A Note from
Me (the author) 1
Overseas
Property Buying in France – How to Read this Guide 5
Part 1: Getting
Ready to Buy in France: The Steps 9
1. Set your Intention
9
2. Consider your Finances 11
3. Fine tune Your Objective 12
4. Research your Target Location by Reading 14
5. Begin to Absorb the Language (if possible) 15
6. Become an Information Hog 20
7. Contact the Professionals 22
8. Money and Banking 27
9. Currency Exchange 31
10. Go to France! 35
11. Fill out a Smart Property Details Sheet for each Property
40
Part 2:
Areas of France: Individual overview 42
1. Alsace-Lorraine
and Franche-Comte 44
2. Brittany and Normandy 46
3. Burgundy 48
4. Centre 50
5. Champagne-Ardenne 51
6. The Dordogne (or Dordogneshire) (actually Aquitaine!) 53
7. Languedoc-Roussillon 55
8. Limousin and Auvergne 57
9. Midi-Pyrenees 59
10. Nord Pas De Calais & Picardy 62
11. Paris & Ile De France 64
12. Pays De La Loire 66
13. Poitou-Charentes 67
14. Provence-Alpes-Cote D’Azur 69
15. Rhones-Alpes 70
Part 3: The
Buying Process in France Made Simple 73
1. Introduction
73
2. Prices 73
3. Estate Agents 73
4. The Role of the Notaire 73
5. Buying your house 74
6. How long does it take? 74
7. The “compromis” (first contract) 74
8. “Clauses suspensives” 75
9. Searches and surveys 75
10. The final signing 75
Bilingual glossary of usual and legal terms 76
Part 4:
Top Tips for French Property Buyers! 77
For Everyone 77
If you’re emigrating to France: 78
If you’re having your property built 78
If you’re buying a new build property 78
If you’re going to rent your property out: 79
Part 5: Purchasing
Property in France for Investment 80
Investment Objectives
80
Where to Invest? 84
Buying a Plot of Land and Planning Permission 87
Reasons for and Against Investing in France 89
Part 6: Miscellaneous
90
What to Do When
Buying in France 90
What NOT to Do When Buying in France 91
Handy Emergency Information 92
Home Making: 93
Part 7:
Finding a Property – Let The Overseas Guides Company Help
You 100
