HOUSE HUNTING in FRANCE | How did we buy our house | French lifestyle in rural France

How we found and chose our house in South West France. In this video we take you along and show you the houses we visited before purchasing our home in the Charente. We explain the buying process and everything that was involved. You can see our house from the real estate pictures to the videos when we first time visited our house.
This is our journey of buying and renovating a house in rural France. In 2020 we bought an abandoned house in the Charente region in the South West of France. Follow us here as we renovate and bring our town house back to its glory.
We are Robert and Jyrki - two artists living in Helsinki, Finland. With no renovation experience, but lots of enthusiasm and passion we take on the big challenge of renovating a property abroad.
Follow us also on our Instagram @charenteliving
/ charenteliving
Music by Audiio
Artist Name: Hanover Park
Song Name: Living In The Forest (Instrumental)
License #: 4789846721
Music by KZbin:
Artist name: Kevin MacLeod
Song name: Brandenburg Concerto No4-1 BWV1049 - Classical Whimsical
Artist name: Asher Fulero
Song name: Swans In Flight
#renovation #oldhouse #diy #france #beforeandafter #charente #nouvelleaquitaine #escapetothecountry #transformation

[@mystisith3984]

French citizen & homeowner here. It's interesting to see how buyers from other countries experience the whole process. I know I wouldn't be too sure of myself buying abroad with all the risks for scamming or unfriendliness... In general we french people are not a nation of flippers. We tend to get attached to our houses & live in the same place for long stretches of time. We frankly don't care much about the value on paper unless panic sale for whatever reason or inheritance fight (a universal plague I suspect...). Thanks for sharing.

[@charenteliving]

Yes many countries have such different processes for buying and selling. We felt very safe with the French system and we felt it was very safe for both parties.

[@angielu3273]

Thank you for this realistic explanation of the process of buying in France. I will be watching

[@charenteliving]

We are happy you liked it. Thank you for following us!

[@simonlabeuf7782]

I do not know what is more beautiful, if it is you or the palace.

[@charenteliving]

Awww thank you so much Simon!

[@bobolpatrick3789]

Bonjour, c'est vrai que la bureaucratie en France est très longue et compliqué mais, en contrepartie c'est l'une des plus sure au monde

[@charenteliving]

Absolument, c'est vrai.

[@ronroelevink7097]

Planning to buy a house in France myself, it is good to be prepared for a long wait. Thank you for sharing that. Besides, nice to follow a couple of guys for a change ;)

[@charenteliving]

Thank you so much. Hope you find somewhere, it can take time but worth the wait!!

[@nativetexson]

Buying in France was an interesting process. I looked at more the 20 properties over a 2+ year period flying to/from the US to do so. The first property I started to buy met all the boxes on my list. Sadly the seller backed out of the transaction after the 10-day cooling off period which was frustrating. However, she had to pay the penalty to me. I found the property I eventually bought four months later. Similar to you guys, it was a 6 month process from offer and signing the Compromis to signing the Acte de Vente. I'm excited to have my house in the south of France. ☺

[@charenteliving]

It sure can be all a frustrating process, funnily we look back on it hardly remember that stress and frustration, and would go through it again. Sorry to hear you lost that first place, I am sure though what you have now is just perfect!!!

[@nativetexson]

@@charenteliving I'm happy with it. 🙂 Being an architect, viewing so many properties during the process was fun... even though many were in VERY bad condition. Have a great day!

[@luminyam6145]

The priority was the wine tasting! I love it, after all, France is famous for its wonderful wine!

[@charenteliving]

Yes getting the priorities right haha!

[@daviddeveau5101]

If I was in your position I would also rip off the wallpaper as soon as possible. It's a start and a nice visual relief to remove all that patterned surface.

[@charenteliving]

Absolutely, and a great feeling of being productive.

[@shirleygraham6229]

A great start.

[@charenteliving]

Thank you so much!

[@frankbriley4706]

What a beautiful couple. Stay strong. I’m here in Dallas, Texas USA 🇺🇸

[@charenteliving]

Thank you so much Frank!!

[@danielpolk9808]

Also in Dallas

[@twoeejitsinfrance]

We viewed our house in North Vienne in 2019. We signed the acte de vente on Feb 2020 then returned home to Ireland and lock down for months. We finally sold our Irish house and moved to France in July 2021. 18 months after we got our keys. We also have a large renovation project ahead of us too.

[@charenteliving]

That sounds fantastic. Delighted for you both. Haven't visited the area of Vienne yet. Im sure its beautiful there.

