LETTING
GITES SUCCESSFULLY.
WHAT
TO BUY
Driving
distance and accessibility from the ports used to determine to a large
extent the length of season you could expect. Providing you buy a
small property sleeping up to six within an hours drive of an airport
it should balance out. Larger parties still prefer to drive to their
destinations because it can still work out cheaper for larger groups.
Holidaymakers in general do not want to drive too far if they are
only taking a week's holiday or have young children. This is the main
reason that properties in Normandy and Brittany can enjoy a longer
season than the departments further South. Provence and Languedoc-Rousillon
because of their warmer climate and access by air also enjoy a longer
season.
Many
people make the mistake of buying a property thinking that they can
restore it for just a few thousand pounds. Before you sign anything,
ask a builder to give you a rough estimate of how much it will cost
you to renovate the property. Get him to check out the fosse septique,
is it large enough, does it comply with the new regulations and more
importantly, is
there one servicing the property.
Your
Notaire should check to ensure that no one has right of way over your
property and check that there are no other restraints on the property.
Due to the complex inheritance laws, it is not unusual for a relative
to crawl out of the woodwork with a legal claim or title.
If
you are buying to let, check out what other property owners are charging
for similar properties in the area. It is also important to ascertain
the length of letting period you can expect.
New
builds are becoming more popular. They tend to work out cheaper than
buying a property and then restoring it and they have the added benefits
of being able to choose the location and having far less maintenance.
People's first choice is normally for properties with private pools.
Larger properties that sleep more than eight fill up very early as
two or more family groups get organised early. However, demand for
larger properties outside of July and August is much lower. If you
are looking to restore a large property and want to let the property
out of the high season, designthe property so that it can be let as
either one or more units. So a property that can sleep 12 in the summer
can be let as two properties that sleep six at other times of the
year. The extra expense of providing two kitchens can soon be recovered
from the additional income generated.
©
www.bonjourmagazine.com. No part of this article may be reproduced
without the express and written permission of the owner(s), Bonjourmagazine.