We are going over to France fora couple of weeks looking to buy in Limousin. (NOT a second home as we don't own anything here) Is anyone reading this based over there? What is the state of the market?
Do we need to pay asking price or are sellers getting desperate? Would we get away with a cheeky(ish) offer?
We're looking for a small detached house with a bit of land for around £100,000 - I'm thinking that as rival buyers are all Brits selling up - we might have less compeittion if they can't sell in UK. Advice please!

There are plenty of web sites with Limousin property. Look at them b4 u go.
Do NOT buy now but wait until the autumn or winter .
Prices will not get any higher and you will get to know the area better. Rent for at least 6 months first......build up some contacts.......let the locals know you are looking around .....but don't rush.
It would be routine to offer 20% below the asking price and put in lots of clauses b4 u sign so u can back out without expences or lost deposits.

Good luck and don't rush.

Lucinda, have you looked at the forum:

http://forums.livingfrance.com/default.aspx

Lots of its members live in France, and will no doubt be able to give you firsthand knowledege of the area you're looking at.

We want to buy in Northern France and as Picnic says, now is not the right time - we're going over this summer to look, but aren't planning on buying until this winter at the earliest, but more likely next year!!

As regards Picnic's advise about putting lots of clauses into the 'Compromis de vente', I'm not sure about that. The French are very straigthforward about business deals and it can be frowned upon if you 'mess them about'. I have heard of one British buyer who wanted a clause putting in to say that he would only buy subject to selling his house in the UK within the next 6 months - the Notaire would have none of it and sent him home packing!!

I think it's important not to give British in France a bad name!!

hi shabby
I agree ...try to keep it simple but LUCINDA is thinking of spending 100000£.

I don't see why she shouldn't try to protect her money.!!
Business is business where ever you are doing it.

Thanks for your tips. I will check out that forum - we will definitely take a good look round before taking the plunge, but things do seem to be selling quite quickly. Had my eye on a nice looking one which has just been sold before we even got a chance to have a look at it, that's always a downer for me!

so what have you been doing over the summer Lucinda?
I would love to hear how you got on.
When is the party in the big new house going to be?.
Best wishes Picnic

Good luck, its still a great market and you may just end up pissing people off. Remember 100k is not much and concentrate on getting the house you want not beating someone down.

Of course you should concentrate on getting the house you want.

Of course you should get it for the best price you can too !

If that means dropping your price in a falling market then so be it.
At least then you will have some money left for the things you missed when you looked at the property.

property is NOT about emotion.