MrsJaye

[quote user="alittlebitfrench"]LOOOOOK It is for sale with the Notaires....DO NOT PHONE THE OTHER ESTATE AGENT !!!!! https://www.immobilier.notaires.fr/fr/annonce-immo?idAnnonce=560707&typeTransaction=VENTE,VNI,VAE&page=1&parPage=12&localite=617[/quote] ??? wow that is some mark up!!!! Very valuable lesson learned!! - thank you ? So the Notaire is like the solicitor? And properties can be listed directly with them? Now I see the reluctance to give out details and how easy it would be to waste money on agents!!

Love the character of that one ALBF. I've requested details on that one and another with the same agent about 5 times as well as emailed direct. I ve emailed in French and English. Maybe they're on holiday as I receive nothing back. In your opinion, how realistic is the selling price? It comes with about 2 acres of land - any rural people.....do local farmers want grass keep for free in France?? I've 5.5 acres at home for my horses but if they don't get round to grazing the 2 acre paddock the local farmer happily cuts, bales and takes the bales as payment. Forgot to say, budget is around £35k

Thanks BB. We live rural now so also want rural France too so most of what is on offer in the locations we like are barns, some partially converted. I agree that doing the work yourself you can control the standard and it's not daunting to us.

Thanks for the advice ALBF. All renovated projects seem out of our budget, hence partially renovated. We are fortunate in that we can undertake all trades, except gas/oil heating so labour is free. We have no expectation of buying a place and making money, just to create a holiday home for long term use. Is there a website that shows actual sale prices of property rather than advertised prices?. Are the sale prices hugely inflated in these areas?

NormanH, thank you so much. That's exactly the kind of thing we are looking for. A bit further away from the area we wanted but only about 15 miles so both worth a look. Thank you.

Out of interest, is the area I am looking considered an 'expat area' - Normandy- Manche: Isigny La Buet and surrounding areas?

Many thanks for all the advice. Apologies, I should have been clearer in my original post. We are looking to purchase a holiday home in France, not to make a permanent move. We will use it in during school holidays mainly although when we eventually retire we would look to spending more time in France but not moving from the UK. We are experienced in renovating so will buy a 'project' as our budget is not huge. We wont be renting out, its just for our use or family and friends. We have friends who have a rural barn they have renovated near Isigny La Buet and have been coming out since 2006 so have a good knowledge of the area. We love the area too so this is where we are looking. Ive seen places we like near Marcilly and Reffuvielle so far. Some really useful information from you all - I dont know why I hadnt considered coming over in February half term but I will now and thanks for the advice of just seeing two properties a day. I think I was led to believe there were many empty properties about waiting to be sold but my experience is different so I will rethink our timescale. We are in no rush and its a longterm purchase so we will take our time. Thanks again :-)

Thanks for all the helpful replies. Im put off by telephone as I dont speak french, however, I am learning . We're in no hurry really....we will only go out in school holidays so if we don't find anything in October then we will be visiting for two weeks in April so can look again. Happy to wait to find the right place. This is a great forum and I will no doubt be regularly popping up asking questions and in time may be able to provide help myself :-) Thanks again.

I've emailed quite a few agents regarding properties for further information but get no reply. We want to visit in October for a few days with the intention of viewing as many places as possible and making an offer. I'm struggling to get a portfolio of property together. Is it better to come over and do it in person. Are agents open on weekends? Any advice appreciated. Thank you.