Hi, appreciate this is a bit old now, but I am doing exactly that JR. I have the services of a good architect locally that speaks both English and French, and made sure I met most of the neighbors and got a positive and friendly relationship in place, and act as my eyes. Its not easy of course doing things remotely, and i do try to get over at least 2 or 3 times a year and use a caravan in the garden. In my case this is a retirement dream, so know it will take me a while, but I am planning all the key structural stuff to be completed using local builders while i am remote, and then when I have semi retired I will spend the time finishing it off. Again as others have said - its for pleasure and my eventual home - rather than for any profit. Bon Chance if you do or have taken the plunge.