Charente property sales slow due to weak pound

CHARENTE PROPERTY SALES SLOW DUE TO WEAK POUND

Charente property sales slow due to weak pound against the Euro but bargain properties are still selling fast in the Charente as people look to leave the UK behind and start a new life in France.

The economic climate might be gloomy back in Blighty with people having mortgage problems and difficulties selling their homes but here in the Charente, despite the doom and gloom, property seems to be moving just as fast as ever.

Property prices have dropped in the UK and this has had a knock on effect in the Charente region of France. Sellers are being more realistic and prepared to negotiate with any buyer prepared to make a realistic offer. It would appear that people are even more keen to quit English shores and move to France and who can blame them.

CHARENTE PROPERTY - APRIL 2008

April arrived in the Charente with some good sunny weather albeit a snow blanket clouded the UK.

The vines have all been pruned and are just starting to shoot as are the roses and clematis plants. The supermarkets are avidly promoting sun-screen cream ever hopeful that summer is just around the corner! Schools both here and in the UK have broken up for the Easter holidays albeit that Easter is long gone having hit us all some two weeks ago.

Next year sees a more sensible dated of April 8th weekend - make a diary note of the 125th Anniversary of the famed La Rochebeaucourt fete (about five miles north of our office in Mareuil) when all sorts of special events will be laid on. There will be twelve floats - one for each month of the year and the spectacular end of Easter Monday night firework display is set to be even more spectacular than ever. Don`t miss it….

Still on the subject of La Rochebeaucourt, the new "by-pass" is now set for 2009 and there are some good potential properties that could be bought now at realistic prices whilst the lorries still trundle by. Hopefully all this will change and what a welcome relief that will be to village life.

Ryanair are now flying into our local airport at Angoulême, three times per week as follows (www.ryanair.com)

Tuesday and Thursdays

London Stansted departs 19.20 H : Arrives Angoulême 21.50 H
Angoulême departs 22.15 H : Arrives Stansted 22.55 H.

Saturday

London Stansted departs 18.00 H : Arrives Angoulême 20.30 H
Angoulême departs 20.55 H : Arrives Stansted 21.35 H.

The airport is tiny - one cannot possibly get lost within! There is a small bar/restaurant in the departure building, parking is currently free and there is even a small campsite adjacent. Flights take just 1½ hours each way.

Over the next twelve months watch the price of Charente properties increase in this and the surrounding areas.

In the meantime, keep surfing our property pages. Remember, if you have any specific requirements then let us know. There maybe things that we know confidentially and all it takes is for "the little grey cells" to come alive with one call from you!