Wednesday, February 6, 2008

Who can help with a mortgage on a property in France?

France can create for you your ideal dream home. With its sunny beaches, Mediterranean coastlines and remarkable and fun-loving people, France is the place for all those who want to have loads of fun. A holiday in your own property in Aquitaine or some other region of France can drive out restlessness from your soul and soothe your mind.

Do you require financing for house for sale in France? There are two options for you which will fetch you finance for your new French property. To buy a property in Aquitaine and to deal with the real estate in Languedoc Roussillon, all that a non-resident buyer has to do is to borrow in your own country. In this process, the investor has two more options - either to re-mortgage with the existing lender or to consult a specialist lender who can finance for overseas properties. The second option which can be considered is to avail a loan from French banks or any financial organisations.

To mortgage French real estate, there are many points to be considered as a foreign investor. It is recommended by experts that the investors seek the advice of a professional – bank officer, financial advisor or accountant. After taking the advice, it is necessary from your part to analyse the pros and cons in each other’s dealings. Following are the favourable and unfavourable situations you may face in financing for a house for sale in France in your own country.
  • Rising funds to invest in your French property with the exiting property is recommended when it has adequate equity.
  • One of the easiest options to buy a property in Aquitaine is to go for the existing property as security.
  • This easiest method will fetch finance for buying a property in France in your own currency.
  • The investor should seek legal advice to avoid unnecessary risks. For instance, the property owner should obtain proper planning permissions and building license.
  • Financial advice is also equally important if you live in the UK. It is very vital to know the uncertainties prevailing in the currency value.
  • When planning to use the holiday villa for sale Cote d Azur as a vacation rental, it is not wise to avail a re-mortgage for your UK property as you may not gain offset in the mortgage interest.
When you consider the option of France mortgage for buying a property in Aquitaine or to invest in real estate of Languedoc Roussillon, you have to consider the many pros and cons in the dealing. So, consult a legal and financial advisor who can guide you in opting for the most beneficial mortgage.
  • The second option is to secure a mortgage in France itself against the property through mortgage lending firms or through banks.
  • When you opt for a French lender, the deal is clear-cut. As they are aware of all legal and administrative requirements in France and as it is different from UK or other European countries, it is always better to borrow from a French native.
  • Property investment in the Provence will be easy and will save a lot of time, cost and troubles involved in overseas mortgages.
  • Also, the France mortgage lenders will be familiar with inland professionals, namely surveyors and lawyers who will help out in finishing the deal smoothly.
  • When getting the help of French mortgages, you can get offset in interests on the payments against the rent for tax exemptions.
  • Finally, it is recommended to cross-check whether the references and recommendations given by the lenders are unbiased as they might receive commissions for their reference.

Wednesday, January 30, 2008

The good life in France

France, the most beautiful country in Europe, has been the prime choice of most property investors. If you invest in an apartment in France or buy a property in South France, you can use it as your second home and enjoy the real Mediterranean climate and the warm beaches. France has its own natural, economic and cultural factors which attract foreign investment in the real estate industry. Apart from that, the property can yield you rental income for a long period of time. Be it an apartment in France or a leaseback property in France, anything can yield you rental income.

The French are people with an invincible thirst for life. They believe in celebrating life. Cities like Paris, Nice and Cannes have the most stylish apartments in France. Good life and remarkable long term revenue are assured for a real estate investor in France. Luxury villas, trendy apartments and flashy houses abound in places like the Provence.

To buy a property in France one has consider the following points:
  • Where should my property be? Either by the sea or inland, by the mountain ranges
  • How should it be and how will I be using it? Is it a calm villa or family vacation house that you want?
  • Your financial position and budget – Do you prefer Leaseback property in France? Do you plan to avail French mortgage?
  • Plan a visit to the places where you intend to buy property. For instance, if you are planning to buy a property in Cote d’Azur, visit the place thoroughly and check if it suits your tastes.
  • Remember all the criteria and seek the advice of real estate agents
Before you consider buying a home, try to finalize the way to fund the property. Buy a villa in France as the prices are relatively low when compared to the countries in Northern Europe. Focus on property in Provence for sale as the location is favourable for spending your holidays. Buy a property in Cote d Azur and you have options to use the property for holiday rentals which can earn you during the vacation season. Or try the leaseback scheme which gives the buyer regular income with the option of repayment of VAT (19.6%) included in the asking price of the property.

