Pierre

Thanks once again to you all for your valuable input. I have set-up a blog/website for the property and advertised it today via frenchpropertylinks. I took their premium service which offers advertising for 6 months and up to four photographs. It costs me 84,83 Euros and the add should be online in a couple of days according to the automatic e.mail I received after making my payment. The whole process has been quite interesting indeed. Setting-up the website (which was a first for me) is not that difficult, but it took some times. It should be well worth it. I'll keep you posted about my progress. Best regards from sunny Ardeche / Pierre

Thank you all for those very valuable pieces of info. which my brother will put to good use. Having lived and worked abroad, I agree with you that most French Real Estate Agencies lack of preofessionalism. I do not consider that they have an added value in rural areas and most of the people I know have found their houses via the gravepine rather that through "Agences Immobilieres". I personnaly found my house via SAFER, which is s state consular body in charge of facilitating the establishment of new farmers, something you definitively want to check if you are looking for a rural property. Alternatives can be local country notaries (notaires) which handle woes and family businesses, or door to door search... You have to know though that in France, the sale of a house can sometimes be irrational. I know of several examples where people refused to sell some houses and preferred to see them fell in rumbles... other owners giving a substancial reduction (up to 50%) because they liked the prospective buyer (oftern couple with kids who were looking for a round the year residence rather than a holiday home.  

Thanks LyndaaandRichard for this info.[;-)] This site looks professional and a good place to start. What, if I may ask, is the information that a potential buyer from overseas needs to find in an add.  What would make him or her want to investigate further (detailed pictures, sketch map of the property, contact number/e.mail, location on googlearth, general information on the area...). In your personnal house hunt, where you often disapointed between what was advertised and reality?

I am a layman regarding realestate but my background (I'm French and bought a property some eight years ago) may help a bit. First of all, beware of agencies that ask an exclusive that will tie you down. Second, check their credentials... If you would'nt buy from them then do not have them advertise your house[;-)]. I guess it is only commonsense after all. You should trust the agency and be sure that the service they offer is worth the money as they will take a fee on all sales. Where I live (Haute Ardeche), agences immobilieres do not have representative offices within a 30 minute drive of most places they advertise, sometimes they do not even know the property in detail. Their aim is to sell quick and easy. No wonder they are often bypassed by potential buyers and sellers. 

"Bonjour" to you all! My name is Pierre (a real Frenchman but with no moustache I fear).  I am wondering where might be the best places or ways to advertise a property for sale targeting potential British buyers. My elder brother is considering to sell his house in the Loire Valley due to a professional relocation. Thanks in advance for your tips / Pierre post editedby a moderator: Please do not advertise your products or services on the message boards. Any advertising without permission will be removed.