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Advice on looking for property

To make things easier, try to know exactly what type of property you are looking for, and yet also try to be sufficiently flexible to be able to find houses that might be suitable...there are some lucky people who find the right house on the first trip with the first agent!... more advice on looking for property

About the Limousin

This stunningly beautiful region of still lakes, fast flowing streams, gentle rolling valleys and forested mountains has been one of the best kept secrets in France...ancient landscape where Neanderthal man once roamed gave shelter to the Romans and later, Richard the Lionheart....more about the Limousin.

Searches and Property Information in France

One of the characteristics of property transactions in France is that, unlike in the UK where a survey will be carried out on the house, the purchaser under French law will buy the property as seen ... more about property searches

If you need any further information regarding any properties that catch your eye, just send me an email to jovimmo.cp87@hotmail.com or give me a call and I will be happy to answer any questions you may have.

Please note that all of our prices are inclusive of agency fees (with support during the whole process including accompanying you to the Notary’s office). There is no other fee or commission for our services but you will have to allow for notary fees. This is a percentage depending on the price of the property and includes all taxes and registration fees so you have absolutely no surprises.

There are many companies or individuals acting as 'go-betweens' who will send an additional invoice for all types of services that our agency can provide to you for free. If in doubt, ask if they are a legally registered Estate Agent and check they have a legal professional card.

Is the house on your website still for sale ?

Yes. ALL the houses on my website are still for sale, as I remove them as soon as they go under offer. However, in France some vendors put their property with several estate agents so occasionally they may have sold it and not informed us.

How do I make an appointment to view my chosen properties ?

I normally need at least two weeks notice when booking appointments. This is because I show the properties myself. The time leading up to your visit is most important to me and we will spend a lot of time by email finding out exactly what it is you are looking for, to prevent you travelling a thousand miles for nothing! Please also note that school holidays tend to get booked up well in advance.

How do I make sure I only see houses that I am really interested in ?

Because I will take the time to find out just what kind of property you are looking for. When you first see one or two houses that are of interest, I will normally highlight more which I think are of potential interest. Because I do this, if a new property comes on the books immediately prior to your visit which I feel it is worth your seeing, I will show it to you and hopefully save me having to write it up on the website!

Do I have to bring cash to use as a deposit if I find the house of my dreams ?

Absolutely not! No money changes hands until after the signing of the first contract. Any ‘agent’ who tells you to bring cash is almost certainly not registered and is breaking the law. When the first contract is signed, your deposit is moved DIRECTLY from your English bank account to the government managed notaire’s bank account in France – you therefore do not require a French bank account to be set up until after completion. If you already have a French bank account, a cheque is perfectly acceptable.

Can you give information regarding the exact hamlet and position therein ?

Because we are registered estate agents in France, we are not permitted to do so – this is to ensure that little old ladies who have their house on the market are not hassled by strangers – it’s also to ensure that the local farmer doesn’t shoot you for being a peeping tom or burglar!

Is the property price shown negotiable ?

In general, I have negotiated the price to a reasonable degree before taking on the property. That said, if the property has been on the books for 6 months or more then of course the owner will be more open to offers – however, because the prices stated are inclusive of agency fees, please realise that the owner’s element will be reduced by a greater percentage than is obvious, therefore be guided by discussions when shown the property as to how much an offer should be pitched at. DO NOT expect a bartering session; the local French are more likely to remove their property from the market than accept too low an offer.

Does France have the same number of bank holidays as the UK ?

No, they are far luckier than us Brits! Take a look at the list of French public holidays below:

· 1st January – New Year’s Day
· Easter Sunday
· Easter Monday
· Ascension Day (40 days after Easter Sunday)
· Pentacost/Whit Sunday (7th Sunday after Easter)
· Monday following Pentacost/Whit Monday
· 1st May – Labour Day
· 8th May – VE Day
· 14th July – Bastille Day
· 15th August – Assumption Day
· 1st November – All Saints Day
· 11th November – Armistice Day
· 25th December – Christmas Day

Most offices, businesses and shops in France will close for a Public Holiday although the smaller supermarkets in many towns will open for a couple of hours in the morning (except for on Christmas day). Bakers will operate a limited morning service as they do on Sundays. Restaurants can be relied upon to respond to the market demand so opening will depend upon place and season.

How do I go about getting the phone put on in my new French house ?

France Telecom is the first port of call for you with regard to setting up your telephone and Internet services in France. Most major offices have some English speaking staff, and there is even an English speaking hotline available (from France) on 0800 364 775. If you are calling from the UK, the number you will need is: 0033 1 55 78 60 56.

