Tips when house hunting

How to make the best use of your time (and your agent’s)

Matching properties to people so they may realise their dream of living in glorious Gascony is all part of an immobilier’s role.

Whether looking for a permanent home, or seeking a holiday house, there are a few things you can do to help find the right property, maximise your time and get the most from your agent.

Do your area research first

I am going to state the obvious here - France is enormous and the internet is a font of all knowledge and that includes information on different regions. With a little bit of research, not only is it possible to get a sense of weather, topography, things to do etc, you should also get a feeling of what it’s like to live in a particular department. Asking a few questions in regional Facebook groups can help too.

People often ask me why I chose the Gers to settle in having not been here before, nor had I even heard of it! I simply did the logical thing and Googled ‘best places to live in France’. Up came a link to an article listing different regions with excellent bite-sized summaries and I liked what I read particularly the bit that reported: ‘it’s a lot cheaper than places like the Dordogne and Provence so you get a lot more for your money’.

There were many more things that resonated with me and my husband too such as Terry Wogan having liked it, the friendliness of the locals and the lushness of the landscape

And so began the online property search, almost obsessively, and of course I fell for quite a few. They seemed perfect and at one point the pull towards ‘a new life in France’ was so strong I was even tempted to go for it from my desk, in Wales!

Thankfully, common sense prevailed, and I’m glad it did as any good real estate agent will advise you against buying unseen and online.

The role of an estate agent/immobilier

All of Bliss Immobilier’s agents love what they do. It’s a dream job, meeting new people from all over the world, getting to see a myriad of fascinating and beautiful properties, then having the opportunity to show clients around with a view to buying.

Yes, agents can give a few tips on where to go for a nice lunch, or a pretty village to have a wander around, and give you a sense of what it’s like to live in the Gers based on personal experience. But when checking out a region, the first step is to stay for a few days, either in a hotel or with friends and spend some time simply getting to know the area. Then, once you’ve decided that Gascony is where you want to be, check out the cost of properties online and get in touch with agents and be realistic about your budget.

Budgeting and being ‘in a position to proceed’

Budgeting is key as is ‘being in a position to proceed’ which is a common phrase in the UK and means no agent will show ‘a potential buyer’ around without them being just that, ‘a potential buyer’. Not someone who’s just having a look before they’ve put their own house up for sale to fund their next purchase.

The system in France means that for Bliss to accept an offer then take a property off the market, you must have absolute confidence that you can place a five or 10% deposit usually within three weeks of agreeing the sale (it’s 5% for French residents).

The process does allow for a 10-day cooling off period, but once you’ve signed your compromise de vente, and paid your deposit, you’re on your way to completion, typically within three months. If you don’t have the funds to complete, sadly you’ll lose your deposit.

This is where being realistic about what you can and cannot afford is so important. Bliss values properties based on what the agency believes they are worth. Yes, there’s sometimes room for movement but don’t expect an owner to accept an offer of anything more than 10 per cent below the asking price.

You also need to budget for notary fees and associated costs. These generally range from seven to eight per cent on top of the purchase price (it’s a lot less for new builds). So, viewing a property you can’t afford then making a low offer will only offend an owner and is a waste of everyone’s time, including yours!

Finding the one!

If you’ve ever gone through the process of selling a property, you will know that feeling of hope each time someone views as you wonder if they are the one? Are these the people who are going to buy my house? So, spare a thought for the owner who has prepared for your visit.

You might not ‘find the one’ straightaway. Most people look at several properties before committing to a purchase. It is why particularly if buying from another country, it pays to make several trips and at different times of the year. If you’ve established a good relationship with your agent, then he or she will send you details of properties as and when they come on the market which is all part of matching property to people. But remember, the good ones will go quickly which is why it will help you if you have the funds in place, and can prove it!

Buying a second home to make money

If you are thinking of buying a second home in the Gers to make money, then think again! One of the attractions of the region is that it’s peaceful, not particularly well known and therefore not overrun with tourists.

And therein lies the rub! The summer season is short, July and August, so guaranteeing holiday bookings for any longer than eight to ten weeks is unlikely. Covering your annual running costs is certainly possible but expecting your income to repay a loan or fund your lifestyle is improbable.

Bliss has an eclectic and ever evolving mix of beautiful properties for sale across Gascony. Click on the B below and get in touch should you like what you see and, are in ‘a position to proceed’! Or follow this link and let us know all about your dream home and how we can help.