FabSwingers.com forum: Looking to buy in France

By *ndyandMandy OP Couple
over a year ago

swansea

Contemplating a move to France somewhere a tad warmer but not the South off France too far from the UK

Any suggestions, pitfalls etc?

Is it expensive to buy in France? Whilst we appreciate the properties are reasonable is it expensive, buying fees etc?

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"Contemplating a move to France somewhere a tad warmer but not the South off France too far from the UK

Any suggestions, pitfalls etc?

Is it expensive to buy in France? Whilst we appreciate the properties are reasonable is it expensive, buying fees etc?

I assume that you are moving permanently?

If that is the case then first and foremost do research on:

1. French requirements for third country nationals

2. Have sufficient resources to qualify

3. Have comprehensive medical cover in place from day1

4. You are supposed to register with the authorities from day 1 if moving permanently

5. Need to change your driving licences within 12 months

6. Register with French tax authorities

7. Look to register in the healthcare system- could take up to a year.

Ok that's the admin side, now for the property side:

1 legal fees allow 10% of property value

2. You have to pay a deposit again up to 10% once you make an offer. If you pull out you lose it. If seller pulls they pay you it.

3. Work in France can be expensive, mainly because tax is high so if you need renovations done you get several estimates (devis). You generally pay upto 30% up front and balance when job done.

4. Open a bank account asap

5. Use a specialist FX company as opposed to a UK bank money has to be with the notaire before completion.

6. There is a cooling off period- used to be 10 days after signing the "promise to buy" where both parties can walk away no penalties

7. Surveys are not common in France but the agency can recommend one if you want one.

That's enough as a starter. Bonne chance!

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By *aelic funMan
over a year ago

Carlisle Dumfries

Consider SW France such as Charente, Charente Maritime or Gironde.

Roughly the second highest number of hours of sunshine in France. We'd 24 at the weekend, although it's dropped to 15/16.

Go buy Living France magazine which not only has ads from French estate agents but it includes stories of Brits who have already made the move, and there are lots of helpful articles.

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By *ndyandMandy OP Couple
over a year ago

swansea

"Consider SW France such as Charente, Charente Maritime or Gironde.

Roughly the second highest number of hours of sunshine in France. We'd 24 at the weekend, although it's dropped to 15/16.

Go buy Living France magazine which not only has ads from French estate agents but it includes stories of Brits who have already made the move, and there are lots of helpful articles.

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By *eachfellaMan
over a year ago

France

I live in France.

1. Go as far south as you can if you want warmer weather.

2. Keep your eye on Brexit for the sake of documentation, and also for currency exchange which can cost you thousands.

3. Budget 8-10% for fees.

4.DON'T buy unless the vendor is paying the agents fees.

5. Be prepared for loads of bureaucracy when buying, and get yourself a good Notaire.

6. Smile and make friends with everyone you meet, and fit in with the local French people, they are lovely

Don't worry about being a long way south from Britain, French roads are fabulous and there are a lot of airports.Flying is cheaper than driving and less time consuming.

Avoid Northern France, weather same as UK. We live in South West near the Pyrenees, very green and lush, inexpensive, and around 280 days of sunshine, even in winter. Right now we are getting average days of 20c but much warmer in sheltered south facing parts of the garden, but nights are still cold at the moment, so heating essential.

Our house is 4 bed 4 bath detached with large garden and meadow, barn, south facing, 200 metres from nearest neighbour so nudity no problem.

Good luck!

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By *ndyandMandy OP Couple
over a year ago

swansea

"I live in France.

1. Go as far south as you can if you want warmer weather.

2. Keep your eye on Brexit for the sake of documentation, and also for currency exchange which can cost you thousands.

3. Budget 8-10% for fees.

4.DON'T buy unless the vendor is paying the agents fees.

5. Be prepared for loads of bureaucracy when buying, and get yourself a good Notaire.

6. Smile and make friends with everyone you meet, and fit in with the local French people, they are lovely

Don't worry about being a long way south from Britain, French roads are fabulous and there are a lot of airports.Flying is cheaper than driving and less time consuming.

Our house is 4 bed 4 bath detached with large garden and meadow, barn, south facing, 200 metres from nearest neighbour so nudity no problem.

Good luck!"

Loving your last sentence may we be so bold as to ask how much that cost you ?

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By *edonistsatplayCouple
over a year ago

Portsmouth, North Brittany, France

If you want to get rough ideas on prices etc try having a look at leboncoin.fr

A lot of French folk (apparently) prefer using this to sell houses as it cuts out the agents commission but you will still need a Notaire to conduct the purchase for you.

