Bonjour,
We are intending to buy a property in Burgundy later this year. We have been keeping an eye on the market since our last visit in September via SeLoger & Résidences Secondaires and note that many properties that interest us have been on the market for months but the price has not dropped. The agent we spoke to in Auxerre in September told us property prices would drop in 2009. Can anyone advise us on the latest situation?
Cordialement
Colin & Christine

My two penny worth, if it's any help!

The property prices may well drop, but remember the French aren't like the British, and do not necessarily expect a property to sell quickly. It is not unusual to see a property on the market for over a year, even in "good" times, and so they may not put their prices down very much.

I have noticed that properties for sale on the sites run by/for the British market, and where a property is for sale by a British vendor, that there have been some radical drops in price, because with the euro so strong against the pound, they can bear the euro price drop, but not necessarily suffer very much pound-wise.

So I suggest you have a look at some of the sites which cater for us this side of the channel - eg Latitudes, Burgundy4u, VEF, Bentleys of Burgundy and A Piece of Burgundy, and you may find some euro bargins. In any event, if you see and like a property, you can always make a cheeky offer!!

Val

Many thanks Val
We are based in South Africa but will most certainly check out the English sites you mentioned.
The South African market is also like the English one where properties seldom stay listed for long.
Regards
Colin & Christine.

No worries! Happy hunting, and if you can't find the websites, let me know!

Which area of Burgundy are you looking for?

I guess the trip over from SA means you have to make best use of time when you get over to Burgundy!! We thought our hunting trips in 2007 were bad enough, and we live less than an hour from the English Tunnel! (Where are you in SA?)

However, we are now extremely happy with our second home, near Chagny, so good luck!

Val

Hi Val
Sorry for the late reply. We had originally targeted the areas between Auxerre and Troyes & Dijon, but we are very flexible. We currently live in Johannesburg and have been for nearly 30 years.
We have contacted a number of agents and had one particularly good response from “Burgundy4U” - many thanks.
We are looking to buy our main home in France for semi-retirement rather than a holiday home. Our two sons both now live and work in England with our oldest getting married next year. Also Christine’s parents are in their 80’s and live in England so it would be nice to be that much closer to everyone. We certainly do NOT want to return to England having left there 30 years ago. <grin>
We know it is going to be hectic come the November move but we enjoy a challenge.
Kind regards
Colin & Christine

Hi Colin & Christine

Good luck with your continued search! I am glad you found B4U so helpful, my guess is that was either Paul or Laurent, who were very helpful to us in our search.... although we eventually bought further south, near Chagny. (It was B4U tho'! Very helpful indeed.) Just a thought also, if you were interested in the Saulieu/Auxois are, there is an agent there - Dom Immobilier, and they have a negotiator there called Laurens. He is Dutch but speaks better English than we do... and was also very helpful!!

Do let us know how the search progresses with the year!

Best wishes

Val