Have enough spare cash at least for something habitable. If you want to restore a ruin you are probably certifiable. There are plenty of places available that just need a makeover. If you have enough money for a chateau you don’t need to be reading this.
Choose somewhere you already know and like: closer to Spain, England, Switzerland elsewhere? France is quite big, even measured by Australian standards (or lack of).
Decide first on ze size of the village: Isolated houses limit engagement with the locals. So can an apartment in a large town. Do you really want to live on a main road?
Courtyards, gardens, or other outside areas and views are all nice to have. Proximity to local attractions like rivers canals or lakes are also nice to have (for waterbabies anyway)
Find and contact all the local Agences Immobiliers, And the local Notaires (basically public conveyancers with lists of properties for sale). The typical English language websites on the subject don’t even scratch ze surface of what the local Real Estate Agents list on their websites.
Have a car and comfortable place to use as a base – with internet access. And have a few weeks to spare. Doing it on a bike with a tent as you pedal through doesn’t work - trust me.
Choose somewhere that is easy to find late in the day: Inviting friends to use a place they still can’t find at 1am after travelling all day is no fun for them - even if they do have a GPS. I know - tried it once.
Maybe shortlist several then take a break while you make your offers – the buyers prerogative to decide how low. Houses are like buses – they’ll always be another one along in a moment (unless you live on the outskirts of London). Trade secrets tell me a place that’s been on the market for a year is likely to consider dropping the price by 20% at least.
If you are really lucky (as I was) you might stumble on a English (or good English speaking Notaire) – they only charge minimal fees compared ot immobiliers and a useful fount of info easy to convey.
Also if you are lucky you find a French Immobilier who's French is so clear its no problem. and you ger the odd French lssson thrown in: apporter vs emporter.
And lastly, why do you want to own a ‘maison de vacance’ when you can probably lease a different one for a few weeks / months each year, with less trouble and probably expense.
But today I found a place that won my heart. At Belesta near Mirepoix of all places.
