Good US and French property listing sites?

[AmitG]

smifffymoto said:

If you do buy a country pile just do your sums,it's not uncommon for the work and materials to exceed its market value when done. If a place has been on the market for along time,find out why.Perhaps it is family squabbles after the death of parents.Go in with a silly offer as the Fisc. want their money and will force the sale after a number of years.
Daft as it sounds speak to a financial advisor and notaire as to the tax implications and also succession rights as the Laws are changing soon.As long as it's done correctly France can be very tax efficient upon death.
Seriousley,speak to someone before you do anything,it could potentially save you ££££££££££.

Thanks, I for one will take this advice on board.

I'm thinking of making the move and am doing the research. There are definitely complexities around inheritance and the tax treatment of worldwide assets (including wealth tax) which I will need to work through. I will certainly need professional advice, there seem to be some companies specialising in this that advertise in the French property magazines.

Others have pointed out that the repair and maintenance bills on these places can be eye watering, nothing is cheap and there's no point in buying a big pile and then scrimping on decor, you might as well not bother. The way I see it is that it's a bit like buying a classic car, it can be a beautiful experience but only if you can stomach the big bills and accept the idiosyncracies.

Don't want to hijack the OP's thread so will start another one later.