Ask the agent: Indre
What’s the cheapest property you have on your books right now?
We currently have a sweet little fisherman’s house on the market at €22,500 (£17,824) and the owner just called to say that he’s ready to go down to €13,000 (£10,298). This is happening a lot at the moment; it is definitely a good period to buy.
What’s the most unusual property youhave sold in the past?
We sold a wooden cabin on stilts along the Gartempe river, which in itself is not that unusual, but the river regularly floods at that spot. We tried to discourage the couple who wanted to buy because they were looking to live there year-round. They insisted, though, and received permission to make it their primary residence. We have no idea how they get into the cabin when the river floods.
What’s the most unusual request you’ve had from a client?
I suppose it would be a request we had for land in order to build a community of yurts.
How much would you expect to pay for: a detached property with land in good condition?
This is definitely an inexpensive area. We’re in the process of selling a very pretty, detached, three-bedroom house on a third of an acre for €86,900 (£68,842). We also have a gorgeous four-bedroom stone house with no work needed set on quarter of an acre of land with gorgeous views at only €120,000 (£95,064).
How much would you expect to pay for: a three-bedroom townhouse?
You would need a budget of between €40,000 (£31,688) and €90,000 (£71,298).
How much would you expect to pay for: a renovation opportunity?
This could range from €20,000 (£15,844) with not much land and go up to €80,000 (£63,376) with acres and acres of land.
Is there a typical architecture or style in your department?
Even though we cover department 36, Indre, our office is in neighbouring Vienne, department 86, which is in Poitou-Charentes. The architecture in Indre is very like the architecture in this region, and the name of this typical type of architecture is poitevin. The larger poitevin houses are rather stout and often have both slate and clay-tiled roofs.
Why do British people buy houses in your department?
Affordable property is the main factor. The other reason would be that the region is very unspoilt and boasts really lovely countryside.
There are three major rivers here (the Creuse, the Gartempe and the Anglin), so there are lots of nautical activities on offer. Horseriding is also popular in this region and I can think immediately of three equestrian centres within 20 kilometres of each other.
What advice would you give to somebody who is thinking of buying in your area?
If you see a house and like it, and it’s in your price range, don’t waste too much time, because reasonably priced houses here go very fast. British clients in general are extremely polite and very often don't have the nerve to come out and say that they don't like a property. My advice here is that, if you don't like the place, say so immediately. Your stay may be limited and you don't have the time to look at places you don't like. Believe me, the estate agent also appreciates honesty as they have a very busy schedule.
What are your predictions for the property market in your department?
I see more and more British buyers looking for places in villages within walking distance to pubs and shopping. There are also a great deal of British owners who buy properties with lots of land and then struggle to maintain it. As a result there's a real trend towards properties with smaller plots of land.
Is your department easy to reach?
Indre is easily accessible as we’re surrounded by three airports in Tours, Limoges and Poitiers which have plenty of connections to different cities in the UK. It is six and a half hours from Calais and many people choose to drive down rather than fly.
What local attractions are there in the department of Indre?
Where do I begin? Fishing is immensely popular because of all the rivers here, but I’d also say parties, parties, parties. Any and all excuses are used to organise village festivals: vendanges (grape harvests), brocantes (flea markets), the feast of St-Jean, the list goes on and on. There are also many well-maintained river beaches, with lots of activities for children. The local communities do a great job of keeping these beaches clean.
What’s your favourite corner of the department?
The Brenne, which is the lake district of the department, is my favourite area. I recently heard on the BBC that there are species of birds in the Brenne which exist nowhere else in the world.
Emer Mather - ImoConseil
14, place de l’Hôtel de Ville
86450 Pleumartin
Tel: 0033 (0) 549 932 271
www.imoconseil.com