A Home Abroad
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40 pages of information about buying a house in France.

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So you have narrowed down your search area, and you have
a good idea of what type of property you are looking for.
That relaxed lifestyle in beautiful surroundings,
bathed in the sun's golden rays beckons.

A visit to make some viewings is your next step.
Spend a  few hours looking at some of the many property web sites.
You will soon see which ones specialize in the kind of
property for sale you are looking for.

You can book appointments with agents before you go,
and this is really useful- but we would always recommend that
you allow some time to prowl around the agents offices once you are in the area.

Leave time to make appointments to view any properties
which are of particular interest when you get there.
It can take a few days to get an appointment,
particularly in high season.

 

If this is your first viewing trip, this is even more important.
It is surprising how much your ideas can change
when you begin to see property
in situ, and it is useful to be as flexible as possible.

TOP TIP

Take a compass-
If you plan to sit on a terrace watching  the sun set
with a glass of wine you need to know where the sun will set!

If possible, try to view early in the year.
As in the UK, this is when much property comes on to the market.
You will also be taken more seriously by  agents .
They know you are not wasting their time on a holiday  whim.

Don't be in too much of a hurry- never believe the property you are seeing is
the last dream home you will ever see.
Try to speak to people who have already made the move-
there will be lots of useful (and not so useful) stories to be listened to.
 

 

Spend time viewing your preferred style of property, of course.
But it is a good idea to view a few which are in a different category.
This can either broaden your search,
or confirm that your initial choice was definitely the one for you.

It will also start to build up your knowledge of the local area-
and of just how much property you can get for your money.

If you see a property which seems right,
it is a good idea to visit it again- and again.
You  should try to make 2, 3 and even 4 visits,
preferably at different time of the day.

TOP TIP

Imagine it at different times of the year-
Will you need a tractor to get up that access track after a lot of rain?
or is that quiet town square going to be packed with drunken 18-30's in August?

This will be your home in the sun. At the end of the day, gut feelings matter.
If after several viewings, weighing up its pros and cons,
if it still feels right, it probably is right.

Print out our VIEWING CHECKLIST

Find out how to make an offer