What’s the cheapest property you have on your books right now? Describe it. We currently have a seventeenth-century, stone-built house on our books. It has loads of character and is in good condition too. The property is located in a hamlet and comprises a living room with a fireplace, a kitchen, a bathroom and three bedrooms. There is also a small outbuilding and a terrace. It’s on the market for €89,000 (£62,133) (our ref. 5235).
What’s the most unusual property you have come across? Last summer we sold an old farm with two stone buildings that was set on six hectares of land complete with a stream and waterfalls! A British couple bought it for €950,000 (£663,223).
What’s the most unusual request you’ve had from a client? We had a French client last year who was looking for a property with its own private lake.We had one on our books for €1,115,000 (£778,414) but in the end he decided not to go ahead with the purchase as he thought the property would be too remote to have as a permanent residence.
How much would you expect to pay for: A detached property with land in good condition? In Hérault, you would need to budget a minimum of between €200,000 (£139,626) and €250,000 (£174,532)
A three-bedroom townhouse? You could get a townhouse for around €150,000 (£104,719)
A renovation opportunity? You would find something to renovate for between €80,000 (£55,850) and €100,000 (£69,813)
Is there a typical architecture or style in Hérault? A typical property in our part of Languedoc- Roussillon would be a large stone house known as a mas languedocien. They usually come with land too but there are very few on the market.
Why do British people buy houses in your area? One of the reasons is that property is cheaper here than in neighbouring Provence. Brits are attracted to the Mediterranean climate, the beautiful countryside and the peace and tranquillity.We enjoy a laid back Mediterranean lifestyle which I think the Brits also like. You have the coast just 45 minutes away from us here in Lamalou and there are good airport connections nearby.
What advice would you give to somebody who is thinking of buying in Hérault? To live here, you have to love the area; the countryside and the way of life. It is important to be able to appreciate and then adapt to the way of life in what is not really a built-up department.
What are your predictions for the property market in Hérault? The market is quieter now and I do not foresee any further rises in house prices.
Is your department easy to reach? Yes, we are well served by the motorway network and we also have two international airports. Both Carcassonne and Montpellier are served by low-cost airlines and a new route from Bristol to Béziers is due to open next year.
What local attractions are there in Hérault? There is loads to do in Hérault. Sporty types can choose from mountaineering, mountain biking, canoeing or horse riding in the hills of the Parc Naturel Régional du Haut-Languedoc not to mention the opportunities to practise water sports on the Lac du Salagou and the Lac de la Raviège or the coast. There are plenty of picturesque and interesting towns such as Montpellier or Pézenas to visit as well as the medieval village of Olargues. The Canal du Midi also runs through the department so river tourism is popular. And of course, our area is famous for its wine and gastronomy…
What is your favourite corner of the department? I think all of Hérault is beautiful but perhaps my favourite corner would be the Orb valley around Olargues, Roquebrun and Colombières; the countryside is lovely and the views over the vineyards and gorges are stunning.
Contact details: Lamalou Immobilier
3 avenue
Maréchal Foch 34240
Lamalou-les-Bains
Tel: 00 33 (0)4 67 95 62 89
www.lamalou-immobilier.com