Buying property in the Aude
We've put together some information to help you find your dream home in the south of France.
We also have some general observations about property in the Aude. Prices are holding and although the market is softer than it was 2 or 3 years ago there are still some things that hold true.
- It's very difficult to find detached houses with gardens unless your budget is well over €300 000,00. It doesn't matter that you don't mind being outside a village, it just isn't the way they built here. If you want a detached house with a garden you're better off to look at newer villas. Expect to pay at least €190 000,00.
- Any existing outside space is going to add to the price of a house in the Aude.
- There is no longer any reason to be afraid of renovating. The days of unregistered cowboy builders is past. if you can't find a registered builder you aren't looking. Lots of builders, trades, and project managers are or speak English. The very best buys in the Aude are often properties that need renovation. People are still so mired in the old horror stories that they tend to shy away from them.
- The Aude is bigger than you expect and it takes longer to go from one place to another than you anticipate. You get used to it, it isn't an issue. If you want to look at houses for sale around Carcassonne don't stay in Bezier. It'll take you two hours to get to Carcassonne. There are lots of places in the Aude to stay.
- If you're planning to run a B&B or chambres d'hotes you're almost always better off to buy one that's already operating. Even if you do your own renovations you'll have no income in that time. You also have to build the business, especially in the off season. Better to start with ongoing buisness and build it.
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