Pointers for the re
sale of your home
I know that this site is dedicated to
finding your dream home in the Aude, Languedoc, but it
is worth keeping an eye open to re sale possibilities
to maximise your returns. These are very general tips,
but experience has shown that they are worth following.
Village
Houses
* Always find one with an outside space. Courtyards,
terrace, balcony - really, the maximum exterior space
* A huge plus is a garage. This usually means that the
ground floor is given over to this space. The French
love to have a workshop and a place to park the car
ideally ( sometimes in narrow streets this is not
possible)
* A large living area. The younger buyers are unlike
their parents/grandparents in that they don't like
small living rooms
* The jury is out with kitchens. I am still amazed that
a nation of foodies often have very small kitchens.
This is down to personal needs
* If re painting, keep neutral with your choice of
colours, but obviously with your own flair
* Insulation is an obvious must as well as double
glazed windows
* Heating. Ideally gas de ville
if possible. A lot of
houses has fuel heating- quite costly, but if already
installed as central heating, worth keeping. Central
heating per se is worth installing too.
* Keep an eye on the state of the roof. A lot of sales
have fallen by the wayside because of roofs needing
replacing.
* If possible, find a house with a lot of natural
light, and ideally some south / south west facing
rooms.
* A lot of storage place is appreciated. Built in
cupboards in bedrooms are a good idea
* Also, a quiet setting is a good idea- not always
possible. Try and avoid being next door to a church
with bells that chime every 15 minutes!
* Facades. People still love to see well rendered stone
( choose the colour of your rendering carefully and in
keeping with the village/other nearby houses)
* Avoid areas that have been inundated - especially in
the BIG one of 1999
Modern or recent Villas
* If possible, find one outside a lotissement
and rather in a résidence
* South or SE/SW facing is preferred
* As large a sitting room as possible - modern thoughts
are very pro this
* Separate loo is good as is 2 bathrooms
* Colour schemes here tend to go a bit wild- no rules
but maybe avoid too many colours
* There are a lot of mass built Villas, with VERY thin
plaster board walls and cheap quality of finishes -
these should be avoided
* Pre 1995 villas fall into 2 categories- cheap and
flimsy or brick built ones - the latter more attractive
* Pools are good, with a winter cover and the owner is
obliged to sell with pool security
* Find one with trees and grass - sounds obvious, but
many outside spaces are dumping grounds for cars/dog
mess and more!!
* Facades. Crépi is very common and not bad,
depending on the colour used. Hard wearing paint is
preferable
* Built in BBQ is good, as can be a tasteful summer
kitchen or pool house ( this can house a shower, loo
and maybe 1 room)
Renovation projects
These follow all of the above- depending what you are
renovating
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