Old Lochinvar

We viewed about a dozen properties, took photos and a few videos, reported back to my son and his wife and chose a property that we all agreed seemed to meet all our criteria. The asking price was 220,000 euros and we asked the agent if the vendor would accept 200,000 - subject to a final visit for my son to view. We heard nothing for a week: so I reminded. We were told the sellers (British) were in Spain on holiday. So we waited. After 3 weeks I told the agents by email that we wanted a response within 24 hours or we would look elsewhere. We heard nothing. How strange is that? So, all four of us plus 2 grandkids are off to Basse Normandie for a week at Easter. The plan this time is to choose the best we see and sign up, subject to survey, before we come home. Hopefully we shall find agents that actually want to make a sale. Perhaps I'll have to make do with our home on the Solway with fair Ellen!

I have been speaking with Shahn at Britline Bank, in Caen. She was very helpful, and is arranging for their mortgage consultant to call me. The web site is www.britline.com On here you can look at on-line banking demonstrations, and download application forms for both an account and mortgage. I'm certainly opening an account with them.

So many replies and so quickly! Thank you all. Dick Smith has rumbled my ham-fisted nom de plume: I was indeed Young Lochinvar - before I went bald.The steed by the way is an ex-steed, he is no more, etc. We are going for places that are fully renovated - largely because I had read what others had said on this site about the cost and difficulty of getting work done. Thanks once again. I have no doubt I shall be seeking further advice very soon.

My wife and I are retired and are planning to buy a holiday home in France together with my son and his wife. I had apreference for Brittany but we have decided on Normandy as being somewhere my son and daughter could get to more easily for short breaks. My wife and I are going out there on Monday to view some properties. If we find somewhere - and we are very keen on what we have read about one place in particular - I'm sure I will be asking for lots of advice. But for now I am hoping some kind soul will help with a couple of general points. 1. Any views on the suitability of the Manche region? 2. What are the prospects for holiday lets when we aren't there? 3. Is there anywhere locally we could get help in arranging electricity, telephone, etc. suppliers (my French is OK for shops, hotels, restaurants but not much more)? 4. Any general comments or advice? Thanks in anticipation.