Free house buying advice for house hunters in Brittany.
With all holidays booked in either Les Maisons Crème, Blanche, Jaune, Verte or Orange the normal weeks rental includes free of charge:

1 House buying information for Brittany
If you are coming here to look at houses we offer a free one to one service to help answer your questions & concerns about the difficulties of buying a house here in France. We may be able to assist, as we`ve bought ten and sold two houses here in France plus we have just bought 18,000m2 of building land and are about to build three new houses on it. We don`t guarantee that we know it all though, but we can tell you what we have done ourselves.

2 Emigration information for Brittany
If you plan on coming here to live we`ll be happy to share what we know; health, schools, taxes and permits we`ll tell what we know. Have a look at the information below for further details.

How does it work ?
We know from considerable experience that the house hunting and buying process in France is nothing like that in the UK . The legal system is complicated, bureaucratic and everything proceeds maddeningly slowly. To a new buyer the whole thing can often seem unfathomable. This is where we can help. We make it easier. It's simple, all you do is rent one of our five gites for the long or short term whilst searching for your new house and we will be available to help answer the numerous questions and queries you will have.

You can ask as many questions as you want with regard to the house buying process or anything else to do with the French system. We'll do all we can to help guide you from when you go to sign your first `Bon Visite` to completion of the `Acte de Vente`

We can even tell you if the price of a property is realistic or if `its a price for the English`

Why pay for expensive consultants when we can help you out for free ?

Each year we help dozens of English people buy their own houses here in Brittany and have many essential contacts, including English speaking estate agents and an English speaking notaire (a French solicitor). We can even arrange for someone to come and view some properties with you (there is a charge for this), or if you need one, a local French/ English translator (there is a charge for this). Most importantly, we can tell you if we think that the price you are looking to pay for a specific house is fair & not overpriced.

After you`ve bought we can put you in touch with English speaking plumbers, electricians, builders, gardeners and even an English speaking bank- should you want.

Why do we offer this service for free when others charge large sums ?
1. It enables us to occupy our gites in the off-peak months when letting's are quietest.

2. It will save others making some of the many mistakes we made.

Below is an initial taster of just some of the questions that we are most often asked by people buying houses in France .

The location
Where is the best location and where are houses cheapest ?
Do I buy a new house or an old barn to convert ?
How much will I pay for land ?
How much will I pay for a new build and how do I arrange for one ?

The agent
Where is a good agent and how do they work ?
Is there an English speaking agent nearby ?
How much are the fees and who pays them and when ?

To contact an agent in advance of coming please telephone or e mail

Sidonie Sempéré

Ruffiac Immobilier
Tél: 02.97.93.75.09
Fax: 02.97.93.73.79
ruffiacimmobilier@aliceadsl.fr
www.ruffiac-immobilier.com

Her `shop` is about 10 minutes from our house (in Ruffiac), speaks fluent English and is the best agent in the area. She`ll be happy to talk to you and arrange some appointments !!!

Before buying
Is the price fair or am I getting ripped off ?
Do I need a survey & if so how do I get one ?
How does the cess-pit (La fosse septic) work ?
How have the fosse septic laws recently changed & how much could this cost me ? (lots)
Have I sufficient land/ drainage to install a fosse septique ?
What `type` of electricity is available to the house (there is 3-36 Kw, mono and tri-phase)
How can I get this changed and what is the cost ?
Is there mains water on site ?
Is the house legally classed as habitable (if not you can't stay in it) ?
Is it in an area of outstanding beauty ?
Am I going to be able to get planning permission to convert it ?
Which works need planning permission and which don't ?

Some of the legal's
What is a `Bon visite` and why must I sign one before I view a house ?
What does this commit me to ?
What do I do if I want to buy the house ?
Is my offer binding and can I be gazumped ?
Do I have to sign immediately ?
What documentation must I supply ?
the agents says the fosse is all working fine. Does that mean it`s legal ? (usually no)
What are my legal responsibilities with regard to termites & asbestos ?
What is a `Plan de Cadastre` and what does it tell me ?
What about `right of ways` across and to my land ?
Do any farmers have grazing rights ?
Who are `S.A.F.A.R` and why do they have the right to veto my purchase ?
Why could the Marie be allowed to buy the house instead of me ?
What is the `Comprimis de Vente` ?
What are `conditions suspensives` ?
What must I make sure is written in the Comprimis de Vente ?
What`s a lead survey for ?
What`s a asbestos survey for ?
What`s a energy survey for ?
Why must I pay 10% deposit straightaway and what happens if I change my mind ?
Do I need my own notaire ?
Can I use the sellers notaire or the estate agents notaire ?
Is there an English speaking one available ?
How much are the fees ?
Do I need a UK based solicitor to act on my behalf ?
How long will it be before before the house is mine ?
What is the Acte de Vente ?
Do I need to be there in person to sign it ?
How do I physically pay for the house ?

After purchase
Who must I notify ?
Do I need house insurance ?
What taxes must I pay e.g. Fonciers, habitation, rubbish collection ?
Who will sort out the utility changeovers ?
Who will `keep an eye` on the house ?
Who will cut the lawn in my absence ?(it is illegal to allow thistles to bloom or let the grass grow excessively)
Do I need a French will and what are the inheritance laws ?
What is the importance of the Marie ?
Can I drink the water ?
If I am ill what is the procedure for seeing a specialist, a doctor or dentist ?
How does A&E work at the hospital ?
How do I get planning permission ?
Why might I still owe the previous owner some money until the end of the calendar year ?
Do I need a TV licence and can I get British TV ?
Is it worth importing DIY stuff ?