When To Buy A French Property

France still remains a popular place to buy a second home or retirement home. During the summer months of July and August is NOT the best time to hunt for a property! July and August are the months that the French holiday - there is a mass exodus to the South of France.

So the roads are busy, the temperatures can be very hot, and more imprortantly the Estate Agents (Immobilier) go on holiday too! Flights and holiday accommodation are expensive. Some estate agents close completely whilst others operate on skeleton staff. To make matters worse, many vendors are on holiday and access to the property can be prohibited. So your choice of viewing can be limited.

When is the best time to buy? We would recommend September and October. The weather will still be good in most parts of France. Accommodation is readily accessible and much cheaper too! The budget airlines such as Ryanair, Easyjet, Flybe and even BA are offering hugely discounted fares to most destinations in France. The budget airlines now fly to all corners of France so getting there should be no problem! 

The estate agents are back from their vacation and very enthusiastic to do business. They will be very happy to show you properties and the selection should be better! Vendors will be beginning to think that the Summer season is over and will be anxious to sell. So there should be room for negotiation - do not be afraid to haggle. The French will bargain aggressively so do not be nervous about making an offer. Do remember in France that when you sign the Compromis de Vente you are committed to the purchase.

In the South, the holiday-makers will be back home from their holidays and the location may look tranquil and peaceful. However, in the Summer these coastal playgrounds can be alive, vibrant and very busy. Do not be misled if you intend to use your holiday home in the Peak Summer Season. It may be wise to opt for properties within driving distance of the coast - they will be more peaceful, and much cheaper. If you want to sample rural France, then do not buy on the coast!

Although weekend viewing trips are popular, many estate agents will be not be open on Sunday so your viewing opportunities will be restricted. In addition, many estate agents who advertise on the internet, will be busy with advance bookings. We advise booking viewings well in advance of your trip. If you can travel mid-week, then the estate agent will probably have more time to show you around. A common problem in France, for international property buyers, is booking up to see too many properties in one day. France is a large country, and prospective buyers are unrealistic about travel times. Although the main roads are excellent, the minor roads can be busy and the opportunities to get lost increase. We recommend viewing about 4 properties a day - you will have extra time to evaluate the location - and also enjoy the experience! If you have a video camera take it with you - at least you will have a valuable resource to review the properties you have seen.

So why not combine your house hunting in France with a holiday or better still, to get a true feel for your desired region, a long term rental property in France!


Article courtesy of articlecircle.