Property Search
Services provided by the team at Dordogne Homes.
Are you considering purchasing a property in the south west of France? Have you
thought of everything you need to know when making your choices? Are you
worried that there is something you dont know or might like assistance
understanding? Maybe your looking to purchase some land and build the house of
your dreams there?
There is so much to consider when purchasing a property abroad that maybe you
need some professional help.
Dordogne Homes offers your one stop shop service helping you to find the right
property and relocating to the Dordogne and surrounding regions of South West
France.
We help you find the right immobiliers (estate agents), notaires (legal
representation) and making the most of your viewing trip. We will take you from
compromis de vente to completion. We can assist with renovations, building
regulations and new builds - we have contacts and experience with excellent,
fully qualified, French, English and Dutch architects and artisans in the
region. We can give you all the information, help and advise you need to enjoy
your new life fully in your French home.
Dordogne Homes can search the property agents of the region. We are up to date
with both the tax and legal issues of French property purchase. If you're
looking for a permanent home, part-time residence (maisons secondaires) or the
ins and outs of gite ownership we can help.
French law differs greatly from English law, so it pays to have help with the
small print whether you are buying land, a new build, renovated house or ruin.
We can advise on schools, banking, health, insurance, internet services,
telephone, television, removals, gite management and lots more.
The Dordogne region has traditionally been popular with English buyers – and
remains so, offering a combination of climate, scenery, reasonable access and
the reassurance of an English-speaking community being close at hand.
Urban or rural?
Both have their advantages - easy access to shops and services, or peace and
quiet?
Being close to a big town has its advantages. Shopping and public transport are
far better than in country areas, there will be plenty of diverse
entertainments and restaurants etc. Towns, however, are more hectic, more
modern, and have higher crime levels – the things that many would-be expats or
holiday home buyers want to escape. The solution may be to be within a
reasonable distance of a town for the occasional trips to DIY, supermarkets and
furniture stores or just to be reminded of what you escaped.
For rural dwellers, the countryside is important in choosing your area. People
from all over the world marvel at the beautiful landscape, rivers and forests
of the Dordogne and surrounding regions with their often lush greenery and
fantastic wildlife.
Remember that landscapes look very different in different seasons and all the
best property photographs are taken with leafy trees, blue skies and the
impression of endless summer! If landscape is important to you it’s a good idea
to book yourself a winter break in the areas you are contemplating to see the
landscape at it’s bleakest.
Recreation
Ask yourself how you will spend your time when in France? This is very
important if you want to rent out your holiday home as a gite in your absence,
or to supplement your income through running a gite complex or Bed &
Breakfast accommodation. Leisure facilities, tourist attractions, etc. fairly
close by then becomes important. There is so much to do in even the most
unlikely areas throughout the year and we can de some local research for you.
Do remember that much of France is very seasonal and villages heaving with
tourists in July and August can become completely empty by the beginning of
October so don’t base your expectations solely on previous summer holidays.
what are some of things to consider when making a purchase?
The price of housing is obviously a key factor for everyone.
We ask the local Mairie for some idea of the taxes for your size of house in
your target area. If you need regular access back home we will do some
comparative sums on your flight, train or petrol costs otherwise that bargain
remote property may cost you more than you thought.
There are many things to consider when purchasing your property abroad and
having that full knowledge isn't always possible when you don't live in the
area. Having a local representative to keep abreast of local developments
including things like:
The TGV line may be built nearby one day soon, a new housing development
(surprisingly common in rural France where French often prefer safe, sensible
new-builds and sell the crumbling farmhouse to the romantic newcomers from
abroad), the historical right of way across your drive for the local farmers,
the closeness of a main road or just the huge amount of money needed for
renovation?
These factors will not be mentioned as you surf the internet looking at
blue-sky images of dreamy French properties! Dordogne Homes can find all this
out for you.
Most people buying a house in their own country have a basic understanding and
rudimentary knowledge, but when it comes to buying a holiday house or starting
a whole new life, both property agents and legal advisors often report that a
lot buyers leave their wits behind in the UK. This is very good news for some
estate agents but bad news for you!
The information and help Dordogne Homes can give will be a useful resource for
you at this exciting stage of buying property in France or planning a permanent
move.
At Dordogne Homes we do not sell dreams but provide you with the
realities to make your dreams come true.
For more information about the bespoke services we can provide in relation to
your property purchase abroad please
contact a member of our team.