October 9, 2006
Revealed: the British love affair with France
Despite often-voiced prejudices, the British are infatuated with French culture and many plan to cross over the English Channel in pursuit of a better lifestyle for their retirement.
Although the economy might be stronger and unemployment figures are at its lowest levels for decades compared with growing unrest in the French boulevards, it appears that Brits of all ages romanticise about living in France.
A survey of over 1,000 people, which comprised part of the French Wines Week report, revealed that 37 per cent of Britons would like to move south of the Channel when they reach retirement age, compared to only 30 per cent who wished to remain in the UK.
Posted on: France
September 28, 2006
Marseilles shakes off its rough image
Marseilles has had a long rough reputation, even heightened by the Gene Hackman 1970 movie, The French Connection. However, this is changing because the city is gaining popularity with tourists especially with a fast train link to Paris. You can reach the French capital in three hours by train and only 28 kilometres from the city is the Marseille-Provence airport.
Calling itself proudly as France’s second city, Marseilles has a 1.23 million population, 57 kilometres of Mediterranean coastline, serene fishing ports and sunshine most of the time. Adding richness to the city is the residents who are second or third-generation immigrants. You can get a glimpse of Marseille’s multi-ethnic background in the city’s primary Sunday morning market, Marche aux Puces, where chickens are killed to order and African-carved sculptures are among the many colorful displays.
From Vieux Port, the city’s focal point, Marseilles is divided into sixteen arrondissements (districts). Everything north of the old port is called Quartier Nord (northern quarter) and everything in the south is the Quartier Sud (southern quarter). Property for sale in Marseilles is now in demand and naturally has been boosted by the intense global interest The city has become an investment hotspot with its very huge buy-to-let market so its easy to make profit from an acquired French property. Property prices there average 3,230 euros per square metre for a house and 2,849 euros per square metre for an apartment (April 2006, source: FNAIM).
Posted on: France
September 26, 2006
How to obtain French planning permission
If you are eyeing a ruin that could be your dream home after a bit of restoration, then you will most likely need planning permission. Here are ten key planning points set by David Fuller:
1. Any work that will change the exterior look of your property in France or its use, needs planning permission (Certificate d’urbanism). You have to obtain a Certificate d’urbanism (CU) prior to applying for the Permis de construire (full planning permission) which will be required before you can actually start work on a building especially for an extensive restoration. For minimal work, less than 20 square metres, where there is no change to the property’s exterior or use, your notaire can arrange suitable permission at the time of purchase. Also, you don’t need a CU for open air swimming pools.
Posted on: France
September 19, 2006
France: Country Guide (for property buyers)
With its wealth of history and culture, France has always appealed to the Brits as a place to purchase properties for rental income or as a second home. It offers a vast array of choices available in different price ranges from hidden away country cottages to luxury apartments on the coast and chalets on ski resorts. These places are easy to access with several budget airlines. These reasons and more make France a serious option for property investors.
France’s temperate climate is one of the factors that make it appealing to property seekers. Except in the mountain areas and the far north east of the country, the winters are quite mild in France.
Posted on: France
August 11, 2006
France “reliable” for investors
France is a reliable destination for property investors.
Because of this Stuart Law, Managing Director of Assetz, has suggested that economic conditions in France make it perfectly suited to investment allowing for stable growth over the long-term.
While many people may be caught up in the huge potential of emerging markets such as Bulgaria or Cyprus, there are far more potential pitfalls in those countries than in established destinations such as France. The French market has demonstrated its robust nature over a long period of time, whereas while the good times may appear to be rolling in Bulgaria right now, a political storm (i.e. if the country does not gain access to the European Union) could see a slump in the market.
Posted on: France
July 25, 2006
France’s strong rental market
In spite of strong emerging markets in Eastern Europe, France maintains a stronghold in the rental or what is also known as the buy-to-let market. This is also aside from the fact that is still maintains itself as a favoured destination for holidays and retirement days.
Property investment specialists Assetz noted the one hundred percent increase of property sales in France since January 2006.
France’s proximity to Britain has shown investment advantages. Its continuing leaseback scheme offers investment opportunities without hassle, most especially for holiday rental properties, and the quality possessed by French property is an edge over the emerging competitors in the east. People still go to France because of its established infrastructure and its popular culture and lifestyle, not to mention its excellent food and wine.
Posted on: France
France offers much for buy-to-let market investors
France is proving an attractive option for buy-to-let investors and is holding its own against some of the stronger European property propositions, according to a new report.
New figures from property investment specialists Assetz have shown that despite the emergence of strong investment markets in popular Eastern European countries such as Bulgaria and Croatia, there has been an astounding 100 per cent increase in French sales since January 2006.
Particularly interesting is the high regard with which British buy-to-let property investors treat France. As Britain’s closest European neighbour, France has always proved a popular investment proposition due to its continuing leaseback scheme. The scheme offers investment opportunities in holiday rental properties without any of the associated market hassles, while also allowing investors the possibility for corporate lets in chic French cities such as Paris and Strasbourg.
Moreover, the quality offered by French properties is an advantage reflected right across the scale in the region’s growth as a buy-to-let hotspot.
Posted on: France
January 31, 2006
Financial implications of living in France
Although VAT can cause a huge dent in the pockets of French residents, living in France is compensated by the fact that most consumer goods are cheaper in France than in Britain. “French retailers are among the world’s most competitive and have smaller profit margins than those in many other countries,” explains David Hampshire, author of Living and Working in France.
Expats can save from pottery to perfume and clothes to cars. Food prices- both in restaurants and the supermarket- are also lower. Prices depend greatly on the type of restaurant. Dishes are relatively cheap, and restaurants compensate by increasing their profit margins on the cost of wine, beer and other beverages.
Unlike in Britain, small specialized shops where quality is given priority over price are doing well and account for some fifty per cent of the food trade. Supermarkets and hypermarkets are the most inexpensive place to buy groceries, including beverages like beers, wines and spirits.
Posted on: France
June 1, 2005
Buyers Spending Billions in France
Famous for its wines and cheeses, romance, and beautiful landmarks, France continues to be in the top wish-list of destinations for new properties and second homes among foreign buyers. Picturesque holiday locations in the south painted with quaint, traditional hide-aways in rural France attract buyers in droves. Moreover, people are drawn to its weather, lifestyle, and relatively low property prices.
Taking these reasons into account it is little wonder that foreign buyers have spent literally billions of pounds on properties in the country in recent years. Figures from real estate company Cushman & Wakefield Healey & Baker reveal that total foreign investment in French properties stood at £8.43 billion, which increased from £2.4 billion in 2000, a large bulk of which originates from UK buyers.
Posted on: France
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