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.

Where to Find Cheap Property for Sale in Poitou-Charentes, France

The Charente area sits amid the undulating countryside and forests of western France’s Poitou-Charentes region, and has been in the spotlight recently for two reasons.

Firstly, some of the world’s most famous brandy is produced in the Charente town of Cognac, and sales of this precious tipple reached a new all-time high in 2007. With business booming, the cherry on the cake for locals was the opening, in spring this year, of the new Angoulême-Cognac airport, with direct flights to London Stansted.

"It’s bound to have a positive effect on the property market in and around Cognac and Jarnac," says Graham Downie, a property search agent who tips this part of western France to soar. “There are several reasons that make the Cognac area worth a look: it has a very convenient location, within striking distance of four airports, and only five and a half hours by train from London; the cognac industry makes it an affluent area popular with tourists, who come to visit Rémy Martin, Hennessy, Martell and Courvoisier, which means it’s lively year-round; and the thriving local economy spells good news for property owners and investors alike.”

Figures released in June 2008 show that of the nine areas that make up Poitou-Charentes, property for sale in Charente has the most accessibly priced dwellings, and its traditional stone properties will appeal to property buyers with a penchant for character property. According to Downie, a two-bedroom townhouse within five minutes’ walk of Cognac’s main square can be picked up for around €120,000 (£95,000), while €200,000 (£159,000) bags a three-bedroom stone property in a nearby village, with a small garden and easy access to shops and restaurants. For an imposing four- to six-bedroom property with pool, walled garden and vineyard views (the kind coveted by many UK property buyers), allow €300,000 to €450,000 (£240,000 to £355,000); in the lively market town of Jarnac (home to the house of Courvoisier), a three-bedroom property in immaculate condition, with pool and garden, is selling for just under €400,000 (£318,000).

For your house hunting trip accommodation, check out these gites in Poitou Charentes or if you plan on staying longer take a look at these long term lets in Poitou Charentes.

Author: Louise Taylor
About the Author: Louise Taylor for Homes Overseas - Property for sale in France, information about buying property in France, property investment advice and international property news.

International property experts since 1965.

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