Under 50.000 50,000 to 100,000 100,000 to 150,000 150,000 to 200,00 200,00 to 300,000 300,000 to 400,000 over 400,000

Attractive double-glazed 2 bed renovated village house with lots of character and charm

AVAILLES LIMOUZINE - This attractive entirely renovated 2 bed village house retains all of its charm including exposed oak beams. Double-glazed throughout, this property would make a wonderful holiday home or permanent residence. Set in the heart of a pretty village with a weekly market, plenty of amenities are within walking distance and is ideally situated between the two airports of Limoges and Poitiers just under an hour away respectively, as well as the TGV link of Paris. . . . more about this Limousin property

Beautifully renovated and secluded farmhouse in over 44 acres of land with outbuildings

ASNIERES SUR BLOUR - Beautifully restored by professional French artisans, this farmhouse is stunning and has retained much of its character from the lovely exposed beams in all of the rooms to the original oak parquet across the entire first floor. This property has a fitted kitchen with polished stone worktops, oil-fired central heating, new electrics and plumbing, new wooden double-glazed windows and doors and insulated walls and ceilings. Benefiting from amazing views, the estate is extremely private and in a secluded area yet only a couple of minutes from a village with a good bar/restaurant, post office, school and village shop. . . . more about this Limousin property

Beautifully modernised property with a chic kitchen, underfloor heating throughout the downstairs and lovely views

NEAR LE DORAT -This beautifully renovated property has retained much of its character from the lovely exposed beams. This house has been fully modernised and has a fitted kitchen with polished worktops together with oil-fired central heating. With double-glazed windows and doors, there is the added benefit of under floor heating throughout the downstairs. Set in the lovely countryside of the Limousin and amazing views, this property is ideally situated in that it is 5 minutes from the lovely medieval town of Le Dorat with it’s bars and restaurants, post office and schools. .. . . more about this Limousin property

Beautiful 3 bed house with garage - professionally renovated to a high standard

NEAR LE DORAT - This lovely stone-built house has been stylishly renovated to a very high standard from the new roof to the double-glazed windows and doors. This property also has new electric shutters as well as two new bathrooms, a new fully-fitted kitchen, newly installed central heating, etc. and is therefore ready to enjoy immediately. With a pretty and private walled south-facing garden to the back, this property also comes with a garage, a covered veranda and some outbuildings. The airport at Limoges is less than an hour away and the airport at Poitiers, as well as the TGV link for Paris, is a little over an hour away . . . more about this Limousin property

Large stone-built house in excellent condition with an attached barn and almost an acre of land with a swimming pool

BUSSIERE POITEVINE - Within walking distance of the river Gartempe, this 200 year old house has several outbuildings including a lovely large attached barn and an old bread oven, a terrace which leads to a mature garden containing a semi-sunken swimming pool, a variety of fruit trees, mature walnut trees, flower beds and a vegetable patch. This property has stunning views over the Gartempe Valley and is only 5 minutes from a small market town with plenty of shops and about 10 minutes from Bellac, a large market town with all amenities. . . . more about this Limousin property

Delightful must-see cottage with a courtyard, barn, large garage and 3 double bedrooms.

MAGNAC LAVAL - This delightful cottage is entirely renovated and ideally situated in that it is not far from the pretty market town of Magnac Laval with restaurants, bars, shops and schools. Tastefully decorated, it comes with 3 double sized bedrooms, a lovely courtyard to the front of the property, together with a barn and separate garage. Only 40 minutes or so from the airport at Limoges and just over an hour away is the airport at Poitiers and the TGV railway station (from Poitiers, you can get to Paris in an hour and a half) . . . more about this Limousin property

Village house to refresh/renovate with lots of potential, large barn and outbuildings

NEAR BUSSIERE POITEVINE - This stone-built village house to refresh/renovate comes with a large barn, smaller outbuildings and benefits from a large garden with a well. This property requires some modernising, but it is well situated in an unspoilt village surrounded by the beautiful Limousin countryside which also benefits from being only 50 minutes or so from the airport at Limoges and just over an hour away is the airport at Poitiers and the TGV railway station (from Poitiers, you can get to Paris in an hour and a half) and the airports and would, therefore, make an ideal holiday home.. . . . more about this Limousin property

Charming renovated cottage with a courtyard, garden, 2 barns, 1 with a bread oven, 1 to renovate

MAGNAC LAVAL - This charming detached cottage is immediately habitable and comes with a patio area leading to a garden and is ideally situated in a pretty hamlet a few minutes away from the market town of Magnac Laval. This property would make a lovely family home or would be ideal as a holiday cottage. From the outside of the property, there is access to a barn with the possibility to convert the loft area. Centrally located as Limoges airport, served by low cost airlines with daily flights to

Britain

and internal French flights is about half an hour away and Poitiers airport is just over an hour away. . . . . more about this Limousin property

Beautifully renovated large 4 bed townhouse with character

BELLAC - Down a pretty little side street in the heart of the bustling medieval market town of Bellac, this beautifully renovated and spacious 4 bed townhouse on three levels has bags of character including oak beams, fireplaces and exposed stone throughout. With plenty of amenities on the doorstep, this property also comes with an attached garage which is quite rare in the centre of town. Bellac has just been awarded the coveted ‘Village Etape’ status and is only about 30 minutes from the historical city of Limoges, which has an airport providing low cost flights to many UK destinations . . . more about this Limousin property