Leaseback property in France is quiet common as it guarantees income on the property which is mostly situated in coastal areas and near golf course areas. Buyers are benefited with mortgages. Buy a property in Cote d Azur or any other Property in Provence for sale with the help of mortgage, as it is the easy way to finance the property. To live a peaceful life in France without any financial tensions, you can opt for a leaseback property in France. As in UK, there are many mortgage options available in France:
  • French Repayment Mortgage – which is also known capital-and interest loan asks the buyer to repay the owed amount and its interest within the stipulated mortgage term.
  • French Interest-only Mortgage – This type asks the borrower to repay the interest for the amount on a monthly basis and you have to make sure that you have enough money to repay the owed amount.
  • French Fixed rate Mortgage – Monthly expenditure on mortgages will be fixed and the interest rate will not rise as and when rates go up.
  • French Variable rate Mortgage – The mortgage value may increase or decrease as per the fluctuation in the interest rates.
The above details can help you to make the most of your investment in France.

Monday, January 28, 2008

Moving to France

France is a traveller’s ideal haunt. With its flamboyant culture, fascinating historical monuments and flashy and life-loving people, France is the best place on earth for an art-savvy and party-loving traveller. Its remarkable coastal districts and remote villages also make it a haven for the solitude-seeking tramp. Whether it is to satiate the tramp in you or to gratify the party-lover in you, moving to France is really a brilliant idea.

If you have any idea of moving to France, read below to find useful tips to realise your plan of making France your dwelling place. Real estate industry is on the rise in France. Real estate in Aquitaine and property in Languedoc are of good value from an investor’s perspective. Investing in property in France will never let you down as the residential property prices in the country are growing at a respectable rate of 10% per annum and yield around seven to ten percent rental income.

There are many more factors which are favourable for buyers who decide to move to France. A Villa in the South of France or property in Languedoc will earn revenue for its buyer in the form of rent as it can be used for vacation rentals or as leaseback property. Real estate industry in France is very rewarding. Real estate in Aquitaine is favourable for the seller and hence is a good investment in the long run.

While moving to France, one has to take a note of the following cultural factors which allure foreign investors:
  • The well connected airways to France have made it an ideal place to live in this fast moving world.
  • Investors from European Union countries and other countries like US and Australia are common in France, so it is easy for the people to form English-speaking communities.
  • Owning property in the Provence can be highly beneficial. Many investors throng to buy in the Provence on account of its beautiful mountains and sandy beaches which invite more tourism and pave way for people to get closer to each other.
  • French cuisine, wine and villas South of France (living style) are most enchanting things about France.
The above are the cultural benefits in buying a property in France. Following are some useful tips which will help you finish your property deal with France mortgage broker smoothly:
  • Contact the real-estate agent on finalising a property
  • The cost incurred in investing in property in France is negotiable with the real estate agent.
  • Check for the option ‘Clauses’ as it helps you to withdraw from the deal if a valid reason is provided.
  • Sign up the first contact document or ‘Compromis’ which will have both parties agreed for the deal.
  • Before 7 days, you (buyer) have the option to withdraw from the sale.
  • Ensure that the boundaries of the property are clarified and check if everything blends with the property offered.
  • Check for the Notary fees and the cost incurred while registering the property.
  • Once the survey is over, you have to confirm with the ownership of the property and have to transfer the money in Euros.
  • Sign the final deal on checking the property as it says ‘sold’ as seen on signing date.
For any financial assistance, France mortgage brokers will be of great help. There are many mortgage options to buy in the Provence and it will never burden on you. Taking up the mortgage will help to avail tax benefit. Annual tax is reduced on availing a French loan for the secured property.

Monday, December 10, 2007

FRANCE REAL ESTATE MARKET – FIRST QUARTER 2007 – A SELLER’S MARKET

French Real Estate market in the first quarter of 2007 is an out-and-out seller’s market. Real estate in France has always been a stable business and has seen a lot of investors from Europe and beyond. The country’s irresistible charm and splendid weather attracts a lot of visitors to buy property in France.

