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In This Month's Issue You'll Find:

Message from Alexis

Basic healthcare information for France

Recommended Resource – A new blog that concerns the cost of your overseas property (or cost to emigrate)

OGC Resource Centres March Top Tip: Always Use a Solicitor

Renting your holiday home out for some extra cash?

Protection for you and your Overseas Property

Come and collect your Full Version FREE Emigration Guide

Make sure you get value for your money

'See' you next month

Hi

I have some great news to share with you this month: my husband and I now own a beautiful house in France!  Yes, we signed on the dotted line on February 5th. We are incredibly excited at the prospect of making this grand house into a fine home.  We have a lot to do in the coming months and you can follow my progress by reading my blog at:

http://francepropertybuyingguide.blogspot.com/

Watch this space…I am so looking forward to sharing our story with you.

I have a feeling that, like me, you are waiting for some warmer weather to arrive.  The winter has been harsh hasn’t it?  We cannot wait to get down to the south of France and feel the sun on our backs.  But the days are drawing out a little and dare I say that Spring is just around the corner? If your wish for 2010 is to get your own place in France, read on, you are in just the right place.  We can help you with every aspect of this and you are always welcome to contact us for any information you might need on France.  If you have not already got your own copy of our France Buying Guide, simply click here:

http://www.francebuyingguide.com/guide.htm 

We will send you your copy straight away.

We have lots of great information for you in this month’s newsletter.  I am often asked about how the health system works in France.  It is so vital to know that you and your family are properly protected anywhere, particularly if you are living abroad.  With that in mind, you will find my piece on the medical system in France right here.  Rest assured that the health system in France is excellent, you simply have to know how to affiliate to the system and take out insurance should you need it. 

The second of my “top tips” is also here, following on from last month’s first tip on “Lifestyle”. It concerns value for money in France, one of the very first considerations for most of us.

Talking of value for money, have you had a look at the Smart Currency Exchange site?  In last month’s newsletter I mentioned how we had saved over £200 when we sent over the deposit money for our house.  Imagine my delight when we discovered we saved an unbelievable £8,000 when we sent over our completion money!  We actually asked our bank for a rate the same day and this was the difference.  We were astounded.    Smart will not only save you money though, they will give you an entirely personal service.  We dealt with one trader throughout: he was so helpful.  Take a look at Smart’s service here:

http://www.smartcurrencyexchange.com/

So now I invite you to make yourself comfy, sit back with your cup of coffee or glass of wine and read this month’s newsletter.  I hope you find it helpful.  Whatever your plans are, do please feel free to call or email me or one of the team at Overseas Guides Company.  We welcome any questions or comments or suggestions you may have and just love to hear from our readers.

Happy reading and very best wishes to you,

Alexis
France@OverseasGuidesCompany.com
France Buying Guide
The Overseas Guides Company Ltd
0207 898 0549 (call me!)

Basic healthcare information for France

The healthcare system is excellent in France, one of the world's best.  However, it is important to know about the recent changes for UK citizens who are living there and below is some information on that for you.  If you are simply going on holiday to France and have a home where you intend to go for short breaks, the best thing is to arm yourself with a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) which entitles you to necessary healthcare.  This card does not cover the cost of repatriation and you may still want to take out private health insurance, especially if you are planning to stay in your holiday home for lengthy periods.

To get an EHIC here in the UK you can apply on line at www.dh.gov.uk/travellers or you can telephone 0845 606 2030 and get them to send you one.

If you are planning to live in France the new rules do apply.  Before these new rules, anyone was eligible to join the French healthcare system.  Nothing has changed for those who have retired in the UK, in other words, you can still affiliate to the system using an E121 form via the Caisse Primaire Assurance Maladie (CPAM).  You can get this form from the Dept. for Work and Pensions (DWP) in Newcastle upon Tyne (take a look at www.dwp.gov.uk)  As long as you are in receipt of the state pension here this form will be valid.  Once you get to France you should take this form plus proof of residence in France and a form of identity  to your local CPAM office.  Most towns in France have this office but if in doubt, ask at your local mairie.  Once you are affiliated to the system you will be issued with a Carte Vitale (green card) which you have to take with you when you visit the doctor or hospital.

