An Immobilier’s View: ‘People Are Still Following Their Dreams’

First published: 20th April 2020 by Vanezza Avinante

Carl and Violette Scholfield

We caught up with immobiliers Carl and Violette Scholfield, who run one FrenchEntrée’s partner agencies, to see how the Coronavirus has affected their life and business.

When and how did the Coronavirus first impact your business as immobiliers?

Violette and I saw our last client on Friday 13th March. A really nice English couple, Mr & Mrs W, looking for a top quality property around the €500,000 mark. We had a good day’s viewings, but even by then there was no hand shaking and we travelled to the viewings in separate cars.

And how did things escalate?

Things changed quickly from then and by the Sunday, the clients had caught the last flight out of Toulouse and were back home ahead of schedule.

Then, by the Tuesday, we were officially in confinement according to the government’s measures. This meant that our business was shut, as it was deemed to be non-essential, and we personally were asked to confine ourselves at home and to not go out except for essential food shopping.

So how has this affected your daily life?

This all came as quite a shock, and it feels a little ‘military’ because we have to carry special printed passes showing who we are, the date, and where we were going specifically.

And how is the business operating under these conditions?

For the past four weeks we have been keeping contact with our prospective clients, answering their email enquiries, sending out property details, answering questions and generally doing our usual business… except that we cannot make any appointments to view!

It is very frustrating, but not something you can or want to get around.

What about interest from prospective buyers?

Our associate agents, such as FrenchEntrée, have been continuing their marketing activities and sending us enquiries for our properties too.

All in all, I have to say that we have had more enquiries since the ‘shutdown’ started than for any similar period in our 30-year history. This means that people are still following their dreams and preparing for the time when they can follow through. A move to a rural environment seems to be on a lot of people’s minds.

So you must be excited for the post-lockdown rush for viewings?

Once we have a proper programme in place for ‘déconfinement‘, and rules regarding travel between countries, I think there will be a lot of people coming over to look for their dream home. We will be ready for you, with our property portfolio intact!

Carl and Violette Scholfield have been selling properties in rural South West France for the past 30 years, ranging from cottages to châteaux.

If you are interested in owning a property in South West France, email us: [email protected]. You can view all of Vialex’s properties for sale here.

Lot-et-Garonne

€299,000

A superb rural location with views for this stone country cottage with swimming pool, set in over two acres. Presented in move-into condition, this stylish cottage is located at the end of a long, no-through lane and benefits from southerly views and peace and quiet.

More information here.

Farmhouse in France