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house buying in Brittany
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Hi, we're thinking of going over to Brittany soon to look at the possibility of maybe buying a property to renovate with the intention of moving over fulltime in a year or two, is there an particular area which anyone can recommend to look and maybe an any areas to avoid, cheers |
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Hi, we're thinking of going over to Brittany soon to look at the possibility of maybe buying a property to renovate with the intention of moving over fulltime in a year or two, is there an particular area which anyone can recommend to look and maybe an any areas to avoid, cheers |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"Hi, we're thinking of going over to Brittany soon to look at the possibility of maybe buying a property to renovate with the intention of moving over fulltime in a year or two, is there an particular area which anyone can recommend to look and maybe an any areas to avoid, cheers"
be aware of the buying process. Open a French bank account as soon as you can. It's all very formal, you have to make an appointment etc etc. Be aware of money laundering regs too! Good luck.
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"Hi, we're thinking of going over to Brittany soon to look at the possibility of maybe buying a property to renovate with the intention of moving over fulltime in a year or two, is there an particular area which anyone can recommend to look and maybe an any areas to avoid, cheersbe aware of the buying process. Open a French bank account as soon as you can. It's all very formal, you have to make an appointment etc etc. Be aware of money laundering regs too! Good luck."
The more we read the more it could put us off as there's so much information to take in, we have read about the pro and cons when using local estate agents, we're due to meet one soon and view some properties but it's more about gathering information at this stage, thankfully we're in no rush so have the time to find the right property and enjoy the whole experience
X |
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We fancy Brittany because of the wonderful scenery, rolling green fields, trees and lakes and so on, the diversity of the coast line, the ease of family and friends visiting and the French way of life, to get away from this shit hole and because we want too.
We also don't like it too hot and don't mind it raining now and again, it keeps things watered, fresh and green which suits us.
In regards to renovating I've been in construction most my working life and have many skills, I've worked on barn conversions and many other properties, we do understand that we will have to employ other tradesmen and don't mind there own working hours, after all we want to employ a slower pace of life for ourselves. |
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"We fancy Brittany because of the wonderful scenery, rolling green fields, trees and lakes and so on, the diversity of the coast line, the ease of family and friends visiting and the French way of life, to get away from this shit hole and because we want too.
We also don't like it too hot and don't mind it raining now and again, it keeps things watered, fresh and green which suits us.
In regards to renovating I've been in construction most my working life and have many skills, I've worked on barn conversions and many other properties, we do understand that we will have to employ other tradesmen and don't mind there own working hours, after all we want to employ a slower pace of life for ourselves."
You may find Brittany quite expensive for the very reasons that you are looking (so is everyone else this time of year). Go slightly further south and house prices become more sensible. about an hour south and you can probably knock 20% or more off.
Good luck.. Ive had my house here 20 years now. Wouldn't go back |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"We fancy Brittany because of the wonderful scenery, rolling green fields, trees and lakes and so on, the diversity of the coast line, the ease of family and friends visiting and the French way of life, to get away from this shit hole and because we want too.
We also don't like it too hot and don't mind it raining now and again, it keeps things watered, fresh and green which suits us.
In regards to renovating I've been in construction most my working life and have many skills, I've worked on barn conversions and many other properties, we do understand that we will have to employ other tradesmen and don't mind there own working hours, after all we want to employ a slower pace of life for ourselves."
quite right too! However if we Brexit it could have serious implications - health, tax, visas etc. Whilst there will be a transition period - approximately 2 years it could be difficult. Remember to add approximately 10% on for legal fees etc. We have owned for 12 year's and living here for just over 2 year's. Have set up 2 companies & are fully integrated into the French system - but it has been challenging! Also costly  |
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"We fancy Brittany because of the wonderful scenery, rolling green fields, trees and lakes and so on, the diversity of the coast line, the ease of family and friends visiting and the French way of life, to get away from this shit hole and because we want too.
We also don't like it too hot and don't mind it raining now and again, it keeps things watered, fresh and green which suits us.
In regards to renovating I've been in construction most my working life and have many skills, I've worked on barn conversions and many other properties, we do understand that we will have to employ other tradesmen and don't mind there own working hours, after all we want to employ a slower pace of life for ourselves.
You may find Brittany quite expensive for the very reasons that you are looking (so is everyone else this time of year). Go slightly further south and house prices become more sensible. about an hour south and you can probably knock 20% or more off.
Good luck.. Ive had my house here 20 years now. Wouldn't go back"
Wow, didn't think properties could have got even cheaper going further south, in comparison to UK though, Brittany properties prices are something of a bargain |
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"We fancy Brittany because of the wonderful scenery, rolling green fields, trees and lakes and so on, the diversity of the coast line, the ease of family and friends visiting and the French way of life, to get away from this shit hole and because we want too.