As it was said previously, make the effort to be part of the commune, you will reap the benefits when sorting stuff out. If its a small village, someone will always know someone!

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By *ucianpoundCouple
over a year ago

Cap d’Agde, France

Our advice would be to try and buy in an area where the French want to live.

Very many Brits came to France 10 to 30 years ago and were seduced by some fantastically picturesque properties with acres of land selling for a song.

Time and money was spent turning these places into beautiful homes but problems started to happen when they tried to sell.

In many cases people had bought these properties cheap because the French didn't want to live there anyway.

We have many friends, especially in the Lot and Dordogne who have been trying to sell their properties for the last 10 years or more, reducing and reducing the price to no effect.

You may pay more but find an area where there are plenty of French about, that way if you need to sell in the future you might find that your investment has increased and the buyers are knocking on your door.

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By *asques and boxersCouple
over a year ago

Ashford and dept16

The Charente is lovely 6.5 hours from channel tunnel but 4 hours from ports flights are reasonable. We bought november confirm everything previously said we don't aim to live full time.

Just most of the summer.

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By *coptoCouple
over a year ago

Côte d'Azur & Great Yarmouth

As has been suggested, no point in living in France unless you ARE in the South, we’re at the moment about 20 km from St Tropez drinking coffee on our balcony overlooking the Îles d'Hyères. Properties away from the coast are no more expensive than anywhere else (we opted for a small duplex near the beach, the alternative would have been a villa in the mountains plus swimming pool, with much higher maintenance costs), in bigger towns the chains like Castorama (the French B & Q) are cheaper than the UK equivalents, and foodstuffs everywhere much better quality. Travel not really a problem, we normally drive but take a couple of days doing it; don’t forget that once established you only need to fly with hand luggage, a couple of weeks ago I flew Ryanair from Nice to Stansted at a return faire of 32.21 euros! And for once they were on time...

BREXIT will really complicate things, for starters we’ll only be allowed to stay for 90 days in any six-month period. Unless, of course, you go the Titre de Séjour route, which obliges you to stay in France for 183 days per year. But that means you’ll be out of the UK for more than six months which brings its own problems.

But, most importantly, you MUST speak French. Do that and you’ll make wonderful friends, enjoy like us sitting outside a café with your croissant reading the newspaper. Otherwise you’ll be stuck in an ex-pat community moaning about how much better things are in the UK and being ripped off by the locals. Make the Move!

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By *anejohnkent6263Couple
over a year ago

canterbury

Just buying house south west of limoges in national park ..heaven ...

Cheaper property but don't look to make massive..profits like UK...it is a home not a bank ...best of luck

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"Just buying house south west of limoges in national park ..heaven ...

Cheaper property but don't look to make massive..profits like UK...it is a home not a bank ...best of luck"

But your a brexiteer! Why are you wanting to be a migrant in France?

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By *anejohnkent6263Couple
over a year ago

canterbury

Are britex people only allowed to stay in UK then...we will have house in UK house in france and place at the cap....is that ok with u

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By *uxinteriorMan
over a year ago

south west , continental

"Just buying house south west of limoges in national park ..heaven ...

Cheaper property but don't look to make massive..profits like UK...it is a home not a bank ...best of luck"

a beautiful part of France an excellent choice.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"Are britex people only allowed to stay in UK then...we will have house in UK house in france and place at the cap....is that ok with u"

Just curious why someone so passionate about Brexit should want a place in France, especially as the FoM rules will be applied to TCN'S 90/180 days, IDP's etc!

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By *asques and boxersCouple
over a year ago

Ashford and dept16

Not sure there will be that much difference unless you stay for longer periods due to brexit as said previously. Of course we would of preferred it to remain under current travel rules but c'est la vie.

Main concern will be the exchange rate and effects on cheap travel currency controls and goods. Might have to purchase in spain as well, to keep the sun for longer!! Pretty sure where there is a will there's a way we owned in Cyprus for many years while they were non EU that worked well fear is always worse than hope.

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By *anejohnkent6263Couple
over a year ago

canterbury

The one thing that will deffo happen is things will cost more but hey life is a bitch ...head down arse up and deal with it ....im not sure much will change ...lots of guessing going on with little fact....who knows ....all I do know is that with so many ..shit scared Brits about many bargains to be snapped up

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"The one thing that will deffo happen is things will cost more but hey life is a bitch ...head down arse up and deal with it ....im not sure much will change ...lots of guessing going on with little fact....who knows ....all I do know is that with so many ..shit scared Brits about many bargains to be snapped up "

Yes your quite correct there are a lot of British panicking about Brexit! It is estimated that up to 50% of British permanently living in France are "illegal", they haven't followed the FoM rules and consequently, are now having to meet said rules! Already people have been refused the right to residency in France so yes some are indeed desperate!

