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Buying your house in France

CONTENTS

A house in France: the Buyer's Guide

Welcome to the FrenchEntrée guide to buying houses in France.
Buying Guide
In this zone you'll find everything you need in order to buy a French house. Start by reading our step-by-step guide to buying a French house. Find information on the property contracts compromis de vente and acte de vente, the role of the notaire, French diagnostic surveys, the cost of buying and gazumping. This is where you'll also find property trends information, including property survey results. We also have a selection of real life stories, case studies and readers' advice features so you can read the French property buying experiences of others. Plus don't forget to check out our investment property zone.

If you want to share your French house buying experience, or have ideas for new topics please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Need to buy euros?

Organising currency to buy your house in France
Get the best euro exchange rate
Planning to buy a property in France? Read the complete guide to buying euros in our France Currency Exchange zone.
Looking for advice or a quote from a euro currency dealer? Enquire here

Visit our Eco Homes zone

Carbon footprintOur Eco Homes zone is jam-packed with useful information on installing eco products in France, tax credits and loans, as well as real life case studies from expats who have already gone green. Visit the zone.

Selling your house in France

House sale FranceIf you have a house in France to sell, visit our selling French property zone where we have a wealth of information to help you sell your French house. With advice on marketing your French property, to the legal implications, we have compiled all the factual information as well as some real life stories from expats.

French Houses - Words and Phrases

(Picture 5623l)Baffled by compromis de vente? Bamboozled by Clause Tontine? Then visit our glossary of French houses expressions. And for a full and easy-to-read guide to the French language visit our Language Zone

French House Price Calculator

(Picture 5626l)To help you estimate the value of your current French house or the potential cost of a French house that you are looking to buy try our French House Price Calculator


Claim your share of the sunshine lifestyle

Why use a property finder?

Searching for something extraordinary?

Property market update for the first quarter of 2013

April, 2013
© philippe Devanne - Fotolia.com Following the fiscal and economic news at the end of 2012, the market went into suspended animation. more...

FNAIM French property projections for 2013

© fongfong - Fotolia.comA report on the projections of the national federation of French estate agents (FNAIM) for the shape of 2013.
more...

Affordable charm, homes under €100K

frenchentree
The dream is within reach. These French properties are both charming and affordable. more...

Make your second home pay for itself, or even make a living

By HomeAway.co.uk HomeAwayThere’s no better feeling than realising the moment when your dream of buying a holiday home becomes a reality. For a few weeks or months each year you might escape there and holiday with family and friends. But for the rest of the year? Chances are it just lies empty, while you still have to cover the costs. more...

European Capital of Culture 2013 • Marseille-Provence

©frenchentree.comA sampler of properties in Lucky Department 13 to whet your appetite for the Bouches-du-Rhône. more...

Make money from your second property

HomeAway £1 OfferWhether you want to rent out a few weeks to cover some costs, make your retirement home pay for itself, or you dream about a career change or living abroad, letting your property could be the answer.
more...

FrenchEntree Magazine issue 98The new issue of FrenchEntrée is out now! It's packed with articles on French holidays (including: Cap d'Agde, Rochefort and Le Touquet) plus French recipes and advice on buying and living in France from property finders and tax and law experts. Click here for a sample or consider our latest subscriptions offer.

Tax liability on rental income in France

©maly via fotolia.com You'd like to let out your second home in France, but what are the tax implications?
David Franks, Chief Executive of Blevins Franks, explains.
continue reading...

The who's-who of French property gathered in London

The France Show • January 2013 • over 11,500 visitors ©thefranceshow.com So you didn't make it to the France show? No problem. We eavesdropped for you. Here's what exhibitors and visitors were saying.
more...

A pick of châteaux at opposite ends of the budget

chateau jura The stuff of dreams, we pick French castles from the top end of the market to the entry level budget. more...

The sunshine lifestyle

©frenchentree all rights reservedA sampler of properties with enticing swimming pools for every budget.
more...

French properties with gîte complexes

2 income units or more Frenchentrée Property ServicesTo give you an idea of the options available, we prepared a sample of properties that include two or more gîtes. more...

Considering outside space

Verandas, terrasses, dependances, balcons etc. BalconWhether searching for an old stone house in a village or an apartment in a modern block, most of us would like to get some outside space in the bargain. But as Caroline Hill explains, 'outside space' can mean many different things in France... more...

France top choice for second homes

© Simon Ebel - Fotolia.comFollowing the report that France offers the best quality of life in Europe, it should come as no surprise to find that that this is where the majority of holiday home owners choose to invest. Research shows France has overtaken Spain. more...

Let us help you realise your dream

Avilion HomesAvilion Sustainable Homes was created with the specific aim of supplying quality timber frame homes in France. As energy costs rise the benefit of high standards of insulation are self-evident. And the savings are significant.
more...

Not sure about France? Rent first!

hilary and arthur in AntibesHilary and Arthur Moore were pretty certain they wanted to move to France. But to be sure - and to know that they had chosen the right part of France - they rented first. Here Arthur explains why it was the best thing they could have done. more...

