A snapshot of our Summer in Saint Malo!

A snapshot of our Summer in Saint Malo!

We are about to breathe a sigh of relief……….

…..because tomorrow is the last day of August.  A sigh of relief, not because we haven’t enjoyed the hectic hustle and bustle of St Malo, our beautiful home town, as it bulges with Summer tourists and second home owners but because we can get back to normality in terms of running our property finding business.

August is holiday time and over these wonderful 31 sunshine filled days it seems that the whole of France stops working.  Everyone needs a holiday there is no denying that but whole offices close, estate agents stop making viewing appointments, vendors cannot be contacted and Notaires stop preparing that all important paperwork. 

It has been frustrating to say the least and indeed many of our competitors give up and adopt an ‘if you can’t beat them attitude’.  But by stealing ourselves, having the necessary tenacity and pure ‘true grit’ we have aggressively battled on and with the help of some very helpful ‘non-French’ agents and Notaires negotiators we have achieved 6 full days of house viewings and had two accepted offers on properties for clients.

So bring on the autumn and what by all accounts seems likely to be a busy time for the property market here in Brittany.  Things are moving and realistic vendors who understand that we are definitely in the middle of a buyers’ market are selling well. 

There are definite bargains to be had – and who knows when it comes to August next year maybe it will be you enjoying the 31 sunshine filled days of August in your new home ………….

€85,000

€110,000

€169,000

€176,550

€96,500

A tearful moment ……..

We just had to share this little gem …….

We have spent the last couple of days showing a very excited client the houses that we’ve selected for her viewing shortlist.  We certainly think we hit the spot and one in particular has caught her eye but that is a story to be continued …………….

We’re not sure but could her loving the house have something to do this ….

On our second visit to the house and on entering the vendors daughter’s bedroom we find her and two young friends quietly (yes quietly!!!!!!) amusing themselves with a computer game. 

Harry Enfield's"Kevin"

Harry Enfield's"Kevin and Perry"

Whilst I suppose this is not an unusual sight in children’s bedrooms these days what was unusual (for us Brits at least) was the fact that immediately upon our entry the computer game was switched off, all three children jumped up,  gave a polite bow and kissed each of us once on the cheek as a welcome.

We were stunned to say the least and there was more than one tear brought to the eye…..

Vive la vie poli ………………….

Its a Dogs life!

With several current clients on the go at the moment we are spending alot of time out and about in our beautiful corner of France viewing potential ‘shortlistable’properties.  We just love doing this and what’s more we get to take our boy ‘Alfie’ on these trips with us.

Alfie Rock Pooling

Now this of course is a far cry from his experience of our previous existence when sadly he would spend most days ‘home alone’ while we were out at work (I hasten to add that the conveniently installed dog flap meant that those days were not spent cross legged!!!).  Of course, occasionally Alfie will see something that excites him too, the odd rabbit, a horse or two or even one or two of his Breton Spaniel cousins, but even on the ‘Alfie’ scale this weekend was exciting ……..

Spotted in a sleepy village (appropriately named Lassey) ……. ‘The Mystery Machine’, as featured on the boys favourite TV show Scooby Doo.  

Of course we had to stop – but oh no Scooby Doo – where are you ……….?  Alfie was gutted but was insistent on having his picture taken against the van …… ‘star struck’ he is not but he said he couldn’t wait to get home to tell his two closest friends – Monsieur  Bouba and the very chilled Yuton of course.

Monsieur  Bouba

Monsieur  Yuton