November 10, 2007
Exploring Provence and the French Riviera
Many British people regard the French Riviera with the sophisticated, beautiful but highly expensive Cote d’Azur, but the region of Provence, known for its historic towns and villages, has maintained its sensational beauty and strong charm.
Located in the south-east of France, LaProvence is surrounded by various landscapes and offers a variety of lifestyle options. The Mediterranean cost, ‘off the beaten track’ countryside with lavender fields and vineyards, towns full of art, history and natural beauty, make up the many faces of Provence. It is a region with superior cultural interest of history, religion, museums, parks, gardens, towns and castles.
Posted on: France
November 9, 2007
Do French regions matter? Climate Change
Retiring? Emigrating? Investing? Buying a holiday home? If you’re thinking of France, there are several considerations you should think of. The region you pick can also make a difference. Bear in mind that the regions in France are considerably larger than in the British countries. Also, the landscape, community and climate can vary across the country. Never assume that once you’ve seen one region, you’ve seen it all. Jo-ann Hodgson of World of Property suggests not to be fixated with one region and overlook another prospect that may offer similar variables, cost and convenience. There’s always the chance of coming across the exact opposite of what you have in mind right next door to your perfect French abode. However, whatever it is you are looking for, you will surely find it in one of France’s 26 diverse regions.
Posted on: France
November 8, 2007
Do French regions matter? Money Talk
Whether you’re thinking of retiring, emigrating, investing or buying a holiday home in France, there are several things you should consider. The region you pick can also make a difference. Bear in mind that the regions in France are considerably bigger than in the British countries. Also, the cost, landscape, community and climate can vary across the country. Never assume that once you’ve seen one region, you’ve seen it all. Jo-ann Hodgson of World of Property advises not to be fixated with one region and overlook another prospect that may offer similar variables, cost and conveniences. There’s always the chance of coming across the exact opposite of what you have in mind right next door to your perfect French haven. However, whatever it is you are looking for, you will surely find it in one of France’s 26 diverse regions.
Cost will always be a big consideration when you’re thinking of investing on a property in France. Property prices vary greatly between and within the regions. “The most expensive areas are the city centres such as Paris in Ille de France and Bordeaux in Aquitaine and also famous tourist spots such as the Côte D’Azur and Biarritz, also in Aquitaine,” reveals Niclas Dowlatshahi, managing director of Leapfrog Properties Europe.
Posted on: France
November 7, 2007
Changes to French Property Law
New changes to French property law will affect overseas property buyers.
Various changes to French property law, affecting renovation, inheritance and swimming pools will be taken into consideration by overseas buyers when looking to purchase French property.
A new law affecting the renovation of properties in France is due to come into force this month affecting insurance. “The British are fond of buying derelict properties in France with a view to ‘doing them up’”, says Keith Baker from Croft Baker Solicitors.
“However, this may have to change with the new French property law, which contains a requirement to obtain an insurance-backed ten year defects guarantee. My view is that if UK buyers do the repairs themselves they will not be able to supply guarantees of the work carried out and this could adversely impact on market value when they wish to sell the property,” according to Baker.
Posted on: France
November 6, 2007
Mediterranean France is so chic: Divine Provence
The Provence region of France is making the most of its Mediterranean connections to attract property investors. Covering over 31,000 square kilometres, Provence has one of the most diverse landscapes in Europe. It’s becoming more and more popular with the British who are looking for property investment destinations or holiday home hotspots.
“It is the wonderful environment – hilltop villages, sandy beaches, the good medical system, the food and wine, the poppies, lavender, sunflowers, all in abundance, the colourful markets, I could go on for ages! “ gushes Elayne Murphy a Provence resident and property agent. “Can you tell that I love my region?! I’ve been here 38 years and I still get a kick out of it all.”
Posted on: France
October 30, 2007
French Minister Warns Over Prices
Jean-Louis Borloo, French housing minister, warned that house prices in the country were likely to fall over the next two or three years following several years of solid growth. Speaking at the French parliament, Borloo said that there would be a marked fall in French property prices in what he described as a return to normal market.
