The latest European housing market review by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (Rics) said there was evidence of fragile recovery across much of Europe, with low interest rates and reviving economies helping to stave off “market meltdown”.
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Scandinavian homeowners enjoyed some property price growth last year. Norway topped the table with values up almost 12% last year, followed by Finland (8%) and Sweden (7%). The latter is expected to see continued buoyancy as a result of attractive borrowing costs and temporary tax breaks.
Britain came fifth, according to Rics, with prices rising by 1% in 2009 overall, and by 10% from their low point in April.
How did France fare?
In Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and France, last year’s falls were relatively small (ranging from 4% in Germany to 6% in the Netherlands).
Housing markets around the fringe of Europe are still dragging down economies in a vicious circle, and all European housing markets continue to face credit constraints and great uncertainty.
France had the strongest housing market of the 15 European countries tracked by the London-based Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors last year, with house prices increasing 15.5 percent, after an 11 percent gain the year before. French housing starts rose 15 percent in the last three months of 2004 from.....click title for details
There have been fears that the Spanish property market could be in for a crash after the panic selling of shares in property-related firms. Michael Streeter considers whether the French housing market could suffer a similar fate more...
More: continued here .....click title for details
Buying real estate in a foreign country can be mind-boggling. And unless you’re familiar with the specific country’s real estate climate and regulations (in this case, France), you might find yourself in a less than ideal situation, or worse yet, you might be inclined to pass up on an otherwise smart real estate transaction. But it doesn’t have to be that way, especially with our easy-to-follow tips for buying French property.
Before jumping into the French real estate market, become familiar with the local market. Read up about current real estate trends in the country, and see what is selling and what is not. And if you’re interested in a particular region of France, make your research area specific. Part of that research should also include whether prices are stable, on the rise or are decreasing for that particular area.
Besides studying trends and price movements, surf the web for actual property photos so that you can get a feel of what local properties offer as far amenities and prices.
Tip #2 – Search out the professionals
Part of your research should involve finding the right professionals for your French real estate transaction. Search the web and Yellow Pages for real estate agents, mortgage banks and notaires (trained specifically in French real estate law). Once you narrow your selection to three or four choices for each category, ask each one for a few references.
Tip #3 – Visit prior to buying
Though a picture can be worth a thousand words, it still doesn’t compare to seeing the property up close and personal. Once you’ve narrowed down your selection of properties, take the time to view them prior to buying. Try to meet with the real estate professionals as well so that you can hire the right one for the sale.
Tip #4 – Ask for an appraisal
Though not common practice in France (outside of commercial property in Paris), ask for a property appraisal, either from the property’s architect or builder. If that’s not possible, insist that your real estate agent supplies you with a short list of appraisers in the area. By doing so, you’ll find out if the property is worth the price and the investment.
Stay at one of the top Paris hotels located in the famous Golden Triangle area.
Buying a home in France can be an intimidating process but following some easy steps will have you relaxing in your chateaux or Parisian apartment in no time.One of the most important tips when buying property in France is to set yourself a realistic budget and stick to it. Although.....click title for details
Our feature writers are daily writing new articles about Living in France, Buying in France or the various regions of France. The articles have useful tips and advice.
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[kqf=3]Enjoy! If you have ideas for articles - please contact us by email.....click title for details
At last some good news on currency exchange which should help the French Property Market in 2009! Since the heady days of £1 to €1.50, we have seen the pound / euro at parity around Xmas 2008 and now it is edging back to €1.20
We have some expectation from the currency market that it could be in the range €1.20 to 1.30 soon. As economies struggle in the Euro zone, the euro is coming under more pressure and its strength is weakening. The next interest rate change in the UK look likely to be upwards and that should encourage appreciation against the euro.
Hopefully this will make French Property more attractive again for foreign buyers? There are certainly green shoots of recovery in some regions of France already – enquiry levels are improving with more people wanting to view.
