French citizen & homeowner here. It's interesting to see how buyers from other countries experience the whole process. I know I wouldn't be too sure of myself buying abroad with all the risks for scamming or unfriendliness... In general we french people are not a nation of flippers. We tend to get attached to our houses & live in the same place for long stretches of time. We frankly don't care much about the value on paper unless panic sale for whatever reason or inheritance fight (a universal plague I suspect...). Thanks for sharing.

@charenteliving

Ай бұрын

Yes many countries have such different processes for buying and selling. We felt very safe with the French system and we felt it was very safe for both parties.

Bonjour, c'est vrai que la bureaucratie en France est très longue et compliqué mais, en contrepartie c'est l'une des plus sure au monde

@charenteliving

Жыл бұрын

Absolument, c'est vrai.

Thank you for this realistic explanation of the process of buying in France. I will be watching

@charenteliving

Жыл бұрын

We are happy you liked it. Thank you for following us!

I do not know what is more beautiful, if it is you or the palace.

@charenteliving

Жыл бұрын

Awww thank you so much Simon!

Buying in France was an interesting process. I looked at more the 20 properties over a 2+ year period flying to/from the US to do so. The first property I started to buy met all the boxes on my list. Sadly the seller backed out of the transaction after the 10-day cooling off period which was frustrating. However, she had to pay the penalty to me. I found the property I eventually bought four months later. Similar to you guys, it was a 6 month process from offer and signing the Compromis to signing the Acte de Vente. I'm excited to have my house in the south of France. ☺

@charenteliving

Жыл бұрын

It sure can be all a frustrating process, funnily we look back on it hardly remember that stress and frustration, and would go through it again. Sorry to hear you lost that first place, I am sure though what you have now is just perfect!!!

@nativetexson

Жыл бұрын

@@charenteliving I'm happy with it. 🙂 Being an architect, viewing so many properties during the process was fun... even though many were in VERY bad condition. Have a great day!

Planning to buy a house in France myself, it is good to be prepared for a long wait. Thank you for sharing that. Besides, nice to follow a couple of guys for a change ;)

@charenteliving

11 ай бұрын

Thank you so much. Hope you find somewhere, it can take time but worth the wait!!

The priority was the wine tasting! I love it, after all, France is famous for its wonderful wine!

@charenteliving

5 ай бұрын

Yes getting the priorities right haha!

If I was in your position I would also rip off the wallpaper as soon as possible. It's a start and a nice visual relief to remove all that patterned surface.

@charenteliving

Жыл бұрын

Absolutely, and a great feeling of being productive.

Cheers from Connecticut USA

@charenteliving

Жыл бұрын

Cheers to you too!!

What a beautiful couple. Stay strong. I’m here in Dallas, Texas USA 🇺🇸

@charenteliving

Жыл бұрын

Thank you so much Frank!!

@danielpolk9808

Жыл бұрын

Also in Dallas

the code civil, coming from droit Napoleonien is extremely protective for owner in France, reason why it take a while to sign, as long you are renovating the house declare it to Dgfip so you will not have to pay the Taxe d habitation. Good luck guys it is a wonderful area

@roberttobinflute

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for the great advices. We are actually bringing these videos a little later than the renovation timeline, so now we have the house in more or less liveable condition, so we have the Tax d'habitation to pay, but would have been great to know it before. Good to know for any future projects. Thanks again.

@brigittelacour5055

Жыл бұрын

The code is protecting the owners and the buyers. During the 2-3 months after the signature of the sell compromise, the attorney ( notaire) has to collect everything about legality of the house, state of the house concerning listing PB, state of electric wiring, and so. He could ask the owners to repair or adjust the price, he has to check if the state, town have a project that could impact the house, he has also to check if the house is on a natural or industrial risks area.

@mynaturalperfume828

Жыл бұрын

Wish I d known this 10 yrs ago...

Bonjour, effectivement la procédure a vraiment duré longtemps. Mais comme vous l'avez dit, c'était la vente d'un bien en succession avec plusieurs nue-propriétaires, ce qui a rallongé d'autant la procédure. Sinon, s'il y a un seul ( ou couple de) propriétaire (s), cela peut aller bien plus vite, et surtout si vous payez comptant.

