Moorejw

We have been considering FREE because of the free telephone calls offer. Do you keep the same home telephone number when you transfer to them?

I have had a couple of clients/friends who have had the new energy surveys carried out. They came into force on 1st November. The cost was about 200 euros and most are being done by the same companied that carry out the lead/asbestos/termite surveys.At the present time the survey is advisory only (no action required).

Hi Gail We have a very similar situation to you. Our first year we had one gite with exclusive use of the pool (we are also a smallholding - don't they just love the pig?), and we were fully booked. Year two we had two gites sharing the pool and we were fully booked. Next year we will have three gites sharing the pool and bookings are looking good so far. I think you might appeal to a different type of client with only one gite and sole use of the pool, but there are plenty of clients who like to be sociable, have some friends around for their kids etc. In year one we did have some couples with no children, whereas this year they were all families. Families are our target market so we were quite happy with this. I think you will find that the income from two gites is more than you could expect for a single gite with exclusive use of the pool. Angie

Often the problem with over-priced houses arises because the owner states what price they want and the agency then adds their fees. Owners can be reluctant to listen to the agent's view on the value. The agent then has the choice to market the property at the price that the owner wants, or to walk away. If an agent is sure that a house will not sell or attract any interest at the inflated price then there is little point wasting time (and money) marketing it. Unfortunately, some agencies have targets for their agents to reach on the number of properties that they bring in and therefore they will continue to mandate an over-priced property.

For currency exchange try www.firstratefx.com very good service every time. For buying privately you need a good command of the French language and a friendly notaire. Or you could try a hand-holding service. Have a look at the ads in the Magazine!

You should look in the local papers where you will find lots of rental properties. If you need a furnished rental the usual contract is for 1 year. Also try www.seloger.com  

Try www.green-acres.com

I wonder whether inviting the rest of the family to visit is something peculiarly Belgian? We had Belgian guests last year and they did exactly the same thing, although they did ask first. We provided them with a cot for the baby and let them get on with it. They said it was for only one night but we ended up with 6 people+baby in our 4 person gite for three nights! To be fair, they did ask what they owed us for the extra guests, but we were a bit uncomfortable with so many people staying in such a small cottage.    

Given that a high percentage of French people still live in rented accommodation you won't have any trouble finding a long term let. There are agencies that specialise in letting and most estate agents cover rented property as well. French owned property is not always as well appointed as you might be used to, but if you go for unfurnished that probably won't present much of a problem. Tenancy agreements seem to be heavily weighted in favour of the tenants, so you should be OK.

Sorry to burst your bubble Patmobile, but our first cottage was completed on 4 June last year and was fully occupied up until the end of April except for one week in September and 3 weeks at Christmas! We had a winter let from mid-September to end April and first guests of this season arrived today. This year, with two cottages is looking pretty good too. Who said the gite business was not doing well?

We are very fortunate to have a well which does not dry up even in last year's drought. There is also a source in our village and every house has a right of access to the water. Last year our neighbour had a new well sunk in his gardin for the potager. He hired a sourcier who used a watch (!) to divine where the water was and for about 400 euros he got a new well1!

Have a look at www.green-acres.com  lots of private and agency sales across France. Also www.bacchus-french-property.com now have agents across France.

It all depends on how much you need to live on and your expected lifestyle. We moved to France once the kids had left home and we are mortgage free, so we only need to support ourselves. We will have 3 gites when our renovation work is finished and from the first year in business, when we were fully booked with one gite, and the bookings for this year with 2 gites completed, we know that we can afford to live here. BUT we have a relatively modest lifestyle, are aiming to be self-sufficient in veg, fruit, eggs and chickens, and holiday in a camper van or caravan. You also have to do your worst case scenario planning, and see whether you could afford it if you were not fully booked. I, personally, do not think that a young family could afford to live on the income from 3 or 4 gites. I have had two kids and I know how expensive they can be!

About half of our enquiries have come via their website this year.We are very satisfied with them.

You will not pay capital gains tax but because you pay reduced TVA on new build if you sell a new house within 2 years (I think its 2 years) then you have to pay the additional TVA. I think this is designed to discourage people from moving and making a profit on new homes.But, as everyone else has said, ask a notaire!

There are lots of English people looking to relocate to France and 'live the good life'. Try advertising on a specialist web site http://www.acountrylife.com has a section for advertising smallholdings for 49 sterling until sold.   Good luck!

There s a branch of AVF (Acceuil Villes Francaise) that runs classes at 3 levels in St Jean. Enquire at the Tourist Info for contact details.

We have produced a fact sheet on registering a UK caravan in France. If you PM your email address to us we will send you a copy. It is not only modifications to your tail lights that is important butall the technical details regarding the A frame etc. that are required in order to register the van. None of it is insurmountable, but forewarned is forearmed! John and Angie

Have sent you a Private Message.

Hi Pete Chicken wire in abundance and all shapes and sizes can be found at your local Gamm Vert. This is a shop that sells just about anything to small farming communities as well as being a plant shop. It does hardware, plumbing, electricity supplies, clothes etc. but it is also where you will purchase the feed for your chickens, ducks etc. As for firewood, look in the free ads local paper or ask your neighbour! You are looking for 'bois de chauffage'. Good luck! Angie

You could also try www.spex4less.com we have bought two pairs now and they are great - no complaints. They do bi and vari focals and tinted lenses and the ones that change automatically. Very good prices, superb service and speedy delivery to France. Angie  

As we have two more gites to renovate and furnish we might be interested. Whereabouts are you in Poitou Charentes?

We have experienced exactly the same problem. Our guests had a 4 year old who in theory loves all animals and in practice squealed and wanted to be picked up every time the dog appeared. Our collie was very confused as he loves children. I was also worried that if the child screamed too much the dog might get upset and bite him (something he has never done before). BUT the parents encouraged the child to stroke the dog and by the end of two weeks he had his arms around the dog's neck and kissed him goodbye. So, hang in there and ask the parents to encourage the child to meet the dog, perhaps they can set an example by making a fuss of him (the dog that is).

Hi Jenny B and welcome to the site. I am afraid that with limited French your hubbie's chances of finding employment in C-M are pretty slim. The only real suggestion I have is that he might consider gite maintenance/management as I am always being asked to reccommend somebody and they are few and far between in C-M. In this scenario he would be working mostly with British owners but would need to be able to communicate with French artisans if/when repair work was needed on a client's property. It is necessary to register with URSSAF to commence such an enterprise. Let me know if you would like any further information. Angie Moore Charente Maritime Granny WWW.grannynetwork.info

Hi fredscotty If you PM us your email address we will send you an updated copy of our guide on registering a caravan in France. John and Angie Moore