Castle Hunters 2015

[@ArsPraestigium]

A friend from Belgium (who was a software pioneer, and made many, many millions) purchased a French castle/chateau about 15 years ago. The annual upkeep of the aging structure turned out to be more than the original asking price, so he abandoned it two years ago. Many of us dream of living in a castle, but when structures are literally hundreds of years old, they are far from self-sustaining. Don't let the asking price fool you, living in a castle can be _very_ expensive.

[@shananagans5]

No doubt. Like older yachts, upkeep, repairs and maintenance costs are excessive. I guess there is a reason the purchase prices are so reasonable.

[@scientchahming5]

It's probably better in the long run to build your own mock castle than to purchase an original.

It isn't just the purchase price that whacks your bank account, the upkeep and staff will chase you into the poorhouse.

[@ZygimantasA]

These castles make 60-100k per month if operated properly. Weddings, meetings, corporate events etc.

[@jonathanmosher72]

@@ZygimantasA Yeah, it's so easy... That's why 90% are for sale or have been abandoned.

[@ZygimantasA]

@@jonathanmosher72 I never said it was easy. I said 'if operated properly'.

[@fellowadult]

Jonathan Mosher with good management skills, setting actual goals of booking events, being able to organize such events successfully, its very do-able. however it would be a full time job for more than one person. you should watch escape to the chateau, they did quite well with weddings and their show.

[@rachelduval5230]

Well shit, now I want a castle.

[@faithfulone2509]

Rachel Du Val LOL

[@msd4743]

Rachel Du Val......Shit! Me too!! Let's go look at one

[@princesspatriot1544]

Lol

[@thefashiongoddesschannel8099]

Moi, aussie. Allons nous, maintenant!! :-) I'm ready...let's do it.

[@bessdavies6440]

It's amazing how in France with 1.2 millions you get an historically valauable castle, but in London with the same amount of money you get a semi detached house with 2 bedrooms, no garden and in need of COMPLETE renovation. What a messed up city I live in.

[@violetwilliamson1300]

BessDavies lol...yes...location location location!

[@wkndgrltrp]

And you can barely buy an apartment for that in NYC.

[@matthewwellings6560]

Its the same in Syd Aust, $1.2m hardly buys anything

[@Emmasadtler]

Yes, my 4,000 sq foot 7 bedroom house in secluded Oregon cost only $150,000! It’s all about location

[@ToyotaCelica]

It's the same in any decent city here in California

[@supertjss1328]

Am i the only one shocked that a castle come at that price? Amazing, in some part of the world that's the price of a condo or less

I know.

[@leloodallasmultipass]

That's the price of my house. I live in a small cave.

[@acmulhern]

In France the taxes are the thing that will kill you when you own a property like this. Also, this is in the middle of nowhere. If you were buying in Paris you'd get an apartment for a million.

[@nadiakuiper4686]

SuperTjss I lived in France in a 2,800 sq ft house. It was only $70,000. But the taxes in Europa are killing you. $300 p/m. Also you need pay for boiled water etc.

[@PuffOfSmoke]

That's because nobody would want to buy one. The tax, maintenance, utility bills will kill you if you're not a multi-millionaire. That's why they come cheap nowadays.

[@TimeTravelingBirds]

This autoplayed after an episode of Tiny House Hunters. Those bedrooms are as big as some houses i've just seen!

[@tabbzwabbitz7130]

Sebastian F ii

[@normizavi4525]

All this castles are just beautiful with so much history but I would be too scared to sleep and stay in them at night.

[@nsr5961]

normi zavi especially with only being two people. Those demons will sure haunt you and terrify you in the middle of the nights. Hope they have the place cleansed.

[@psynne3283]

Eilean Donan Castle is one of the most breath taking castles in the world. On the water, even. I would totally live there.

[@Itsaboutthewaterlife]

Yes, very much. Stunning.

[@bunnymad5049]

Wow. Exciting! I've been looking at French castles for years and dreaming. Will never own one but never get over looking. 😍

[@ladybug5093]

Don't give up on your Castle dream!