A buyer’s market is a market which favours the buyer. The prices will generally be low and cheap. A seller’s market is one in which the seller holds dominion. Generally, when the rates are fixed and there is a high demand for property, the market is called a seller’s market.

In the first quarter of the year 2007, real estate in France was in the hands of sellers. This was mainly because property in France was in great demand. This vertical movement in real estate in France had started even in 2006. By the end of 2006, the housing stocks started rising steadily. The first quarter, the year 2007 has seen good increase in the prices for property south of France. Due to its proximity to sea and the warm Mediterranean climate, property south of France is in huge demand. It is estimated that the price of an ordinary France villa for sale is rising at an average of 6%. The trendy first quarter has seen a tremendous price hike even in the realm of unoccupied old apartments. The average price stood around 11.3% p.a.

On seeing such a great price hike in real estate in France, one can assess the demand for property in France during Q1. The steady French real estate market gave several options for buyers – including investing in Provence real estate and to buy house in Cote d’Azur. When buyers were more eager to invest in French real estate, then sellers had their right time. During Q1/2007, there was a steady increase in the square meter of land, which on an average read as 8.7%p.a. These stats reveal that during Q1 real estate in France was a vibrant industry where property was in great demand.

Real Estate in France has become a place where buyers queue up to invest. It is a seller’s market where sellers fix the rate for their property. Though the sales volume of the property south of France has seen a decrease, there is a constant increase in pricing. This is because of the Europeans, especially the British, who see France as an ideal getaway. Coming from a cold clime, the British prefer a warmer and sunnier climate than their own. So when they decide to buy property in France, they choose property in South of France.

Property South of France sees continuous and steady increase in price rates as it is one of the most favoured locations. The sunshine lands of South France with their beautiful French villas make the place one of the most favoured destinations for visitors. The ‘France villa for sale’ tag was hard to see during Q1 as villas were in great demand and buyers were queuing up to buy them. To conclude, the sellers have held sway over real estate in France during the first quarter of 2007.

Saturday, December 1, 2007

FRENCH PROPERTY TAX

Understanding French Property Tax is a must for all property holders in France. Especially, it is very essential to be clear about the taxes levied and how they can be managed. What is a property tax or to be general, a tax? Taxes are levied for owning property in France. After buying a property in France, it is a must for a resident or a non-resident to pay taxes for their French property.

South of France Real Estate has varied opportunities for the buyers from both inland and foreign lands. Also the mortgage in France helps investors in buying property in France. One can avail certain privileges on being a resident or non-resident. Details about it are discussed later in the article. Now coming to the types of taxes, there are two local taxes payable on a French property termed as taxe foncière and taxe d’habitation. The first one is known as property tax for owners and the second one is known as occupancy tax for occupiers.

The first type of tax is charged on the value of the property owned, comfort level, type of building and surface area. The second type is one in which the owner of the property keeps it as holiday residence and pays the occupancy tax based on the rental value of the property as defined by the local authorities. If the occupier of the French property does not pay the tax, then the owner of the property is liable to pay it.

To get a clear idea on types of taxes, one has to know about the authorities who decide the tax rates in France. The local authorities of a region and collectivité territoriale determine the rates and they may vary from region to region. So, it is advisable to look into the tax slabs and invest in property. Taxe foncière when compared to taxe d’habitation will be high and may be twice the amount of the occupancy tax. Generally, the 1st of every January is the due date for paying the French property tax. The property owner or the occupant will receive the bills in the months of August or September and the taxes have to be paid on or before the stipulated period. For the occupants or for those who come under taxe d’habitation, the French government gives an option to pay tax in monthly installments.

When buying a property in France it is always recommended to check the price rate of the region, tax exemptions and privileges given by the local authorities. When paying the tax bills, if one feels that the tax assessment is high, local Mairie are there to help in the tax assessment process.

Provence real estate has many offers for its both foreign and local investors. The price rate may increases during holidays, as South France is forever a holiday spot! Mortgage in France is also flexible for both residents and non-residents. On fulfilling these requirements one can own property in France.