For those under retirement age, it is not possible to affiliate to the French system unless you have an E106 form, again available from the DWP.  This is relevant for those who are not planning to work in France and is valid for up to 2 years, after which it is wise to take out private health insurance until you reach state retirement age or you are there for 5 years, after which you will be able to affiliate to the system.

If you live AND work in France you will need to affiliate as a resident and in this case you should make provision to contribute financially.  In most cases therefore, it is wise to take out private health insurance and even the French themselves "top up" their state benefit so that they can have full use of the system.

It is worth noting that French pharmacists are excellent and offer a much fuller "service" then they do here in the UK for minor ailments.  Many medicines which are not available over the counter here in the UK are in France.

If you would like more advice on this do let us know here at OGC, that is what we are here for! Just call on 0207 898 0549.

Recommended Resource – A new blog that concerns the cost of your overseas property (or cost to emigrate)

I have exciting news about a new way that you can get current, updated educational articles about what the currency markets are doing.  Why should you care?  Well – if you’re going to emigrate or buy a property overseas you will most likely need to change your GBP into the local currency.  When doing this there are specific ways to save money and avoid risks…The new blog was specifically created to help educate people about how to go about those ‘ways’.

To view the recent monthly forecast on what the rates are doing and will be doing, check out:

http://smartcurrencyarticles.blogspot.com/2010/02/january-has-been-interesting-month-for.html

There you will find both a regular monthly newsletter and other articles that are aimed to educated the general public on avoiding exploitation by the banks. The information will give you a run down on what’s happening with the economy, both in the UK and worldwide, discussed in layman's terms that are both helpful and simple to understand. You will also find Charles Purdy’s conclusions as to whether now is a good time to buy, sell or hold tight on your euro or US dollar each month – Charles is the director of Smart Currency and has been dealing with currency, and indeed investing in property abroad himself, for many years.

Charles received a wonderful email from a gentleman named C. Scott recently.  It was in response to this monthly newsletter – that, and of course the wonderful service that Colin received when he actually used Smart to transfer his currency abroad.

Here’s what Colin had to say: 

Dear Charles,

Many thanks for your fact-full, monthly round-up of currency matters. After using SMART for my euro transfers during 2007, I can only reiterate my thanks to you and your professional colleagues, who not only saved me in excess of £14,000,(if converted via my bank!) but were absolutely spot in with the forward rates for the euro!!

I am now, after a few grey hairs and language barrier issues with Greek builders, the proud owner of a 4 bedroom monster stone house in a beautiful part of Crete! I cannot stress enough how safe and secure I felt with the knowledge that my hard earned savings were in such professional hands. I have just received a ticket to the exhibition "A Place in the Sun" at Earls Court, so if anyone asks me about currency transfer I shall be pointing them in Smart's direction!!

Many Thanks ...and kind regards

Colin.

If you haven't opened a Smart account yet it’s the number 1 recommendation that the OGC makes when it comes to saving money and avoiding unnecessary risks.  Call on freephone 0808 163 0102 (+44 0207 898 0541) or fill out the online Account Form at:
http://www.smartcurrencyexchange.com/applyOnline.aspx

OGC Resource Centres March Top Tip: Always Use a Solicitor

Speaking to our many readers on a regular basis as we at OGC do, it is not surprising that many of them eventually come to feel like close friends. I am in regular contact with one such couple and, over the years, I shared with them many of the highs and lows of buying a property abroad.

When I first spoke to them they had bought a home in Crete, with lovely views of the sea, and were excitedly planning regular visits accompanied by their grandchildren. You can imagine their horror when they visited their property as it neared completion only to discover that a block of flats had been erected in front of their home, totally obscuring their view. I must say I was utterly heartbroken on their behalf.

So…our recommended lawyer to the rescue! Sadly he found that the contract they had signed meant that they were locked into the purchase of the house – how I wished he had been able to look at this earlier…But he did check the rest of the contract to make sure all was well and then offered his services on an ongoing basis – they needed to use him for making out a Greek will for instance.

