Christine and David's Property Diary

David and I were really disappointed when a property we were looking for in the UK didn’t work out. He really wanted a house with a bit of land. Then I noticed a French property magazine on the check-in desk at work and it got me thinking. I looked at a few property websites and was amazed at what we could get for our money over in France. Managed to persuade David to come over with me and take a look at a few properties, but he’s not sure…

I was originally looking at properties in Normandy, as it’s not too far away, but I’ve discovered that you can get a lot more for your money in Brittany. Found a company with a really good selection of low priced properties in these areas. Set up a few viewings for May.

Just as I thought. The properties in Normandy were okay, but the Brittany properties were fantastic value for money. What a crazy whirlwind! We were sent directions to the different property agents – when we turned up, the agent would get into his car and drive off at 90 miles an hour to the viewing – we’d be dashing behind him, terrified of losing him! At least they all spoke really good English. Anyhow, we survived and put in an offer for a great property in a little hamlet in the middle of Brittany. It’s got a longère house, cottage, outbuildings, front garden, two rear paddocks and three other fields scattered around the hamlet. Heard back from the agent and after some negotiating with the vendor, we managed to secure the property for less than the asking price. In France, it’s quite common for the vendor to clear the property of everything, including even the sockets, but we really wanted to buy it as it was, because there was an old cider press and working in one of the barns, together with old seed threshers and weighing scales. The vendors were happy to leave all of this – great. Although the agent wondered why we wanted to buy their ‘rubbish’! There’s no such thing as gazumping in France – you agree an amount with the vendor, sign a ‘Compromis de Vente’ and pay a 10% deposit. If the vendor pulls out, they have to pay 10% of the property price and if the buyer pulls out, they lose their deposit. Much better system that the UK.

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June