Hi everyone, new to site but would appreciate any advice .After a recent visit to Mayenne, we were offered a property in a nice village for £24,000 (obviously requiring work but fortunately within scope of expertise), although the deal is unusual to say the least. The vendor is a Irish lady about 61, who in recent times as suffered a little ill health,Fearing the worse she would like to sell the house for this very reasonable amount but remain in the house for the forseeable future.As we are only in late 40,s with no chance of moving permanently to France for a good 15-20 years, would never have a budget of more than £30-40,000 to buy a property, but do have the enthusiasm and ability to renovate it slowly over a number of years. The deal we are close to finalising would see the vendor staying in the property rent free for a ten year period,after which time if she is still there she would be liable for a rent of 200 euros per month. The way we see it for the above reasons, is at least the house wont be empty, were doing the old girl a good turn, in 15-20 years we may have a nicely renovated, paid for house in France to retire to, and even if we never get to live in the house it,s an investment for our pension or to leave the kids.Does anyone out there think it,s not a bad idea, or have we gone insane.