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By *meraldisle400Man
over a year ago

London

There is an article in the property section of today's Daily Telegrapgh on how Brexit will affect buying in Europe.

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By *istalloverCouple
over a year ago

Pays de la Loire -Normandie -Brittany borderFrance

It doesnt matter what part of France you choose,

Research everything,facebook groups for the area you are looking at are a good method of info.

The only thing that matters is that you are both happy .

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By *asques and boxersCouple
over a year ago

Ashford and dept16

"It doesnt matter what part of France you choose,

Research everything,facebook groups for the area you are looking at are a good method of info.

The only thing that matters is that you are both happy .

Spot on the one rule in life worth obeying

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By *ak and PineCouple
over a year ago

bristol

We are pretty new to fab and just found the forums , we love France and travel to Saint-Hilaire-Du-Harcouet a lot, in fact we’re going again on the 16th April if anyone is nearby for a glass of wine.

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By *panishswingersCouple
over a year ago

granada spain

We looked around France but unless you go south weather is like uk so we gave up looking in France moved to southern Spain weather better and plenty of flights back to uk I commuted to Spain uk for a year never really had problems getting flights.weather much nicer and houses cheaper if you go away from the big towns

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By *otdoggieCouple
over a year ago

Tenby

Most important of all is that you tell them you’re Welsh - pay de gales.

Then all will be ok lol

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By *eekendsCouple
over a year ago

Darlington

do not rush in and buy, rent first and see if you can settle also completely different lifestyle can be very quiet even in the resorts for 8 months of the year, also French houses are much colder than british ones with high ceilings so take some heating up, just be careful

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"do not rush in and buy, rent first and see if you can settle also completely different lifestyle can be very quiet even in the resorts for 8 months of the year, also French houses are much colder than british ones with high ceilings so take some heating up, just be careful "

That's good advice; we're looking to probably buy a place and semi retire over there in the next couple of years so it's a good point.

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By *entakuruMan
over a year ago

Exeter

"Our advice would be to try and buy in an area where the French want to live.

Very many Brits came to France 10 to 30 years ago and were seduced by some fantastically picturesque properties with acres of land selling for a song.

Time and money was spent turning these places into beautiful homes but problems started to happen when they tried to sell.

In many cases people had bought these properties cheap because the French didn't want to live there anyway.

We have many friends, especially in the Lot and Dordogne who have been trying to sell their properties for the last 10 years or more, reducing and reducing the price to no effect.

This is good advice.

Also be very careful if you intend to cover times when it may be empty by renting it out as French law tends to be heavily skewed against landlords.

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By *entakuruMan
over a year ago

Exeter

Also trying to find somewhere near an airport that serves your local airport in the UK would be a good move as you might find driving over every time gets expensive, it is generally easier to keep a car in France then fly back and forth, plus if you want to stand a better chance of seeing your friends from home more frequently then being a short hop from the airport at both ends really helps.

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By *entakuruMan
over a year ago

Exeter

"Most important of all is that you tell them you’re Welsh - pay de gales.

Then all will be ok lol"

If you're from Pays de Galles then you're 'Gallois/Galloise'

If you speak Welsh have you considered Brittany? AFAIK the local language is mostly the same (when spoken but looks different written down!)

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By *ndyandMandy OP Couple
over a year ago

swansea

"Most important of all is that you tell them you’re Welsh - pay de gales.

Then all will be ok lol

If you're from Pays de Galles then you're 'Gallois/Galloise'

If you speak Welsh have you considered Brittany? AFAIK the local language is mostly the same (when spoken but looks different written down!) "

Yes but rather travel further South even Basque Country

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By *ucianpoundCouple
over a year ago

Cap d’Agde, France

If you buy within 30 minutes of Cap D'Agde you'll always have somewhere to go at _eekends throughout the year and from now until September the place is a magnet for anglophones.

The local airport (20 minutes from the Cap) will fly you to loads of UK airports and there are another 3 airports within 70 minutes drive that also serve the UK, plus TGV and motorway links.

You can get the Mediterranean and swing lifestyle combined without being isolated somewhere both socially and geographically.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

What is there at Saint-Hilaire-Du-Harcouet?

