Guide to Property Buying in France
Who is this guide from and what will it tell me?
AIPO asked supporting partner and independent overseas property experts, AIPP (Association of International Property Professionals) to bring you answers to the most asked questions – and to share their top tips about buying a home abroad.
Buying a property overseas is a big decision which involves several steps and, of course, some thorough research. Our guide covers the following subjects:
- Where do I start?
- Brexit implications on living, working and pensions in France
- Where in FRANCE should I buy?
- What type of FRENCH property is available – and at what cost?
- How can I finance a home in FRANCE?
- What other costs are involved?
- Who do I need to help me with my purchase?
- What can I expect from the legal process?
- What potential pitfalls should I be wary of?
- Is there anything else I should consider?
View Properties in France here – from approved members of the AIPP (Association of International Property Professionals).
Where to buy property in France?
We asked Peter Robinson, Director of the AIPP (Association of International Property Professionals), for an overview.
“Historically, hotspots in France have been Provence, French Riviera and Dordogne. But if budget is an issue, steer clear of the south and concentrate inland where prices fall off sharply. Instead of Dordogne, for example, look at The Tarn, in the heart of southwest France. It offers a better climate and is full of pretty villages – or neighbouring Aquitaine which is equally charming. And while Provence is more chic than ever since Brad and Angelina bought a vineyard there, prices are unsurprisingly high. If you still want to be in the heart of it all however, consider Loire or Armagnac instead.”
“The Gironde, near Bordeaux, is a good lowcost alternative to The Riviera if you want to be by the sea. And Poitou-Charentes on the Atlantic coast has seen a huge rise in popularity in the last few years. Brittany in the north is ever-popular for its great accessibility from the UK and plethora of good value property along stunning coastlines dotted with fish restaurants If it’s skiing and golf you’re after, the Alps offer all-round leisure options and great investment potential. Consider Franche-Comte on the Swiss border or the area around Lyon which has a strong British community.”
“Naturally the larger French cities and towns offer more in the way of culture and shopping but accommodation is more limited and expensive. The Ile-de-France region – in north-central France and encompassing Paris – remains the most popular area for Britons. If you want to get away from fellow Britons however, look at North East of France which remains unpopular – mainly due to its very British weather!”
“Part of the joy of buying in France is the opportunity to purchase totally different property styles than you’d find in the UK – and often much bigger than you could afford at home. Much of France is still rural with traditional accommodation such as cottages, farmhouses and barns. Often constructed from local material, these may be in need of renovation and cheaper than if already restored. You could pick up a rural stone building from as little as €25,000 but this price can rise to over €1m in popular locations. Taking the region of Poitou-Charentes on the Atlantic coast as an example, you can expect to pay between €50,000 to €70,000 for a two-bedroom cottage in reasonable condition.”
“The distinctive style of a chateau, village or townhouse may also appeal if you prefer something ‘typically French’ but more luxurious. These range from crumbling to magnificent and can provide versatile accommodation due to the number of bedrooms. An eight-bedroom townhouse in Midi-Pyrenees of good condition will set you back approximately €400,000. For more modern conveniences look for a villa or apartment which are often found on the coast, tourist developments or residential areas. Villas generally come with swimming pools and terraces and a four-bedroom property in a popular area will range from €300,000 to €2m depending on the view, size and facilities.
“A two-bedroom apartment in Paris could set you back around €1m but in a tourist complex can be as little as €150,000. Leisure resorts offer alternative style living too. Luxury chalets, both new build and traditional, often have flexible accommodation over several floors but usually come with a high price ticket. Prices vary widely depending on the resort and you could pay anything from €500,000 to €10m plus! Wooden lodges set within a golf country club are more reasonably priced at around €200,000 and a one-bed ski studio can be found for as little as €90,000.”
View Properties in France here – from approved members of the AIPP (Association of International Property Professionals).