Buying Property in France: Essential Tips for a Successful Purchase

Buying a property is an important and often daunting task. Throw in a different country, language, culture and legal system, it can then become even trickier, and opens the possibility of making potential costly errors.

When considering buying property in France, thorough planning is crucial. Below are some key factors to consider for a smooth and successful property purchase.

English Speaking French Estate Agents

Choosing an agent who can speak English, even if not fluently, and one who has experience of helping English speaking buyers previously, will help facilitate the whole process on the ground. They will much more quickly be able to tune in to what you are really looking for, and any negotiations and liaisons between the agent, seller and yourself will be much smoother, as will any dealings with the Notaire and perhaps even the local Mairie. All our local French partner agents are well versed in helping international buyers and all speak English.

Choosing The Right Area Of France

Lifestyle

Buying your dream property in the right area according to your lifestyle, climate, access and other needs is vital, to the degree that I would even potentially opt for your 2nd favourite property if the area suits you better. No point in buying a chateau in the middle of nowhere if in 6 months you are bored silly and miserable with nothing to do. Although the different regions and departments of France bear a lot of similarities, there can be visible differences between the villages and towns, how vibrant and lively they are, and some areas have far more culture and things to do than others. Some areas also tend to have more international communities that you might find appealing.

Climate

This is a key factor as depending on your preferences, there are huge differences in climate between the north and south of France. Normandy being similar to the UK climate, and Languedoc and Provence more akin to Spain and Italy. If you want a more mild climate and are ok with a a bit more rainfall, then northern France naturally works. Once you are around central France, the warmer seasons are longer and will be suitable for an outdoor pool for example. The warmest parts of France will be around Toulouse latitude and below. But anything toward the Atlantic, no matter how far south will have more rain and be less hot than the areas further inland and beyond towards the Mediterranean. Altitude is another key factor that can affect temperatures, rain and snow. You would not have to travel far behind Nice for example, even just 30 mins drive and you will be quite high in the mountains along with the alpine climate, contrasting with the sunny Mediterranean coast.

Access

This is key especially if you are buying a 2nd or holiday home. If you cannot access your property during your preferred times of year, easily, cost effectively and in a manner you prefer (air, car and or rail), then it will really detract from how much you can use and enjoy your French property. Even as a main home, you may need to get back regularly for working/ commuting and or seeing family and friends.

Property Prices And Your Criteria

It’s not always possible, but certainly beneficial if you can chose a region of France, where at any given time, there are a reasonable number of suitable properties matching your criteria. Property prices and architectural styles vary widely across the country and even within regions. Typically northern France and Central France hold the lowest prices, all coastal area of France hold high prices, Dordogne towards Midi-Pyrenees/ inland Occitanie will be next highest, then Languedoc-Roussilon, and Provence, Alps and Paris the most expensive. But there can also be big variations within areas. North Dordogne is the cheapest part of this department, then as you drift south prices increase, with the high prices around Bergerac, along the Dordogne river and across towards Sarlat. The Var in Provence will offer up much more competitive prices that its neighbour the Alpes Maritimes.

People buying in France will have all sorts of different priorities, driving factors and varying considerations, but implementing some or all of the above, I hope, will be a useful tool in making your house purchase in France, as successful as possible according to your priorities, wishes and dreams.