Guide to building your own home in France

renovation work roofFor the French it's quite common to get your own home built. Now more and more Britons are considering the same option in France. David Murray, author of a new book on the subject, explains how to go about it more...

Viewing a house: 10 questions to ask

French house number 10Nadia Jordan offers the benefit of her experience as a property finder in the Pyrénées and reveals 10 of the most important questions to ask of an agent when searching for your ideal house in France.more...

How to cut energy bills in your French home

saving fuel bills FrenchWith the cost of energy rising, it’s more important than ever to find the most effecting ways of heating and providing energy for your house. Marc Asker of EcoPower considers the options and gives some practical advice more...

Insure Your Holiday Home – In English

Schofields Home InsuranceInsurance for your French holiday home when it's unoccupied or holiday let. Simple to understand French home insurance in plain English - Get a quote.

60-day trial for £1

HomeAway £1 OfferAdvertise your property on the world’s largest holiday rental network! Start your trial quote FB1M1.

Sail to Le Havre

Brittany Ferries to Le Havre
New for May 2013, Brittany Ferries introduces a high speed service to Le Havre. Arriving in just 3hrs 45 mins, this early morning sailing means that you can be in France for lunch.

Avoid unnecessary taxation in France

Euro Notes and CoinsTax planning is essential if you are to avoid paying on to Caesar more than is due to him. Blevins Franks mini-site explains more.

Letting your property has never been easier!

French Country CottagesWith unrivalled resources, unbeatable expertise and friendly Regional Managers on hand near your property, we make letting in France as pleasurable as it is profitable. Find out why so many UK owners choose us at rentmycottage.com

French Alps Ski Property

MGM Ski ChaletMGM Constructeur, the leading property developer in the French Alps, currently markets high quality apartments in more than 40 locations: ski resorts, alpine villages and by Lake Annecy. More info

French property and succession law

Barney and Co SolicitorsWe help UK Nationals with buying and selling French property and French succession law problems including making wills. View our website to find out more.

Moving to France for LESS!

AnyVan - Part Load SpecialistsAnyvan is a part load and removal specialist moving anything and everything to/from France – saving up to 75%. Visit AnyVan.com.

French Property Services

TricoloreLooking for your perfect French property or have already found it but need help with its upkeep? Let us help.

Innovation in Wealth Management

Pelican ConsultingFiscal, legal, mortgage, pension, investment and financial advice and services to French residents, those relocating here or those with assets in the hexagon, whatever their nationality. Qualified as Conseillers en Gestion de Patrimoine Indépendent, and with UK financial and IFA qualifications too. Find our more.

Expert French mortgage advice

French mortgagesVisit the mortgage zone for up-to-date information, FAQs and best buy French mortgages. Repayment and interest only French mortgages available.

Financial advice & solutions for people relocating to France

Siddalls Download Siddalls help sheets for "your new life in France" by clicking here.

Free International Money Transfers

Currency Zone A great rate and no transfer fee for the life of your account! Make a no obligation enquiry to FrenchEntrée, and see how we can save you money.

Mobile homes for sale in France from £5,995

Caravans in the Sun New sited mobile homes from £16,995 and resale sited mobile homes from £5,995. Sites open for 12 months of the year. Aquitaine, Brittany, Dordogne, Languedoc, Pas-de-Calais and the Vendee.

Bring comfort & warmth into your home

WarmUP
The perfect underfloor heating solution – suitable under all floor finishes in new build and renovation projects.

Cheap Car Hire in France

Economy Car HireBook car hire with built-in excess insurance, a free additional driver and all airport taxes and surcharges included. Get a quote now.

Are you frustrated with French paint?

Frustrated with French paint?

www.UKPaintDepot.com

The Best of British Paint in France.

Baggage delivery from ONLY £69*

LOPA
Cost effective removals and transport services between London and Paris.

www.LOPA.co.uk


6 Steps to buying your first house in France

Six steps to buying your first French PropertyDon't get caught out, read our quick overview of the steps you need to go through to buy a house in France.

mag info
FE Magazine issue 98The best of France: the classiest food, culture, choicest properties and the most inspiring holiday and travel features. Subscribe for 6 months for only £5.

Something to buy or sell?

If you've got something you need to buy, or something you're looking at selling, visit FrenchEntrée's free ads section to upload your free advertising listing.

France for Australians

France for AustraliansVisit our mini-site for Australians interested in visiting or living in France. more...

Explore the regions of France

Explore FranceIf you love France & want to visit your favourite region, than we have everything for you in over 20 sites dedicated to the regions of France.

Save a Fortune on Currency Exchange

Euro NotesWhether you need advice or an international money transfer quote, FrenchEntree's currency partner - Moneycorp - can help. Visit the France currency exchange zone.

"We love the house and what a price!"

Property FindersFrenchEntrée's independent property finders help buyers get the right house at the best price.

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