[@daphnespiderman]

I love the real estate agent giving the flabbergasted face that they are worried about towers that have stood for oh 800 years and even survived an English attack, but yeah, you'll need to check that out, just might crumble on your watch lol

[@mf5531]

i know right. i loved it when he said ' your great, great, great, great grandchildren can fix it'

[@mmckenzie8085]

I know. His face said it all and when the American started arguing I can only guess at what he was calling him in his mind haha. I loved that converted chapel. It was so beautiful and if I could afford it I would buy that castle just for that and the lovely entrance hall. So beautiful. Then the amazing towers added and all for just over 1 million.

[@joanniemiller6724]

People

[@creolenatchitoches7832]

If they are questioning whether they could afford...they can't afford it.

[@uchibauki2515]

Creole Natchitoches no one can afford it, imagine the taxes and cleaning, heating and security !!

[@jonathanmosher72]

@@uchibauki2515 Yep, my rich friend looked into it and said basically it would take up 75% of his income and would become his entire life and past time just to manage and that's just for a 2 million dollar one. He liked castles a lot but not that much.

[@uchibauki2515]

Jonathan Mosher wow that’s very costly 💰💰💰

[@mf5531]

nah, some times people are just cheap. or want to spend their money investing in a few things. i think they can afford it. everyone wants to get a better deal then what a seller is asking....

[@jonathanmosher72]

@@mf5531 Well, they never actually bought it. There's a reason why there are hundreds of these on the French market for years and years.

[@teresah.6696]

wow... a 19 bedroom castle with over 20 acres for $1.7 million...damn that's cheap.....I thought that they might start @ $50 million.

[@stafonvoncamron]

Only in Hollywood would you pay $50 million.

[@Itsaboutthewaterlife]

Yo Terry: I would have to agree. Seems like, even a middle class individual, with good money management skills, and a lot of gung-ho, could afford such a project.

[@ncabcabin]

Just wait until there is a correction within the real estate market. The prices will drop big time.

[@lissandrafreljord7913]

Houses in New York that aren't even mansions can cost more than $1.7 million.

[@ELNS97]

Stáfon Von Caḿron it’s all about location and demand 3 bedroom 2 bath house in my city is 285k-350k that is a generic suburb house with a nothing spectacular yard But 30 miles down the highway A 5 bedroom 4 bathroom house on 10 acres is $375k...

[@TheFiown]

In France you can find castles for sale for 250 k upwards, very many are cheap because the work and taxes are prohibitive. There are many many hundreds just falling to ruin, many with all the furnishings in them!

[@jwright8338]

Fun fact, the kitchens were small in those castles due to the fact that medieval castles didn't have them, due to the liability of fires. Kitchens were separate buildings located adjacent to the castle. And more than a few kitchen houses burned down through the centuries. So those kitchens were added after the fact.

[@MrInzeo]

I want a castle now. Great video.

[@Lonesome__Dove]

I want a fainting goat.

[@flatbedhaulingwithscottn6111]

Such a majestic structure!. Layered in history. To own such a prestigious structure in such a rich culture is a awesome responsibility that comes with both the privilege and heartache of preserving and protecting this Marvelous structure!.

[@elegantnoir6999]

I am now having Castle Envy!! Love the video!

[@user-oj5bw7sl8p]

Thank you for the very interesting video! Nice couple,- especially the husband, who is charming, clearly loves his wife and is not afraid of housekeeping work,- perfect man!

[@conniecrawford6429]

I love this couple.. I like the fact that they hold hands and he puts his arm around his wife. You can tell they are in love...

[@VB-lz5cx]

Third wife?

[@williamderosa8947]

I was thinking 4th wife ..... she obviously wears the pants while he cleans the bathrooms .... she is a ball buster.

[@TMIDiva]

1.6 million is over the budget? You say you want a castle.......?

[@ih8ua119]

That's a budget for a stucco mansion maybe.

[@judith4804]

THATS WHAT I SAID!

[@WhitewalkerII]

They DO know what they are doing, thanks.

[@garygansbrubaker]

And no one is mentioning the taxes.

