In France Private Property Sales account for a large share of the total number of properties sold in France. Why? Well one reason is the fee / commission that Immobilier (Estate Agents / Realtors) add to the property price. This fee can be 5 to 10% of the price! So the vendor thinks his price will be more attractive with a private sale!
So it is a big carrott – for a selection of French Private Sales < < click here.

If you want to go down this path – remember all property transactions in France are performed by Notaires. Do not part with cash to a vendor however tempting the price! The property transfer will not be legal unless the Notary has checked and notarised the sale. The notaire’s fee including taxes will be about 7 to 9% of the purchase price. Documentation will be in French and you need to understand what you are signing.
In addition, we would recommend that a surveyor (or at the very least a local builder) has checked the property for problems and estimated the costs of renovation or repairs needed.

The Comfort Factor

If you want a helping hand when buying a French property, then get the comfort factor of using an Immobilier who is experienced in selling to the English. They will often help you through the purchase process, including negotiating a better price with the vendor, arranging mortgages (at better rates), translating documents, arrange the transfer of utilities (gaz, electricity, phone, etc.) into your name, recommend builders, etc. You could also end up saving money by using the services of an Immobilier!

A particularly popular option at the moment in France is to buy a plot of land in France and then build a property on the land. Land is relatively cheap compared to the UK. Beware: land is very expensive on the Med coast but rural France, in general, is a bargain!
Of course, this will need outline planning permission (CU) and then, full permission when you submit full plans of your proposed property to the Local Mairie. More details >> Building in France.

Borrowing Money

A mortgage is possible for a property to be constructed providing the builder carries a insurance policy called ‘Assurant Decennale’ which covers the build project, a bit like our NHBC 10yr guarantee. These can be expensive and some smaller builders tend not to apply for it, and rely on buyers not needing a mortgage eg a cash purchase.

Our partners New Mortgage Finder can secure 70% of the land cost and 80% of the build cost. Otherwise the process and mortgage available are the same as with any purchase. Rates from 3.40%. More details >> French Mortgage.

Or phone Steve Morgan on 0870 350 8595 (UK) – please mention 1st for French Property

Fishing is a favorite pastime in France – the many lakes, rivers and fine weather make this a pleasant and relaxing outdoor activity. Overseas fisherman are beginning to holiday in France for long weekends or longer to enjoy their pastime. The easy access via the channel ferries, tunnel and cheap flights are making France very accessible.

It is no surprise that investors are moving into the market – many from the UK! Please send me details of “French carp lakes for sale” or “lakes for development” or “rivers with fishing rights” are the requests! Enquiries are increasing in this market.

We have a selection of lakes for sale at the moment:

Just French lakes for sale << click here

French Villa Rentals can be an excellent source of revenue! So they can be an excellent investment. July and August rental income can even cover the mortgage payments! The Med coast has seen significant price rises on Villas in the last 5 years so capital growth on your investment could be top rate. Of course, historical rises cannot be guaranteed in the future.
Where to buy a Villa for investment?

In France the most important destination in the summer is the Mediterranean coast – Provence and Languedoc-Roussillon. French Villa rentals in July and August command top rentals. A modern villa with swimming pool can rent out for 1500 euros to 2000 euros per week. If you want to do some research find some French villa rentals on the rentals section at 1st-for-french-property.co.uk. Choose Provence, for example, click through for more details on a property, and on the details page click on the “Check Prices and Availability” Button. On the Calendar page, hover your mouse over a week in July and August and see the prices! Do your research well to pick an area for invesment. Do not forget the income tax, local taxes, advertising and servicing charges in your calculations!
It is quite usual for Villas to be fully booked during the high season. June and September can be good too! Where else to look? Biarritz and Bayonne, Arcachon, La Rochelle, Ide de Re on the Atlantic coast are also very popular.

We have over 800 French Villas for sale on 1st for French Property for further perusal.

Other markets:

Prague Hotels -
Prague Accommodation in Prague hotels and apartments in all price and type categories, mostly in historical center.

Siesta Key Vacation Condo Rentals – Luxury vacation condo for rent by owner in Siesta Key near Sarasota, Florida.  Private access to Crescent Beach.

On Friday at 8pm the UK Channel 4 TV show “A Place in the Sun” featured Haute Vienne in the Limousin region of France. If you want to measure the effect that TV has on house buyers, then see the graph below. This shows the number of unique visitors to www.1st-for-French-Property.co.uk.

 

As you can see in the hour after the show the number of visitors doubled to 330 visitors in one hour!

If you want to learn more about…..

Limousin Region < < click here

Haute-Vienne department < < click here

Haute-Vienne property < < click here.

We can all dream – so sit back with a glass of champagne, and enjoy! Real viewings take about a week to arrange.

[kqf=4]Click titles for full details.

This list updates automatically so bookmark!

Many more – click here >> French Chateaux