Reasons to buy French property – either for investment reasons or as a holiday home in France
To own French property has been the dream of many of us for years now. Millions of foreigners see France as a fantastic place to live, work and visit with its popularity showing no signs of abating. Whether you are keen to secure a property in France as an investment or as a holiday home, there are plenty of reasons for deciding to go French.
Ooh-la la! Culture and lifestyle are reasons many buy property in France
Aside from economic reasons for buying French property, people simply fall in love with the country from the moment they set foot on French soil. France is one of Europe’s most visited countries and many tourists leave determined to either move there or establish a holiday home in France.
The breathtaking and diverse natural environment contains mountains, beaches, forests and rivers as well as vibrant cities with some of the most spectacular architecture in the world. These bohemian urban centres continue to enthrall culture vultures drawn in by France’s thriving arts scene and rich history.
The rural lifestyle is also a draw for those looking to move there. Often retirees want to make the most of their retirement by buying French property and living in a country they had always loved when visiting on holiday.
Whatever your reasons for wanting to move to France you must also consider how your French property is likely to perform in terms of its value over the years. The price of property in France continues to rise and, if you buy the right place in the right area, there is money to be made from French property.
In the market for French property to invest in
French property prices rose by 10.3% in 2005, according to the French estate agents association. Despite some slowing of the market, prices continue to rise and the focus of buyers has shifted towards regions such as Normandy, Brittany, Gascony, Loire Valley and Aquitaine. These areas continue to experience strong price rise growth for property in France and offer good investment prospects. It is still possible to buy a quality French property for under £50,000 in some areas.
What else should I know about property in France?
The price of French property in some regions compares extremely well with other areas of the EU. As prices continue to rise in countries such as Spain and the UK this will have a knock-on effect for the French property market and so buying sooner rather than later is advisable.UK buyers remain an integral part of the French property market and these days France can be easily accessed by car or luxurious high speed train. Budget airlines also fly to many areas of the country and this is advantageous for those looking at buying a holiday home in France.If you are looking at a holiday home which would double up as an investment you should familiarise yourself with the leaseback scheme. This government initiative lets buyer retain the property as a holiday home in France for a specified number of weeks each year. The French property is then let out for the remainder of the year, guaranteeing the owner rental income.Joie de vie is not a myth and buying property in France will soon prove that to you. Whether you want to buy French property as an investment or to secure your own holiday home in France there are few countries so varied and wonderful to live in.
