Nick107

I must say, as someone looking to buy a French property for renting, this particular thread has been very informative and realistic. Thanks. I have done quite a lot of research, particularly on websites which show availability, and it seems to me that bookings for this summer seem to be a bit thin on the ground. Is this because it's usual to leave it till quite late? I agree on the benefits of the seaside and the 'open all year round fishing villages etc' and, of course, the need for a top quality fit out. However, I'm not sure whether I should go for an appartment (I'm keen to buy very close the sea) or a house/villa/gite. Does anyone have any views on this? Is it logical to assume, for example, that a property close to a beach will not get much more in the way of rental with its own pool? I do already have a very modest studio ski appartment in a 'residence de standing' and one thing I have noticed is how quickly the concierge sorts things out. Electrics, plumbing and so on. Is this usual? And should I expect the same with an RdS anywhere else? And finally when calculating rates, is there a rule of thumb - for example, £x per person per week?