Hello and welcome to another lockdown edition from your favourite South of France surveyor blog.
We may all still be hunkered down and doing what we can in the fight against the coronavirus crisis, but that doesn’t mean we can’t look forwards to a time when the danger has passed and we can start making property buying plans for the future.
When we buy property in the UK, having a building survey carried out is a regular and legally required part of the process, but things work a little differently on the continent. While it’s not a legal requirement to have a full survey here, it’s still highly advised, and you’ll want to make sure you can find the right person for the job.
Why get a survey done?
The reason surveyors don’t exist in the same way in France is mainly down to cultural attitudes. The French tend to work on the assumption that, if a property appears structurally sound, has no obvious defects and has been standing for a number of years, it should be fine to stand for a few more.
However, many issues with a property can lurk beneath the surface and it’s often only when you have lived in it for a while that they become apparent. The argument for having a full building survey carried out becomes even stronger if you plan to carry out significant renovations or modification to the property as it will often determine how feasible they will be to complete and what cost implications may be involved.
Once you have made the decision to get a survey carried out however, you then have the arduous task of tracking down a professional and experienced English-speaking surveyor to complete the job. Thankfully, there are plenty around, but it takes a little legwork to make sure you have the right person for the job.
South of France Surveyors
You want to find a South of France surveyor who has extensive knowledge of the area into which you’re planning to move (or buy a holiday home).
They will, ideally, speak the language, have a working knowledge and relationship with the major building industry players in the region, and be ideally placed to act on your behalf and ensure you don’t pour your money into a bad investment.
They will also make sure you aren’t hoodwinked by tradespeople who can often rely on the naiveté of someone unfamiliar with the French property market and building trade.
Charles Mackintosh is one such South of France surveyor, with over 30-years’ experience buying and selling property in this stunning part of the world.
With Charles Mackintosh acting on your behalf, you can make sure you are fully aware of every single potential problem present in your new property and help ensure your South of France dream doesn’t turn into a nightmare.
Having lived in the country for many years, Charles Mackintosh has extensive knowledge and experience of life in France, as well as the property market and is ready and willing to share his experience to help you.
Please get in touch for more information.