This week we hear from Christophe Guay, Director at TIC Ruffec in Charente, a longstanding FrenchEntrée partner: It was a Monday 16th March at 20h00 when president Macron announced live to the nation that ‘Nous sommes en guerre” (we are…
After a pause of more than two months, the property world is starting to show signs of life again as lockdown restrictions begin to ease on both sides of the channel. Good news for those who have been sitting patiently,…
There is a lot of conflicting information as to whether US citizens can obtain Euro mortgage in France, so we thought we’d share our perspective. We talk to American clients every week about your plans for purchasing in France, and…
One of the main advantages to use a foreign exchange specialist rather than a bank is the ability to access a wide range of currency tools to help you decide the best way to buy or sell your currency.…
Buying a property in France can be an exciting venture. Deciding the region where you would like your French house to be located is one of the first and more challenging decisions to be made with 22 regions to choose…
We’ve spoken to several clients over the last few weeks who are keen to understand more about interest-only mortgages in France. In many countries, including the UK, an interest-only mortgage is a cost-effective way to borrow, and works particularly well…
This week we hear from Susie Hollands, CEO and Founder of the Paris agency Vingt Paris, one of our FrenchEntrée partners. “Here at VINGT Paris, we’ve actually been very busy during the confinement. Indeed, very few vendors have decided to…
The Covid-19 pandemic has brought a great level of uncertainty and volatility to the markets. Should you have to send money abroad now more than ever it is important to look at the best way to do it. Here are…
Who keeps the money if the sale falls though? When purchasing property in France, two contracts will be signed and upon the signature of the first, the purchaser will pay into a notary’s account a deposit which will either be…
As you will no doubt be aware, markets have continued to be volatile. The price of oil moved negative on Monday 20th April for the first time in history. The price of a barrel of West Texas Intermediate (WTI), the…
Last week was particularly volatile in the currency markets following a record negative oil prices and the return of Brexit discussions. The pound lost some ground on Friday despite the EU leaders failing to agree a common response to the…
With relatively stable property values in France (which have not fluctuated wildly in much of France since the 2008 credit crisis), record-low borrowing rates and long-term fixed products, we are seeing many of our enquiries relating to remortgaging or debt…
For the latest in our series on how Covid-19 is affecting the life and work of estate agents and property buyers in France, we head to Lower Normandy to hear from FrenchEntrée partner immobilier Suzanne in France. Despite exceptional circumstances…
French people are confident not only that they will soon complete their current property buying or selling project, but that house prices in France will drop once lockdown ends. Consortium Immobilier conducted a survey on a panel of 1,219 people…
The importance of domicile and inheritance tax – why it matters to your family where you are domiciled The concept of domicile under English and Welsh law is complicated, but if you live in either the UK or France and…
After much haggling, last week EU finance ministers managed to reach an agreement on financial support. The €500 billion relief package is for European countries hit hardest by the tragic Covid-19 pandemic, such as Italy and Spain. The plan involves…
We caught up with immobiliers Carl and Violette Scholfield, who run one FrenchEntrée’s partner agencies, to see how the Coronavirus has affected their life and business. When and how did the Coronavirus first impact your business as immobiliers? Violette and…
Editor’s note: This article is an update on a previous article relating to French property sales procedures under Covid-19 The French government has introduced various emergency rulings on 25th March 2020, due to the Covid-19 pandemic. One particular ruling, the…
Charlotte Macdonald is an associate solicitor in Stone King’s International and Cross Border team. Charlotte answers legal and practical questions that are being asked by her clients in relation to the coronavirus pandemic and making wills. In these unusual and…
The CV19 crisis has left thousands of overseas property transactions in standby. Notaires and Estate agents are closed or working only in specific and urgent transactions. You might have found the property of your dreams in France but now you…
To say that 2020 has been a rollercoaster for the our marketplace would be a serious understatement. At the start of the year we witnessed the release of all that pent-up Brexit-related demand from British buyers, along with the usual…
The entire world is ramping up efforts to control the Covid-19 pandemic, and while the toll on people’s lives is immeasurable, there is also huge economic uncertainty. Coronavirus is having a profound effect on the markets, an impact that we…
Editor’s note: Since this article was published, the French government has amended some of its rulings. For the latest, see here. The French government introduced various emergency rulings on 25th March 2020, due to the Covid-19 pandemic. One particular ruling,…
Valerie Marsden-Holmes tells Sylvia Edwards Davis how she and husband Richard fell head over heels for an 18th-century Gascon farmhouse with breathtaking views of the Pyrénées. Meet the Movers NAMES: Valerie and Richard Marsden- Holmes BOUGHT IN: 2011 MOVED FROM: Lincolnshire MOVED TO: Gers…
France is deferring the dates for income tax return submissions and suspending most tax controls due to the coronavirus crisis.
