Rural Retreats France: Advice on buying property in France

Pack a camera, spare film, torch, tape measure, notebook & pencil & a small compass
Buy a large-scale map of the Languedoc from your bookshop or travel agent
Allow yourself sufficient TIME - you should plan to explore the area alone as well as visiting properties. Remember that Sundays and public holidays * are sacrosanct with owners (& agents!)
DO complete and return the Rural Retreats Questionnaire
If you are combining your visit with a family holiday, decide in advance how much time you are going to spend with us. If you have young children, agree who goes to the beach and who is looking at properties - you cannot do justice to both
If you're renting a car, book and pay in the UK - it's usually cheaper.
Give us as much notice as possible so we can arrange your visit properly. If you have to change your plans NOTIFY us in advance
Prepare a list of queries and information you'd like from us

Keep appointments and be punctual. Often proprietors will have been asked to stay in to fit with the programme prepared on your behalf. Furthermore, agents will have set aside time for you - which is time wasted if you don't turn up.
Use your camera and notebook as an aide memoire for each property visited - it's easy to forget or confuse details. A compass is also useful when trying to verify orientation of a property.
If you see a property you especially like, leave time to go back later ON YOUR OWN - check out the district, visit the bar, talk to the locals. Decide whether the place suits YOU
Verify distances - the sea, nearest airport, bank, big town, - don't rely upon our word, even we can get it wrong..........
Be HONEST with us and yourself - don't pretend you like a property just to avoid embarrassment. Owners and agents are much happier knowing what you REALLY think
Similarly, make your intentions clear. If you haven't seen anything to tempt you, don't like the region, or whatever, TELL the agent - professionals respect frankness
Obviously, we are hoping you WILL find just what you are looking for. In such an event, a transaction can be rapidly secured on your behalf. But do allow one working day at the end of your visit for completion of the preliminary negotiations and paperwork.

Sit down, review your visit and the properties you've seen. If helpful, make lists of pros and cons for each - accommodation, location/aspect, condition, ambience, facilities etc etc
When you've made up your mind, TELL US. We'd love to have every visit result in a sale, but are sufficiently realistic to realise you may not have found exactly what you were looking for on this occasion. A phone call, or a line or two is all we ask
If you are uncertain about anything, no matter how apparently trivial, let us know. We are here to help. Often something will occur to you AFTER you've left us - in which case simply give us a ring
If you've got any criticism to make regarding Rural Retreats' handling of your visit, please let us know. Otherwise, the likelihood is we'll go on making the same mistakes. Of course, if you were happy with the arrangements we made, we are equally keen to know............!
Finally, if you've liked what you've seen, please RECOMMEND US to your family and friends. We have a long-term strategy aimed at providing people with a comprehensive, reliable and personal service. In this way, we think our clients and Rural Retreats can prosper together, but we need YOUR co-operation and support to make it work. Thank you, and good house hunting!

*Public Holidays 2004 : 1st Jan, 12th April, 1st May, 8th May, 20th May, 31st May, 14th July, 15th August, 1st November, 11th November, 25th December