Regions of France – Most popular regions in France to buy property – Carte Blanche Real Estate 40 years of accredited real estate services
Search for property in France with Carteblancherealestate.agency – the best place to search for French property and part of Carteblancherealestate.agency, number one property website. The world’s favourite tourist destination and a country rich in culture, landscape and history, France is a superb choice for overseas property. With everything from cottages in the countryside to stylish apartments in city centres to stunning coastal villas; there is a great range of property in France. Carteblancherealestate.agency is the best place to find the latest property in France.
From the glamour of the French Riviera to the rustic charms of Normandy, France is a country with an incredible variety of landscapes. Property in France ranges from the traditional to the luxury – with everything in between. You can find apartments in Paris – the romantic capital of France – or search for cottages in Lot, a serene and unspoilt region in the south. Wherever you’re looking to buy property in France, there is an incredible range of houses and villas on offer. France’s Mediterranean coast is home to some of the most exclusive and dazzling resort towns in Europe. St Tropez, Cannes and St. Maxime attract the rich and famous; while hundreds of other villages offer amazing views and laid-back living by the sea. Brittany and Normandy offer a different style of coastal life, with rugged cliffs and a unique Celtic culture. The towering Pyrenees is a perfect destination for skiers and mountain sports enthusiasts, as well as a great place to find property for sale – particularly in the glorious Savoie region.
Property in Brittany
One of France’s most rugged regions, you can find property in Brittany along its spectacular coastline, Brittany property in ancient towns, on magical islands and charming Brittany property in its vast woods. A Celtic duchy for more than one thousand years its annexation to France in 1532, it is a land rich in culture, tradition and history which is reflected in the architecture of the property in Brittany.
Property in Normandy
Property in Normandy, on the regions coast, is enveloped in a great variety of landscapes; from ultra-modern Le Trèport to the Mont-Saint-Michel. For traditional seaside getaways, Normandy property on its stunning sea cliffs is the perfect place to enjoy golden sand and the sounds of the sea lapping the shore and the pounding rush of the sea as it hits the cliff face and rocks below. While many purchase property in Normandy on its lively coast, the countryside of Normandy, with its golden prairies is ideal for those who want property in Normandy that is nestled in wooded valleys, pine forests and is a haven of peace and tranquillity.
Property in the French Riviera
Property on the French Riviera is some of the most luxurious and extravagant in the world. Purchasing property on the French Riviera means being surrounded by beach resorts and casinos; enjoying a sunny mild climate as well as being close to excellent golf courses. For a more serene French property, property on the French Riviera can also mean finding yourself a picturesque cottage in the small villages perched on cliffs or coastal fishing towns. Property on the French Riviera, along the Mediterranean Coast, provides a fashionable elegant environment and an international atmosphere. You can choose from the livelier towns of Nice and Cannes or the calmer mode sedate villages of Beaulieu, Menton or Cap Ferrat.
Property in Languedoc
A wealth of history lies in Languedoc-Roussillon and this is often reflected in the property in Languedoc-Roussillon. Greek ruins, medieval castles and ancient villages are all set amidst a patchwork of vineyards, farmlands, mountains and plateaus. When purchasing a property in Languedoc-Roussillon, you will be spoilt for choice! Gallo Roman history and monuments, Mediterranean beaches, a dry sunny climate and quaint coastal towns dotting the shoreline, property in Languedoc-Roussillon with it’s Catalonian influence is a wonderful choice for those investing in French property.
Property in the Loire Valley
Property in the Loire Valley should be considered for anyone who considers themselves a true food lover. From fresh fish to goat’s cheese, delectable wines and delicious local specialities, a property in the Loire Valley will leave you surrounded by more than you could hope for! Investing in Loire Valley property will allow you to explore over 800 magnificent chateaux, discover charming towns full of art and history and take relaxing strolls through the valley’s lush gardens or enchanting countryside; as well as taking the opportunity to visit one of the numerous museums and cathedrals.
All You Need to Know About Buying a Property in France
Buying property and real estate abroad can be fraught with danger, but the French system in particular has a number of in-built safety mechanisms designed to protect both the buyer and the vendor from unfair treatment. Despite these safeguards, however, it is important that buyers approach a purchase with all of the facts at hand. Whilst the French property market is stable and legally sound, it is quite different from the British system.
How to Find the Property of Your Dreams in France
The process of finding suitable real estate in France has become far easier during the last 15 years. The Internet gives people quick and easy access to thousands of properties from across the country, and a French property specialist can assist a buyer in deciding which investments make business sense.
Despite the unprecedented access to the French property market that the Internet provides, buyers who want to live in their new property should first visit the area extensively. As with most countries, cultures and customs can vary depending on which area of France you choose to live in. Speaking with a property expert will provide you with a rough guide on where to start your property search in this vast and beautiful country.
The Initial Stages of a French Property Purchase
Unlike the British system, a real estate transaction in France becomes legally binding at a far earlier stage in the process. The system gives buyers more protection from so-called ‘gazumping’ – a situation whereby vendors pull out of agreements to sell in favour of higher or more beneficial offers.
After a purchase price has been agreed, the vendor and the buyer must sign an initial contract – known locally as the Compromis de Vente. In some cases, this document will be a standard contract held by a French estate agent; however, it can also be drawn up by an official of the government – referred to in France as a Notaire.
It is possible to insert a number of additional clauses into a Compromis de Vente, including clauses that make the final purchase dependent on factors such as satisfactory surveys, the granting of planning permission or a mortgage.
Dealing with Local Estate Agents and the French Legal System
French estate agents are subject to a far stricter system of regulation than those in Britain, and buyers should only use agencies with the appropriate insurance and a ‘carte professionelle’. Once the Compromis de Vente has been signed by all parties, a seven-day cooling-off period commences – during which time the buyer has the opportunity to withdraw from the purchase. After the cooling-off period has ended, the transaction becomes legally binding, and significant penalties are payable if either party should withdraw from the sale.
Where a mortgage is required, a conditional clause will be added to the Compromis de Vente stating that the purchase is subject to the funds being released from the loan provider. A deposit of at least ten percent of the purchase price will normally be required – although it will remain in escrow with the notaire until the transaction completes successfully.
What is the Role of the Notaire?
The involvement of a notaire in real estate transactions is a legal requirement in France. The role of a notaire is similar to that of a property solicitor in the UK, but it is a role performed by a legal professional employed by the French government. One notaire can be appointed to oversee the entire transaction; however, both the vendor and the buyer can appoint their own if that is the preferred course of action. The notaire will oversee all aspects of the sale to ensure all applicable laws are adhered to and all taxes are paid in full.
The Purchasing Charges Explained
A typical property purchase in France will incur combined charges from a notaire and estate agent of between ten and fifteen percent of the final purchase price. Estate agents are commercial entities, so they will set their own sliding scale of fees – which can be anything between five and ten percent of the sale price. It is strongly recommended that these fees are agreed on in advance – something a French property specialist can assist with. A notaire will typically charge between six and eight percent for their services, and all fees are payable on completion of the sale.
The Final Stages of a Property Purchase in France
The average timescale for completion of the various searches and legal checks – undertaken by the notaire – is three to four months. A meeting will then take place between the buyer and vendor – or parties nominated to represent them. The final deed of sale – known in France as the Acte de Vente – will be signed during this meeting, and the property’s ownership will finally pass to the buyer.
Buying a house is always an important commitment – usually the largest anyone will make during a lifetime. However, purchasing a property abroad is fraught with pitfalls and potential for financial loss when the proper precautions and legal steps are not taken. By seeking advice from experts in the French property system, you can rest-assured that your investment in the French property market is a wise one.