How To Refurbish A Property In France Without Going Insane In The Process!

Well, I tell you, I never thought that I was ever the sort of person who could be pushed to absolute and total wits end. I never thought I could be the one to drop off the edge brandishing a crowbar on foreign soil and waving it around over my head like a crazy person!! Oh, dont judge too quickly. Not until you yourself buy house in France and try to do it up!

Im not crazy; Im quite normal and probably not all that dissimilar to you. But enough was enough and I wanted those lazy, incompetent and far too expensive moron workers off of my property before they completely wrecked it. You know, paying an extra 75% in tax to a French tradesman is one thing (I did it reluctantly), but I do then rather expect that youre going to be VERY, VERY good at your job in that case. I mean, provide some real value for money here Im paying for it.

Do you know that I had to have my brand-new complete kitchen fitted/corrected not twice but three times! The first time they forgot to put some of the waste pipes and services in. The second time, the ones they did forget and now fitted leaked all over the floor.

Do you know that the bathroom I had installed wasnt the one I ordered? Maybe I wouldnt have noticed save for the fact that it was also a completely different colour! The suite would have matched perfectly if only I was colour blind or tripping wildly on hallucinogenics. Neither of these scenarios is applicable to me.

Do you know that I paid over 10,000 Euros to have the exterior of the property re-rendered in the same, utterly awful finish as to what was on there in the first place? The very reason that I instructed the workers to take off the old render was because the finish was uneven and abysmally textured. I didnt like it. The look I wanted was uniformly flat and smooth. They removed it and gave me in its place the exact same thing! Instead of original awful I got renewed awful.

So, yes, at the end of my tether those lazy, over-paid, incompetent fools were abruptly chased out of my property and bon dbarras! to them all.

I do want to pay my greatest of respects to two companies that came to my aid, all the way from England. One was Pudelko Construction, who handled all of my internal works; and the other specialist firm was DuraRend, who handled my exterior rendering. I so wish Id thought of hiring firms like this before but I simply assumed that no one would want to travel all the way to France. But these guys do right down to South France, near the Spanish border!

My advice to anyone with a property in France: Bring your workforce with you!

Links:

htt://www.durarend.co.uk/

Austria Property For Sale Flachau Ski Amade Resort

Austria, in modern times, has beautifully blended its cultural heritage with modern marvels in architecture. Visitors are often surprised to see the amount of amalgam contained in every modern city of Austria. Whether you buy property for business or personal use, Austria always remains the perfect place to relax. The Austrian Government has chosen to make changes to the laws regarding foreign nationals investing in property in the country. In fact these changes have not only helped to make the whole process streamlined but also much simpler.
Flachau is a lively Austrian alpine resort situated just 60kms south of Salzburg. It is home to the legendary downhill skier Hermann Maier, whos family still run the local ski school and hire shop. The resort lies at the very centre of the vast Ski Amade region which consists of an incredible 860kms of pistes all on the same lift pass.
The Flachau Ski Amade Resort is an exclusive development of 25 apartments due for completion winter 2011. All the apartments are built to the highest specification and each comes with either a balcony, roof terrace or garden. Apartments range from 48m2 one bedroom apartments right up to large 133m2, three bedroom apartments with huge roof terraces and excellent views down towards the village.
The apartments are situated right on the piste and just a short walk from the resort centre. There is a communal playground for the kids, underground parking, cable TV and wi-fi throughout. The key features of apartments are: Prices from just 189,000, Ski-in Ski-out, Close to resort centre, Part of huge Ski Amade region, All apartments with balconies, terraces or gardens, No rental obligation and Just 40 minutes from Salzburg.
You will also find a large number of respected and reliable Austrian luxury real estate sales realtors who can help you in purchasing the perfect property in Austria. Whether you choose any of the great, elegant and magnificent villas or the chalets near ski resorts where you have complete fun with family during a break, or the great farm houses situated in the green lashing meadows, you get complete assistance from such real estate agents in your purchase.
Mark Warner Property has a wide range of property in Austria and the Austrian Alps for sale including properties and real estate in top Austrian ski resorts and other locations in Austria. Mark Warner Property offers luxury apartments for sale in Flachau featuring 1 or 3 bedrooms. If you want to explore Austria Property for sale , please visit the site

Now Is The Time To Snap Up Property In Bulgarias Ski Resorts

Leading experts in property in Bulgaria House Sales Bulgaria confirms that property prices in many of the countrys ski resorts are dropping to levels which are making these properties of great interest to property investors.

Recently published market analyst reports reveal that real estate in Bulgarias biggest ski resort, Bansko have dropped in price by as much as 50% since 2008 figures. The difficult global economic conditions have had their effect on some people wishing to sell property in Bulgaria, particularly in some of the countrys ski resorts, according to the reports, leading some vendors to drop their prices significantly in order to secure a sale. This is creating some very tempting real estate opportunities for property investors or for individual residential purchasers looking for a bargain ski apartment.

The International Business Times, citing the market analyst reports, says that “apartments in Bulgarian resort Bansko have halved in price over the past three years, attracting interest from buyers looking for affordable winter property. In the first eight months of 2011, apartments in Bansko were sold at an average of 760 euros per square metre. But after a hefty 10 per cent price drop in May, the index value of Bansko property is now at 51.31 , almost half that of November 2008, when the index value was at a peak of 100.” According to the article, many of Bulgarias ski resorts are demonstrating the same phenomenon, but “Bansko is leading the way on the ski slopes, with other major resorts seeing only a 22 per cent decrease in house prices”.