[@fancybrooks3156]

And they wanted it fully furnished, no less! 😂😂😂😂🤣

[@valtheprogressor8524]

Lovely couple, lovely episode

[@michaellong9799]

Ok, even though they crack me up with their small kitchen comments, this couple was cute. They’re clearly educated and have some wealth but they seem like they really care for each other and were having fun in their search for a home.

[@caroldixon7796]

I agree they were an adorable couple. I wish them well though it's beyond me why a couple would want that much room. Each to their own.

[@lgaryadams2835]

Wow. I loved taking the tours with you of these magnificent castles. It was as if I myself were considering purchasing the same.

[@sychoomyles9864]

this is actually a good show especially for first timers...who end up wanting there own place ...u will know what type of house u want n the type of decoration

[@aimanmukri4846]

Is there more episodes like this? I really love it!

[@CherryBlossomskt]

loved it. please upload more

[@JUST_ONE_ID10T]

Get a hold of an old castle or chateau and then get people to move in with you and split the cost of all the upkeep and bills, even hire house keepers and kitchen staff, gardeners. could live like royalty for a fairly low cost. if you were able to split the cost with others.

[@haybalezz5208]

Sooooo you trying to do this or what?!?! Call me up fr!

[@tinasteer2507]

@@Jessica-to8um I started by watching a TV Show called “Escape to the Chateau” and they were using WorkAway. I know it is 1year since you made your comment but I am new to this site.

[@jomeyer13]

get volunteer students or young people to work

[@G94-u4c]

the one they said they were buying. Still for sale for 1.3 million euro

[@julmcconnell]

oh that is sad:(

[@boombam4204]

This is from Ava Margolis I love this show it is amazing my friends do love castles to

[@heidybello2971]

This is stuning love this!!

[@rtp1968]

I’ve always wanted a castle in France, England , Ireland or Scotland. I’m claiming it!!!

[@MrMarkhall1]

Property in France is cheaper than the UK

[@rtp1968]

Mark Hall:I would be extremely happy to have a chateau in France! Especially the Loire Vally.

[@mmckenzie8085]

I would love a castle in Scotland apart from the weather. Now that I am older I need warmer weather. Winters in Scotland the further North you go can be bitter. So I guess France is good in particular due to their low property prices in rural France. I have seen some beautiful chateux there and one here was in Limoge I think which is known for extreme good value. I think one of the cheapest areas in France.

[@joeyisreading]

The castles were surprisingly cheap. Like under $2mil for a CASTLE??

[@jumwa4999]

joeyisreading thought the same

[@uchibauki2515]

Maybe the taxes is high!

[@Itsaboutthewaterlife]

Uki: yes, I believe the taxes are very high this being a very socialist country.

[@mikaelb.2070]

The taxes is not the problem. Thing is that maintenance is extremely high and if there is no demand you have to go down with the price.

[@leseize26]

Quite normal because of the maintain, very very expensive ! And taxes...

[@fancybrooks3156]

I hope they get that 2nd one, Le Chateau en Tourrine. It was spectacular. With 25 acres, you can build a modern day wedding venue with a Gothic ceiling-ed chapel and reception hall, with upstairs accommodations and support the castle in style.

[@dimitridebastogne1512]

I was living in my ancestors Chateau myself, and I knew something the Chateau possess you, not you. I find appaling this couple looking for that kind of property, especially when you think that they are going to redecorate the interior, it is sad that the documentary doesn't mention the taxes to pay ISF. Personally my dream it is a tiny wooden house in the middle of the woods. Best Wishes.

[@sumaricoetzee7486]

What is ISF?

[@dnwitte]

Well, it's their funeral. I think this kind of show is just vicarious fantasy fulfillment for people who are never going to buy a chateau and don't need to concern themselves with that kind of dreary detail. Personally, my dream is one of those golden stone country houses in an out of the way corner of Perigord.

[@pp_sangtis]

Thanks 4 ur advice... These mansions n chateaux r only good 4 daydreaming😁 & super rich people . It seems that France government r not supportive about preserving ancient heritage.

