Newsletter 102

Issue 102 is not just about property for a change. I would like to hear from anyone who can give me information or contacts about handicapped friendly places in France.

mailto:tony@frepro.com

mailto:tony@frepro.com

My mum is back from hospital with a new hip and is free of pain for the first time in a year.

Thank you to all the people who wrote about the plague of red "mites" - not spiders, these are a common pest and they are early this year, if you have a problem look up "harvest mites" in Google.

If you want the most relaxing place to stay this summer, try...

http://www.rentalsfrance.com/rhonealps/MAIN-568/index.html

Chalet Montalbert

This is open all summer and is, in my opinion - much more interesting than when it is covered with snow, (falling off wet mountains has never been my idea of fun) - fantastic scenery, walks and rides, bargain price for 6 people and the top quality, being the best duplex in the town.

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There are over 1,000 articles in our archives at...

http://francevoila.com/archives.html

Archives

Our holiday/vacation rental site is at...

http://rentalsfrance.com/

RentalsFrance

We advertise holiday villa and gite rentals in most parts of France, established in 1998 we are one of the most prominent and successful villa rentals sites on the Internet - and aim to stay that way.

Do browse through our websites and please use the advertising links, they help pay for the site.

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In this issue

1. Music Bus
2. To Bravely Go Where No Man has Gone Before
3. Help Line in Five Languages
4. Property Prices
5. French Health Service and the Good Life
6. Best Buy For Euro
7. Electricity In France
8. Wifi Hotspot Guide

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1. Music Bus

I mentioned Mel Davis in my last newsletter. After an accident 8 years ago Mel is handicapped. Mel is a musician and has a dream to make a mobile studio to help others which mobility problems, he is offering the project a small fortune in recording systems and is asking for help

To read the rest of this article, please go to

http://www.fblog.com/?q=node/view/174

Music Bus

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2. To Bravely Go Where No Man has Gone Before

I am looking at buying a newly renovated apartment in the town of Villedieu les Poeles, approximately 2 mins walk from central street. Both one and two bedroom properties are available at 66k euro and 100k euro respectively including all fees. I'm just concerned how attractive to holiday renters such properties will be as I haven't seen anything similar.

To read the rest of this article, please go to

http://www.fblog.com/?q=node/view/173

To Bravely Go

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3. Help Line in Five Languages

You are traveling through a country where you don't speak the language. You have a problem, someone is lost, you are stopped by the police, miss your passport or want to change your room. Even just book a good restaurant or buy a bunch of flowers.

What if you could call someone (like on "Millionaire") who is fluent in the language and tell them your problem and then ask them to help or translate.

Well, this service exists.

I came across this brilliant and valuable service. The team speak five languages - English, Spanish, French, German and Dutch.

To read the rest of this article, please go to

http://www.fblog.com/?q=node/view/124

European help-Line

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4. Property Prices

Hello Tony

Thanks for your informative newsletters. I'd be interested to know if you have any comments on how a downturn in the property market in Britain might influence property prices in France.

To read the rest of this article, please go to

http://www.fblog.com/?q=node/view/172

Property Prices

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5. French Health Service and the Good Life

Hi Tony I've just received your 101 newsletter and a great read and informative as ever.

I'm so pleased for your mum not having to wait long for her hip operation and the fact she is up and about is great. Good Health to her..!!

The French health service is one of the main reasons my partner and I (and Oona our dog) are moving to France within the next few years.

To read the rest of this article, please go to

http://www.fblog.com/?q=node/view/171

The Good Life

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6. Best Buy For Euro

Definitely do not buy any currency from your bank, the foreign exchange shops in the high road or through travel agents.

The rate of exchange you can get can be much better, safe, secure and simple, takes 10 minutes and can save you a lot.

To read the rest of this article, please go to

http://www.fblog.com/?q=node/view/126

Best Currency Deals

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7. Electricity In France

Officially the public electricity supply voltage in France is 240 volt, but I have never found it to be above 215 volts and in the four very different places where we have lived power has been erratic and unstable. I get a lot of mail telling me the same and asking how to get the government monopoly, EDF, to improve supply. I would welcome any comments from readers about this and their experiences.

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Tony

Thanks for your newsletter.

My wife and I are contemplating buying a property in Southwest France (Limoges region and south) and perhaps opening a B&B. Since such a project will probably require rebuilding/remodeling, I am curious to know whether American woodworking machinery can be converted to run on the French electrical grid.

To read the rest of this article, please go to

http://www.fblog.com/?q=node/view/170

Electricity in France

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8. Wifi Hotspot Guide

I travel a lot and find Wifi hotspots a vital part of my life. I choose hotels for their Wifi service and pay the outrageous Starbucks prices because I can sit in comfort in any city center and work on my notebook.

This site seems to give the best listing of Wifi hotspots with over 60,000 in nearly 100 countries

To read the rest of this article, please go to

http://www.fblog.com/?q=node/view/169

Wifi Guide

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newsletter 101

This is newsletter number 101 about life, living in France and our personal experiences over the last 16 years bringing up our family in a French village. perhaps "101" is a good number - we are just beginning to learn a little.



There are over 1,000 articles in our archives at...



http://francevoila.com/archives.html




http://francevoila.com/archives.html



Our holiday/vacation rental site is at...



http://rentalsfrance.com/



http://rentalsfrance.com/



we advertise holiday villa and gite rentals in most parts of France, established in 1998 we are one of the most prominent and successful villa rentals sites on the Internet - and aim to stay that way.



Do browse through our websites and please use the advertising links.






