France

Mortgage Case Study

Dave and Nicola from Surrey share their experience as they relocate to South of France, showing us the kind of deals that were around and what mortgage was available to them.

9 April 2010

Builders guarantees in France

We give you the lowdown on builder's guarantees in France, to make sure your building project goes smoothly.

1 March 2010

Meet the taxi driver

Simon Byrne, and his wife, Heather, swapped Oxfordshire for Savoie in the Alps in 2003. Simon tells us about his seasonal ski transfer firm that brings in enough to live on all year.

1 February 2010

Budgeting in France

Many choose to retire overseas for financial benefit. With the net-value of pensions becoming an increasing concern for over-50s and despite recent drops in UK property prices, many UK retirees are considered 'asset rich, cash poor'. France however, has traditionally been considered an expensive place to move, so what are the best ways to ensure that your dream doesn't become a strain?

1 February 2010

Taxes and charges when buying in France

If you're thinking about buying a holiday home in France you'll need to set aside an average of 10% of your budget for taxes. Our guide will tell you how these sums break down and what you should expect to pay when.

1 January 2010

The buying process in France

If you're considering buying an older property in France there are several reports the vendor must supply you with by law. Some of these checks are the vendors responsibility but others are optional for you to complete. To help you work out who does what, we've put together a fact sheet

1 December 2009

Should you choose an International school?

With so many options in a different education, it can be tricky to make the right choice for your child. Do you go for an English-speaking international school or a local French school? We've put together a fact sheet to help you make a more informed decision

1 November 2009

Meet the High Flyers !

In 2005 Jon Hales and his partner Beth, from Surrey starred on A Place in the Sun. They've since transformed an old bakery in Spain

1 October 2009

Making your French property eco-friendly

If you're thinking of renovating property in France there are government grants available if you  want to put in a more eco-friendly system. So, you could be entitled  to a subsidy potentially saving yourself thousands of pounds. To find  out if you qualify and for more information, we've put together this handy guide...

1 October 2009

Schooling in France

If you want to enrol your children at a French school, here's our handy guide on everything you need to know.

1 September 2009

France still a favourite

France is attracting cash-rich bargain-hunters looking for somewhere safe to deposit their money. That is according to a foreign currency broker which last month noticed a surge inmoney transfers for overseas property purchases in Europe, notably in the French regions of Provence, Dordogne and the Alps. The average amount being transferred was 220,000, said Currencies Direct. Another,lesser-known region in France has landed on the British buyers radar Charente in mid-west France.

5 August 2009

Merci for my mortgage

If youre keen to buy in France but worried you might not be able to get a mortgage there, heres some encouraging news. Frances number one mortgage broker and a leading French bank last month announced that the opportunities for British buyers to get finance are as good as they were before the credit crunch began last autumn.

3 August 2009