We also don't like it too hot and don't mind it raining now and again, it keeps things watered, fresh and green which suits us.
In regards to renovating I've been in construction most my working life and have many skills, I've worked on barn conversions and many other properties, we do understand that we will have to employ other tradesmen and don't mind there own working hours, after all we want to employ a slower pace of life for ourselves.quite right too! However if we Brexit it could have serious implications - health, tax, visas etc. Whilst there will be a transition period - approximately 2 years it could be difficult. Remember to add approximately 10% on for legal fees etc. We have owned for 12 year's and living here for just over 2 year's. Have set up 2 companies & are fully integrated into the French system - but it has been challenging! Also costly [/quoteet up 2 companies & are fully integrated into the French system - but it has been challenging! Also costly "
Hi, yeah must admit that the possibility of leaving the eu has given us cause for concern, we understand that it will cause some difficulties but no one knows to what extent, I guess we'll cross that bridge when and if we need too
How difficult did you find it setting up your own business, do the French encourage and surport you or are they not too helpful |
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"We fancy Brittany because of the wonderful scenery, rolling green fields, trees and lakes and so on, the diversity of the coast line, the ease of family and friends visiting and the French way of life, to get away from this shit hole and because we want too.
We also don't like it too hot and don't mind it raining now and again, it keeps things watered, fresh and green which suits us.
In regards to renovating I've been in construction most my working life and have many skills, I've worked on barn conversions and many other properties, we do understand that we will have to employ other tradesmen and don't mind there own working hours, after all we want to employ a slower pace of life for ourselves.
You may find Brittany quite expensive for the very reasons that you are looking (so is everyone else this time of year). Go slightly further south and house prices become more sensible. about an hour south and you can probably knock 20% or more off.
Good luck.. Ive had my house here 20 years now. Wouldn't go back
Wow, didn't think properties could have got even cheaper going further south, in comparison to UK though, Brittany properties prices are something of a bargain"
. Prices are lower in France but there is very limited if any scope for appreciation in value . Do you speak French . If not ,I would enroll in classes ASAP. Managing a property without speaking French is difficult .
I bought an apartment in Cap d Agde last year but needed extensive assistance and I am a very independent person who does most things myself .
Luckily a member of this site was able to provide extrensive guidance and advice and also project managed the refurbishment . The apartment is now fully refurbished and looks stunning with a great view of the harbour .
The anti money laundering regulations are onerous so you will need to comply with every single detail providing proof of the source of the money including a break down of your earnings which will need to match your tax return .  |
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We bought and renovated in Brittany a few years back. Personally found the buying process very straightforward. Everywhere you drive there are properties ideal for renovation projects. The french seem to prefer new builds. Every house we have seen being renovated turned out to be Brits.
Can't recommend a particular area, mostly is nice and 90% countryside and coast if you prefer. Have fun. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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We had holidays in Brittany for twenty years and loved all the things you like. then we were invited to stay in the Dordogne and found it even better! We have lived here for 16 years now and never been back to UK. Only problem is there are too many Brits here!! Throw yourself into the French way of life, taking the rough with the smooth. Don't become one of the whingeing brits who live in france but always compare it to the way things are done in the UK!! |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"We had holidays in Brittany for twenty years and loved all the things you like. then we were invited to stay in the Dordogne and found it even better! We have lived here for 16 years now and never been back to UK. Only problem is there are too many Brits here!! Throw yourself into the French way of life, taking the rough with the smooth. Don't become one of the whingeing brits who live in france but always compare it to the way things are done in the UK!!"
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"We had holidays in Brittany for twenty years and loved all the things you like. then we were invited to stay in the Dordogne and found it even better! We have lived here for 16 years now and never been back to UK. Only problem is there are too many Brits here!! Throw yourself into the French way of life, taking the rough with the smooth. Don't become one of the whingeing brits who live in france but always compare it to the way things are done in the UK!!"
this......
There are a certain element of brits who are only here for a cheap house, and don't " get" France. They try to make their lives just like UK, fail to, and moan about the French.
You can " survive" with minimal French, but it's not fun; learn as much French as you can; yelling " Do you speak English" doesn't go down well; but stuttering out a few words of French, they will almost always help you out, and remember that they do speak some English ( many of my French freinds speak quite good English, but they are actually afraid of trying, because they think they speak it badly ).
Do consider going further south : they say the weather changes for the better once you are " south of the Loire".
That's why I live in Charente. It's basically like living in Sussex 50 years ago; but with weather always about 5 -10 degrees warmer.