[@katrinascreationscrafting]

The wife said "it was not about the square footage".....then why buy a castle? The buildings are beautiful, but why do 2 people need this much space?

[@s.ildiko1341]

Katrina Clutterfree business purposes: hotel

Same reason they have small useless kitchens, the houses were all about showing off to the idle rich hangers-on. Observe.

[@katrinascreationscrafting]

LOL

[@leloodallasmultipass]

seriously. why don't they live in coffins? much more space efficient.

[@merapi2443]

It's psychology

[@wildwood143]

Joe and Alva, did you get your castle? I saw the potential of number 2 too! Loved watching the whole episode, very dreamy.

[@XGOUKI]

I can believe the price of those amassing castles.............. it make me think I'm living on the wrong place!

[@maggiesatterfield2402]

1.7 million asking price???? Consider also the upkeep and the maintenance. Is the roof in good condition? The plumbing and electrical? The sewage? Does the stonework need re-pointing and rejoining? Do the fireplaces need cleaning? Who will do the cleaning and the gardening work? How much will that cost a year? Then there is the big expenses...heating, electrical and water....plus furnishings. WAY over 1.7 million just to move in.

[@rejectzombie]

you want to renovate it but it has to be furnished?

[@coconazimova8908]

Jill Fernanadez lol

[@angelika_munkastrap4634]

I thought the same hehehe

[@yesiownfrodo]

because they want the OLD furniture that goes with the house. you can't replace that. Renovation is for stained wall paper and those tiny kitchens.

[@vh2337]

It would cost a small fortune to purchase what is needed to fill the space. I would do exactly the same thing.

[@stafonvoncamron]

Castles cost $30,000 per year to maintain? I wonder what the property taxes cost & what it would cost to heat and cool it year round? Not worth it.

[@niningyuningsih5280]

OMG.....i love the castle,....i just can see.......that castle ITS amazing

[@NoreeAnneCeline]

Ahaha I'm in the video too, at 2:20 walking down the Rue Nationale in Tours xD It's funny to see it! I wish I could be their friend, I adore visiting the castles, I even made a short youtube series about them and this was in the suggestion bar!

[@NoreeAnneCeline]

Oh and I loved that transition at 19:30 : High view of the Seine and Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe, then the tramway in Tours :P

[@Itsaboutthewaterlife]

Wow: good for you. I like Marine Le Pen. I wish she could have won.

[@mermaidmersea7113]

I would grab number 3 in a heart beat, OMG !!!! #dreamhouse The history of # 3 is more important to me than the Kennedy's happened to stay at #1

[@litogor]

You are right. The story of the third castle is much more important ...

[@fancybrooks3156]

The kennedys stayed at #2.

[@dianestallworthy4421]

To all who watched this and enjoyed it, search for Escape to the Chateau and see how two Brits renovate a gorgeous chateau which they bought for only 280,000. They are an inspiration and it is a really joyful adventure seeing their creativity and skills!!!

[@SarahKingsleyHaussman]

I love all the castles!

[@just_ella17]

"you know what I think, I think we need more friends" Me too man, me too😞

[@fawhite8571]

I just bought a lottery ticket! Fingers crossed I win!!!

[@spicyhobo3163]

Did you win?

[@joeheller7581]

Did you win

[@TheresaMarieVisagie]

Shame probably still playing Lotto

[@desirieplaatjies4349]

Did u win?

[@jayvonmiddleton8810]

Is this a series? Loved it! Thanks for uploading

[@jalifritz8033]

Two episodes by hgtv as far as I know

[@TheClockwise770]

There was a small chateau for sale recently near the Loire Atlantique with 18 acres of land and with a small lake. Only £400,000. wish I had bought it. Needed almost nothing doing to any of the main rooms. Only the attic bedrooms.

[@charityava1098]

Ugh, it'd take *forever* to check every closet and room for monsters after a nightmare...wait...I'm a grown-up...I meant to check for burglars after you arrive home from work, cause I don't do the other thing, the other thing would be silly. ..