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By *aelic funMan
over a year ago

Carlisle Dumfries

Geographically Mont St Michel is the main attraction.

Is that what you meant ?

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

If you have any questions with regards to building then please feel free to ask away as my husband is a renovation expert here in France and I’m his PA.

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By *istalloverCouple
over a year ago

Pays de la Loire -Normandie -Brittany borderFrance

"What is there at Saint-Hilaire-Du-Harcouet?"

a great market on a Wednesday.an hour or two to walk around in the summer ,a few plait de jours bars 3 or 4 coarses 12 € each on average including wine .street entertainment too on sunny days .get there early as the place closes between 12 and 2.

Kim and Steve

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By *ak and PineCouple
over a year ago

bristol

Saint-Hilaire-Du-Harcouet Is a great place , a bit of a sleepy town in the winter bit they do have the golden arch now so it must be up and coming .we have a project that we are still working on nearby which is a great place to escape to and have fun. 50600 is the area code

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Lot's of good information here . I think our best bet is not to buy and store our caravan in South West France . The thought has crossed our minds many times but we think we like moving around to much . But towing from Huddersfield twice a year has got to stop .

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By *itrightnowMan
over a year ago

cardiff

"Lot's of good information here . I think our best bet is not to buy and store our caravan in South West France . The thought has crossed our minds many times but we think we like moving around to much . But towing from Huddersfield twice a year has got to stop ."

Go to the vendee area lush beach and lots of big towns. And the weathers good. I spend all of August in bretinollis sur mer. Love it there.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

There are some specialist insurers that will cover 365 days abroad, but read the small print! Some policies require that the caravan is serviced annually, also security and storage requirements! If storing you should be aware that a French vehicle cannot legally tow an English insured caravan. Continental caravans are insured like cars - have their own number plates and log book.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Thank you for all your good advice .

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By *anejohnkent6263Couple
over a year ago

canterbury

If it's a life choice go for it we just have ....it's great ....but a lot slower way of life

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By *manda321TV/TS
over a year ago

Carmarthen

try and buy privately it avoids estate agents fees which you the purchaser pay ,le bon coin webpages are a good place to look , if you are looking to fly in be aware some airports are open only summer months and some winter months ie, beach season and ski season , i live part year near toulouse flights from bristol year round and reasonable if you think ahead .drop me a pm if i can help with any specific questions

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"try and buy privately it avoids estate agents fees which you the purchaser pay ,le bon coin webpages are a good place to look , if you are looking to fly in be aware some airports are open only summer months and some winter months ie, beach season and ski season , i live part year near toulouse flights from bristol year round and reasonable if you think ahead .drop me a pm if i can help with any specific questions "

Notaires often have properties for sale too! Look in their offices and no commission to pay!

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By *manda321TV/TS
over a year ago

Carmarthen

Oh further thinking use a money transfer service way cheaper than the bank and get yourself a French bank account credit Agricole has an English service britline very useful and helpful. As do EDF electricity supplier.

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By *ucianpoundCouple
over a year ago

Cap d’Agde, France

In the UK the seller pays the estate agent, in France the buyer pays, even when it says that the fees are included in the price you still pay.

Generally the estate agent fee is between 4 and 6% of the buying price.

The notaire fees are 8% of the buying price.

We sold in the UK and the combined fees for estate agent and solicitor were less than 1%.

We bought in France and the combined fees were 12%

Most of this goes in taxes to the Town hall and Government.

A good way to save money is to conclude the sale of your property after 1st January.

Whoever owns the property on the 1st January is libel for the local taxes for that year. In our case that's 2500 euros.

The seller might be keen to conclude the sale before this date if buying at the end of the year so there's possible room for price negotiation

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"In the UK the seller pays the estate agent, in France the buyer pays, even when it says that the fees are included in the price you still pay.

Generally the estate agent fee is between 4 and 6% of the buying price.

The notaire fees are 8% of the buying price.

We sold in the UK and the combined fees for estate agent and solicitor were less than 1%.

We bought in France and the combined fees were 12%

Most of this goes in taxes to the Town hall and Government.

A good way to save money is to conclude the sale of your property after 1st January.

Whoever owns the property on the 1st January is libel for the local taxes for that year. In our case that's 2500 euros.

The seller might be keen to conclude the sale before this date if buying at the end of the year so there's possible room for price negotiation"

But the new purchaser pays a proportion of the taxes, which is why the notaire asks for the last statement? So if completion is say June 50% is collected by the notaire and paid to the vendor. All detailed in the notaires statement at completion!

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