A House in France - The Buyer's Guide
CONTENTS
Buying your house in France
Welcome to the FrenchEntrée guide to houses in France.
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
Looking for advice or a quote from a euro currency dealer? Enquire here
Visit our Eco Homes zone
Our 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
If 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
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
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
Editor's picks
Before you can start looking for your place in France, it’s important to narrow your search to a particular region. more...
French property trends 2012
Analysis of 2011 and predictions for 2012
Every year, FrenchEntrée surveys its estate agent partners and property finders in France to find out how the housing market in different regions contrasts with official data collected for France as a whole.
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French property buyers’ survey 2012
We asked subscribers to French Property Tips to tell us about their property buying plans. What emerged was a far more positive picture than factors such as the Eurozone crisis and the housing market slowdown in the UK might suggest.
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Architect-designed homes
So what can you expect? Something a little different, that's for sure. These homes combine modern design and top quality materials to really make the most of the space on offer and the natural beauty of the surrounding area. Have a look around...
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Make the most of your viewing trip
A little preparation goes a long way When you're looking for houses in France, it pays to do some preparation. Follow our handy bullet-point guide to making the most of your viewing trip. more...Good news for second home owners
Speculation surrounding the weakening euro and its effect on house prices prompted The Telegraph to publish a report earlier this month that showed British people who invested in French property to be in the most secure position.
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France top choice for second homes
Following 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.
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Buying ski property in France
Visit our zone dedicated to ski property in France: chalets, apartments and studios in stunning French mountain locations. Whether as an investment or a holiday home, we provide useful advice and information to make purchasing easier. more...
Translation services for home owners in France
Owning a residence in France is a dream come true for many. But what happens once you are no longer in contact with the English speaking estate agent or solicitor and need help with the administrative tasks associated with maintaining a house over there?
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Not sure about France? Rent first!
Hilary 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.
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FrenchEntrée Property Finder Services
Eighteen months ago FrenchEntrée launched their property finding service FrenchEntrée Property Services. Despite the economic downturn they have signed a dozen property finders across France who have been finding buyers their ideal homes.
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A guide to estate agents in France
It can be baffling with so many people trying to help you buy your ideal French home. Clearly, as with all professions, you need to sort the good from the bad...
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Local property taxes: taxe foncière and taxe d’habitation
There are two annual local property taxes in France, taxe d’habitation and taxe foncière. They are paid by both residents and non-residents and are often higher on second homes than on main residences due to possible discounts on the main home, explains David Franks of Blevins Franks...more...
Renewed interest in gîtes
Expats looking for a place to live and work
The credit crunch hasn’t stopped the British buying a house in France but it has influenced their search criteria. With a gîte, your new home also has the potential to earn you an income, so it should be no surprise to find this type of French house is one of the most popular at the moment.more...
French estate agents won't give addresses
If you are planning a trip to France to view a few houses, you may find that the estate agents refuse to give out the address of the properties you are interested in. We tell you why...
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Guide to building your own home in France
For 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
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Viewing a house: 10 questions to ask
Nadia 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...
Ten tips on buying a renovation project
Us Brits are known as both courageous and slightly bonkers in France thanks to our penchant for buying complete wrecks and spending large amounts of time, effort and money restoring them. Read this before taking the plunge. more...
Here at Caravans in the Sun...
“We believe we have something for everyone”
Caravans in the Sun has a wide range of pre-owned and brand new homes on sites in France. As distributors for Willerby, Swift, ABI, Pemberton, Delta, BK, Regal and Tingdene, brand new mobile homes are available at extremely competitive prices.
read more...
Houses in France with beautiful views
Houses across France offer some stunning coastal, mountain and countryside scenery. Take your pick from our selection of homes on the market, where you can sit back and watch the world go by from the balcony.
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Sending money overseas for a house in France?
If you are buying, selling or maintaining a house in France, get advice from a currency specialist to ensure that you make your trade when the market is in your favour.
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Before you buy check for Builder’s Guarantees
'It is important to establish through your Notaire that all completed construction works have been carried out by registered builders and artisans or it carries no guarantees' says Chartered Surveyor Brian Lindley...
read on...
How to cut energy bills in your French home
With 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
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Taking on a long term rental in France
If you would like to spend more time in France, something more than a simple two week summer holiday, maybe a month, maybe a few years or maybe even the rest of your life, taking on a longer term rental is for you.
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Your French septic tank - the regulations
On January 3 1992, all towns and villages in France saw their responsibilities increased. The mayor is now responsible for every aspect of waste water treatment... more...The importance of chimney sweeping
When was the last time you called out the sweep? If you like to enjoy a roaring fire at your house in France then it’s well worth checking your home insurance policy to find out how often the chimney has to be swept, as rules differ.
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Channel 4 needs you!
Star in Country House Rescue - Abroad
Channel 4 is looking for people to take part in a special series of Country House Rescue - Abroad. The programme will follow the fortunes of a country home as the owners seek to diversify and raise the revenue they need to survive.
more...
Acte de Vente - how it works
The Acte de Vente or Acte Authentique is the final contract to be signed by the buyer and seller, when a property is bought in France, and must be witnessed by a notaire... more...Fluent in French Legal Affairs
Excited about buying or selling property in France, worried about the legal issues? Want to learn more about how we can help? Find out more or fill out an enquiry form.
Insure your holiday home
Insurance for your French holiday home when it's unoccupied or holiday let. Simple to understand French home insurance in plain English. - Get a quote
Weekly removals to France
Weekly service to all areas of France, Part loads, Full loads get a Free online quote. Just a few Boxes? We can ship boxes door to door ONLY £24.95 each in 3 days! Get your free quote!
Better your insurance quote by 5%
We can better your holiday property insurance renewal by 5%! Plain English wording for private/commercial letting. Cheap annual travel insurance inc 90 day trip option.
Travel to France from £44 - Eurotunnel
Folkestone to Calais in just 35 minutes.
Take the fastest route to France by car. Our best fares are going fast. Book now!
The best of France: the classiest food, culture, choicest properties and the most inspiring holiday and travel features. Subscribe from only £23 a year.
The complete legal package
Heslop & Platt solicitors provide legal expertise in all areas of French property and succession law. Contact us today with your French legal query.
Financial advice & solutions for people relocating to France
Download Siddalls help sheets for "your new life in France" by clicking here.
French Alps Ski Property
MGM 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
Avoid unnecessary taxation in France
Tax planning is essential if you are to avoid paying on to Caesar more than is due to him. Blevins Franks mini-site explains more.
6 Steps to buying your first house in France
Don't get caught out, read our quick overview of the steps you need to go through to buy a house in France.
France for Australians
Visit our mini-site for Australians interested in visiting or living in France. more...
Apply for your mortgage
Apply online for your French mortgage today and fast track your quotation. Euros and Sterling mortgages available.
Apply online now.
Explore the regions of France
If 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.
Mobile Homes For Sale - France
New sited mobile homes from £19,995 and resale sited mobile homes from £5,995. Sites open for 12 months of the year. Aquitaine, Brittany, Dordogne, Languedoc-Roussillon and the Vendee.
Free International Money Transfers
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.
Save a Fortune on Currency Exchange
Whether 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!"
FrenchEntrée's independent property finders help buyers get the right house at the best price.
Looking for something?
Search the FrenchEntrée directories for help locating everything from architects to vehicle rental in France.
French Property Database Search
Over 12,000 properties for sale throughout France.....
French Property Products & Services
Search over one thousand suppliers to the French property market...