[@janedoe805]

It’s four years later 2019... So what was the counter offer? Did they get the castle? Did they refurbish it? Did they live there happily ever after? Or did the headaches of the renovations cause them to have humongous arguments and wind up divorced?

[@StyleRecordGroupcom]

How lucky are they. How wonderful

[@cocoahowell1744]

I would love to see what you have done with place..congrats n "keep moving forward."

[@michaellalrinsangafanai9138]

excellent choice

[@RestlessSoulAD]

I can't find the other episodes!!!

[@charleslux6583]

I'm definitely planning on buying a castle in the near future as a vacation home. These things are cheaper than my house.

[@alexj3185]

It's a lovely romantic idea to own a nice chateau in France but having know a few people that have the practicalities are not so nice. Maintenance costs are crazy but even more so getting building work done in France even more crazy (you sensibly need to import the builders) Then there are the legal restrictions and you are dealing with the local authorities who make the rules dependant on what they had for breakfast. Then once you have everything done and renovated you realise they are terribly badly insulated a pain to keep the heat in and a fortune to make that heat in the first place.

[@christinabotts8127]

Kuddos to you guys for chasing your dreams!!

[@mytao2001]

She doesn’t want the square footage but they want a castle. The one castle had nine bathrooms and he was concerned because he would have to clean them all,... I don’t know about you but I think it would come to my mind right away that there would be a lot more to clean in a castle then in a regular house

[@LaurenGrz]

If I ever win the lottery lmao

[@sarahsmyth5383]

so Guiseppe did you buy the castle?

[@ladyshkspre]

I'm glad they picked the second castle. I think they will ultimately get the most use out of it if they opt to rent it out as a wedding/ private event venue on weekends. The beautiful grounds and historical aspect--the fact that Kennedys visited there--will certainly be a draw for tourists (particularly Americans) and with 19 bedrooms, they could even turn it in to a seasonal B&B to bring in more income. Pity the kitchen was so tiny but hopefully they can renovate and relocate the kitchen to another part of the house where they can expand and make the kitchen more functional and larger. I hope they were able to buy this place. A follow up episode would be great!

[@Itsaboutthewaterlife]

I read a comment up above, where their offer was not accepted.

[@LLLLLLLLLucas]

Congrats on this couple for being so brave and open minded on taking on such a huge project. Really beautiful House and even better once they have made those necessary improvements

[@AT-kx6fj]

Oh gosh, they will be making vulgar American style improvements!

[@reidb18]

Cental heating system? Are the fireplaces just ornaments?

[@yesiownfrodo]

I have central heat in my house, don't you? And I have a fireplace. ?? One does not preclude the other.

[@lamanitaenmision]

Increible!!!!!

[@spicyhobo3163]

Hell yeah! If I had money to spend I'd buy a castle too!

[@margaretsnewtoylynnparks5336]

Never mentioned Ghosts/Hauntings! To buy a castle is a DREAM, why not if you can afford it. What additional fees to Non French buyers?

[@sudenkompass5185]

Nothing.

[@sychoomyles9864]

wish I owned a castle home

[@StaceyPetersdbspouse]

So, did they get the castle??

[@theresazissarider-rahmani8083]

Where did they end up please?

[@cconnelly1085]

Cute couple! They appear to have such a healthy relationship!

[@Alteusgirl]

one thing i don't understand is why they clearly added footage of paris in the middle of Tours. I mean they were in Tours but in the middle you get parisian monuments --'

[@treasurehalcrow5480]

i wish i had a castle

[@annmarie2964]

I want to know if they have moved in yet.

[@m.m8387]

So what happened in the end did they get the castle for their asking price ?? Fetching 15k for a weekend wedding is great if they managed to book in monthly weddings. They could possible make a return on investment or close to it for the annual maintenance and upkeep on booking weddings alone.

[@Sksk27547]

Excellent video :)

[@stevec7445]

As much as I'd love to own one, I think if you want a castle, it's history should be maintained before your selfish desires.

[@mrs.anonymous7468]

This is one of my favorite episodes but I was just wondering if anyone every found out if they ever closed on any one of these castles or did they purchase something else totally different? Would love to learn what happened. Hoped it worked out for them either way.

