Our Normandy farmhouse sold in July 2016, and now we're going to be selling our little home in Provence. When we moved to Normandy, we held onto this house as a vacation home. When my allergies forced us back to Provence, we moved back in and welcomed our third baby. After being back for 1.5 years, we've realized that soon this house is going to be a bit tight for us. It's … [Read more...]
We’re Moving Again! But this time, we’re staying in Provence.
Not long after we returned to our little house in the hills in Provence, we found out that we were expecting our third baby. I pictured myself blogging throughout my pregnancy, but I found that two kids 3 and 5, plus being pregnant, didn't leave me much time for writing. During my nesting stage, we really did much work to the house and I even poured some concrete when I was 7 … [Read more...]
Buying or Selling a House in France? There’s no MLS system here.
Growing up with a broker/realtor parent, MLS became part of my early vocabulary. So when my husband and I began looking at houses to buy in France, I was surprised to find there isn't a database of all listed homes and properties. I rarely have a gripe about how things are done in France. I love it here and I'm used to the differences in mentality and way of life. This is just … [Read more...]
Move to Normandy! Our Spacious Farmhouse for Sale by Owner or Realtor
Here's a glimpse of our Normandy farmhouse we recently placed on the market. It makes an excellent home for a large family or chambre d'hotes (bed and breakfast). The 3 dependances (buildings) could be converted into gites (rentals), or give artisans plenty of space to work from home. One building even has a small, professional recording studio (sold without the … [Read more...]
What’s a Poele? Keeping Warm in France
When we purchased our home in Provence, with the advice of a local mason, we decided to break our fireplace and have a poele, or woodburning stove, installed. This is a popular heating method in France, and you'll find all home improvements stores stocked with them during fall. Installed by a licensed professional, you can have a tax break. If you complete two energy efficient … [Read more...]