Red Spiders, Hospitals and Hoopoes,



It has been an interesting week - among many other things : we have been plagued by itchy red spiders in our house, my Mother has had a hip operation in the local hospital and I just spent 20 minutes watching a hoopoe a few feet away from me in our garden.



We all came out in what looked like flea bites last week - thoroughly embarrassed we went to the doctor to be told we have been bitten by microscopic spiders from the vineyards - it is not unusual and it explains two instances of guests claiming we had given them fleas over the six years - so the probability of getting these pesky things would be about one in 250 - painting each other from neck to toe in gunge was hilarious - I am still scratching though so stay away.



After 9 months waiting in vain just for a scan in the UK, my Mother came to live with us in France and has had a hip replacement operation after waiting 6 weeks. Says it all really.



I remember the national papers reporting on the sighting of a hoopoe in the UK once - common as pigeons here it seems - but one just came to eat a load of stuff in the garden only a few feet away - weird and wonderful birds, I hope their main diet is minute red spiders



More this week about property buying and renting in France - I am going to spin off another newsletter just about property so I can write more about other things. If you want to hear about any subject please write to me, I will try to help, or comment.



tony@frepro.com



Tony



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My Mum's fine - standing up after 2 days, with no pain



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In this weeks issue



1. Renting Out Unfurnished Property in France

2. How Long Do I Wait For Planning Permission

3. How Can I Get Finance

4. Accurate Translations Service

5. A readers Good Experience with Leasebacks

6. Which Locations are the Warmest in Winter

7. Handicapped People in France

8. Nice is a Good Place for Wheelchairs




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1. Renting Out Unfurnished Property in France



Dear Tony,



For a couple of years I am a subscriber to your francevoila website now and very much appreciate what you come up with as for information on all sorts of subjects. I would like to come to you with the following:



I am a Dutch lady living in Sydney, Australia. I bought a nice apartment in 2002 in the heart of Montpellier, where my sister used to live. I have had it painted and rented out since June 2003, having arranged a managing contract with the real estate agent. Since mid last year he sold his company. In the meantime the first locateur has left and is replaced by somebody else. The apartment is rented out unfurnished.




To read the rest of this article, please go to



http://www.fblog.com/?q=node/view/168



Renting Out Unfurnished Property in France




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2. How Long Do I Wait For Planning Permission



We have applied for planning permission on a property we are currently buying in the Pyrenees, permission has been passed by the mayor and has now gone to the DDE would you know how long this usually takes before we could expect to hear anything.




To read the rest of this article, please go to



http://www.fblog.com/?q=node/view/167



How Long Do I Wait For Planning Permission




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3. How Can I Get Finance



Hi Tony



I'm looking to relocate to the South of France and I am looking to purchase perhaps 3 small properties that could be let. I am currently self employed and have trouble showing healthy profits due to a healthy disregard for the tax man. I have been searching for a way of funding these properties and keep coming up empty. I understand that there is no such thing as self-cert mortgages but is there a way of buying properties via a well-written business plan where ones earnings are not taken into account? Or perhaps some kind of buy-to-let self funding vehicle?




To read the rest of this article, please go to



http://www.fblog.com/?q=node/view/166



How Can I Get Finance




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4. Accurate Translations Service



Hi Tony;

I read about one of your reader´s comments on getting accurate translations done.



We know all about the frustrations of this and so recently invested (quite costly) in a program that translates up to 10 languages including SWEDISH! We also had to get an international key board to handle the differences in the alphabets.



We are thinking of offering a translation service at a small cost. It is a matter of actually typing in the language to be translated and then running the program.




To read the rest of this article, please go to



http://www.fblog.com/?q=node/view/165



Accurate Translations Service




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5. A readers Good Experience with Leasebacks



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Tony



I have been reading with interest over the last couple of years the
enquiries and replies about leaseback that you have been receiving. I think
two matters are of particular importance:




the possibility that a commercial bail may be automatically renewed on
expirey unless the owner gives prompt notice to the commercial lessee - the
notice requirements should be stated in the bail; and



whether compensation is payable to the commercial lessee on termination of
the bail. If so, again this should be set out in the bail.



We own a leaseback property in the Alps which has three years left on the
bail.




To read the rest of this article, please go to



http://www.fblog.com/?q=node/view/164



A readers Good Experience with Leasebacks




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6. Which Locations are the Warmest in Winter



Tony,



Your honest comments on French matters for those contemplating taking up residence in France are very much appreciated.



Now, when house hunting one can find suitable properties/environment by visiting regions, but lovely in June could be unbearable in January. And vice-versa dependent on individual preference. Therefore, would you be brutally truthful on the following, please. Which locations are the warmest in Winter,




To read the rest of this article, please go to



http://www.fblog.com/?q=node/view/163



Which Locations are the Warmest in Winter




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7. Handicapped People in France



Hi Tony



I am an expat brit living here in France for more than 20 years, I am now handicapped at. 80%,trying to find a job is almost impossible. There are more people working to try to find handicapped people jobs than there are handicapped people.




To read the rest of this article, please go to



http://www.fblog.com/?q=node/view/162



Handicapped People in France




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8. Nice is a Good Place for Wheelchairs



Tony

You mentioned in one of your columns that in 16 years you have never gotten any feedback from someone in a wheelchair about the accessibility of accommodations in France.



I have been traveling to the South of France for over 30 years in a wheelchair. I have found it to be very accessible. In particular Nice.




To read the rest of this article, please go to



http://www.fblog.com/?q=node/view/161



Nice is a Good Place for Wheelchairs




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