Back to Life….. Back to Reality!

Leaving France behind is similar to pulling out a stubborn weed – it left a part of us wanting to stay rooted. But this year, the ache was tinged with something different. We weren’t just leaving, we were returning with a purpose. We’d peeked into a potential future, a charming farmhouse nestled amongst rolling green hills, and it had ignited a spark of excitement. We were brimming with dreams of a new life and plans….oh so many plans!

Of course, dreams often collide with the harsh realities of logistics. The first hurdle was a self-inflicted one: did we truly want this? The early autumn air, crisp and unfamiliar after the French warmth, served as a stark reminder of the adjustment ahead. We spent the first week reacquainting ourselves with the art of layering and dodging rain showers, while evenings became a whirlwind of research and online exploration.

The house we had viewed twice during our recent holiday, though full of character, was more “potential” than polished. We envisioned cosy nights with central heating, but the reality was cold stone floors and draughty windows. Undeterred, we crunched numbers, researched insulation, and compared local property values.

After weeks of investigation and late-night discussions, a decision was made: we were all in.

Negotiations are like a delicate dance. The house had already received a price reduction, and the agent hinted at limited room for further negotiations. When looking to make an offer, we wanted to be realistic. Factoring in the adjustments, taxes and future work, we calculated a range that would match our budget. Estimating associated costs at this stage, will save some work down the line, so don’t shy away from doing sums early in the process.

We held our breath, strategising, and finally submitted an offer – a figure that both reflected our love for the place and our bottom line. Clicking “send” sent a jolt of excitement and nervousness through us. This was it, the first step towards making our dream a reality.

The wait for the response stretched into what felt like an eternity. Every passing hour felt like a day, every email notification a potential life-changer. Finally, the answer arrived, the digital equivalent of a sealed envelope trembling in our hands. The owner countered with a slightly higher price, but sweetened the deal by including the furniture – and even a tractor!

Now at this point, I should say the deal maker was not the furniture but the tractor. While the furniture was nice, the outside space was the thing that really made us fall in love with the property and the tractor was central to this. In retrospect this seems a little crazy, but at the time this was the icing on the cake.

With a quick reply and a flurry of paperwork, the deal was agreed. We were the proud (and slightly terrified) future owners of a farmhouse, a collection of rustic furniture, and an unexpected tractor. Our new life in France wasn’t just a dream anymore – it was a tangible reality, waiting to unfold with all its quirks, challenges, and undeniable charm.

Our long search had finally come to a successful conclusion. The house and surroundings were very much in keeping with our dream property. What could go wrong?

Next time we delve into the process of buying a house in France.

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