BUYING
French
Property
Karine Chariaud, contracts expert at Leggett Immobilier shares her advice to help you prepare thoroughly before you begin the search for your dream home.
Holiday makers in France often love what they find – the relaxing lifestyle, sunshine and food. Before long, thoughts can turn to creating a long-term relationship with this beautiful country.
For more information on buying see: A step by step guide to buying property
FINDING YOUR HOME
Begin by drawing up the list of things you need to factor into your buying decision. Basic points, such as the number of bedrooms, are obvious. But have you thought about accessibility? If you make frequent trips back to your old country or expect family visits, it makes sense to be within 90 minutes of an airport. Budget airlines cover much of the country. There is also the TGV (high speed train), which makes travel to Paris and the Eurostar links easy. If you plan to drive back and forth to the UK, consider the distance to the Channel ports.
WHERE TO BUY?
My advice is to thoroughly investigate the area you have chosen. How are you going to spend your time here? Will your hobbies be feasible in your new French home? If you're an ardent skier, don't buy that beautiful house you fell in love with far from the ski slopes. It may seem obvious, but it's a mistake others have made.
PROPERTY CONDITION
Are you willing to renovate or do you prefer a house where the hard work has already been done? Chances are you'll want to do some work to match the house to your taste, so factor that into your decision to buy, and your budget.
VALUE FOR MONEY
France provides an array of opportunities. This is of key importance in any buying decision. To international eyes, and in real terms, French housing stock is good value at the present time.