If buying in southern France, only buy a
* new build
* detached
* 3 bedroom
* Garden back and front
* In a community with services, bakery,small shop, newsagent, pharmacy, dentist, doctor.
Ideally ensure you buy where there is a majority French ownership.
* Pick the area for the climate that suits you. On the coast , it can be sweltering in Summer. Higher up it can be very cold in winter. You would need to have been to the area in winter and summer to pick properly.
*Family builders should be sought and not bigger companies
* prices are stable in the Languedoc, however, fast profits are not going to be made. We purchased over 7 years ago and the house price using the above criteria has slightly risen. However "renovation" projects and lease backs have performed very badly.
Finally, I have found the buying process in France, especially the legal aspect, a breath of fresh air. Simple , clear and so much cheaper than here.
Should we ever want or need to sell then the property MUST be attractive to young native French, and I feel that the above is what they are looking for today.