Also, many Brits buy remote places: then feel isolated : rural France is very rural.
I have a large house, in the middle of a medium sized village; Nevertheless I still have an acre of garden, country views, but lots of freindly neighbours (including the Mayor on one side, ) |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"We had holidays in Brittany for twenty years and loved all the things you like. then we were invited to stay in the Dordogne and found it even better! We have lived here for 16 years now and never been back to UK. Only problem is there are too many Brits here!! Throw yourself into the French way of life, taking the rough with the smooth. Don't become one of the whingeing brits who live in france but always compare it to the way things are done in the UK!!
this......
There are a certain element of brits who are only here for a cheap house, and don't " get" France. They try to make their lives just like UK, fail to, and moan about the French.
You can " survive" with minimal French, but it's not fun; learn as much French as you can; yelling " Do you speak English" doesn't go down well; but stuttering out a few words of French, they will almost always help you out, and remember that they do speak some English ( many of my French freinds speak quite good English, but they are actually afraid of trying, because they think they speak it badly ).
Do consider going further south : they say the weather changes for the better once you are " south of the Loire".
That's why I live in Charente. It's basically like living in Sussex 50 years ago; but with weather always about 5 -10 degrees warmer.
Also, many Brits buy remote places: then feel isolated : rural France is very rural.
I have a large house, in the middle of a medium sized village; Nevertheless I still have an acre of garden, country views, but lots of freindly neighbours (including the Mayor on one side, )"
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By *edonistsatplayCouple
over a year ago
Portsmouth, North Brittany, France |
hummm... not wishing to start an argument here but we've lived in Brittany for 12 years now and can honestly say that the house prices seem no more expensive (or cheaper) than any other region.
It's only when you get nearer the 'fashionable' areas that the prices start to climb but that's the same in any country.
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Thanks guys for all the information, it's good to hear other people views
We've travelled a fair bit of France in our campervan and love all that France has to offer, we tend to avoid the toll roads so that we can enjoy the small villages and towns and meet local folk.
Must admit I've considered further south such as the Dordogne area but the wife prefers Brittany to which I have no objection to.
Completely with you on expacts moving over there and making no effort to integrate and then wonder why they feel isolated, we have every intention of adopting the French way of life.
We're both in the process of learning french, the wife although not fluent can get by, me, well that's a different story but i alway make an effort to greet people in french, I guess, well hope that once over there it should become much easier.
au revoir pour le moment  |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"Thanks guys for all the information, it's good to hear other people views
We've travelled a fair bit of France in our campervan and love all that France has to offer, we tend to avoid the toll roads so that we can enjoy the small villages and towns and meet local folk.
Must admit I've considered further south such as the Dordogne area but the wife prefers Brittany to which I have no objection to.
Completely with you on expacts moving over there and making no effort to integrate and then wonder why they feel isolated, we have every intention of adopting the French way of life.
We're both in the process of learning french, the wife although not fluent can get by, me, well that's a different story but i alway make an effort to greet people in french, I guess, well hope that once over there it should become much easier
au revoir pour le moment "
We have a place in the limousine and have done for 7 years it's brilliant so easy going and relaxed . Luckily I'm a builder so did most of the renovations myself transporting much of the materials over from the uk ( yet i don't know why ) . We used a French electrician ( nightmare) it's took him 6 years ( no joke ) to rewire the house and it's still not completely finished . It's fairly cheap with insurances and rates though and we can fly out there for next to nothing . I'd definitely reccomend it though o wouldn't bother with Brittany it's not far enough south . We enjoy spending a few weeks at our place and driving on to cap d Agde to do a bit of naturist camping . Good luck |
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"Thanks guys for all the information, it's good to hear other people views
We've travelled a fair bit of France in our campervan and love all that France has to offer, we tend to avoid the toll roads so that we can enjoy the small villages and towns and meet local folk.
Must admit I've considered further south such as the Dordogne area but the wife prefers Brittany to which I have no objection to.
Completely with you on expacts moving over there and making no effort to integrate and then wonder why they feel isolated, we have every intention of adopting the French way of life.
We're both in the process of learning french, the wife although not fluent can get by, me, well that's a different story but i alway make an effort to greet people in french, I guess, well hope that once over there it should become much easier.
au revoir pour le moment "
Sounds like you have got your ducks pretty much in a row;
Which is good; so many people come here with no idea of the realities, or any preparation for their move here .
Hope it goes well; " Bon courage" as they say . |
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"Why wold you buy in France, when you could much nicer and sexier in Italy"
I adore Italy, and have several good freinds there;
It is, however, a chaotic country; living, day to day, getting healthcare, getting administration done, is a nightmare .
