Sunday, September 5, 2010

What is all the talk about the Languedoc weather?

They say that no-one talks more about the weather than the British, so it has been very interesting to see over the years that this is very much a hot topic here in the Languedoc, among the French as well as expats of all varieties!

One often hears people hotly defend their own areas while pointing out the worse climate in other areas and one of the most common claims is to a special "micro-climate", setting an area aside from the rest of the region! So, are there micro-climates and, if so, just how significant are they?

Before looking at micro-climates, perhaps one needs to consider briefly the main characteristics of the Languedoc - a region of the South of France, with distinctly different areas... the very long Mediterranean coastline... the lush inland plains... then, further inland, the hills of the national park or the Pyrénées mountains.

The South of France is known generally for mild winters (although there can be cold snaps), beautifully sunny and very hot summers, sudden storms (usually clearing quite quickly) and often strong winds. So, these are factors one can face in any part of the region.

Of course, if you go up into the hills or mountains, then naturally you will find it is often cooler or cloudier - and at significant altitude, quite cold in the winter. However, that is true almost anywhere, not exclusively in the Languedoc, so no real micro-climate factor there.

It is also said that there is a climate effect as one gets closer to the Pyrénées, particularly with winds coming out of the mountains - and it does seem that how those winds are funnelled can affect how windy or calm, damp or dry, a particular valley may be and how windy a particular town or village may be. So, signs of micro-climates.

However, our experience is that, generally, if it is hot and sunny, or very windy, or particularly stormy, then that tends to prevail across most of the region - and mainly overwhelm any micro factors.

Still not sure - well this is one of the best guides we have seen to the region's climate, giving a lot of information about temperatures, rainfall, winds, etc...


On a final note, if a local estate agent tells you that their area is best for buying a house, because of its exceptional weather, do consider who might be responsible for much of the talk about micro-climates!!

Sunday, August 29, 2010

Featured Languedoc property...

In the heart of the vineyard country near Béziers, in the Hérault area of the region, a converted stone-built former wine store with main home plus and independent studio and swimming pool... a beautiful renovation - charming!


LAU339000E  Renovated wine barn, studio and pool

To see our extensive property listings... 


Saturday, August 21, 2010

Languedoc house hunting? Some top tips...


In this blog, we plan to give some valuable tips on the practicalities of house hunting in the region and a good starting point perhaps is how you should plan to equip yourself.

A few days of house hunting can be demanding and tiring, even exhausting, so you should think about comfort as well as equipment.

So, for our top tips for your house hunting...
* Usually agents will expect a small group to arrive for viewing appointments and will plan to take you to the properties in a car - if you will be a larger group, then let them know in advance. They may have a larger vehicle available or you may need to discuss following the agent in your own car.

* If possible, try to avoid taking dogs along to viewings - it can be quite impractical and, although France is a nation of dog lovers, not everyone will want dogs taken into their home.

* For viewing days, check the weather forecast the day before and plan to wear comfortable and practical shoes and clothing.  In the summer, remember that the Languedoc can get very hot, and you may spend a fair amount of time outside, so wear light clothing and remember sunscreen!

* If your French is not strong, consider taking a phrase book or dictionary - appointments will usually be with an English speaker, but it will often be their second language and sometimes meanings need to be clarified when talking about a property.

* Always try to get to the agencies on time, as someone will be waiting for you from the appointed time. A good road map of the region, or SatNav, can useful and allow some extra time for finding your way - and for parking if the agency is in a town.

* Once you have met a few agents, and seen several properties, it can be hard to keep track of them! Equip yourself to make notes on properties - which agent, where the properties are and key points about each property. 

* Also use a camera or video (or your phone's camera) to take reference shots - ideal for reviewing the properties at the end of the day.

* If a property is of particular interest, you may want to arrange a second visit and also perhaps take measurements additional to those given in the description - a good tape measure can useful for checking window sizes, access widths, etc.

* Finally, as some house hunting days can be long, tiring and unpredictable, especially going around some rural areas, think about taking some simple snacks and drinks to sustain you and your party through the day!
Watch this space for more house hunting tips...



Saturday, August 14, 2010

This or that lawyer?

Continuing our occasional discussion of aspects of the French buying process, a brief look now at the basic situation regarding lawyers.

When you start to research French property, you quickly get to know that the French lawyers involved in handling the contracts are known as notaires. However, what exactly is their role? Is it, for example, similar to that of a UK conveyancing solicitor?

Well, not really. In fact, the notaire is effectively a government appointed lawyer whose responsibility is primarily to ensure that there is a properly legal contract under French law. Now, many French people buy properties with only the main notaire involved. However, overseas buyers tend to find that the notaire mainly just gets on with executing the contract, assuming that the buyer is familiar with procedures in France - they find that the notaire does not give them advice in their particular interests, as the notaire's role is one of impartiality.

There is actually the option to appoint a second notaire, to represent your interests in the terms of the contract. However, again, many people feel that even then, the second notaire can tend to assume that their client does understand how everything works in France. Naturally, if you do not speak French fluently enough to understand the legal language, there is also the challenge of finding a notaire who speaks and writes fluent English. It is also said that the first notaire resents a second being introduced to the picture, because they then have to share the same fees - however, it is hard to say how true this is!

So, what is the answer? Well, one option is simply to do as many French people do - just go with the main notaire. Many overseas buyers actually do this. However, as an overseas buyer, probably with little knowledge of French law and its implications, it perhaps makes sense to take independent legal advice. I say "perhaps", since we have actually had a UK solicitor buying in France say it was a waste of time and money to use an independent lawyer! Our view is that buying a house is too important to take this risk and that independent advice is important. If you do not take a second notaire, though, what other option is there?

Well, these days there are many UK firms of solicitors who have in-house lawyers specialising in French property law, usually having qualified in France and completely bi-lingual in English and French. Aside from advising on the purchase contract, these lawyers can also advise on French inheritance law, which is quite different to other countries - it is important to get this aspect right from the initial contract stage, to avoid inheritance problems later.

Taking an independent lawyer does of course involve cost - one still has to pay the standard French legal costs (related to the property price) and pay the additional fees of the independent lawyer. These fees can vary significantly, with some practices seeming to put quite a high value on their services, so it pays to shop around and compare. We can usually suggest one or two options - if you need help, just get in touch via our Contact page.


Thursday, August 12, 2010

Featured property...

Available via our local agent covering the area around Limoux, south of Carcassonne, in the Aude area of the Languedoc... a lovely village house on grounds of 475 m² - and great value for a home in the South of France...


Ref. CBL5241 Village house with garden
Ground floor:

- Living room : 19,26m²
- Kitchen : 14,91m²
- WC : 2,14m²

1st floor:

- Bedroom : 12,28m²
- Bedroom : 7,49m²
- Bathroom : 6,24m²

Garden approx 475m²

Price: 125 000 €


See our extensive property listings...