@charenteliving

Жыл бұрын

Oui, et maintenant nous sommes heureux et chanceux d'être dans la belle région de la Charente.

A great start.

@charenteliving

Жыл бұрын

Thank you so much!

Bravo from Ireland, love your content 👏

@charenteliving

Жыл бұрын

Thanks so much! Go raibh maith agat! Happy to hear you like

@twoeejitsinfrance

Жыл бұрын

Also from Ireland now living in Vienne.

Bravo!

@charenteliving

Жыл бұрын

Thank you!!

We viewed our house in North Vienne in 2019. We signed the acte de vente on Feb 2020 then returned home to Ireland and lock down for months. We finally sold our Irish house and moved to France in July 2021. 18 months after we got our keys. We also have a large renovation project ahead of us too.

@charenteliving

Жыл бұрын

That sounds fantastic. Delighted for you both. Haven't visited the area of Vienne yet. Im sure its beautiful there.

Wine tasting was the priority 😂🍷

@charenteliving

Жыл бұрын

Yes haha!

You are SO funny! Wine tasting always comes first, but you can shoot a text in between sips 😅😅😅😅😅 I see you are village dwellers and not country mice. My friends house was on the Brittany Coast, about 10 miles from the Carrefour Grocery. But her views were magnificent. And we went to the weekly markets in all the villages. Whoever drew short straw had be be up early and make a run to the bakery, 5 miles away. Such happy carefree times. I cherish those memories so close to my ❤️ 7:47

@charenteliving

Жыл бұрын

Oh must have been beautiful there in Brittany. We have been lucky to meet wonderful people in the village and forge some lovely friendships.

The same thing with Realtors in the US. Anyone of them can sell your house. However we close on the sales in 45 days. When my friends finally sold in Brittany, due to age issues. They flew over for 3 months….till closing, while I housesat their home and critters on the Georgia Coast. (Very far south, almost Florida) it is a long long ordeal. I applaud you both! It’s terrible on the nerves! And you right, then the tearing out begins. I have never met anyone ever, who bought a house or mannor in France that didn’t need a full kitchen and at least one bathroom gut job! 😅😅😅😅😅😅 oh but so worth it, and you are young! A lifetime to enjoy your labors heart ❤❤❤❤❤ But COVID, oh my gosh!!!

@charenteliving

Жыл бұрын

Hard on the nerves but now looking back you somehow say it was worth it and you would do it all again haha! Thanks for all the lovely comments!

@Sushi2735

Жыл бұрын

@@charenteliving I have a very sensitive nervous system and would have freaked out. You both remained clam and accommodating !! And now, you are getting there!!!!!!

Les processus de construction sont toujours très excitants 👍

@charenteliving

Жыл бұрын

Oui, en effet, ils sont très intéressants et excitants.

Thank you for sharing ,it looks beutiful😍

@charenteliving

Жыл бұрын

Thank you so much! Happy you like it

Just found you this morning! What a terrific vlog of your journey. I really enjoyed it 😊 I feel a binge watch marathon coming on! Thank you x

@charenteliving

Жыл бұрын

Oh thanks so much Jane. Delighted you enjoyed the video!!

Best of luck to you boys

@charenteliving

Жыл бұрын

Thanks David!

Enjoying your house hunting journey

@charenteliving

Жыл бұрын

Was so much fun!

Well done!

@charenteliving

Жыл бұрын

Thank you!

Delightful video. Looks like I will be sharing the journey with you two as a subscriber. Cheers from LA.

@charenteliving

Жыл бұрын

Thanks Michael, great to have you along with us!

Thankyou, it reminds me of when i came here 18 years ago.

@charenteliving

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for the support Dean. You must be well settled into French life now.

That was so informative about the steps to purchasing a home in France. I have heard it’s very long and drawn out, but worth it in the end

@charenteliving

Жыл бұрын

Absolutely and thankfully safe for both buyer and seller.