There has been a great deal of volatility in the currency markets in the last couple of weeks. The situation is changing by the hour and if you’re looking to send funds back to France or elsewhere in the world,…
Dear FrenchEntrée Clients, Members and Readers, In these unprecedented times, with Coronavirus impacting on all of our personal and professional lives, we hope that you and your loved ones are healthy and safe. We also wanted to let you know…
Wondering about how solicitors draft up wills without leaving the comfort of their home? This video from Stone King should answer your questions!
Finding a qualified chartered surveyor in France doesn’t have to be a wild goose chase says John Snell Q. How do I find a good surveyor in France? A. The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors has a global presence and…
In the heart of Burgundy’s wine country, this sun-dappled département boasts some of the most achingly pretty towns and villages in the region – all knitted together by gorgeous vineyards, says Dominic Bliss They are some of the greatest names…
The dollar was by far the week’s strongest performer, rising an average of 4.8% against the other major currencies To a great extent the rush for the dollar is a reflection of the huge uncertainty posed by the pandemic. Despite…
The euro started the week relatively well as investors considered it might be a safe haven, but retreated as the days passed. EU finance ministers pledged to take action, but the meeting did not yield any concrete steps and the…
The FrenchEntrée Property Team answers your questions Q. I am looking at properties in Paris and my agent is recommending I sign a ‘Search Mandate’. What is this, and what are the pros/cons of such an arrangement? A. In some markets,…
In these uncertain times it can be difficult to separate the facts from the fake news. We’re on hand to answer your questions about how coronavirus affects France, and your plans. I own a holiday home in France and pay…
Brexit seemed to come and go without much ceremony or change, but what is going to happen to the value of the pound over the next 11 months? We asked Adam Jordan, a senior currency broker at moneycorp, what the…
Charlotte Macdonald is an associate solicitor in Stone King’s international and cross border team. Over a new 12-part series of articles Charlotte answers legal and practical questions that are often asked by her clients in relation to France; whether that…
If you’re considering selling your holiday property or French home, you probably have a lot of questions. In this guide we’re going to take a quick look at some of the most common queries and provide some links to more…
Fibreglass pools fall into the bracket of “one piece pools” and, more commonly in France, “monobloc”. That is to say they arrive at your property all in one piece! Fibreglass pools are a great option for a property in France. They…
After one of the mildest Januaries on record you might be considering opening your swimming pool early this year. How can you make sure your pool is ready for a brisk spring dip? Please note this guide pertains to chlorinated…
Armed with fabulous antiques, and tenacity, Rosemary and Richard Conquest turned a dilapidated 15th-century manor into a wedding venue fit for royalty. Greg Cook has a nose around. You know you’ve created something special when visitors to your new home…
Charlotte Macdonald is an associate solicitor in Stone King’s international and cross border team. Over a new 12-part series of articles Charlotte answers legal and practical questions that are often asked by her clients in relation to France; whether that…
Are you worried about rising energy costs and the long-term effects of powering your home with climate-harming fossil fuels? Energy companies are constantly hiking their prices while the climate emergency is dominating headlines around the world. Conversely, the French government…
When the Chapmans stayed at their favourite Dordogne guesthouse on a house-hunting foray and fortuitously found it was for sale, they snapped up the pretty manor, says Nicola Venning. When Christopher and Sarah Chapman visited the Dordogne in 1990, their…
Ready to (re)build your dream home from the ground up? From planning permission to septic tanks, Stephen Davies gets down to brass tacks Q. We’ve been told we need to apply for a Certificat d’Urbanisme in order to get planning…
First lured to Gironde by friends, Brooklyn-based journalist Yolanda Edwards was seduced by Saint-Yzans-de-Médoc’s moreish fare, wine and relaxed pace of life… Why did you choose Saint-Yzans-de-Médoc? We live permanently in Brooklyn, New York, but our second home is in…
Whether you’ve been letting your property for a long time or are just starting out, it’s important to do all you can to make your property pay. Here are our top tips for making money from renting your second home…
Good news – capital gains tax (CGT) will not be affected by Brexit CGT does not apply to your principal residence but to second homes. Formerly, EU nationals with property in France paid 19% on gains from renting or selling…
Laura Habgood shares handy tips to maximise rental income in both high and low season Laura Habgood of Holiday France Direct specialises in summer lets. She advises landlords on the best way to manage their properties and how to advertise…
Restoring a derelict paper mill in Dordogne would terrify many; yet the Randalls have not only tamed this property, they’ve transformed it into a stunning luxury residence. Greg Cook gets the grand tour… It’s becoming an established fact that the…
Leaving the EU will not stop British people buying homes in France – either for a permanent move to France or for holidays. Plenty of non-EU citizens – Aussies and Americans, for example – own property in France During the…
