House buying à la français

CAFE FRANCAIS ASPET

All the talk in the British press (as well as in the Australian and American press) over rising house prices, gazumping, gazundering and property bubbles makes me (yet again) very glad to be living in France where people are rather more rational about houses and the property market is hugely . . . → Read More: House buying à la français

La Rentrée for the property market

As it is ‘La Rentrée’ (back to school time) and traditionally a very busy period for house hunters, I thought it might be a good moment to take a look at the property market here so far this year. For me personally, the year got off to a slower start than usual . . . → Read More: La Rentrée for the property market

‘Communism’, ‘community’, the ‘commune’ – living in France illuminates the real meaning and the importance of ‘local’ government

The Mairie in the village of Arbas

As a foreigner, it has taken me a good ten years to really understand the importance of the local mayor and Mairie in France because we just do not have the equivalent in the UK. We knew that when we moved in to our village . . . → Read More: ‘Communism’, ‘community’, the ‘commune’ – living in France illuminates the real meaning and the importance of ‘local’ government

Does it makes financial sense to buy a property in France?

Nothing illustrates more clearly the rise and fall of foreign home ownership in France than the currency exchange transactions and mortgage applications from foreigners looking to buy a home a France. And, although the property market in France has slowed during the economic crisis, France is still the top foreign buyer’s property . . . → Read More: Does it makes financial sense to buy a property in France?