I own a property in France and I wanted to share my experience of buying property in France and the French property buying process. Use the menus on the left and links to 1000's of properties and services and a wide range of French estate agents.

THE RENOVATED FRENCH HOUSE FOR SALE

If your idea of a great French house for sale is an idyllic, old country house , but the idea of renovating a wreck is not for you, buying an old French house for sale which someone else has brought back to life may be for you- although some of the 1970's features common in a French house for sale may not!

The features of any French house for sale are a lot about personal taste - one person's clean, minimalist French house for sale is someone else's lack of old fashioned cosiness!

Do you like the way a particular French house for sale has been renovated?

is the work of good quality and in the right style?

have wonderful original features of the French house for sale been brought back to life?

or hidden under wood effect hardboard?

you can see exactly what French house for sale you are getting for your money

your French house for sale is ready to move into as soon as the paperwork is signed

- you will even see French house for sale being sold complete with furniture!

POINTS TO CHECK

A survey will tell you if the basic structure of a French house for sale has been well repaired- you don't want to pay for superficial botched jobs . Were all the necessary planning permissions and buildings certificates received when the French house for sale was renovated?

LIFE IN THE COUNTRY

Time still feels as if it stands still in many rural areas abroad.
Wildlife abounds and you may find wonderful walks on your very doorstep.

This idea of life in the country appeals to many people, but if you are a 'townie' do consider:

A French house for sale in the country can be very isolated-
check how far it is to the nearest shops and restaurants

If a French house for sale is near a working farm make sure you check it out.
Farm machinery can be very noisy
[so can the livestock - and smelly too!]

A FRENCH HOUSE FOR SALE IN A TOWN OR VILLAGE

A French house for sale way out in the countryside is not for everyone.

A town or village French house for sale are becoming increasingly popular.
You will have the chance become part of the local community,
with a fantastic chance to learn the language.
You may be able to walk to the local bakers in the morning for fresh bread,
and stroll into the square in the evening for a pre-dinner drink.

Often a French house for sale does not look very exciting from the outside-
but hides its beauty away behind painted shutters.
A town or French house for sale village house will often have little or no outside space - just a balcony, courtyard or roof terrace if you are lucky. Altough this could be another advantage if you do not like gardening!

You will need people to maintain the French house for sale when you aren't there. Once you own a French house for sale you will often find a reliable person who lives nearby, or you can use a local property management company.