[@aleciacontreras8814]

Did they get the castle

[@fastnbulbouss]

I would get the last one. Nothing to do, it's in perfect shape, it also happens to be the oldest one of the lot. Those towers will still be standing in 500 years.

[@yesiownfrodo]

I don't think so. They are already crumbling, and remember, towers are hollow. The repair of them would be astronomical.

[@timmymendenhall1275]

Any follow up inn 2022 ???

[@yui7905]

I love a castle~like houses.. with 5 bedrooms 3 bathrooms, fairly ~sized dining, large kitchen, balcony, small sized cinema room, fairly~sized yard, (I wished for a pool but maintenance is hard so No), of course a huuge living room. I have the design on my head. Ohh! And I love some trees and flowers. 😍 ~ and .... quite neighborhood. And Btw, these Castles are exceptional but too large for our family of four.

[@cynthiacrank228]

A wish list it not as easy as it looks unless you have someone as Kemet domesticated as Angela and Dick strawbridge A very talented man learns his trade in the British Armed Forces but there’s not many people like those two that come polyps off as they have done sheer hard work and can also do it with a smile on their faces it’s just absolutely brilliant what they have done with two young children showing them how to live a live outdoors what a wonderful achievement they have done but I think they are a one off for him to be able to do so many trades.

[@waewnapademaio5958]

Wow amazing

[@11aloalo]

So, did they buy it?!

[@KimmyQueen]

Did you buy it?

[@phatasticmeemo]

If you think a castle going for under $2 million is cheap you’ll change your mind once you’ve calculated the cost of maintenance within the first year.

[@CaponeCabin]

Beautiful choice!

[@monicaokologo5367]

Is this for sale and how much

[@SithLordmatthew]

Don't speak french never even been out of the US but I want a castle and they give them away there. Just might be something I'll have to do as for middle of no where that works for me I'm all about total privacy.

[@carriebtc]

For $1.7 million dollars you could get a nice medium size 2 bedroom condo (+ at least $2000 maintenance fee per month) or a 3 bedroom co-op in Manhattan. I guess they did well with $ 15,000 yearly maintenance cost of their future 19 bedrooms, 11.000 sf French Chateau.

[@quirkyquips9915]

320sf master bedroom. An entire tiny house could fit in. I think this would be great as a Bed & Breakfast. A castle nearer villages, cities would be the ideal place along with weddings, receptions, photo shoots so on.

[@karlasmit7535]

Did they buy it? Yes or no?

[@Theodisc]

Egad some of those chateaus are cheaper than the price of many of the houses (which in comparison are crap) here in Auckland NZ. I suppose that is what you get when you live in one of the most liveable cities in the world (probably going by people who don't live here lol).

[@zethmatherss1887]

I know a castle the same in Argentina. It's called La Candelaría and it's in Buenos Aires

[@A.Yasseen]

I wanna to live there😯😯😯

[@patriciaodom1448]

I love castles

[@teresa19481]

SOOOOOO, how ended up, they got the place? Thanks.

[@doggygaming950]

How are their fireplaces under windows? Are they fake?

[@jayagajjar8278]

Is no one thinking these places might be haunted?!

[@uchibauki2515]

jaya gajjar I bet it is that's why it's cheap

[@tuts351]

Most probably, but no big deal

[@khaledbendhaou7765]

Not a big problem.if install sound systems in all rooms and play sourate Al Baraka (Quran).twice a day and twice per night for 3 days all demons will leave except for the toilet keep it closed all time because it is where they exist normally.

[@trixie0712]

@@khaledbendhaou7765 😂😂

[@nsr5961]

jaya gajjar I hope that by haunted you mean demon infested. Demonic entities love to inhabit large homes. I once had a nightmare about living in a big three or four story mansion and I was on the first floor in the middle of the night and the demons were making loud noises and breaking stuff on the third floor and when I went up to check I saw a dark shadow and immediate ran downstairs and was huddled in the corner of the first floor looking at the other end where the dark staircase was. I wasn’t alone though. But anyways I think about this too when it comes to big houses.