Wishing you all the best with your home renos, Justine. I can imagine this being extremely stressful. I’m impressed that you’ve been able to find a silver lining in the inspiration you received in Spain. Thank you for sharing all of this; you’ve inspired me in turn.
Bon courage pour les rénovations ! Bravo de faire ce choix d'aller au bout
je suis trèèèès loin d'être au bout, et il va falloir revoir mes timings et mes priorités... mais je ne lache pas l'affaire 😀
roof goes first, that's correct
you have to do an emergency roof repair and deal with whatever problems they cause you, because otherwise the structure will get damaged or worse eg fungus
you have to get an emergency repair from a roofer, top priority
next, make sure the electrics are safe
So happy you had a friendo to rey on darling hard times. I wich you success and a way Forwarded on your house!
Thank you so much!
Spain is an amazing place to live and be inspired. Go every winter. Good luck with this season of renovations.
Oh Justine, how awful! I hope all will go well and I send you lots of positive energy and strength 💝
Your complexion reflects how much more relaxed you seem. You glow! Good luck on your home! Love your videos.
You can also get a very inexpensive but good quality Tarpaulin / Bâche de protection marque "Werckmann", 4 x 6 mètres for 12.99 euros at any "Action" store in the bricolage section; you can piece a few together if need be with a rolled over-fold and duct tape / ruban adhésif grey in the same aisle. I have seen people use old tires to hold them securely on the roof.