[@j.c4007]

Bonjour, effectivement la procédure a vraiment duré longtemps. Mais comme vous l'avez dit, c'était la vente d'un bien en succession avec plusieurs nue-propriétaires, ce qui a rallongé d'autant la procédure. Sinon, s'il y a un seul ( ou couple de) propriétaire (s), cela peut aller bien plus vite, et surtout si vous payez comptant.

[@charenteliving]

Oui, et maintenant nous sommes heureux et chanceux d'être dans la belle région de la Charente.

[@expertdufour3084]

the code civil, coming from droit Napoleonien is extremely protective for owner in France, reason why it take a while to sign, as long you are renovating the house declare it to Dgfip so you will not have to pay the Taxe d habitation. Good luck guys it is a wonderful area

[@roberttobinflute]

Thanks for the great advices. We are actually bringing these videos a little later than the renovation timeline, so now we have the house in more or less liveable condition, so we have the Tax d'habitation to pay, but would have been great to know it before. Good to know for any future projects. Thanks again.

[@brigittelacour5055]

The code is protecting the owners and the buyers. During the 2-3 months after the signature of the sell compromise, the attorney ( notaire) has to collect everything about legality of the house, state of the house concerning listing PB, state of electric wiring, and so. He could ask the owners to repair or adjust the price, he has to check if the state, town have a project that could impact the house, he has also to check if the house is on a natural or industrial risks area.

[@mynaturalperfume828]

Wish I d known this 10 yrs ago...

[@Wxcvbnmlk]

Les processus de construction sont toujours très excitants 👍

[@charenteliving]

Oui, en effet, ils sont très intéressants et excitants.

[@Sushi2735]

You are SO funny! Wine tasting always comes first, but you can shoot a text in between sips 😅😅😅😅😅 I see you are village dwellers and not country mice. My friends house was on the Brittany Coast, about 10 miles from the Carrefour Grocery. But her views were magnificent. And we went to the weekly markets in all the villages. Whoever drew short straw had be be up early and make a run to the bakery, 5 miles away. Such happy carefree times. I cherish those memories so close to my ❤️ 7:47

[@charenteliving]

Oh must have been beautiful there in Brittany. We have been lucky to meet wonderful people in the village and forge some lovely friendships.

[@deanviewofachateaumybandbi7899]

Thankyou, it reminds me of when i came here 18 years ago.

[@charenteliving]

Thanks for the support Dean. You must be well settled into French life now.

[@Jane-3229]

Just found you this morning! What a terrific vlog of your journey. I really enjoyed it 😊 I feel a binge watch marathon coming on! Thank you x

[@charenteliving]

Oh thanks so much Jane. Delighted you enjoyed the video!!

[@Sushi2735]

The same thing with Realtors in the US. Anyone of them can sell your house. However we close on the sales in 45 days. When my friends finally sold in Brittany, due to age issues. They flew over for 3 months….till closing, while I housesat their home and critters on the Georgia Coast. (Very far south, almost Florida) it is a long long ordeal. I applaud you both! It’s terrible on the nerves! And you right, then the tearing out begins. I have never met anyone ever, who bought a house or mannor in France that didn’t need a full kitchen and at least one bathroom gut job! 😅😅😅😅😅😅 oh but so worth it, and you are young! A lifetime to enjoy your labors heart ❤❤❤❤❤ But COVID, oh my gosh!!!

[@charenteliving]

Hard on the nerves but now looking back you somehow say it was worth it and you would do it all again haha! Thanks for all the lovely comments!

[@Sushi2735]

@@charenteliving I have a very sensitive nervous system and would have freaked out. You both remained clam and accommodating !! And now, you are getting there!!!!!!

[@davidjp7197]

Bravo!

[@charenteliving]

Thank you!!

[@777mjt]

Wine tasting was the priority 😂🍷

[@charenteliving]

Yes haha!

[@gitte600]

Thank you for sharing ,it looks beutiful😍

[@charenteliving]

Thank you so much! Happy you like it

[@ivysavage5569]

That was so informative about the steps to purchasing a home in France. I have heard it’s very long and drawn out, but worth it in the end

[@charenteliving]

Absolutely and thankfully safe for both buyer and seller.

[@michaelw.8614]

Delightful video. Looks like I will be sharing the journey with you two as a subscriber. Cheers from LA.

[@charenteliving]

Thanks Michael, great to have you along with us!

[@wmomente]

Enjoying your house hunting journey

[@charenteliving]

Was so much fun!

[@mynaturalperfume828]

Well done!

[@charenteliving]

Thank you!

