more open to negotiation. The
importance of energy efficiency is
increasing - international buyers
are still prepared to undertake this
work, French buyers less so."
Meanwhile, Kathleen Vanstraelen
says that locals are dominating the
market in Saint Astier (just west of
Périgueux in the Dordogne:
"Most of our buyers are French,
and live within a one or two hour
radius, or they have existing family
and friends in the area. For the
moment we have a high demand
for low price properties, from many
investment clients. There has been
some drop off in interest for building
plots though, this is due to the new
RT2020 energy regulations, which
combined with the rising price of
materials, makes building a house
more expensive."
Her colleague, Gerry Jackson
Phillip, covers the always popular
area south of Bergerac:
AQUITAINE
06 Leggett International Real Estate
The old region of Aquitaine
was made up of five
departments; you can see
below how prices have
changed in the last 12
months:
· Dordogne +6.3%
· Gironde +0.1%
· Landes +5.2%
· Lot-et-Garonne +6.3%
· Pyrénées-Atlantiques +8.1%
Nathalie Boneil is an agent in the
Périgord Noir, between Dordogne
and the Lot. She tells us that
traditional stone properties are in
huge demand:
"We have a fairly even split of
domestic and overseas buyers.
Typically, what they have in common
is that they are looking for an old
stone house to use as a holiday
home. Most are not looking to do
any renovation or refurbishment,
they want to be able to move in,
enjoy their garden and stroll to the
village shops and bar. If there is a
small outbuilding to renovate then
all the better. Budgets for this are
usually up to 250,000 euros. Prices
are stable, but vendors tend to
understand the economic issues we
are now facing, and are becoming
"I have definitely noticed an increase
in the number of French buyers
wishing to move to Eymet. Not only
from Paris and the north of France,
but from the south-west and even
Arcachon. Some are preparing for
their retirement the cost of living
being lower here, whilst others are
looking to liberate their artistic and
creative sides. The bastide towns
offer a myriad of opportunities for
exhibitions, and small businesses can
thrive. We are lucky that both the
French and English press mention
this area often, so plenty of positive
coverage. Many gîte owners have
launched wedding businesses off
the back of it. Brexit has increased
the paperwork in moving to France
from the UK, but it hasn't put people
off, enquiries are still really strong."
Further south, near Agen, Anne
Hulme covers the Lot-et-Garonne
and has a slightly different take.
She tells us that buyers in the area
are predominantly from France
and Belgium, with a drop off in UK