I'm so looking forward to sharing your journey....just want to mention that in this video, the background noise (music) competes with your voices. All the best.

@charenteliving

Жыл бұрын

Thank you so much Nomi. Thanks for the feedback about the sound. Working always to ensure we have the best balance and hopefully every video going forward will be better.

I so much enjoyed that video and wish you much happiness in your new home. The room with the panelling looked very interesting after you had removed the wallpaper .The chimney piece looks good too. Try and use paints from Edward Bulmer or Farrow and Ball. Good luck

@charenteliving

Жыл бұрын

Thanks so much. Yes that is the dining room and will be featured in the next episode. It's a beautiful room.

I was thinking that you must've been freezing your tootsies! What a giant project!

@charenteliving

Жыл бұрын

Has been a bit chilly alright, but surviving okay😊

Hi from Brisbane. Just found your channel so looking forward to catching up on what you have been doing . The house is lovely

@charenteliving

Жыл бұрын

Thanks so much Leigh. Great we reached you all the way in Brisbane. Must be warm there now!

@leighevans1394

Жыл бұрын

@@charenteliving it has been stinking hot for over 2 weeks - temps over 33 and ++ humidity every day !! I hate it

Thank you for sharing moments in this beautiful area. What a pity you didn't buy the second house in your video, it is located in my home town and was a butchers shop when I was young... Your new house is very nice. Good luck with the refurb ! and Happy belated New Year !

@charenteliving

Жыл бұрын

Oh wow, it was a beautiful village there and the house was really amazing but sadly just too much to do inside. I remember visiting a beautiful chateau that was near the village also. Thank you so much for the lovely words.

I want to buy a small house in the Charente or Occitanie. Glad I found your video channel!! What about lead, asbestos and termites and other bugs or concerns? Buying an old maison is so tempting but what about all the remediations/renovations!? 😊

@charenteliving

Жыл бұрын

Thankfully the checks when buying the house are quite thorough so you can really see what you are getting into. With old houses there can be many surprises so one has to be ready mentally to deal with them as they arise. I wouldn't let any of the above turn you off looking or buying as so many of the issues can be solved. We warmly recommend our area.

@kevinharmon8885

Жыл бұрын

I bought online ,delighted. Be sure you get pictures of ceilings. Never visited ,all documentation on line. Agent a great help setting up utilities.

Love the gloves. Are they hand made?

@charenteliving

Жыл бұрын

Yes they are. We actually bought them on a trip to Talinn, Estonia, but many people knit similar styles here in Finland too.

Hello!! Just a girl that wants to buy a house on rural france in here. Is there any website/real state agent that you recommend? Your real state agents were english speakers? I just want to avoid any miscomunication due to the language barrier, to have things as clear as possible. Is it mandatory for contract to be in french or you can ask for it to be in english? Thank you so much!! Your videos are super helpful and the house is looking beautiful!!

@charenteliving

3 ай бұрын

Hi Yazmin. Thanks for your message. We bought through Leggett, which is an English speaking estate agent. There are many agents who are originally from England so very easy to deal with regarding the language. Also all the listings are in English. Regarding the contracts they are only in French but your agents will help you with everything you need. (Maybe there is a translating service, but we didn't have one) Best of luck with everything!!

@yazminaustin7073

3 ай бұрын

@@charenteliving thank you so much!!!

Is that why you guys were at the same spot talking all the time? Coz you were frozen? :)

Before cell phones, it might take a year or more to get a phone at your house. France has not changed.

@charenteliving

Жыл бұрын

Yes some things a bit slower to happen there.

Did you guys say which real estate web site that you looked at?

@charenteliving

Жыл бұрын

We found our house on the Leggett real estate website.

@EricOnYouTube

Жыл бұрын

@@charenteliving Oh, that is probably not for me. I am not rich. hehehhe

@charenteliving

Жыл бұрын

@@EricOnKZread I think you can find properties of all prices there, and there are definitely bargains to be had if you want a renovation project. Also different regions will be naturally more expensive than others. We found it useful as all of the information was in English.