Sunday Papers still advising a good time to sell in France
Do you have a holiday property or investment property in France ?? Papers are advocating selling (if you are inclined) very soon.? They argue that the euro is now likely to weaken against pound sterling so you get more sterling.....click title for details
The weak pound sterling / euro exchange rate could be used to your advantage, according to foreign exchange specialists HiFX.
Mark Bodega, Director of HiFX, says "Most buyers work to a budget and changes in the euro/sterling exchange rate have therefore led to people reviewing what properties they can afford".
If you.....click title for details
The French Property market is showing some green shoots. So looking for a popular area of France? These results are the accumulation of property searches for the last 3 months (ending May 31st 2009) on 1st for French Property.
Once again Brittany is the front runner with the Languedoc-Roussillon hot on its tail. Chic Provence is in 3rd place and Aquitaine (Dordogne – very popular still) close behind.
Two of the cheaper regions – Lower Normandy and Poitou Charentes come next.
Perhaps, the surprise is the Limousin not making the charts. In terms of enquiries, Limousin is high on the enquiry list
At last some good news on currency exchange which should help the French Property Market in 2009! Since the heady days of £1 to €1.50, we have seen the pound / euro at parity around Xmas 2008 and now it is edging back to €1.20
We have some expectation from the.....click title for details
The latest European housing market review by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (Rics) said there was evidence of fragile recovery across much of Europe, with low interest rates and reviving economies helping to stave off "market meltdown".
Image via Wikipedia
Top Countries:
Scandinavian homeowners enjoyed some property price growth last year. Norway.....click title for details
Sunday Papers still advising a good time to sell in France
Do you have a holiday property or investment property in France ?? Papers are advocating selling (if you are inclined) very soon.? They argue that the euro is now likely to weaken against pound sterling so you get more sterling if you sell now! If you bought a French property at least 12 months ago, then you should be sitting on a sterling profit. Sterling has weakened about 25% in the last year.? At one point nearly getting 1 euro = 1 pound. The sterling seems to have strengthened to about 1.11 euros to bound. However, the currency gurus are suggesting that pound sterling could now strengthen. Portugal, Spain, Italy, & Greece economies are in very poor shape and this could influence the direction of the euro against other currencies. The last time we published a similar report, the French Immobilier were scoffing!
French Home prices dropped less than 4% in France in 2008 according to reports (we see great regional variations however!) – so in theory you could be looking at a 20% sterling gain if you can sell now.
The Sunday papers also report an upsurge in re-mortgaging French properties by expats so that they can buy properties in the UK – prices are down about 17% min in the UK over the last year. Re-possessions and auctions can yield properties at 40% of last year’s value in the UK.
A property expert has warned that investors hoping to buy a home abroad must take taxes into account when working out how much profit they will make on their home.In the most part, those who decide to invest in French property look set to do well, as the country's stunning.....click title for details
Investment Property in France
If you have a holiday home or investment property in France - it could be a good time to sell. The euro has strengthened against most currencies. For example, it has changed from 1.48 to 1.24 euros to the pound in the last six months.
So just from.....click title for details
Is it the gobal financial crisis or is France still one of the top places for cheap barns? We think so!
This barn situated in Poitou Charentes is certainly not a project for the faint-hearted but it could make a charming home and sits just a couple of minutes from the bustling town of Bussiere Poitevine with all your basic shops.
Situated at the end of a lane, it is a very quiet spot and the barn measures approximately 150m2 at floor level. A CU (change of usage) has been granted previously but this has now expired so it would need to be re-applied for but this can easily be done as part of the sale process.
Converting an old derelict barn into the perfect home is one of the most interesting challenges, and is guaranteed to test the limits of perseverance. On the other hand, French barns for renovation are plentiful, the lifestyle in France is more appealing, and with proper planning will provide a home.....click title for details
Remember the days in the UK when people were buying barns for renovation at grossly inflated values? Perhaps the Barn renovation business will get a shot in the arm with French Barns - typically less than 50K euros in France. Here is an example: Huge French barn with around 3.....click title for details
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