Immaculate 5 bedroom Chateau for sale in Saumur, Pays-de-la-Loire

1,392,840 EUR 1,211,770.80 GBP 1,378,911.60 USD

Reference: 242444

Bedrooms: 5
Bathrooms: 5
Floor Size: 300 m2
Work Required: None
Vineyard / Wine-making facilities and equipment
Gite / Annex / Additional Accommodation
Income Potential
Garage(s)

Details

Beautiful and elegant Eighteenth Century townhouse in the attractive Loire valley town of Saumur, set around a private courtyard and full of period details and beautifully presented.

This very fine property is in immaculate condition and includes features such as a beautiful sweeping staircase, a series of fine reception rooms fireplaces, panelling and parquet flooring. Benefitting from a tranquil setting, yet very close to the bustling town square, lined with restaurants, cafes and on Saturdays the famous weekly farmer's market. Saumur is a very handsome town, prized by tourists for the quality of its architecture, vineyards and nearby chateaux open to visitors. Paris is only 1.5 hours away by TGV, the Nantes and Tours international airports are 1.5 hours and 1 hour). The town is is well served for year-round living. There are excellent health, sport and transport facilities and some of the best schools in the region. The economic life of the town is very healthy; with a famous Saturday market, new restaurants, boutiques and cafes opening every year.
Excellent wines grow on the hills surrounding the town, private chateaux are open for guided tours and concerts and festivals are held in every local village, including at the Royal Abbey of Fontevraud, 15 minutes away.

It would make a perfect family home or a luxury guest house. The present owners only make use of two bedrooms year-round, but there is scope for at least 5 more with en suite bathrooms. Two large and beautiful ground-floor rooms with fireplaces and fine panelling are presently rented on a short-term commercial basis, but can easily be reincorporated with the rest of the house.

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France Property Buying Guide

Guide to the French Buying Process

1. Signing the Agreement (Compris)
On finding a property you wish to purchase you will need to negotiate the terms, price and conditions of the sale with the owner. The next step, once you are in agreement, is to sign the preliminary contract (Compromis de Vente). This is a legal document and after ten days will be binding on both parties. Rules change frequently in France and it is best to consult with your notary about when this period starts. Generally the compris will be signed in France with the Agent. Variants can be included in the compris, for example an Acte (clause) can be added if the name or names to go on the title deed have not been finalised. If a mortgage will be required to purchase the property, the details for this, including the name of the mortgage company, must be on the compris.

2. Paying the Deposit
Generally the deposit will be 10% of the agreed purchase price. This will normally be paid to the notaire. There are exceptions to this, if the agent holds a carte professionelle, is bonded and fully registered then you may pay them, but do not hand over the deposit to anyone else. If for some reason the purchase does not go through, for example, if you write to the notaire and the agent that you do not wish to go continue with the purchase before the contract is binding (within seven days of signing the compris), then your deposit would be repaid. This would also apply if a condition had not been met, or the mayor or S.A.F.E.R. (a government agency that has the right of first purchase on most rural property that comes onto the market in France) could oblige the purchaser to give way. If you decide after the seven days 'cooling off' period that you do not wish to complete the purchase and pull out of the sale you would lose your deposit. If however the vendor pulls out of the sale then you will receive your deposit back plus the same amount from the vendor.

3. On Completion
Generally it will take around two or three months to complete the purchase. During this time the balance of the purchase money must be paid into the account of the notaire, this must be done well ahead of the completion date. The notaire will prepare the documents, check that the deed of sale (Acte de Vente) is in order and have the legal title ready to be signed over. It is possible to have someone sign on your behalf if you give them power of attorney. An interpreter may be of use at this point if your French is not very good and many Notaires will suggest (or insist) that an interpreter is with you.