BobJ1973

Thanks for that input Sprogster, that has just about confirm my thought over the last 24 Hours. Renting it will be !!! 

Thanks everyone for all the helpfull advice. Its prompted a conversation with my local estate agent this afternoon on the subject of letting my property in the foreseeable future. My son is in the RAF and has just spent almost 3 years in Gibraltar enjoying the sun, but whilst overseas, he was renting out his own property in the UK. Sadly he experienced some problems with tenants, which had slightly put us off the idea of doing something similar ourselves. Obviously like so many other people, we were also attracted by the far better value for money for property in France in the areas which we were attracted to, so hence the thought we would purchase. It was only when I started to investigate the Agency & Notaire fees that I realised the massive difference to the UK system. 3% total in the UK for Solicitors & Estate agents fees can quickly be covered, but anything upto 15-20% in France for what would be at best a short sojourn was not realistic. Thanks again for all the replies, I'm sure I'll be calling on your collective wisdom in the coming months. Regards Bob & Aileen J

Thanks Sue for the info, it was just a sample property, as we are still a little way off the move, but it's one of the areas we particularly like having spent some time in Locmariaquer just a few years ago. Regards Bob & Aileen J

Thanks for the replies. It would seem Rental is the recommended option, and I've had a look at the Immobilier | Annonces immobilières | Achat, vente immobilier avec Logic-immo.com website which has many properties for rent. This one is typical of the type of property we'd be considering http://www.logic-immo.com/detail-loc...1c8fd7ad97.htm Can't see with my very limited French from the ad, whether this property is unfurnish and if so would this normally be available for a minimum of upto 3 Years? I'm assuming the properties under the Tabs marked "Louer" and then select "Location" are for longterm rental and if so, is the quoted figure the rental price for a month, which I'm assuming is the case and what does the (1) next to the price signify. We will have a reasonable income from pensions, so I'm assuming that can be used rather than salary to meet any income requirements. Yes we would consider letting our property as one alternative, although as we are in the Northwest, rental income isn't that great and management fees and income tax will reduce this further. We've also considered a french new build as another option as I understand Agent and Notaire fees are lower, and I'd assumed the built house would have a higher value as in the Uk, but my assumptions maybe wrong on this. Any experience of buying Off-Plan. Thanks Bob

Hello All, We're about to retire and fancy spending a few years in France, but are concerned by the high levels of Agency and Notaire fees, which could make a real hole in our finances, were we to return to the UK in say 5 years. With the UK housing market showing signs of continued growth recently and the sluggish French housing market, our £250K budget could become a problem in being able to afford a similar 4 Bed property if we return. I'm considering whether renting as appose to buying might be a better option in view of the relatively short period we might want to be abroad. I'm looking for any advice on the pro's and con's of Renting v Buying given our thoughts that we may return to the UK in say 5 years approximately. Thanks in anticipation Bob J