Once you have made up your mind to purchase a property in South West France, you really need to sit down and think very carefully of what your intentions are regarding this property.
Firstly, is this going to be a new home? If so it must be something you like and would feel comfortable living in. Would the house be similar to what you have now or would you like a complete change? Perhaps you would like to downsize in order to make living arrangements more manageable or perhaps you would like to upsize in order to house a growing family, or your art or even antique furniture collection.
If you are contemplating retiring to South West France, then you need to consider the encroaching restrictions of growing older. Maybe stairs could become a problem in time so it is wise to avoid a two-storey building, particularly one with steep stairs. If you were considering an apartment, it would be sensible to select a building with an efficient elevator. Another consideration is upkeep. Apartments have fixed maintenance costs so you know what you are getting into at the outset. Another benefit is there will be no outside work like gardening, which could become a problem with the passing of the years.
On the other hand many enjoy gardening as a hobby. It takes you outdoors into the fresh air and the exercise keeps you fit. In that case you will need to search for a rural cottage or an urban villa. Do realise, however, that the garden is going to take up a lot of time and energy. If you feel you can’t manage then you will need to pay someone to take care of your precious plot.
What about swimming pools? A swimming pool adds a wonderful fun factor to any home. Particularly if you can swim in it all year round. This will increase the value of the house when it comes time to sell, or else augment the rent if letting it out is your idea. Don’t worry too much about pool upkeep. It should not be an issue providing you insure the filter system is truly efficient.
Of course if letting is something you would like to consider you will need to give some thought to the requirements of your tenants. Will your target market be couples or families with children? You can always command higher returns if the house or apartment is close to schools, railways stations, main roads and even airports. This will also reflect in the resale value when you decide the time has come to sell.
Location is everything; thus a rural setting might be attractive but what about transportation? Is the house close to public transport or do you intend to do the driving yourself? In essence the more rural the house the lower the price.
The time to plan has arrived. Make a list of your criterion that highlight your needs and budget and then browse the Internet for suitable properties. Enjoy the search and let’s hope you find a bargain that satisfies all of your wants when you come to selecting a property in South West France.
