OTOH there’s very a wide spectrum of renovation projects and an equally wide one of buyers’ desires, experience and capabilities . Renovation gives some people a lot of pleasure and satisfaction, but in the end it’s a matter of being realistic about the scale of the project in relation to your skills and budget
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I have asked for addresses, giving email and phone no. (uk ) and they don’t get back to me. If I give my French no. I may get a call asking to arrange a viewing,
I just want the address so I can scope the area and decide if it’s a ‘possible’. They are losing possible sales but I suppose their ridiculous fees make up for it. The cost of selling my last house in the UK was £100 plus lawyers fees by using an online agency. If that catches on in France , immobiliers will be goosed.
When I was having my issues with a narrowed oesophagus last year the docs recommended a dose of Coca-Cola as a way of tickling the throat muscles into unclenching around the obstructed bit of food. It worked sometimes… so I keep some of the noxious liquid around just in case of a recurrence (I had a procedure to widen my gullet in Nov which seems to have been successful).
Sounds good, but do you have to be able to pronounce boygies…boogies…boygoos… boojies… boog… bweeg? ah! That’s it.
I remember in Star Trek they used to launch ‘boo-ays’ instead of ‘boys’, That must be the French influence on American English. Or just plain American , as Trump will soon have it called.
We just sold with fee of 3%. But property costs are significantly lower here so you end up paying similar amounts.
The OP has a big budget and will be retired when he arrives, in the area he is looking to move this would buy a substantial property which would simply be too big for two people.
Maisons à vendre – 17400 (toutes communes)
If he is set on this area then my advice would be to buy the biggest house he needs and bank the rest.
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That’s how it was pronounced in my Scottish coastal town.
That’s the plan. Buy what we need , will enjoy and we hopefully will still enjoy in 20 years … and bank the rest for who knows what.
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The Extended Lunch Fund. 
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I remember English people cracking up with laughter at ‘Stormin’ Norman’s US pronunciation during a 1st Gulf War press conference.
Incidentally, there’s probably been more launches of buoys than boys…
This seems a common problem in FR, across the board, tho’ gov agencies are pretty good now, after upping their game during Covid.
My garagiste NEVER replies to emails. I either go there or print out my message and stick it in his letter box, if after hrs - or lunchtime, which it ineviably is.
I believe estate agents are particularly duff at responding to emails. Asking for an address probably results in the office breaking out into gales of laughter and “Les anglais! Poufff! Ils ne comprennent rien, n’est-ce pas ?”
It’s to do with other agents teefin’ the property and listing it. Same in ES. A blob on the map 2kms diam and maybe centred several kms from the actual property, as I once found.
I enquired of a FR agent if they had English speaking staff. I got a positive reply. When I asked if there were any issues, particularly the roof, with the house that interested me, I got nothing back.
As I’ve mentioned, a good deal of info and assessment of ‘ambience’ can be had by simply cruising the streets of a target town on Google street level mapping.
French influence again, perhaps?
No, it’s to do with people contacting owners and arranging a private sale. Thus loosing their fee.
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I have done. Surprisingly up to date in small towns and villages I find. Also use géoportail.gouv and immodata.fr
It was for pronunciation, hence the inverted commas.
As well you know, you cheap laff chaser. 
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Can the immo take any action if this happens? If so, do they ever?
I’ve heard of them threatening but I don’t know if it went further than that.
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It’s that as well but I have had it explained to me that the way FR estate agents operate they can’t prevent other agents taking on the same property.
My parents decided on Glastonbury. They called regularly at the 2-3 agents in the town. On one visit a very new recruit in the agency said, “We’re about to receive instructions on a house that you might consider”
“Oh yes?” said my mama, “and where might that be?” The lad gave her the address.
They drove round the corner. My ma told my dad, “You stay here. I’m going to talk to the owner.”
My ma had made up her mind before she’d even reached the front door. When it opened she said to the elderly woman, “I’m told you’re going to sell this house. I want to buy it. No need to continue with the agents. I assure you I’m serious. I can save you a considerable amount of money”
And buy it they did.
Exactly why French agents are cautious with addresses and often ask people to sign and agreement before visiting.
And an agent can’t sell a property unless they have a mandat to do so.
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Hi Stephen, I have lots of tips and advice as I’m sure lots others have eg we’ve moved 3 times while in France and now on the Loire which is a great setting, though further north than you want (10kms from Saumur). I note you have EU citizenship. How did you get that please? All the best