Welcome to the second installment of our French property buyers guide. Part one introduced the professionals involved when buying a french home. Part two focuses on the property search itself, we hope you find it useful!
Once you have made the decision to buy a house in France, the next step is to find your ideal French property. Before your property search can begin it is important to know exactly what you want the property for and to set your criteria. Here are some tips to help get you started on the search for your perfect luxury French property.
Information on French property is abundant in magazines and websites, but while it is very easy to get an idea of the type of French properties for sale and their prices, it is not always so straightforward deciding on what it is you really want.
Going through the questions in the buyer’s questionnaire from HOMEHUNTS can help to set the criteria. “We are here to help buyers purchasing French property make the right choices for their circumstances,” said Tim Swannie, Director of HOMEHUNTS. “The questionnaire really helps people who are buying property in France to focus on what they really want.”
It might seem obvious, but before viewing houses for sale in France, you need to think carefully about the location and type of French property that will be most suitable for you. Take into consideration whether your property search will be for your main residence, holiday home, rental property or an investment for the future.
Make a list of the most important elements for your French property: location, purchase price, overall size and number of rooms. Ask yourself what you really want. Do you want a cave (cellar)? Is a garage important? Would you prefer a garden, terrace or balcony? Do you want to live in a lively town or the countryside? These considerations will help you to conduct an effective property search.
“The condition of the property for sale is also an important consideration,” said Tim. “There are certain types of French properties that are not acceptable for mortgage finance – property should generally be classed as habitable, meaning structurally sound.”
French property should have electricity, mains water and drainage that conform to the current regulations. It will be more difficult to raise mortgage finance on buildings constructed of wood, stone cabanons (huts), derelict barns and properties with agricultural land. In addition, some lenders will not accept French properties that have been registered for commercial use so these things need checking.
Buying to renovate or build a luxury property demands careful pre-planning. Certain French building regulations are very different from those in other countries and permission has to be granted from the local mairie (town hall).
When you are buying a house in France for renovation (or land for a new build) it is worth bearing in mind that detailed applications must be completed for the certificat d’urbanisme (certificate of town planning and urban development) as well as other documents, which state what developments are permitted on the property and its land.
For more information on how to find your ideal luxury French property, contact HOMEHUNTS directly or pick up a copy of the company’s official Buyer’s Guide.