[@vivianepaute6266]

Thank you for sharing moments in this beautiful area. What a pity you didn't buy the second house in your video, it is located in my home town and was a butchers shop when I was young... Your new house is very nice. Good luck with the refurb ! and Happy belated New Year !

[@charenteliving]

Oh wow, it was a beautiful village there and the house was really amazing but sadly just too much to do inside. I remember visiting a beautiful chateau that was near the village also. Thank you so much for the lovely words.

[@elizabethmalone6379]

Bravo from Ireland, love your content 👏

[@charenteliving]

Thanks so much! Go raibh maith agat! Happy to hear you like

[@twoeejitsinfrance]

Also from Ireland now living in Vienne.

[@ninianmacmillan-keith7435]

I so much enjoyed that video and wish you much happiness in your new home. The room with the panelling looked very interesting after you had removed the wallpaper .The chimney piece looks good too. Try and use paints from Edward Bulmer or Farrow and Ball. Good luck

[@charenteliving]

Thanks so much. Yes that is the dining room and will be featured in the next episode. It's a beautiful room.

[@newfoundland3238]

Cheers from Connecticut USA

[@charenteliving]

Cheers to you too!!

[@davidmiller-br4bu]

Best of luck to you boys

[@charenteliving]

Thanks David!

[@nomikopp387]

I'm so looking forward to sharing your journey....just want to mention that in this video, the background noise (music) competes with your voices. All the best.

[@charenteliving]

Thank you so much Nomi. Thanks for the feedback about the sound. Working always to ensure we have the best balance and hopefully every video going forward will be better.

[@leighevans1394]

Hi from Brisbane. Just found your channel so looking forward to catching up on what you have been doing . The house is lovely

[@charenteliving]

Thanks so much Leigh. Great we reached you all the way in Brisbane. Must be warm there now!

[@leighevans1394]

@@charenteliving it has been stinking hot for over 2 weeks - temps over 33 and ++ humidity every day !! I hate it

[@mariaetheridge8343]

I was thinking that you must've been freezing your tootsies! What a giant project!

[@charenteliving]

Has been a bit chilly alright, but surviving okay😊

[@tedlogan3194]

Before cell phones, it might take a year or more to get a phone at your house. France has not changed.

[@charenteliving]

Yes some things a bit slower to happen there.

[@pawlieblog7967]

I want to buy a small house in the Charente or Occitanie. Glad I found your video channel!! What about lead, asbestos and termites and other bugs or concerns? Buying an old maison is so tempting but what about all the remediations/renovations!? 😊

[@charenteliving]

Thankfully the checks when buying the house are quite thorough so you can really see what you are getting into. With old houses there can be many surprises so one has to be ready mentally to deal with them as they arise. I wouldn't let any of the above turn you off looking or buying as so many of the issues can be solved. We warmly recommend our area.

[@kevinharmon8885]

I bought online ,delighted. Be sure you get pictures of ceilings. Never visited ,all documentation on line. Agent a great help setting up utilities.

[@lisainnewzealand8461]

Love the gloves. Are they hand made?

[@charenteliving]

Yes they are. We actually bought them on a trip to Talinn, Estonia, but many people knit similar styles here in Finland too.

[@yazminaustin7073]

Hello!! Just a girl that wants to buy a house on rural france in here. Is there any website/real state agent that you recommend? Your real state agents were english speakers? I just want to avoid any miscomunication due to the language barrier, to have things as clear as possible. Is it mandatory for contract to be in french or you can ask for it to be in english? Thank you so much!! Your videos are super helpful and the house is looking beautiful!!

[@charenteliving]

Hi Yazmin. Thanks for your message. We bought through Leggett, which is an English speaking estate agent. There are many agents who are originally from England so very easy to deal with regarding the language. Also all the listings are in English. Regarding the contracts they are only in French but your agents will help you with everything you need. (Maybe there is a translating service, but we didn't have one) Best of luck with everything!!

[@yazminaustin7073]

@@charenteliving thank you so much!!!

[@TheImanuelita]

Is that why you guys were at the same spot talking all the time? Coz you were frozen? :)

[@EricOnYouTube]

Did you guys say which real estate web site that you looked at?

[@charenteliving]

We found our house on the Leggett real estate website.

[@EricOnYouTube]

@@charenteliving Oh, that is probably not for me. I am not rich. hehehhe

[@charenteliving]

@@EricOnKZbin I think you can find properties of all prices there, and there are definitely bargains to be had if you want a renovation project. Also different regions will be naturally more expensive than others. We found it useful as all of the information was in English.