How to Find Your Dream Buy-to-let Property

If you’ve been dreaming of buying a French property as a buy to let investment, here are our top tips to help you find your perfect property.

Location, Location, Location

Firstly, you need to think about which part of France you want your property to be in as each region is very different with its own diverse culture and traditions. Do you want to be in Brittany with easy access to the UK and numerous festivals celebrating its strong Celtic heritage, or would you prefer to be further afield in Poitou Charentes with the second sunniest climate in France and fields of rolling sunflowers throughout the summer? The choice is yours!

Coast or Country – or Somewhere in Between!

You also need to think about the type of location you want the property to be in. For some people a tranquil gite in the middle of nowhere with only cows and the odd passing tractor for company can be peaceful and idyllic, but other people may find this too isolated and want to be able to walk to the nearest village for essentials. For some people it can be important to be within easy reach of the coast and beaches, so you need to consider who your target market will be and what their needs might be.

A Place for All Season

You should aim to visit the area several times throughout the year in order to get a feel for it in every season. That little village that is bustling with markets and tourists throughout the summer may be completely closed up in the winter, so it’s important to consider what time of year your guests will be visiting and the facilities that will be available to them.

Keep a List

Make sure you have a list of all your requirements so you can make sure you think with your head and well as your heart when you find a property. Are you looking for a single gite or a complex you can turn into a business? A relaxing rural retreat or close to many attractions and amenities? Do you want to be on-site for easy changeovers and to help out with anything your guests may need during their stay? It’s easy to quickly fall in love with a property, but it’s important to think of the practical side too.

DIY and Decorating

You need to think about how much work you are willing and able to do on a property. Are you looking for something that’s up together and ready to go, or do you want something in need of some TLC that you can put your own stamp on? It’s really important to include any renovations that may need doing in your budget to try to avoid any nasty surprises.

Getting Ready for Your First Guests

Finally, once you have found your dream buy to let property, you need to start thinking about how you are going to promote it and encourage potential guests to book with you. There is a huge range of online advertising portals with many different advertising schemes and packages available, from fully managed services to deal direct, so it’s really important to do your homework and research which option will work best for you and your property.

If you would like to contact the team for more information about the process or to get started with your property search in France call + 44 (0)1225 463 752 or email: [email protected]