Despite what some people say; French administration is actually extremely efficient, and easy to deal with;
Actually living, day to day, in France is much easier than Italy . |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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im in the charente there are a few reasons why i moves here,
1, handy airports back to thr uk i live about 90 mins from la rochelle, poitiers, limoges and bordeux airports
2. the weather is on average 4 degrees warmer than brittany
3. you have the coast and you are also half a days trip from gwtting into spain
my best advice is to go away fr a few weekends in differet placee |
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I totally agree that renting for a year in an area where you are thinking of will give you a real taste.
It will also let you see what the place is like in the good and the bad..
You will also meet new friends and get local advice on buying which is important.
Strongly advise to have a good look around before buying anything, and of course of primary importance is to have a renewable income as finding work can be difficult if you dont speak french. You ideally need a niche to fit into. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"I totally agree that renting for a year in an area where you are thinking of will give you a real taste.
It will also let you see what the place is like in the good and the bad..
You will also meet new friends and get local advice on buying which is important.
Strongly advise to have a good look around before buying anything, and of course of primary importance is to have a renewable income as finding work can be difficult if you dont speak french. You ideally need a niche to fit into. "
renting is not that easy! When we tried - 3 Year's ago we couldn't rent. Agents want to take an insurance policy to protect the rent and if your not in the French system you can't rent. Catch 22 - we even offered to pay a year in advance. Private rental maybe an option - another English owner etc. Good luck. |
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By *ucianpoundCouple
over a year ago
Cap d’Agde, France |
Firstly, it's costly to buy in France, unlike the UK
The estate agent will take between 4% and 6% although this is often built into the asking price.
The solicitor will take 8%, usually on top of the asking price.
Most of this extra will go in taxes to the local authority or to the government.
Also it's the buyer who pays not the seller as in the UK
Secondly, if you are buying, you also need to think about selling!
If things don't work out for you, who is going to buy your house?
Many fantastic bargains are to be had in France mainly because the French are not interested in these types of houses. Even after they have been done up and the price increased the French still do not want to buy so you could end up with a 'white elephant' on your hands as so many people have found in the past.
It's best to choose an area where there is an active market, seaside of one of the 'most beautiful villages'
Thirdly watch out for French builders, if you are English they will see 'gullible' written on your forehead and charge you 100-150% more than the job is worth.
Its best to get advice from 'local' English residents, they usually know of more realistic builders
We are an Anglo-French couple who have been visiting France annually for 30 years.
We chose to live in the south in and area where the French want to live. Even being fluent in French the local builders tried to rip us off. The work we had done in the end cost 25k by a local 'not French' builder. The four French builders all quoted between 70 and 100k for the same work!
good luck but really if you want to live in Brittany, you'd be better off buying a place in Devon/Cornwall!
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"Firstly, it's costly to buy in France, unlike the UK
The estate agent will take between 4% and 6% although this is often built into the asking price.
The solicitor will take 8%, usually on top of the asking price.
Most of this extra will go in taxes to the local authority or to the government.
Also it's the buyer who pays not the seller as in the UK
Secondly, if you are buying, you also need to think about selling!
If things don't work out for you, who is going to buy your house?
Many fantastic bargains are to be had in France mainly because the French are not interested in these types of houses. Even after they have been done up and the price increased the French still do not want to buy so you could end up with a 'white elephant' on your hands as so many people have found in the past.
It's best to choose an area where there is an active market, seaside of one of the 'most beautiful villages'
Thirdly watch out for French builders, if you are English they will see 'gullible' written on your forehead and charge you 100-150% more than the job is worth.
Its best to get advice from 'local' English residents, they usually know of more realistic builders
We are an Anglo-French couple who have been visiting France annually for 30 years.
We chose to live in the south in and area where the French want to live. Even being fluent in French the local builders tried to rip us off. The work we had done in the end cost 25k by a local 'not French' builder. The four French builders all quoted between 70 and 100k for the same work!
good luck but really if you want to live in Brittany, you'd be better off buying a place in Devon/Cornwall!
"
I would strongly disagree with one key thing on this;
AVOID BRITISH BUILDERS in France.
They are the ones that will rip you off; not have the necessary insurance, and not use the proper materials
French builders DO NOT rip off the English.
They give a very exact price; provide an exact plan, an carry it out exactly to contract.
They also give you the correct paperwork that allows you to claim back tax on renovations.
French tradesmen actually turn up on time, too and work hard, and don't stand around drinking tea and smoking fags all day.
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"French builders DO NOT rip off the English." You can get ripped off in any country ..