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Posted on: France
October 24, 2007
French property: Quality over quantity
It has been reported that UK residents relocating to France will soon double in the year 2007. According to the French Property Market Report 2006/2007, compiled by property specialists VEF, there are two main reasons for this. One is that Brits are looking for a better quality of life and two, more people have heard of immigrants who have moved to France and made it work.
VEF Founder and Managing Director Trisha Mason claims that many of these people moving to France are young families seeking to replicate some of the good things about life in their home countries. “They will be looking for small town settings and easy access to all the facilities demanded by the average French buyer, but there will be competition between the overseas and French buyer to purchase properties in various parts of France.”
According to the report, the motive among Brit buyers for purchasing French property is set to alter. Instead of a buy-to-let bargain, the English are considering, more than anything else, the investment potential and the ability of a property purchase to enhance the quality of life.
Posted on: France
October 12, 2007
Eurostar’s plans to impact on French property?
In October this year, Ashford Eurostar station in Kent will lose all of its services to Brussels and more than half its services to Paris. Its trains will stop instead at a new station in Ebbsfleet near the M25 at Gravesend.
It is reported that Eurostar is set to terminate its Brussels services via Ashford after a survey showed many passengers prefer to use Ebbsfleet.
“The closure of Ashford station will be devastating for Kent commuters who are heading for France,” says Jane Dinsdale from JDS Property Liaison. “I have several properties to sell in Picardie. Now with all this talk of air travel pollution, surely we need some green transport links which indeed the trains are.”
However, Peter Wheelton, Manager of the VEF Pas de Calais Partner Office, does not believe that the proposed changes to the Eurostar service in Kent will have a great affect on passengers travelling from the area. “Ashford is only reducing its already limited service to France,” he says. “Ebbsfleet is opening; the trains will stop at Ebbsfleet instead, which is not too far. Ebbsfleet station is there to simply give people the convenience of taking the Eurostar from the edge of the M25 without having to go into central London to take the train.”
Wheelton continues, “If Ashford was to close, it will not put people off as most people are commuting by car, ferry or tunnel to their homes in the Nord Pas de Calais region. Eurostar is not the reason why people are buying in Nord Pas de Calais. People are buying here for a better quality of life and because they get more property for their money. If people want to get back to the UK to work there are still and always have been plenty of options.”
Although people do commute between France and the UK on a daily basis, many French property agents have stated that these are in the minority as the practicality of this option is still limited.
“From my experience, I don’t think many people commute between Northern France and England,” says Laetitia Hodson from French Property Shop. “It was often mentioned before but in reality it’s just not practical what with train fees, etcetera, except if you work for Eurostar itself.”
Hodson continues, “Working in the UK and living in France is not ideal. It’s very hard to find people that are actually doing it. We sell in Pas de Calais for people wanting a holiday house close to here or for permanent move as people still want to have easy access to the UK but commuting is very difficult.”
Posted on: France
October 11, 2007
French property: Quality over quantity
A recent report has predicted that the number of UK residents relocating to France will double in 2007.
The French Property Market Report 2006/2007 - compiled by property specialists VEF - indicated that two main factors are promoting this exodus: (1) the search for a better quality of life and (2) the fact that more people know of somebody who has moved to France and made it work.
“Many soon-to-be young families are seeking to replicate some of the good things about life in their home countries,” said VEF Founder and Managing Director Trisha Mason. “They will be looking for small town settings and easy access to all the facilities demanded by the average French buyer, but there will be competition between the overseas and French buyers to purchase properties in various parts of France.”
Posted on: France
October 10, 2007
Energy efficient France
France is the first EU country to roll out the new EU Regulations concerning Energy Efficient Homes. This will also become mandatory when selling a home in the UK next summer.
“France has already implemented the directive from the EU that states home owners must have a Certificate of Energy Efficiency for the property before it can be sold”, says Keith Baker of Croft Baker & Co, a member of the Federation of Overseas Property Developers, Agents and Consultants (FOPDAC).
The form is technical and extends to four pages. It must be completed by a surveyor who has been trained specifically for this purpose. The Energy Certificate points out where the property is failing and lists the work required to rectify, although this is not law and does not have to be carried out.
Posted on: France
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