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Former Dial-a-Cab driver, Bob Woodford, writes a regular column for Call Sign from his home in Languedoc, France… CALL SIGN EN LA BELLE FRANCE |
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| Fancy buying a
house in the Languedoc? The time has never been better to purchase a holiday home or a house to retire to in the south of France. It is a perfect buyers market, with prices of properties for sale being negotiated down by between 5 and 10%. Bargains are plentiful as French vendors realise that the market is stagnant and that to sell their property they need to have it correctly priced at the outset, as well as to be prepared to accept low offers. Why the Languedoc? Located in the south of France, the region is loved for its Mediterranean resorts, safe beaches, high mountains and most especially its vineyards - making the Languedoc Frances’ biggest wine producer. The attraction of Languedoc-Roussillon has increased in recent years. With budget airlines serving all of the area’s main cities, including Montpellier and Toulouse, property here enjoyed France’s biggest rise between 1999 and 2004. With its beautiful countryside and warmer southern climate, it is little wonder that Languedoc is enjoying so much attention. Buyers and holidaymakers find themselves delighted by what the region has to offer. World famous Carcassonne, home to one of the world’s most picturesque walled cities, Cathar castles, the Canal du Midi and the type of old stone |
and quaint villages that one dreams of. The
mixture of northern Spanish influence and a large proportion of
northern French that have moved south, create a gentler,
cosmopolitan type. What type of properties can we find? All sorts! From renovated properties and old stone barns that can be found for about 60,000 Euros, to village houses (often without a terrace or outside space, though becoming more popular now that many have been renovated). There are houses on the outskirts of villages and towns that have some land, sometimes a pool and are more peaceful. We also have a great choice of modern or recent villas that are very popular. Most have big rooms, swimming pool, aircon, garage, integrated vacuum points throughout, integrated watering systems for the garden, more than one small bath / shower room - and one can move straight into them - maybe changing the colour of the paintwork! Prices for Villas start at around £165 000. How to find your dream home? Either go onto the internet and do all the searches yourself, make appointments with the vendors (often in French) and give yourself a few weeks to see as many as possible before deciding, Alternatively, use an estate agent who has a good knowledge of the |
local areas and can advise you about the
whole buying process, pitfalls, villages that are liable to
flood and guide you through the process from A – Z. The 2 most difficult decisions are which department and then which sector? The Aude is the most popular within the Languedoc, but within 20 to 30 km there can be great variances in countryside, architecture and micro-climates. We specialise in the sector to the north of Narbonne, an area where the Canal du Midi is at its most beautiful, the villages are very varied and within very easy access to airports. Once you have decided that you would like to start looking, contact us either by email to either Bob Woodford via woodford19@btinternet.com or Michael Bowditch via mbowditch@mac.com or you can phone 0033 468 27 18 13 and we can send you details of properties that may interest you. It is estimated that about 297,000 people have bought homes in the Languedoc since 2000. Come and join them and enjoy 320 days of sunshine a year, great wine, good golf, locally caught seafood and long stretches of beaches. Be lucky, be careful et à bientôt… Bob Woodford (Ex-P49) Saint Genies de Fontedit, Languedoc, France |
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