The story has a reasonably happy ending in that they have become accustomed to the house and plan to extend the patio – the grandchildren love it! The key point however is that it’s absolutely 100% necessary to get yourself a solicitor – no matter what country you’re buying in. Even if it’s not “normal procedure to use a solicitor”, you’ll want to make sure your money and assets are protected. If you need a recommendation, the OGC Resource Centre may have someone on our books in the area you plan to buy in.

The couple mentioned above sent this to me:

My wife and I would like to wish you all the very best in your venture into a new way of life with your family...I would also like to thank you and OGC for introducing me to Smart Currency who have been very helpful and as specially the lawyer who we can't thank enough for his invaluable professional help. We did ask him to accept payment for his advice but he politely refused so if you know of anything suitable as a gift his favourite tipple maybe!

Kindest Regards

Names withheld

Perhaps we can help you too?

Please contact the OGC Resources Team – you’ll get them on 0207 898 0549. You are under no obligation to use our recommendations and there is no cost involved.

Renting your holiday home out for some extra cash?

You may have bought a property abroad to stay yourself during holidays.  You may however from time to time consider renting it out. Here are a few vital tips to remember:

1. Think about employing someone to make sure the gardens and the pool are kept looking immaculate.  There is nothing more off-putting than a dirty pool and a messy garden.  You will need to factor in an extra cost for someone to keep on top of maintenance if you are not there to do it yourself.

2. It is essential that bathrooms and kitchens are clean and well stocked. Inexpensive and easy to replace cutlery, crockery and glassware are essential in the kitchen plus toilet paper and towels in the bathroom.

3. If your property is suitable for families, most now expect there to be a washing machine - and a dishwasher is necessary too. Would you want to spend half your time washing by hand or washing up after each meal when on holiday?

4. Get a decent kitchen stove. My preference is for an electric stove – people can’t leave the gas on and cause an explosion.

5. When renting out, remove all objects that are precious to you. Trust me, they will be the things that get broken first – sod’s law! Many people put a lock on a cupboard or a loft and put all valuables safely hidden away.

6. Furniture should be strong, solid and robust.  Ikea type is great, but ‘cheap as chips’ will probably turn out to be false economy.

7. You know how many people can stay in the house – in fact, when you rent it out you will no doubt specify this. Make sure there are enough chairs, crockery etc for the number of people that will be renting.

8. Spend a little extra on strong, firm yet comfortable mattresses. There is nothing like a really good, comfortable night’s sleep to make someone hasten to return or to recommend your property to friends and family.

9. Create an area and attractions guide. You’ll want to map out where the best pubs and restaurants are plus all the unmissable walks…This is just the sort of thing that makes people return time after time.

10. Throw in a welcome pack for each visitor; supply basic essentials like milk and bread together with some details of nearby shops, doctors, garages etc. Adding a bottle of the local wine cost very little but it will really endear you to your guest! (Letting agents will do this for you in you are not around)

11. You need to make sure that you are fully insured for visitors in your rental property. This is an absolute must.

12. Always ask for testimonials and feedback. That way you can correct any shortcomings and promote you property to prospective renters.

If you want a home with these qualities already built in, then I suggest you run them by your estate agent from the beginning of your search if you have not yet bought. And if you need any help – with estate agents, IFAs, insurance brokers or suchlike just call the OGC Resource Team 0207 898 0549 - there is no cost or obligation to use our recommendations.

Protection for you and your Overseas Property

Let’s face it, there has been a real backlash against having your money in the bank, and even pension schemes no longer give the security they once did. More and more people are turning to the tried and tested option of property – more specifically, property abroad. Property in the UK is an expensive commodity and, looking around, it becomes clear that you can get far more for value for money outside the UK.

So far so good, but buying abroad brings its own set of problems, and one of them is insurance. Good insurance is absolutely essential, both if you are living in your new home on a permanent basis or if you are only holidaying there. Add to the mix the fact that you may be renting it out and it has the potential of becoming a bit of a nightmare.

But you can relax…we have the name of an excellent UK company that specialises in insuring homes abroad. First recommended to us by one happy OGC reader and then another and another. I’m sure we’ve now received hundreds of recommendations to this same company. Not only that, but all policies, claims etc are in English – for me that is absolutely vital.

TO find out more information, simply follow the link below and fill out the short quote form. It will take 2 minutes and you are never under any obligation to use the service.