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| France Buying Guide Newsletter |
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Spring has well and truly arrived now and I hope you had a lovely Easter break. I am sure I speak for many of us when I say at this time of the year our thoughts turn to: where shall I go next? I shall be hopping over to France soon to check out some more lovely areas that hopefully will interest you: watch this space for my next story … Do check out Air France by the way, they offer a superb service. A quick reminder: as from March 26th this year, they started a brand new route from London City Airport to Nice and also Geneva. So whether you are looking for some Spring ski-ing in Verbier, Chamonix, Morzine, La Clusaz etc. or feel like the hot sun on your skin in Nice, this will make it that much easier. City Airport is sleek, modern and easy to get to. Just click on Air France and you will get lots more info. (a P.S. here: see my Service Review later on in this newsletter!) I am always looking for your stories and experiences so when you are happily ensconced on your French terrace, don’t forget to keep me posted, just ping me a mail and get your creative thoughts into place. You will find me at: Alexis@overseasguidescompany.com I promise to read every one… Happy reading! Mail me at:
Alexis@OverseasGuidesCompany.com In this
newsletter you will find the following topics: • Currency Exchange: Currency Update - Euro vs Sterling • Top Tip: A little help with greeting customs • Top
Frequently Asked Question |
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TEN IMPORTANT TIPS, ONE BY ONE, FOR YOU IN YOUR FRENCH PROPERTY SEARCH!1. Research First and foremost, narrow down your search to a definite area by gleaning as much information as you can - check out our France Buying Guide and visit at different times of the year. Keep in mind your pocket and the lifestyle you are seeking and match them up! 2. Money Make sure to open an account (this is free) with Smart Currency Exchange. You can call them on freephone: 0808 163 0102. By obtaining the very best rate and being exclusively niched in the property market, Smart will most definitely save you a lot of money. You can reserve money at the most favourable rate, for example, and pay for it later. An absolute must for all currency exchanges, particularly when it comes to actual property purchase. 3. Hunting Fill out our property form (http://www.francebuyingguide.com/property.htm) and we will help you find the best agent for your requirements. We only work with reputable, experienced agents that you can trust. 4. Offer You can always make an offer lower than the asking price. Try to compare prices with comparables and work out what you feel is a good offer without going so low that it is not worth a consideration! 5. First contract Once your offer is accepted, the first contract is prepared, the “compromise de vente” and a deposit, usually 10% is paid. 6. Solicitors At this point
it is advisable to take legal advice from a reputable, English speaking
solicitor. Email me at: Alexis@overseasguidescompany.com
and I will do my best to find you a suitable solicitor, experienced
in French law. 7. Cooling off period After the first contract has been signed, there is always a 7 day cooling off period after which you will lose your deposit, normally 10% of the asking price. 8. Searches In France the conveyancing period usually lasts about 3 months and is taken care of by the notaire. This is fairly standard and it is unusual for it to be done in any shorter period than this. 9. Fees You should allow at least 10% on top of the purchase price for the notaire’s and agents fees. This is worked out on a sliding scale according to the price of the property. 10. Completion day Once the date is fixed, the completion money will be paid to the notaire and the deed of sale of “acte de vente” will be signed by all parties. This customarily takes place in the notaire’s office. The notaire will read out the deeds in detail, a semi-formal affair, after which you will receive the keys to your new property! PS I suppose I could add an “11” here to say “open gorgeous bottle of Bordeaux to toast your new home” – but I am quite sure you don’t need me to tell you that …! Happy French living!
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Currency
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Top Tip - A little help with greeting customsWhen you meet someone, it is customary to shake hands and address them as “vous”. Once you get to know them, the “tu” form will come into play – and expect to be kissed on both cheeks. An interesting point: did you know that the number of kisses varies from region to region? For example, it should be 4 times (twice on each cheek) in Paris and some areas of the south. Reasoning behind this? It represents: God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit and Mary. If in doubt, proffer your cheek and be led by your new French friend (who knows where!)
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Top Frequently Asked Question / Burning QuestionQuestion: I need to make calls from my mobile but how can I avoid the expense when I am in France? Answer: It is an ongoing bone of contention with many of us that we are so grossly overcharged for not only making but receiving calls on our mobiles when we are abroad. There is sometimes talk of a drastic cost cutting exercise but until that actually happens, get yourself a Sim4travel card before you go by clicking on this link: For a small initial charge you will save ££££ on all your calls whilst abroad anywhere and you will receive calls for FREE by avoiding all those nasty roaming charges we all hate. |
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Air France ReviewI am often asked to recommend airlines to France and with the huge opening up of regional airports in France, coupled with a choice of budget airline services, Air France comes up trumps time and time again despite these developments… or possibly because of them?! Air France are constantly reviewing their flight schedules as well as the comfort of their fleet. Here are some interesting facts which may well make you take a look at their website the next time you are planning your trip to France:
In these days of more stressful travel I have consistently found Air France to provide a top class service. I didn’t mention the food on board but this is fresher than I have found on any other airline – with dare I say it a far greater choice of wines. They are not French for nothing! To find out more just click on this link: Happy French flying! |
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We would love to hear from you… We have so enjoyed all your questions and comments since our last newsletter went out – keep ‘em coming! Seems it is not only the weather that is hotting up, but our desire to get away either for holidays or permanently and France is still way up there on the list – to leave you with a quick thought: did you know that International Living magazine in the US put France way up top in their annual quality of life index (UK came 37th!) A bientot! If I can be of any assistance at all, please just email me at Alexis@OverseasGuidesCompany.com Alexis |