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Buying A Home – Rain, Sun and Weather Issues
When buying a home, it can be easy to overlook year-around weather issues. You may think you are purchasing a home in a sunny area, but come to find there is always a heavy cloud cover. This is just one of a number of weather issues to consider...
Buying Jewelry For Mother’s Day Or How To Buy The Perfect Gift For Mom Without Getting Ripped Off
Jewelry can be the perfect gift for mom on Mother’s Day, but there are pitfalls, especially if you rush at the last minute. Procrastination and a lack of knowledge can be rewarded with overpaying for a piece of jewelry or even worse, being...
How to Write Your Own Winning Resume, Using a Resume Template
The easiest way to write you own resume is by using a resume template. Don't waste time trying re-inventing the wheel. Using a resume template which has been a success for others is the best way to go. Most successful resumes have a few things in...
Keeping the Interviewer’s Attention
I was talking the other day to a physician who’s been in practice for 30 years. He’s in internal medicine, and so he “routinely” tells people they’re going to die, or that their condition is chronic and can only be managed; that they’ll have to live...
Watch Out For Those Buzzards!
Once upon a time there was a farmer down in south Georgia who kept chickens. He didn’t keep very many, in fact, he only kept four or five hens and one very lucky rooster. They were a very happy little family of chickens, they lived in a nice coup...
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Finding Your Dream Home In France
Buying a home in France can be a complex process. From finding your dream home to relocating to France there are many hurdles to overcome before you can relax and enjoy the lifestyle and beautiful environment that France is renowned for. In Part 1 of this series, Oliver Phillips of PFS France (http://www.propertyforsalefrance.co.uk/) walks you through the process of finding and making an offer on your dream home in France.
Finding your new French property is the first hurdle. Assuming you have an idea what you want, in which location and how much you can afford, the easiest route to searching for properties is often via the Internet using a reputable French property website. The advantages are obvious; a good website will not only offer a large database of properties currently for sale, they will offer multiple photos of the property's exterior, interior and grounds together with comprehensive narrative about the property itself. Also it will often have a search facility through which you can view properties that match your specific criteria, and often offer additional benefits such as email notification of new properties, newsletters and other information to help you in your search. Of course the big advantage is that you can build a shortlist of potential properties without having to visit France, saving you money from the start. Whether you use the Internet or not, when considering a property, make sure you get photos and information before you view the property. You can cut down on wasted trips and expense this way.
When buying a property in France, unlike in the UK, it is often normal for the Buyer to pay all the fees. These comprise the estate agent fee and the notary fee (who perform the conveyance). Fees can be around 15% of the purchase cost of the property, which on a €150,000 purchase represents an additional €22,500 in fees. If you can deal direct with the owner, and not buy through an estate agent, you could save around 6% or €9000 on the same €150,000
property. This is an increasingly popular option and is possible since sellers are not tied in to a single agent. Again you are likely to find properties advertised for sale by owner on a French property website such as PFS France.
If you are looking for good value for money, consider looking for property in areas that you haven't previously visited and are not familiar with. Certain areas command premiums only because they are widely known and popular. You can often get an equivalent property in another region for much less.
You should also consider getting to know the area before you buy. Talk to people who have already purchased their home, holiday in the area, or even rent for a period and meet the neighbours before you finalise your decision. As with any property purchase, your neighbours will be a part of your life once you've bought your new home.
Try to negotiate. Contact a local valuer to get an impartial opinion. This will cost money, but will provide you with a neutral view of the properties value, and possibly a stronger bargaining position so may pay for itself many times over.
Most importantly, consider taking independent legal advice, through another notary or a UK based specialist. The vendor instructs the notary who acts in the sale of the property. They are acting in the conveyance of the title only and not for either side. You would be well advised to appoint a specialist to act specifically in your interest, and finally, just as in the UK get the property inspected by a qualified buildings surveyor. Unexpected bills could take the shine off your dream home very quickly.
Copyright 2005 Oliver Phillips. May be freely reproduced "as-is" for private and commercial use.
About the Author
Oliver Phillips works for PFS France (http://www.propertyforsalefrance.co.uk/) a business that helps French property owners advertise and sell, and potential buyers find, some of the finest and best cared for traditional French properties available.
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