The Real Cost of Buying French Property: Avoid Surprise Costs

English speaking French real estate agent

If you are planning on buying French property you need to be aware the cost of the French property will be more than the price of the French home.

There are a number of additional costs to French property you need to know.

Do not wait till you ‘fall in love’ with a French property and sign a contact before you learn more about these items. Do not let them be surprise costs to you.

Below are some examples of ‘things you need to know’ the rest you can learn from speaking directly with an English speaking French real estate agent or by making an appointment with one of our English speaking French real estate specialists for a phone consultation that will save you time, money and stress.

Consider:

You need to know the approximate amount of the agent’s commissions and, if and when it is applicable.

You need to know the tax implication of your French property purchase.

You need know the amount of the French property transfer tax (this is a large amount).

You need to know the total cost of the French notary fees.

You need to take in account currency exchange fees, if applicable.

You need to take into the account the cost of a French property inspection or survey.

You need to be aware of the French local property taxes and how these taxes (yes, plural) apply.

You need to plan ahead for the deposit you need to pay in advance for your purchase.

There are additional items to the above list and then you have to take into account renovation, maintenance, insurance and everyday costs of owning a French property.

We don’t want to scare you we just want to make you prepared so you invest in your French property with as little stress as possible.

We can help you because we are are professionals in the industry of helping make French property buyers and sellers happy. Contact us here. 

2015 French Real Estate Prices on the Increase Read about it

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According to French notaries, there has been a slight increase in the sale price of French real estate when you compare the first quarter of 2015 to the first quarter of 2014.

The notaries believe this is just a seasonal rise since many families want to be in a new home before the return to school in September.

According to the notaries comparing the first quarter of 2015 to the first quarter of 2014 the notaries of France say that the number of departments posting price drops has reduced from 74 percent to 48 percent for apartments and 56 percent to 33 percent in apartments.

We believe that it looks like there in fact has not been a price increase, just a reduction in price reductions as desirable properties are purchased by buyers perhaps taking advantage of the low rate on French mortgages at this time.

This could also be interpreted as a slight stabilization of the market since there are less prices dropping but no clear indication the prices are going up.

Overall, for the year, according to the article in Explorimmo (in French) the French real estate market has declined by 2.7 percent, indeed, it depends on which area you are considering.

To get an up to date clear picture of the French real estate market whether you are thinking of buying or thinking of selling we can help you connect with an English speaking agent in your area. Just contact us here.

Your French real estate needs electrical attention

english speaking french real estate agents

Your French real estate needs electrical attention

We are English speaking French real estate agents but we know nothing about electricity in French properties.

We asked a French electrician for some tips to share with you if you are buying or plan on buying French real estate just so you have no shocking surprises.

He offered the following introductory tips:

Dimming or flickering lights
If the French property has a light that goes dim when you turn on an appliance or the lights flicker in a room when you are present this can indicate the house has an overloaded circuit. Just to be sure consult with an electrician

Buzzing in the House
If you hear a buzzing sound when the lights are on in a home this can also indicate that there is a problem with the circuitry.

Exposed and Damaged Wire
When you see wires that are exposed or damaged they can be a fire hazard. So make sure a professional electrician checks out the wires. You don’t know why the previous owner left them exposed.

Earth
Depending on the age of your French property it may still not have property earthed outlets. Check to see if all outlets are earthed with the aid of a qualified electrician.

Personally, I have visited homes that had electrical outlets with the 3 pronged earthed format but once tested the electrician found out the previous owners had never installed an earth in the electrical system.

These are visual and auditory ways of looking for electrical faults in French properties.

We highly recommend that before you buy a French property that you have the property inspected by a qualified electrician or at the very least that when you move into your new place you call an electrician for a review just in case the renovation done was not so good.

For safety’s sake, take good care of yourself and all the occupants of your French property.

French Real Estate Market Activity Quick Overview

French Riviera apartment for sale NICE

The French real estate market is active again depending on where you look.

Paris
The Paris market has started to pick up since the beginning of 2015 according to this article in Explorimmo (French). Many buyers are convinced the market has hit its lowest prices so the first time buyers have entered the market again.

Lyon
The second biggest town in France has seen a drop in prices which appears to have activated the market just like in Paris.

Bordeaux
The creation of a new high speed train line between Bordeaux and Paris appears to have impacted values in Bordeaux as it is one of the few places in France where the prices are increasing.

Toulouse
Over the last 6 months according to the same report in Explorimmo the number of transactions that have take place in Toulouse has increased by 9 percent.

Nice
According to local agents, Nice has regained its active market. Some agencies are claiming an increase in activity of 20 percent compared to last year number of sales.

If you would like to speak to an English speaking French real estate agent in any of these towns in France or another area you prefer please contact us here for assistance.

Rent Your Dream French Vacation Home

English speaking agent Montpellier

Did you ever dream of renting a luxury French residence for your next vacation?

Perhaps it is not the right time for you to buy a French property as a secondary residence, however, you and your family and friends will enjoy a high level of luxury for a week on the French Riviera.

If renting for your French vacation is of interest to you we can direct you to local English speaking experts in the luxury French property market.

If you have a luxury French home that has a swimming pool and you would like to rent this home we can place you in contact with English speaking French real estate professionals who can serve you.

If you are ready to invest in a secondary residence in the south of France one of the most popular areas to invest contact us today. You could enjoy part of your summer here and when you return to work rent out your property for a large amount of money per week depending on the features of your property. Contact us here for more information.