Interview with a French Estate Agent: Allan Bright

Karen Tait speaks to estate agent Allan Bright to find out what his area has to offer property buyers…

How long have you been an estate agent in France?

Tanya and I moved to France in 2004. I’ve worked as an estate agent here since then-almost 20 years.

What part of France does your agency cover?

The agency is based in the charming château village of Coussac-Bonneval, in the south of the Haute-Vienne, right on the borders of the Dordogne and the Corrèze, giving us access to all three departments.

Describe your area in five words

I’d say: pretty, unspoilt, rolling, green countryside.

What is its appeal?

It’s a lifestyle choice: a region where you can enjoy a slower pace of life surrounded by a beautiful unspoilt landscape. The main industry is farming, the air quality is excellent and the rivers and streams are clean.

What’s your favourite corner of the region?

At this time of year, I love the Sunday market in Jumilhac le-Grand, which takes place in the main square against the backdrop of the magnificent château. Jumilhac also holds two large brocantes through the summer and an open-air concert and firework display for la fête nationale on 14 July.

Is the Limousin easy to get to from the UK?

Access to the region has never been easier. We’re situated between three local airports – Limoges, Bergerac and Brive and there are year-round low- cost flights here from many UK regional airports. For those who prefer to drive, the Limousin can be reached in a day from the northern ferry ports including St-Malo and Cherbourg.

Who would the area suit?

Everyone is looking for something slightly different but the Limousin would certainly appeal to those seeking an unspoilt rural location in which to enjoy walking, cycling, horse riding or fishing in one of the many rivers or lakes. For the less energetic, there are plenty of village cafés or bars in which to relax and watch the world go by at a much slower pace.

What are the most desirable locations to buy in?

again, it depends on what you are looking for. Villages such as Jumilhac- le-Grand, Arnac-Pompadour and Coussac-Bonneval would be good places for those who want to experience village life. Anywhere in the surrounding countryside is ideal for those who are looking for a quiet country setting.

Are there any up-and-coming areas or hidden gems that people might miss?

Having lived and worked here for 20 years, I like to think I know the area well but I can still be surprised from time to time when I discover a gorgeous property that I never knew existed. I don’t think there are any less-well-known places anymore, but certainly there are still hidden gems when it comes to houses.

What kind of properties will buyers find here?

The typical Limousin property is a traditional stone fermette, a small character farmhouse with barn and other outbuildings plus some land. The traditional honey colour of the local stone positively glows in the summer sun. In terms of village or town houses, the maison de maître is always a popular style. These are an imposing double- fronted type of property, which generally indicated an owner of standing in the community.

What can people buy for a budget of…?

• Under €100,000: In this price bracket, you can find a small two or three-bedroom ‘habitable’ property in need of a bit of TLC.
• €100,000-€250,000: The majority of our properties fall into this band – whether it’s a renovated stone cottage, an old farmhouse with barns to renovate, or a ready-to-move- into townhouse.
• €250,000-€500,000: This budget will give you the choice of some really nice properties: a renovated stone house with a swimming pool, an old mill building, a gîte, or maybe an eight-bedroom townhouse in which to run a B&B.
• Over €500,000: The most expensive property on our books right now is priced at €435,000. Over €500,000 would bring you into the realms of a small château or manoir, a gite complex or campsite.

What’s the cheapest property on your books right now?

We have a tiny village house requiring complete renovation in the village of Juillac advertised at €15,500.

What’s the most unusual property you have sold?

Over the past 20 years we have helped hundreds of people find their dream home, from barns requiring complete renovation to small châteaux or manoirs. One of the most unusual might be a rather beautiful 16th- century coaching house, which still has the portrait of the owner’s rather austere-looking great grandmother hanging on the wall keeping watch over the new occupants.

Of the properties on your books at the moment, which would be your dream home?

I adore the old mill property we have for sale at €360,000 near Arnac-Pompadour (see below), with the constant sound of the water and its own waterfall!

What advice would you give to anyone thinking of buying in your area?

Come out and see for yourself; you can only really start to get to know an area and find out if it is right for you by discovering it for yourself.

What tips would you give to people to help them settle into life here?

Learn to speak some French. You don’t need to be fluent, the important thing is not to be afraid to try. No matter how good or bad your French may be, it is important to be able to say “bonjour” to the people you meet. The basics go a long way.

What are your predictions for your local property market?

We have reached the end of the post-Covid boom, where many country properties were being bought by people leaving the larger towns and cities in search of rural areas. This should mean a greater choice of property in the coming months, but with mortgage interest rates becoming more attractive, demand from the local market is likely to remain strong.

Allan and Tanya Bright established Limousin Property Agents in 2005, which is now part of the small independent estate agency Berthou Immobilier.

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