Posts Tagged ‘real estate in france’

There are many so called French property consultants based in the UK who are more than happy to help you achieve your dream of property ownership in France, however many of them are also very happy to lighten your wallet along the way.

French property sales to the British is now seriously big business and as with all industries that see a substantial growth in a short period of time, more players are tempted in to that market place to try get a slice of the action.

Unfortunately for the opportunist player, getting established in France as an estate agent (Agent Immobilier) is a long and complicated process, as the industry is heavily regulated. Not just anyone is allowed to rent a shop, stick pictures of houses in the window and call themselves an estate agent. So for these players it is much easier to be based in the UK, away from the beady eyes of the French tax, social security and regulatory authorities and try and make it work for them that way.

After four years of substantial growth in the French property market we now see many British based businesses in the market place. Some claim to be French estate agents (Illegal unless they are a French business registered at the Prefecture as an immobilier); some want to charge you a huge consultancy fee (Not illegal, unless they ask for it after the seven days cooling off period has finished), and some even charge you to show you properties which is completely illegal in France but all the these players have one thing in common – they have some or all of their business based in the UK. And why is this? Because if they were based in France they would more than likely be closed down.

So what can you, the French property hunter do to protect yourself from a lot of sharp practises within the industry?

The following occurrences should set off alarm bells:-

Being asked to pay to register to receive property details

Being asked to pay to view properties

Being asked to pay any money to anyone before the 7 day cooling off period has finished

Being asked to meet an agent anywhere other than their office, e.g. in a car park

Being asked to pay a second fee on top of the normal French estate agency fee for services that a registered agent or Notaire would provide you as part of their normal service

In short the only real way to protect yourself is to deal directly with a French registered Immobilier and best of all one who is a member of one of the two main trade bodies in France for estate agents, either FNAIM or SNPI. Only by dealing with a local registered immobilier are guaranteed to get a professional service for a fair fee.

Author: Mark Russell
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: Digital Camera News

Luxury real estate in France is very much sought after as it has continued to be for a great number of years. Stunning architecture, a warm climate, hospitable and warm hearted people have attracted buyers and investors to France for decades. Both the offerings of rural France with its delightful homes and stunning scenery as well as the funky and modern Parisian apartments attract international attention and investors from across the globe.

There are a large variety of luxury French properties available currently throughout the country including vineyards, villas, castles, chateaux, farmhouses, waterfront properties, apartments, water mills, properties by the lake, restaurants and other properties with business opportunities, hotels, B&B, agricultural land, town houses, manor houses and plenty of other country homes. That is definitely quite a list. So whatever you are searching for, whether it is quite simply for leisure, retirement, a second home, investment or indeed business, it is an absolute certainty that France will be able to off you the perfect property for your needs.

France has always been a popular choice for luxury real estate. French noble architecture is world renowned and with the countryside littered with castles, large country houses and chateaux, there are plenty of luxury properties available both of stunning design and rich history. If a project is what you are after to get your teeth stuck into then France will certainly be able to offer you something suitable as there is plenty of scope for this. There are many remarkable properties including Chateaux that are literally crumbling due to neglect. With plenty of charm and that unmistakable French architecture, why not invest in a piece of history and with a little TLC simply renovate your very own castle back to its former glory. You too could have a beautifully restored home with a large garden, glistening pool and mouth watering views across the French countryside.

For all varieties of luxury French Real Estate then The Philip Hawkes International Real Estate Agency in Paris should be your first port of call. With luxurious and one of a kind properties situated throughout Paris and beyond, you will be sure to find your dream Parisian property in the bustling heart of the city or indeed your rural hideaway in the heart of the countryside. A name that has come to be trusted, the unique quality of being able to provide both country dwelling and city living really makes this agency a one of a kind.

Author: Ian Baker
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: Import duty tariff