Buying in France Articles

A basic guide to Moving to France

Tue, 02 Sep 2008 00:00:00 +0100

Today over one million people a year move between EU member states, and most of them take their home contents with them. Prices for these removals can vary dramatically and service levels likewise. So how can the unwary avoid the pitfalls?

Firstly you should be aware that there is NO fixed price for a removal and the unwary can end up paying well over the odds for a service that should just not cost that much. But is there a REAL difference in the service offered by the expensive companies and ...

Taking out a Mortgage in France

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0100

Buying a property in France is similar to purchasing a property in most other countries. Most buyers take out a mortgage that typically covers up to 80% of the value of the property. If you�re planning to purchase that second home in France, or even a primary residence, you can either take out a mortgage from your home country or from a French mortgage company in France. If you decide to take out a French mortgage, here are some of the basic points you should familiarize yourself with before taking out that loan.
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Types of French Properties

Wed, 25 Jun 2008 00:00:00 +0100

Whether you�re looking to buy that one-of-a-kind holiday property in the mountains, a traditional house in the countryside, or a townhouse in the city for an investment, France has it all. With so many options available, though, it�s best to familiarize yourself with the different terminologies used to describe some of the various types of properties before you make that purchase. Listed below is a quick summary of some of the more common real estate terms in France.

Fermette
When you conjure up thoughts of ...

HIFX ADVICE FOR BUYERS FEELING JITTERY ABOUT FLUCTUATING EXCHANGE RATES

Fri, 13 Jun 2008 00:00:00 +0100

With the markets in turmoil, property prices in flux and Sterling falling against the Euro, but still riding high against the Dollar, anyone intending to buy property overseas would be forgiven for getting the jitters. In the last eight months a European property priced at �200,000 has become �24,677.40 more expensive to a British buyer due to fluctuating exchange rates*. Currency specialists HiFX are however urging prospective buyers not to abandon their plans but to seek advice on how they can use current exchange rates to ensure they get a great deal on a property abroad. ...

Make your Money go Further

Thu, 08 May 2008 00:00:00 +0100

Instead of waiting until you arrive at the airport, having the inconvenience of queuing plus the added cost of getting charged between 6-10% on the exchange rate, HiFX Travel Money Online will make your money go further.

Order your travel money online with HiFX and you will not only receive excellent exchange rates but your cash or travellers cheques will be delivered direct to your door free of charge* saving you both time and money. ...

The Next Train is Leaving the Rat Race

Wed, 19 Mar 2008 00:00:00 +0000

�The 8.16 train to London Victoria has been cancelled due to leaves on the line. We apologise for this inconvenience".

A collective groan, with British reserve, reverberated along the station platform. Another normal day in the life of the commuter trying to get into work to earn a heavily taxed crust.

I stood on the station platform and looked around me. That familiar site that had greeted my pollution-reddened eyes for the last 15 years was becoming tainted. The drab colours ...

A Gite in the Aude, Languedoc, France

Tue, 18 Mar 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Properties in the Languedoc, over the last few years,have seen a great growth. It was always called the poor man�s Provence, but they can eat their words now. Over the last 5 years, properties in the Languedoc have increase by about 80%. Also, there has been a huge rise in these properties being turned into Gites.

Where does this interest come from? One huge pointer is the growth of airports served by the Budget airlines. ...

Good Profits on French Property

Wed, 30 Jan 2008 00:00:00 +0000

One big advantage for existing French Property Investors (from the UK) is that they are already sitting on good profits on their French property thanks to the strength of the Euro.

In the last six months the Euro has increased in value by about 10% against sterling (six months ago it stood about 1.48 euros to �1 - now about 1.33). So a property bought at 200,000 euros costing �135,000 is now worth in �sterling: �150,000. Many ...

Worried about the Exchange rate

Mon, 21 Jan 2008 00:00:00 +0000

The euro has been gaining at sterling's expense over the last few weeks - effectively making a French Property purchase more expensive for UK buyers.

However, it is worth bearing in mind that the euro interest rate is particularly attractive compared with the UK rate.

French Mortgages

For example, it is possible to fix rates at less than 5% for up to 7 years. There are many ...

Investing in Provence Properties

Mon, 14 Jan 2008 00:00:00 +0000

With the Buy to Let market in the UK showing signs of decline - where to look next? Well Provence (Provence Alpes Cote d'Azur) looks a hot prospect. Apart from the playground of the jetset - from Elton John, Tina Turner, David and Victoria Beckham, Brigitte Bardot, Ivana Trump, Bono, The Edge, James Gandolfini, Roman Polanski, Michael Jackson and many more - this has much more going for it. Weather, gastronomy, glitz, beaches, night life and beautiful villages and stunning landscapes. ...

French Property Market Prospects for 2008

Sun, 13 Jan 2008 00:00:00 +0000

With a background of economic uncertainty, it is difficult to call the property market in France for 2008.

2007 was a tough property market for most regions of France - the result was that property valuations became far more realistic, and sale prices were open to negotiation!

In the UK, many mortgage clients on fixed period discount mortgages were shocked by the new monthly payments on variable rate mortgages. Families have had to adjust their monthly spend, and may even ...

French Barns for Renovation, a Bargain or a Bomb

Tue, 23 Oct 2007 00:00:00 +0100

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 for all the family not obtainable in the UK for the same price.

Buying the right property will make the renovation go so much more smoothly. Rebuilding a barn can be a difficult and time consuming process and if it has started to deteriorate from ...

Bargain Properties in France

Tue, 11 Sep 2007 00:00:00 +0100

Autumn tends to be an active time for foreign buyers in France. The holidaymakers are returning home and serious buyers are returning to the market.

But after years of rising prices, finding bargains is harder than ever.

Average Price rises: Last year 15%, Over five years 73%

So it is growing more difficult to find bargain properties - we recommend the following areas Champagne-Ardennes, Poitou-Charente, Pyrenees-Atlantiques, Limousin.

Typically the Brits are spending 150K to 250K euros on a French property. In the above areas your budget ...

Good News Bad News on French Property

Mon, 03 Sep 2007 00:00:00 +0100

Do you want to hear the good news first or the bad news?

Good News - President Sarkozy has introduced some new measures. So the good news - three significant changes. On IHT (Inheritance Tax): There is an exemption for husband and wife, and the exemption has increased to 150,000 euros for each child.

French Wealth Tax

On the dreaded Wealth Tax, there have been significant changes. First you are assessed on 70% of the value of your assets, and the starting asset value has increased to 760,000 euros. So no wealth tax would be due on properties up to 1 million euros. ...

Dordogne - Brits Happy Hunting Ground

Tue, 28 Aug 2007 00:00:00 +0100

The Dordogne in the Aquitaine region of France remains one of the most popular areas of France for British holiday-makers, and buyers of holiday homes!

The good news is that property prices have been dropping over the last few months. There are some good bargains around. As always be prepared to negotiate - try a reasonable offer and you may be surprised.

The Dordogne has good access from the UK with cheap flights to Bergerac, and the international airport at Bordeaux.

1st for French Property has a large selection of Dordogne Properties ...

Investors benefit from boost in French property market