By Carmen Reitano – French Account Manager for Rightmove Overseas
Properties in France have been more popular than ever in the last few months with UK buyers. France offers huge opportunities to British buyers – in fact a recent survey showed that 6 out of 10 foreign buyers in France are British. The proximity to the UK, diversity of property types, great climate, no restrictions of foreign ownership and the lower cost of home ownership all make France a really attractive destination, not only those buyers looking for a holiday home, but also those looking to relocate permanently.
The recent events in the financial markets have seen the Pound Sterling strengthen against the Euro, meaning that in some areas of France, properties are 10% cheaper now that this time last year. Popular areas at the moment with buyers are not only ski areas such as The Pyrennes and The Alps, but also coastal areas such as the Languedoc-Roussillon and the Normandy region, as well as inland areas like the Dordogne. Recent price decreases by property developers and agents in traditionally exclusive locations on the French Riveria, such as Cannes, St Tropez and Nice, have tempted buyers previously unable to afford a property on the Cote D’Azur to rub shoulders with the rich and famous. Not only are prices cheaper in France than last year, it’s easier to arrange a mortgage and less deposit is required to buy than in the UK. The French government recently abandoned plans to tax foreign owners of holiday homes an extra 20%, which encouraged even more people from outside France to eye up properties in the republic.
Many English speaking French estate agents have taken advantage of these favourable market conditions for overseas buyers by advertising on the UK’s number 1 property website – Rightmove.co.uk. These include Beautiful South, based in Perpignan who has many great properties in the varied region of the Pyrénées-Orientales. A warm welcome also goes to Labadie Immobilier, specialising in the North West region of Normandy, Labadie have many traditional French countryside properties available at attractive prices. Another new addition to the French section of Rightmove is Le Groupe Gryphon S.A.S who, based in Paris, sell select properties all over France.
You can see all the properties we have advertised in France here.
Au Revoir!
Carmen