[darkbrowneggs]

Hi All - still no signs of my moving, mainly because the unbelievable agents never properly got the property on the market and now I am having to start all over with a new one.  But assuming I do eventually manage to sell it and move out it was crossing my mind as to whether to get something in France.  I shant need to spend all my money on a "bus" and it might be good to have somewhere to park up.


I have no inkling of the cost/value of properties in France Spain etc, so any info would be great 


Also what the weather is like in winter/summer etc   

[shygirl]

wev looked online at french propertys but they do seem more expensive than the north of scotland, where we are at the moment.
i have promised to myself that when the kids have left home, im going to rent out the house and buy a campervan and travel europe for 2 yrs. the sad thing is none of my dogs will still be alive to come with me 
i cant wait but iv 14 yrs to go.
have you read this book? its to blame for my travelling bug.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Marie-Potter-Campervan-Doom-ebook/dp/B00A7DS69W/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1379689552&sr=8-1&keywords=marie+potter

[MAK]

I do not know the prices of smallholdings in the north of France near the channel but they are pretty cheap around here.
There are a several web sites selling holiday retirement homes but if you are after a smallholding then you may prefer to hit local agents. Or simply drive around our area and phone up the relatives selling their parents fermette.
have a look at this site
http://housesoninternet.com/
Good luck.
 

[darkbrowneggs]

Thanks MAK - interesting site - I can see me spending a lot of time trawling through all the property on there. 


What are the unknown problems and pitfalls of buying something in France.  I have a great builder here and he says he is more than happy to stay out there and do work for me.  We have known each other for 30 odd years and get on really well.


I have only looked at a few but already thought I liked the look of this


http://www.housesoninternet.com/POC-848/EN.html


As and old-hand over there does it look good to you - obviously I don't need land just reasonably easy access for a30ft vehicle and somewhere to park it !!!!

[MAK]

In a word NO - too expensive !
A Belgium couple bought a 300 year old house in the village next to us 18 months ago and they drive down with their van and caravan and park it in their barn. The house cost 4,000 Euros and they only stay there in the summer so spent little on rennovation.
I am guessing that you don't need to be near an airport but good roads maybe needed. We chose a department ( La Creuse) in the Limosin because it is near Limoges airport ( flights to several UK airports) and we are just off the A20. It makes a big difference not to have to drive an hour to reach a main road.
The landscape is more interesting than the Charente but it has just 3 towns of 6-12 k people). Most live in clusters of houses and life is very rural !! It lends itself to smallholding in that homes come with land and there are markets and roadside stores to get feed etc. Climate is important so maybe research seasonal temperatures etc ( It will be 31 degrees here on Friday but -22 is the lowest we have clocked).
I would start with location - climate - growing season and maybe what is farmed in the area.
next communication.
Then house search.
Barn conversions are money pits.
Fermette is a house on the end of a barn ( usually with out buildings). It gives potential to get started whilst living in the house then maybe expanding living space into the barn.
I am happy to exchange thoughts via a PM if I can be of help.
Cheers Martin

[shygirl]

is there a price for the french and a price for the english? iv looked online at propertys and im on the email list etc but they seems so expensive.

heres one i got sent this week, looks lovely but i could get a cheaper croft here in scotland.
http://www.my-french-house.com/property-in-france/loire-valley/countryside-house/59232/

[Bionic]

Shygirl, I think that looks lovely. It would be very tempting. 

[shygirl]

Shygirl, I think that looks lovely. It would be very tempting.

yes, its gorgeous but not 4000 euros 

[darkbrowneggs]

Would you really get a lovely big house like that one and with old barns in Scotland for £177,000? 


Only asking as I may be in the property buying market before too long 

[shygirl]

if you go up right north or to one of the islands, you can get cheaper. not the same style or sun obviously.

[MAK]

Looks like quite a grand place Shygirl.
I think the international ( UK) web sites do up their prices but at least they give you a decent description and good photos. In general the French don't do web sites and little is sold on line. Local estate agents are terrible and they often omit to tell you that the property includes a second house or a garden down the lane. Local agents show terrible photos too so you do need some imagination.
We shortlisted 19 homes and in the end we made appointments to visit 9. We discovered recently vacated homes with no toilet, one with access to the upstairs rooms via a ladder in the barn and another with a second (better house) behind a barn that was no listed. The agents did not boundaries but generally you can find the yellow markers that identify plots.
I would suggest taking a week to visit the area you would like to live in whilst viewing a few properties to get a feel for what is on offer.
Oh - we have a barn we don't use and may sell. It has water and electric with a cellar and is generally sound.