Through the numerous years of acting as an estate agent in the French property market I have come across many different situations - some hilarious and some extremely sad. I have often thought about keeping a diary of events, but somehow never find the time to do it. However, then asked for a short article I decided to dig down into my memory and extricate a few anecdotes. They will provide some idea of the situations that can come about during the pursuit of a French property - and may be of assistance to would be purchasers. I have deal with many clients over the years - some have become good friends who I can drop into unannounced and be assured of a warm welcome. They also keep me up to date with various stories. In any event do not allow yourself to be put off your search - it is all part of the enjoyment of buying and owning a property in France. Remember you are buying in a foreign country whose customs are different - do not expect English ways.
To begin, let us assume you have taken the initial step and have requested an appointment to view houses in France - but you still have to find them and get into them. English clients are frequently amazed at the procedures! In our case we generally arrange for a meeting with our French associate for first thing in the morning. Following a review of the current property register, a short-list of some six to eight properties to view is normally prepared. The client will then depart with our associate for the site visits. This really is the most efficient way to see the properties. The houses may be difficult to locate without help. Indeed on many occasions I have been out with our colleagues who themselves have got lost.
One client, Mr. and Mrs. M who insisted on viewing by themselves, were provided with maps, detailed instructions, property details, and off they went. No more was heard from them until they phoned me on the Monday afternoon, back home from their trip. "No we did not have a good time - we only found two of the houses, and they were not suitable". "Well you were advised against it" cam my reply. On further discussion, and once they had calmed down it transpired that in any event they now knew they loved the area and would return the following weekend. They did so, they viewed with our associate, saw all the properties shortlisted, and then bought one! So make sure you use the assisted service - it saves time and our colleagues do have intimate knowledge to assist you. Almost certainly you will meet some real French characters, who will all be very (in some cases too) hospitable.
And then, once you have found the house, the problems do not necessarily end there! I have on countless occasions hacked my way through a virtual jungle only to be confronted by closed, but very rickety doors. Sometimes you do need sound boots and not flip-flops on these trips! A screwdriver often comes in very handy to pen the windows! Still you may be lucky, our associate may have provided you with a heavy bunch of very old fashioned French keys, or it is quite usual to find a set kept at the local café! However you still may have a problem in getting them to work as once happened to Nicole, one of our colleagues in the Vendee. Visiting a house with clients, she had the keys but could not get any to unlock the secrets of the house. Not easily defeated (and she never is) she noticed an open first floor window. Searching around, one of the barns yielded an old agricultural ladder - and up Nicole went through the window. Next followed the client's rather overweight wife; the poor woman landing heavily amongst the nettles! Luckily she was unhurt. Nicole was able to open up the house from inside and - the clients actually bought the place! The episode remained a constant source of amusement between ourselves and the client during the following weeks up to the date of signing the final contract.
Even once you have acquired the house it is not always the end of the storey. Mrs. G. a remarkable lady of sixty-eight purchased a very old water-mill in Normandy. She had gone over for a general look around and whilst driving about, by chance notices this particular property from the roadside, having recognised it from a batch of property particulars. On her return to England she phoned "property XYZ - I must have it, please negotiate a good price". "But have you seen it?" "Yes, yes" came the rapid reply. "Alright, but are you aware of the extent of the internal works required?" The reply came "No, I saw the outside, fell in love with the buildings and the beautiful setting and I simply must have it". So we negotiated a price and some weeks later the final contract was signed, using a Power of Attorney. A few weeks later we received a call from Mrs. G - could we send a map and detailed instructions as to where the property was! Even with this information she did not find it, but following a visit to our associates' office she did eventually get there. Even though she could not initially find her property and had not even seen the interior she was still a very happy lady (she is still restoring) All's well that ends well!
Agents are always about and willing to help, I wonder how the above purchaser would have got on without us.
