Buying a House – don’t ask an agent, ask the town

Buying a house in the South of France? – look no further – come to “Honest Tony” your estate-agent in the Languedoc.

Buying a house is a big decision, but a lot of people make the mistake of falling in love with the house, or have the “dream” of a French lifestyle – crusty bread, rough wine, smells of cheese or lavander and rough, crusty, smelly locals quaffing wine in quaint cafes.

Finding a house to suit your tastes is difficult, but it has to be in the right place. The one thing to remember about houses is that you cant move the lump of land they are built on.

I got this mail today…

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Tony,

I came across your unique sounding site via your mention in Fractional Life website. May I tap into your obvious frankness and expertise on la vie Francaise?

I and my wife are considering buying in France for regular holiday use. I wonder what advice you have on chosing where to buy? We know to chose within easy access to a well established airport or to the TGV. But what to take into account after that?

We like the Cote D’Azur for its ambience, scenery, chic and access. Not so keen on the prices or crowds but we guess demand will always be solid there should we resell.

We visited the Languedoc 2 years ago and enjoyed Montpellier, Nimes and Sete (Pezenas too). But we thought there was less culturally going on- maybe we missed it.

Finally there is Provence- but where and why should we select one area of Provence rather than another baffles us.

Hope this doesn’t sound hopelessly naive- we are not and have owned a second home in the UK for years so understand financial and legal pros and cons. It’s location that eludes us. Any guidance or advice gratefully received, including well recommended agents.

Thanks
Yours sincerely

Michael
UK

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Hello Michael,

All I can give you is my personal opinion based on my own experiences and reasons for doing what I have done.

From your mail you are only considering the South and South West of France it seems.

You want easy access to the UK, so from Bordeaux right round to Nice you are never more than an hours drive from a direct connecting airport. Similarly for the TGV, so communications are good right through this area.

You mention cultural activity – interestingly Montpellier has the best rating for this. I am not counting the Cannes film festival (bun fight) or tourist stuff.

I agree about the Cote d’Azur, this is very expensive and overcrowded, it markets an image of “luxury” and “style” and attracts those people wishing to “pose” in the shadow of an age long-gone. Don’t get me wrong, I really enjoy going to many of the towns along the Riviera, they are great to visit and I enjoy, occasionally, being in crowds of happy English speaking tourists. I lived in old Nice for a while and often have to work in Cannes. As I said, this is my personal opinion and the area does not remotely justify the prices in comparison to other regions.

Provence is not really a place but a marketing “concept”. Since the 1920s writers and painters have been sharing their personal experiences in “Provence”, but this covers an area from Italy to Nimes and is in reality a hugely diversified region from ski slopes to seasides and from freezing winters and howling gales to semi-tropical micro-climates.

I have just done some publicity work in the Luberon, a place where ruined farmhouses sell for millions of euro – I am happy not to have to go there again although I can see the charm of a short visit, which I have now had.

You have already done the wise thing which is to visit places – my advice is to continue to visit, perhaps more slowly – I took four years travelling by train all over this area when we lived near Lyon to find the town which suited us.

* Write down your absolute must-haves.

* Fix firmly your maximum budget (don’t forget about 10% will be used for Notaire fees and taxes etc.

* Make a list of towns with properties advertised on the Internet which have the sort of property you want in the budget you have set.

The spend time in the towns, not looking at property, but discovering the “soul” of the town – go to the cinema, all the cafes, bars, clubs, restaurants, theaters, – have fun .

The town will find you and then you can look for a property.

You will have agents coming out of your ears, don’t start with the agents, start with a map and cups of coffee (or wine). In Herault ther are three times as many agents listed as boulangeries

I believe too many people look for the property first and then risk disappointment when they find out the area is not what they want or need.

When you have a list of towns do sent it to me and I can comment, but remember it will only be my personal opinion.

Bonne chance

Tony