Wander through narrow cobbled streets of charming, historic hill top towns enjoying the marvellous view of open green countryside as far as the eye can see before sampling the local speciality of ‘clafoutis’ – a delicious dessert of fresh black cherries baked in crepe batter and sometimes flavoured with rum or local brandy; soak up some culture in the national porcelain museum in Limoges which houses a simply outstanding collection of ceramics, pottery, china and glass or take a trip around the Cathedral of St Etienne – a national monument of France and a stunning example of gothic architecture which took over 600 years to complete; enjoy a walk through the countryside of La Creuse - a tranquil landscape of hills and vales, streams and woods - before returning to your traditional stone farmhouse to enjoy a well-deserved chilled beer on your terrace and watch the sun go down over a peaceful valley of green trees. Located in the centre of southern France in a rural region of unspoiled countryside with forest covered hills, open moorlands, tumbling streams and deep lakes, there is an excellent range of Limousin property for sale offering investors the opportunity to become part of the ‘Lake District of France’ and enjoy its unspoiled charm and warm welcome.
Situated mainly in the Massif Central, Limousin is one of the least populated regions of France and one of its traditional provinces with a history reaching right back to Celtic and Roman times. Surrounding the city of Limoges, Limousin is made up of three very different departments - Corrèze, Creuse and Haute-Vienne - each with its own very special charm
Corrèze property for sale
Corrèze is in the south and full of traditional small towns and villages surrounded by beautiful countryside and the upper reaches of the Dordogne River. Its capital is the charming market town of Tulle; nestling on the banks of the Corrèze River and known for its lace production, this is a tranquil town with an historic old centre surrounding a beautiful Gothic and Romanesque cathedral dating from the 12th century.
Creuse property for sale
Occupying about one third of the Limousin region, the Creuse department takes its name from the river that runs through its rolling hills and wooded landscapes. A rural region full of deep lakes, meandering rivers and medieval towns, Creuse is also home to the textile town of Aubusson which is famed worldwide for its fabulous tapestries.
Haute-Vienne property for sale
The capital of the Haute-Vienne department is the town of Limoges. Well known for its porcelain and enamels, the town also has a number of interesting ancient monuments including its Gothic cathedral and the 10th Century crypt of St Martial. Limoges is a bustling and vibrant town full of markets, shops and of course a huge range of restaurants and bars!
Limousin Property
Limousin’s rural idyll and relatively low property costs are proving to be a mecca for savvy investors and Limousin property for sale is becoming an increasingly attractive investment. Whether you are looking for an investment property for holiday rentals, a traditional farmhouse ‘in the middle of nowhere’, a run-down country cottage to renovate or a luxury manor house, Limousin has something to suit all budgets and tastes.
Limousin property for sale in the southern part of the region is the most sought after partly due to its landscape and also its proximity to Dordogne. The Dordogne was one of the first areas of France to appeal to overseas buyers who first started settling there more than 30 years ago but the appeal of lower property prices and living costs in the south of Limousin is now attracting foreign investors looking for value for money properties.
If your dream home is a luxury manor house then Limousin has plenty. Often fortified, they are typically made of stone with steeply pitched red tiled roofs and two chimneys as well as towers giving a very grand appearance. A huge stone gate provides the entrance to a large courtyard and garden with a path leading to the house. These types of properties would be surrounded by a generous amount of land and outbuildings. Prices for manor houses typically start at around €500,000 rising to €800,000 - €900,000 for top end properties.
Traditional Limousin property
Traditional Limousin houses are completely original properties and although made of stone will vary from region from region. For example in the Creuse region grey, pink or ochre granite is mainly used to build traditional houses with schist, Lauze (river flat stones)or slates used for the roofs whereas in the west of the region diversely coloured gneiss (granite-like rock naturally formed at temperatures above 550°c), or red sandstone is used with red tiles on the roofs. Prices vary enormously depending on the size and location and type of property as a traditional house can be a farmhouse with outbuildings in the rural countryside, an elegant townhouse or a charming stone cottage. For example, a renovated stone farmhouse with 3 bedrooms would be in the region of €300,000 whereas a 3 bedroom farmhouse with a cottage and 3 barns in need of total renovation can be bought for around €50,000. There is plenty of Limousin property for sale which needs to be renovated – prices can start as low as €15,000 but for this expect a major renovation project! There are also plenty of barns throughout the region – a partly renovated barn would cost around €65,000 – and would come with a sizeable plot of land.
Whether you decide to buy a luxury manor house set in acres of garden with lakes and fountains, a traditional stone farmhouse with superb views of the surrounding countryside or an old rural barn ripe for conversion, the wide range and standard of Limousin property for sale provides investors with the perfect opportunity to buy property in one of the most rural and tranquil parts of France and enjoy a relaxed and ‘old fashioned’ quality of life. Although the Limousin property market has experienced considerable property price inflation in recent years, it remains competitive with one of the lowest average house prices in France so now is a good time to buy. The combination of the beautiful countryside, the simple life that keeps time with the seasons, the generous and welcoming people and the glorious food makes Limousin a perfect holiday and property investment destination.
1. Signing the Agreement (Compris)
On finding a property you wish to purchase you will need to negotiate the terms, price and conditions of the sale with the owner.
The next step, once you are in agreement, is to sign the preliminary contract (Compromis de Vente). This is a legal document and after ten days will be binding on both parties. Rules change frequently in France and it is best to consult with your notary about when this period starts. Generally the compris will be signed in France with the Agent.
Variants can be included in the compris, for example an Acte (clause) can be added if the name or names to go on the title deed have not been finalised. If a mortgage will be required to purchase the property, the details for this, including the name of the mortgage company, must be on the compris.
2. Paying the Deposit
Generally the deposit will be 10% of the agreed purchase price. This will normally be paid to the notaire. There are exceptions to this, if the agent holds a carte professionelle, is bonded and fully registered then you may pay them, but do not hand over the deposit to anyone else. If for some reason the purchase does not go through, for example, if you write to the notaire and the agent that you do not wish to go continue with the purchase before the contract is binding (within seven days of signing the compris), then your deposit would be repaid. This would also apply if a condition had not been met, or the mayor or S.A.F.E.R. (a government agency that has the right of first purchase on most rural property that comes onto the market in France) could oblige the purchaser to give way. If you decide after the seven days 'cooling off' period that you do not wish to complete the purchase and pull out of the sale you would lose your deposit. If however the vendor pulls out of the sale then you will receive your deposit back plus the same amount from the vendor.
3. On Completion
Generally it will take around two or three months to complete the purchase.
During this time the balance of the purchase money must be paid into the account of the notaire, this must be done well ahead of the completion date. The notaire will prepare the documents, check that the deed of sale (Acte de Vente) is in order and have the legal title ready to be signed over. It is possible to have someone sign on your behalf if you give them power of attorney. An interpreter may be of use at this point if your French is not very good and many Notaires will suggest (or insist) that an interpreter is with you.
IMPORTANT - Disclaimer :
All information provided is believed to be current and provided free of charge. No liability can be accepted for the reliability of the information and statements made as this is obtained from 3rd parties. We always recommend you take legal advice from a fully qualified Lawyer or Notary before buying a property overseas.
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