Back to renting we lived on a camping municipal for two years..paid monthly E200 , ok that was 10 years ago so things might have changed. |
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""French builders DO NOT rip off the English." You can get ripped off in any country ..
Back to renting we lived on a camping municipal for two years..paid monthly E200 , ok that was 10 years ago so things might have changed. "
I hate to say it but many british builders do rip off other brits.. They come off the ferry as diy'ers and by the time they hit Dordogne they're professional builders and when they've been at it a year they become master craftsmen.
Sadly the french also see brits as a soft target and charge more generally.
I have seen many people where I live in the south ripped off by brit builders.
Maybe it doesn't happen in Corfu but here in South west france there are more than a few at it.. |
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By *ucianpoundCouple
over a year ago
Cap d’Agde, France |
I agree that French builders do give exact and precise quotes but 24k to rewire and replumb a house possessing a large vide sanitaire is a rip off.
Our French cousins who had a house built in Agde told the builders they wanted the french price not the tourist price.
We had exactly the same situation 20 years ago when we had work carried out on our Irish property. It was half the price to bring the builder from England and put them up for 3 weeks than pay the local builders
Perhaps we have been lucky but either way, go into renovation work with your eyes open. Get at least 4 quotes and dont just rely on local builders.
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"Firstly, it's costly to buy in France, unlike the UK
The estate agent will take between 4% and 6% although this is often built into the asking price.
The solicitor will take 8%, usually on top of the asking price.
Most of this extra will go in taxes to the local authority or to the government.
Also it's the buyer who pays not the seller as in the UK
Secondly, if you are buying, you also need to think about selling!
If things don't work out for you, who is going to buy your house?
Many fantastic bargains are to be had in France mainly because the French are not interested in these types of houses. Even after they have been done up and the price increased the French still do not want to buy so you could end up with a 'white elephant' on your hands as so many people have found in the past.
It's best to choose an area where there is an active market, seaside of one of the 'most beautiful villages'
Thirdly watch out for French builders, if you are English they will see 'gullible' written on your forehead and charge you 100-150% more than the job is worth.
Its best to get advice from 'local' English residents, they usually know of more realistic builders
We are an Anglo-French couple who have been visiting France annually for 30 years.
We chose to live in the south in and area where the French want to live. Even being fluent in French the local builders tried to rip us off. The work we had done in the end cost 25k by a local 'not French' builder. The four French builders all quoted between 70 and 100k for the same work!
good luck but really if you want to live in Brittany, you'd be better off buying a place in Devon/Cornwall!
"
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"Firstly, it's costly to buy in France, unlike the UK
The estate agent will take between 4% and 6% although this is often built into the asking price.
The solicitor will take 8%, usually on top of the asking price.
Most of this extra will go in taxes to the local authority or to the government.
Also it's the buyer who pays not the seller as in the UK
Secondly, if you are buying, you also need to think about selling!
If things don't work out for you, who is going to buy your house?
Many fantastic bargains are to be had in France mainly because the French are not interested in these types of houses. Even after they have been done up and the price increased the French still do not want to buy so you could end up with a 'white elephant' on your hands as so many people have found in the past.
It's best to choose an area where there is an active market, seaside of one of the 'most beautiful villages'
Thirdly watch out for French builders, if you are English they will see 'gullible' written on your forehead and charge you 100-150% more than the job is worth.
Its best to get advice from 'local' English residents, they usually know of more realistic builders
We are an Anglo-French couple who have been visiting France annually for 30 years.
We chose to live in the south in and area where the French want to live. Even being fluent in French the local builders tried to rip us off. The work we had done in the end cost 25k by a local 'not French' builder. The four French builders all quoted between 70 and 100k for the same work!
good luck but really if you want to live in Brittany, you'd be better off buying a place in Devon/Cornwall!
I would strongly disagree with one key thing on this;
AVOID BRITISH BUILDERS in France.
They are the ones that will rip you off; not have the necessary insurance, and not use the proper materials
French builders DO NOT rip off the English.
They give a very exact price; provide an exact plan, an carry it out exactly to contract.
They also give you the correct paperwork that allows you to claim back tax on renovations.
French tradesmen actually turn up on time, too and work hard, and don't stand around drinking tea and smoking fags all day.
"
like everywhere there are good and bad! We had a gas boiler installed some years ago - recommendation. But he made such a mess of it and despite chasing for certification - which never arrived we put an electric in. We have asked English builders for quotes and as said above they tried to rip us off. 2500€ in labour to update the bathroom - did it myself in 4 days. Now have good French plumber & electrician who charges 50€ an hour - may be a useful guide. |
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