Well, we bit the bullet and informed the agent that the place had arrived 12 months too early for us. If they were able to find a trustworthy custodian for a year, maybe we could be persuaded, but I doubt it. If it is still available in 12 months, who knows??? Assuming we restart our searching in 12-15 months, can anyone recommend either:- 1) an inxpensive region with easy flight access to UK (generally south-ish, we were looking in Vendee, but any up and coming regions would be worthwhile). We discounted brittany and normandie as being too similar to the UK for weather. I know south east and dordogne areas are already full of ex-pats and expensive. and/or 2) A decent Immo commerciaux on a national level that can be trusted to have property available? I too have heard elswhere of problems with immos on normal housing that have property on their sites which have been sold for months (not always their fault I know due to vendors flgging their house via anyone who'll take them) - I didn't realise the probelm was just as fraught with businesses. I always finf it fascinating to hear of experiences of people who have done it.