Buying Your First French Property - Part 1!
Buying French property is a dream for thousands of Brits, with new research revealing that over 75 per cent of us wish we could move abroad. One in five said that they would be able to retire to France or another European country but many would have to sell their UK home to ensure financial stability.
But what to buy?House hunting in France can be a stressful time and many investors who are looking to buy a French property opt to eliminate this by purchasing off plan.
Off plan is when a purchaser signs a contract to buy a home before it has been built but assumes that it will be similar to a show flat which has been set up by developers.
In France, developers will ensure that a contract is signed as soon as possible. You will be expected to pay a deposit which is normally between two and five percent of the full price, with the latter being the maximum by law.
French LeasebacksOne scheme that a number of Brits are turning to is leaseback, which allows property investors to buy a home and then lease it back to a rental agency to let out.
The scheme has many advantages for those applying for French investment mortgages, with the rental firm offering a guaranteed income for the term of the lease.
Moving the FamilyIf you are moving with a young family then the thought of schools will be top of the agenda. Families will differ on which school they choose, both in terms of how much it costs and the needs of the particular child, but institutions at their disposal include uni-lingual national schools, international schools, bilingual schools, private French schools or state-run French schools.
So whether you decide to buy a property as investment and move to France at a later stage or move now - there are many options available for your dream French property.
Howard Farmer1st for French PropertyFrench Property - We have French property from 15,000 euros - stone houses, land and farms. Residential, vacation and investments property for sale across all of France. Investments: leaseback, buy to let and reversion property.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Howard_Farmer
Saturday, July 7, 2007
Buying Your First French Property - Part 2!
SurveysYou may have found your dream property in France but without ensuring the proper searches and surveys are carried out, the sale could run into difficulties.
The Notaire will organise termite checks as well as lead and asbestos surveys. But it is down to you to arrange a survey. In France it is common to ask a local builder to quote. If you decide to employ a Surveyor, they can be expensive, sometimes costing up to 1,000 euros (£658).
MortgagesIt is wise to take time to consider whether to get an overseas mortgage from a UK bank or a mortgage from a French bank. There are advantages to both options!
Getting a mortgage in France can be advantageous as all the finances will be dealt with in the same currency. On the other hand the downside of that is that if you are earning money in UK sterling and paying a mortgage in euros, then you run the danger of exchange rates change making a difference to your payments.
Inheritance LawsThe 2001 French inheritance act has meant that a spouse's position has been improved in terms of inheritance under French law. If no will is made prior to death, French rules allow the surviving spouse to choose either between 25 per cent of the deceased spouse's estate in full equity or to take 100 per cent of the estate in French life interest.
The law also allows for the surviving spouse to stay in the main home for life.
Removal firms in FranceMoving your possessions from the UK to your new property in France can seem like a daunting prospect and experts say that picking the right company to help is vital to ensure the trip goes smoothly.
Take time to choose removal company - There is a huge range of removal companies from huge, multinational firms to 'one man and his van' style movers. The size of the company, however, is perhaps less important than the quality and its ability to get your goods to the right location in one piece.
There are many parts to the jigsaw when buying a French Property. Be aware and forewarned before relocating!
Howard Farmer1st for French Property - French Property SalesWe have French property from 15,000 euros - stone houses, land and farms. Residential, vacation and investments property for sale across all of France. Investments: leaseback, buy to let and reversion property.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Howard_Farmer
SurveysYou may have found your dream property in France but without ensuring the proper searches and surveys are carried out, the sale could run into difficulties.
The Notaire will organise termite checks as well as lead and asbestos surveys. But it is down to you to arrange a survey. In France it is common to ask a local builder to quote. If you decide to employ a Surveyor, they can be expensive, sometimes costing up to 1,000 euros (£658).
MortgagesIt is wise to take time to consider whether to get an overseas mortgage from a UK bank or a mortgage from a French bank. There are advantages to both options!
Getting a mortgage in France can be advantageous as all the finances will be dealt with in the same currency. On the other hand the downside of that is that if you are earning money in UK sterling and paying a mortgage in euros, then you run the danger of exchange rates change making a difference to your payments.
Inheritance LawsThe 2001 French inheritance act has meant that a spouse's position has been improved in terms of inheritance under French law. If no will is made prior to death, French rules allow the surviving spouse to choose either between 25 per cent of the deceased spouse's estate in full equity or to take 100 per cent of the estate in French life interest.
The law also allows for the surviving spouse to stay in the main home for life.
Removal firms in FranceMoving your possessions from the UK to your new property in France can seem like a daunting prospect and experts say that picking the right company to help is vital to ensure the trip goes smoothly.
Take time to choose removal company - There is a huge range of removal companies from huge, multinational firms to 'one man and his van' style movers. The size of the company, however, is perhaps less important than the quality and its ability to get your goods to the right location in one piece.
There are many parts to the jigsaw when buying a French Property. Be aware and forewarned before relocating!
Howard Farmer1st for French Property - French Property SalesWe have French property from 15,000 euros - stone houses, land and farms. Residential, vacation and investments property for sale across all of France. Investments: leaseback, buy to let and reversion property.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Howard_Farmer
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