French Gites

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French Gites

Are you hankering after a lifestyle change? Want to earn rental income but want to enjoy the French landscape – then this opportunity may be what you are looking for!

Many are attracted to purchasing properties with gites by the lifestyle associated with owning a gite. Lazy days in the French sun supping a glass wine or two sitting around a pool – that suites me fine! After years of 9 to 5 in the office and hours spent on the daily commute it appears to be an attractive option.

French Gite Business

This is a notorious “cash in hand” trade and although the owner may imply the profits are better than declared in the accounts – buyer beware! Are staff costs included or have the present owners done all the work or used un-paid family members? Is there a lot of repeat trade? What are bookings like for the forthcoming year? What capital will be needed to be injected for renovations and maintenance?

In France, the “gite season” is typically July and August – a 10 week season! Outside this period you will have to market well – probably to foreign markets – to fill your rooms! Often a more expensive gite complex will have 4 or more rentable units so that they can maximise their earnings in the “gite season”.

Some factors – and this is by no means complete – to consider in this competitive market:
a) Location, location, location – as always this is of prime importance. Is it quiet but accessible? Close to facilities? Does it have a wow factor? Imagine you are looking for a holiday – would you like to spend a week here? What do you look for in a holiday?
b) Weather – the further South, the longer the potential season (unfortunately prices are more expensive in the South)
c) Close to a Budget Airline airport? RyanAir, FlyBe, Easyjet fly to many destinations in France and can be a source of “clients” all the year around. If you want to tap into this market you need to be no more than 30 mins to 1 hour away. Are you prepared to pick up “clients” from the airport?

Prices of Properties with French Gites

Prices? Existing gite businesses cost from 150K euros to 1 million + euros. Before you buy research the market and property. You need to find out how much competition is in the area and what prices you can charge. The internet is an excellent source for the information you need – the regional French Tourist board web sites will tell what you what the area is like and the attractions in the region. Don’t be emotional about a property if this is going to be your business in France.

So be realistic and if you enjoy hard work, this lifestyle can be yours!

Want information about French Gites or Gites for Sale? Then check out the specialist site www.Gites-in-France.co.uk for more help, rentals and gites for sale.

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