A Little Village House

Tony,

OMG, as they say today, some 20 years ago I camethisclose to buying a house in the village of Puilacher, Languedoc. A friend in New York (I’m a Brit who went to NYC in 1970 and worked for The New York Times for 29 years) talked me out of it.

Well, you can imagine how I felt for many years. Until, that is, I went back about 8 or so years ago and saw that a vineyard company, I believe, had kind of taken the village over. However, my lifetime dream has been to live in Languedoc. Don’t know why, but it feels like home.

And you, you lucky *****, are living my dream!!

Is there any chance that a cheap, rundown kind of place might be available, do you know?
This shared ownership thing, which I read about in the NYT (as I’m sure thousands of others did), I’m not really sure about.

Does it really work?
Would love to hear about some place in those lovely hilly villages just west of Pezenas, a place I like a lot.
Oh my, of course I should have acted way back when. But it’s never too late, I guess, even if you are 69, as I am.
Best of everything to you and your family,
I hope to hear,
Terry

==

Hi Terence

I have just been offered a property in St Nazaire - just west of Pezenas - it is a very interesting offer and has masses of potential at a low price 130,000 euro - the village is perfect.

I have not put it on a real estate site yet but you can see the photos at

http://flickr.com/photos/cathar/sets/72157603703148866/

and

http://flickr.com/photos/cathar/sets/72157603707582939/

and a video I use to make notes before writing the details at

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zo_0-C3zh-w

Let me know if this is interesting

Fractional Ownership does work very well and is well established

Hope to see you over here

Best wishes

Tony

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Hi Tony,

I guess at today’s prices, 130,000 is a low number, but when it comes to renovating the property then the numbers would of course climb substantially.

It is in fact everything I asked for, so no criticism on that score. But on second thoughts, maybe Fractional Ownership might fit my budget, not to mention my age, a bit better.

Oh, and when I said west of Pezenas, I should have said east! That’s the area I spent most of my time in over a number of years, and with which I am more familiar. (The first place I stayed in was Lacoste, up near Clermont-l’Herault).

Thank you for taking the time to bring the St. Nazaire property to my attention, but, as I say, perhaps I should be thinking Fractional Ownership.

Best,

Terence

==

Hi Terence

It will be hard to find anything reasonably comfortable for under 200,000 euro now - you are wise to avoid renovation - it will double the price.

Fractional Ownership is only working effectively in Paris - there may be some offers in Nice soon, but for village homes I do not advise it - prices start now at about 100,000 for one month in a good apartment.

The other option is to buy a place and then sell shares

Hope this helps

best wishes

Tony