letters
Beware being overwhelmed when buying French property
Reader shares an experience of a sale made to an English couple
To the Editor,
I sold a lovely property in France to an English couple a few years ago: a timber-framed farmhouse, large gîte, outbuildings and a hectare of land.
The new owners had sold a fairly standard semi near London for a daft sum.
It was a great status symbol for them. Friends and family visited, of course, but they were fish out of water as they simply did not understand the country lifestyle.
They could not manage the property and the bills.
They visited our property, which is cosy, warm and characterful. It is not too big and it is ordered. The lady could not help but say we had a lovely home.
That meant a lot and she also told us that she realised they had bought too much property. They eventually sold up and returned to the UK.
A refreshing part of living here is that French people largely think about lifestyle and not keeping up with the neighbours. We like that.
P.M., by email
Have you felt overwhelmed by your French property purchase? Share your experience at letters@connexionfrance.com