Bulgarias ski resorts have perennial appeal, offering skiing that rivals any of the top international ski resorts, great snow conditions with a long season, stunning natural scenery and excellent apres ski facilities. Whats always been the key to the appeal of Bulgarias ski destinations is the price: ski equipment and passes, accommodation, food and drink are all significantly cheaper than in some of the other popular ski resorts, such as the Alps, for instance. Now it is the price of property in Bulgarias ski resorts which is attracting attention, which is great news for those wishing to sell property in Bulgaria and in the ski regions in particular.

House Sales Bulgaria helps to match Bulgarian bargain property hunters with those selling property in the country. By harnessing its impressive network of websites and industry contacts, as well as multi-media and internet marketing, it ensures that the right properties get exposure to the right potential buyers. Find out more at our website.

Dunedin Real Estate Your Dream Property Is Within Your Reach

Sometimes referred to as the southern gem, Dunedin is the South Islands second biggest city, characterised by a unique Scottish feel and architecture imposed on it during the time of New Zealands colonisation. Surround by beaches, forests and dramatic scenery, Dunedin is noted for its youthful and charismatic population being attracted by the educational and tertiary facilities contained within. With a population of just over 125,000, the city is one of the best preserved Victorian and Edwardian cities in the Southern Hemisphere. Becoming a desired location for students, families and businesses alike, the demand for Dunedin real estate is increasing at above average rates.

According to the latest Quotable Value New Zealand figures, southern Dunedin real estate figures have surged, recording the highest percentage increase in the country. The southern region extends from Waverley to Green Island, including the suburbs of St Kilda and St Clair. The figures illustrate that the area has experienced an increase in home values by 8.7% with an average sale price of $264,000. Likewise, Dunedin overall, showed a 4.9% increase in property values with the average sale price rising to over $276,000.

The increasing prices are a direct result of increasing demand. As many of the main centres in New Zealand are experiencing continued growth in house prices and valuations, Dunedin is presenting itself to many as an attractive option. With the average house price in New Zealand just a little under $410,000, properties in Dunedin represent real value in the marketplace where many families are struggling to find suitable and affordable housing options. According to Glenda Whitehead from QV Valuations, some of the increase in market activity in Dunedin is due to a rise in purchases by existing homeowners, who realise the benefits of purchasing prime real estate at well below national averages.

There are many advantages to purchasing Dunedin real estate, apart from the scenic and natural beauty that the city is surrounded by. With the security of tenure, you will be able to enjoy the cycle of the real estate market, accessing capital gain as the property naturally appreciates. If, like most kiwis, you enjoy a little do it yourself (DIY), then additional capital gains can be achieved through renovations. There is nothing like the sense of pride that comes with homeownership. The freedom and ability to personalise your property to suit your tastes and requirements has long been an aspiration of nearly all New Zealanders. However, with the current price hikes in property prices, renting is fast becoming a reality for many who cannot afford the deposit or repayments on their first home. However, Dunedin is offering the consumer real value and choice. Why not consider a move to a new place, where the people are friendly, the amenities are first class and most of all, your dream property is within your reach.

Property Market On Mallorca

Mallorca has always been a popular holiday destination with tourists from around the world, due to its wonderfully warm climate, stunning beaches and Mediterranean cuisine. However, in the past few years, Mallorca has seen a property market boom – faring much better than the rest of Spain. Holidaymakers are falling in love with the island’s charm and wanting something more permanent. Luxury villas and luxury apartments, in particular, are experiencing an immensely high demand in recent years by numerous nationalities. In general, people are looking for family homes with great views, privacy, and their own swimming pool.

With more than 3,000 holiday villas in Mallorca completely fully booked during the summer months, potential investors in Mallorcan property can relax in the knowledge that renting their villa will guarantee their investment. It seems that people moving to Mallorca are either planning on doing so permanently or looking for the perfect second home.

The majority looking to buy luxury property in Mallorca are British (60%), with around a quarter German (estimated at around 80,000 residents), and the remaining Russian, Scandinavian, Australian, Spanish and South African. The Spanish government is offering incentives to non-European citizens investing in Mallorcan property, making it much easier to obtain a NIE number and Spanish residency.

The south west region of Mallorca has become the most sought-after area for property buyers, mainly due to its fine weather. The winter in the south west is very different to the north or east, as it is protected by the extensive mountain range which runs the length of the island. The areas just north of Palma experience the most pleasant winters. The south west region has an active and lively social scene all year round, with many restaurants, shops and bars catering for all nationalities. Many properties in the south west either dot along the coastline with stunning sea views, look out over marinas, or situate within luxury golf course developments. Peaceful rural retreats can also be found in quiet villages here, and the airport is only half an hour away.

Supply and demand in Mallorca is much more evenly balanced than the rest of Spain, and particularly attractive areas on the island – such as Puerto Andratx – are selling quickly and correctly-priced.

It seems that opportunities to buy on Mallorca are probably as good as they will ever be. Investors can be sure that they will get their dream property for a fair price, and have peace of mind that it will be an excellent investment.

Paul is a journalist and author of numerous blogs and web sites. This latest web site launched some twelve months ago is dedicated to Mallorca Property. The site features property from all over island including exceptional bargains and even bank repossessed properties in Mallorca at significantly discounted rates.