| Properties of the week |
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| |  | | Superb thatched property recently restored to a high standard... | | | €299,600 | | Morbihan | | | |  | | Renovated Two Bedroom Character Property – Beams, Exposed... | | | €172,800 | | Morbihan | | | |  | | Tasteful 3 bedroom stone barn conversion ideally located just... | | | €183,600 | | Cotes d Armor | | | |  | | Traditional Stone House with Garden | | | €245,000 | | Aude | | | |  | | Elegant and beautifully presented town house in lovely village... | | | €172,800 | | Charente | | | |  | | Aristocratic town centre house with secret garden | | | €256,800 | | Vienne | | | |  | | Lovely detached stone house in rural Brittany. Quiet location... | | | €141,700 | | Cotes d Armor | | | |  | | The ideal renovation – somewhere to live, something to renovate... | | | €176,040 | | Cotes d Armor | |
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2007-12-01 15:07:51 - 2008 COULD BE THE BEST TIME TO BUY IN FRANCE FOR MANY YEARS.
We are reinforcing the Trevor's Tip for December and continuing it in the light of circumstances. If you are looking to buy in France now really is the time. The London Olympia show was the best for 5 years, 27000 people interested in buying in France came! President Sarkozy has made three important changes which will have a positive impact on the French property market. He has abolished inheritance tax for perhaps 90% of French families, and he has introduced a version of MIRAS tax relief for new house purchase. In addition we understand he is changing the succession laws to allow a family majority decision on selling property rather than the previous requirement for unanimity. These three changes mean that it is easier and more beneficial for French families to sell old property as they can reinvest the money in a new house with tax benefits, which can then be left with little death duty penalty to the children. We expect a lot of previously unavailable old character housing stock to come on the market in 2008 - this represents great news and great choice for the buyer. In addition to that, the price adjustments that we have seen in the mid and high price market, we expect to continue into 2008 so across the board there will be good choice and good pricing - so now’s the time to get in touch with us and plan your viewing visit for 2008.
Have a marvellous Christmas!”
2007-07-23 19:37:58 - If you are looking to buy, don’t be put off by the natural lower inflation levels of the property market during the first six months of 2007 – a presidential election always creates an atmosphere of uncertainty and many French sellers waited until the result was known before they put their houses on the market.
Since the elections, we have seen an increase in sales to record levels in June and July and are expecting demand to continue during the rest of 2007.
With French house prices still well below those of their European neighbours, the increase in demand will cause prices to rise, particularly in the lower end of the market. So now is the time to look at the lower price end in terms of making a quick buy and renovating for a sale in 2008.
On the other hand, prices at the top end of the market have never really dropped, but reductions in taxation can only increase demand. Now is the time to stretch your budget as far as possible and buy and invest!’
2007-07-10 17:43:43 - CONVERSIONS - be informed before you start.
One of the joys of living in rural France is the pleasure of being part of a community. Small wonder then that many buyers are people retiring from the UK, or planning their retirements by buying a property to refurbish over the next few years. Not only do they rediscover the community spirit that has sadly disappeared from so many parts of Britain, the move also releases equity from their British home, with which to enjoy their retirement. They are financially better off in the process.
As part of a small community, you want to do things properly - to start on the right note. You may be buying a property that needs little work, but restoring an older building can also be an enormously satisfying and rewarding experience.
In general you will find that the French planning authorities welcome the British interest, and have a positive and helpful attitude towards refurbishment proposals. Although the language barrier may make it difficult for them to express this, they are delighted to see abandoned buildings refurbished, particularly when the work is done with due care and consideration and in keeping with the local style. If you can speak French, obviously this will help immensely!
If you have bought a property that has already been used as a dwelling but wish to change the external appearance in any way, you will need to make a Déclaration de Travaux. This is the basic form of planning application in France, which has to be accompanied by drawings and/or photographs to illustrate the proposed changes. Location and site plans are also required. A response is guaranteed within 1 month - and you are entitled to assume approval of your proposals if you have not heard to the contrary within that period.
If, however, you want to convert the whole or a part of a building that has never been lived in, or you want to make additions to an existing dwelling that amount to more than 20m2 in gross floor area, you will need to make an application for a Permis de Construire.
This is a more detailed application requiring a full set of drawings (floor plans, sections and elevations), showing the building(s) 'as existing' and 'as proposed', together with location and site plans. Gross and net floor areas have to be calculated,; and a written statement describing the proposals in the context of the local environment (with photographs), a plan of the gardens and grounds including site levels, and a freehand sketch of the property as it will look after the refurbishment, all have to be submitted.
The timescale for a decision is normally 2 months, although this is extended to 3 months if the property is in an area where the Bâtiments de France (broadly the equivalent of English Heritage) must be consulted. Our experience is that applications are decided within that period; and the conservation architects of Bâtiments de France (where involved) are generally more sympathetic and positive in their approach than many of their English counterparts.
Before you embark on a project, check whether the property is within an area covered by a specific Local Plan (Plan d'Occupation des Sols, POS). Such a plan may contain policies fundamentally relevant to what you want to do. Don't assume all buildings in the countryside can be converted to residential use. There are rules that discourage the conversion of more isolated agricultural buildings, unless the proposal is to create gîtes or to promote tourism in general.
Any planning application made now will immediately trigger questions about any private drainage systems at the property, and whether it conforms with the Jan 2005 regulations. The majority of older systems don't. Failing to deal with this issue at the outset can cause delays.
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French property and houses for sale in France by the French estate agents - 08700 11 51 51 |
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