Selling property in France
Selling your property in France
You have decided to sell your French property. We at GITES FOR SALE FRANCE may be able to help:
- if you are selling an existing gîte
- if you are selling an existing B&B business
- if your property could be used as a gîte or B&B
If you're selling an existing gîte then it makes sense to be able to prove that this is the case. You will need to produce figures, ledgers and, if possible, fiscal returns showing that you have created a revenue stream out of gîte rentals over a number of years.
What buyers are looking for is a proven track record of successful lets over a period of time. They will want to know the number of weeks a year that the gîte is let, the average price per week, the running costs (edf, gas, cleaning, turnover, linen, gardening, pool maintenance, security, insurance etc) and the bottom line.
It's also a good idea to include a few pages on the tourist attractions of your region: list the sights, the museums, the hikes and markets nearby. You're not just selling a gîte but a whole region. Is there a lowcost airport nearby? TGV or motorway links? Are you near a village and/or a town with supermarkets? What's the local vineyard like? Any tips on local wines?
Finally you will have to start thinking about getting the regulation surveys done: asbestos, lead, termites, DPE, and so on. But we can help and advise on this.
Whatever stage you are at in your sales project - get in touch now. We will come over and visit your property, talk it over with you and advise on the type of mandat de vente suitable for you. There is no high-pressure sales talk and nothing need be signed on the spot. Even if you wish to sign you have a 7-day 'cooling-off' period within which you can opt out of any contract.
One last thing: don't get your hopes up too much about selling on to a fellow Brit: the market for French property in the UK has more or less dried up. Here is a graph tracking searches in Google for the term 'french property' from 2004 to the present. Makes edifying reading:
Contact us for details today: we have some surprisingly cheap rates - info@gitesforsalefrance.com
What is a 'gîte'?
The word 'gîte' refers to a furnished, self-catering, holiday house that is let to tourists in holiday periods. It can be a cottage, villa, chalet or apartment.
Originally known as 'gîte rural' the concept has spread from this rather narrow definition to encompass more or less any furnished, short-let property in the countryside, at the seaside or even in big towns.
Still relatively ignored by French law, a gîte can be set up anywhere in France as long as two important declarations are made: firstly to the Mairie of the commune where the gîte is situated and secondly to the Recette Fiscale of the owner. In other words, as long as the authorities know what you're doing and as long as you're paying taxes on your earnings ... everyone is happy.
What is a 'chambre d'hôte'?
This is a bed & breakfast establishment. Technically it involves home-owners welcoming tourists into their own home, putting a bedroom at their disposal and giving them breakfast in the morning. The maximum number of bedrooms permitted is five, after which the establishment is reclassified as a hotel.
However, there is a fine line between 'chambre d'hôte' and 'gite d'étape' which could be described as a hostel. Even then, it is customary for hostels of this type (usually in mountainous regions or on national footpaths - GR) to stick to the 5 bedroom rule although one of those rooms might be a dormitory sleeping a dozen people.
Where we work
GITES FOR SALE operates throughout South-West France: in Aquitaine, Midi-Pyrénées and Languedoc-Roussillon
Please note:
GITES FOR SALE FRANCE is an ESTATE AGENT (agence immobilière), registered under French law and subject to the laws and regulations of the EU and France. It has been vetted by the French Ministry of Justice and holds all the necessary insurance.
It should not be confused with 'finders' or 'house-hunting' services which have no legal standing, no financial guarantee and no estate agent's licence.
Legal details:
SARL GITES A LA FRANCAISE RCS Toulouse n°: 531 694 925
CARTE IMMOBILIERE HTE GARONNE N° 2197
RESPONSABILITE CIVILE: Assurance : Allianz 41404407
GITES A LA FRANCAISE ne manie pas de fonds. A ce titre, et en conformité de l’article 38 de la loi (n°2010-853) du 23 juillet 2010, elle est disposée de garantie financière
