½ûÂþÌìÌÃ

Why not build you own - to see whether they are effective?

There is time to pick up some of the language - I'd suggest the Michel Thomas CDs [you can usually get them on eBay for about £30 on the 'Buy Now' system] Its suprising what you can pick up from the CDs, just listening in the car or at home. Good Luck

the 'map of user location' [terrible title] shows some people in your area You could try a PM to them

"our contract is for two years and then we will probably return to the UK.Ìý" - I wouldn't bother for two years. "My husband would like to buy a car here for work as hire costs are extortionate - is it right that you have to beÌýresident to buy an ½ûÂþÌìÌà car?Ìý Is there any way around this?Ìý I have a UK car which we bought over.Ìý Unless I become resident and nationlise my car here, I think I have to bring it back to the UK before the end of the year for it's MOT?" - just buy a newish car next time your in UK - then no MOT required until you return to UK - and as you have a UK address , you can get uk based car insurance that covers being abroad all the time

"This has always been the case. The notary will not permit a non-½ûÂþÌìÌà speaking person to sign a contract in ½ûÂþÌìÌÃ." Not when I bought mine about 8 years ago - at least, not for my purchase [perhaps its one of those ½ûÂþÌìÌà laws that's ignored more than adhered to]

Unfortunately it is American - but some good info anyway Ìý

I've had good experiences with geometras, picking them by local recommendation.Ìý They are good 'hands-on' people, who [in my opinion] know what they are talking about I trained as a Civil Engineer, [back in the last Millenium], and I believe what you are looking at is non-structuralÌý [ie - if the render fell of, the building would remain standing and you could just re-render it].Ìý In which case, and experienced local geometra could easily look at it and say the render is OK. If you are worried about what is under the render, then its a different matter - you'd possibly need an Engineer to strip the render off to do a survey - but I don't think that's what you need [you say there isn't any cracking in the wall]Ìý Anyway, I would expect the Geometra to pick up the need for any such intrusive survey.Ìý If he recommends such a survey - I would walk away from the house

Here in the UK many of us can't wait for it to end! Ìý If World War 3 broke out - it might just make the last 5 minutes of the News programmes Ìý All there is to look forward to [whoever gets in] is cuts and raised taxes - Wonderful !!!!!!!!!!!