With France reported to be coming out of recession, many investors believe that France is a good place to buy property, and what better way to buy property than at a French property auction?

Although there aren’t huge numbers of French properties that are going under the hammer, amongst those that are there are some bargains to be had so if you aer considering buying a property in France, auctions may be well worth looking at.

Property auctions in France are a way to save on agents’ fees as well as an opportunity to look at unusual properties.  Read more... (257 words, estimated 1:02 mins reading time)

The French property market and German property markets are tipped to be a good place to invest over the next few months as new figures revealed that the country came out of recession in the second quarter.

After 12 months of decline, France’s economy grew by 0.3 percent between April and June against experts’ belief that the economy will continue to slide.

Germany has matched France’s economy with a 0.3 percent GDP rise over the same period.  Read more... (228 words, estimated 55 secs reading time)

Results from the UNWTO (World Tourism Organisation) showed that France continues to maintain its postion as the top holiday destination in the World.

World tourism Barometer, a regular publication of the Market Intelligence and Promotion Department of UNWTO, released data last month about the top holiday destinations globally – “France continues to lead the ranking for tourist arrivals ahead of the US and Spain”. In 2008 there were only slight changes in the ranking of top tourism destinations by both international tourist arrivals and receipts. France continues to lead the ranking of arrivals but ranks third in tourism receipts followed by the US and Spain.  Read more... (690 words, estimated 2:46 mins reading time)

• French property prices rise by an average 3.9% during Q2 2009
• Q2 resurgence brings year to date market fall to a reduced -2.5%
• Numbers of French mortgage enquiries up 42%
• Britons remain the largest number of foreign buyers in France

The French residential property market is showing encouraging signs of stabilization after the market shock caused by the global financial and economic crisis. On average, prices rose by 3.9% during the second quarter, resulting in a total annual return to July 2009 of -2.5%.  Read more... (1010 words, estimated 4:02 mins reading time)

To celebrate Bastille Day, Athena Mortgages, a London and Dublin-based independent French mortgage broker, is offering what it considers to be the most competitive and flexible French mortgage product yet.

Available at an LTV of 99% on new build leaseback developments and 85% on standard properties, the initial rate is fixed at 2.85% for three months after which it reverts to Euribor + 2.45% for the remainder of the term (with a current pay rate of 3.45%).

Crucially, though, if Euribor rises, payments are capped at the rate of French inflation and the difference is added to the loan amount, the term of the mortgage being extended by up to five years rather than repayments increased.  Read more... (336 words, estimated 1:21 mins reading time)

France’s capital, Paris, has been a direct benefactor of Sarkozy’s two year reign as prime minister of France, and seems to be taking the economic climate in its stride.

Its property market has remained stable and even seen a price increase in apartments, which the Notaire de France’s October 2008 report revealed had increased by 10% this year. The commuter towns surrounding Paris, such as Orleans, Tours and Reims, have also seen a healthy increase in house prices of 10.5%.

The right wing Sarkozy Government has brought in a raft of laws which continue to stimulate the construction industry and create sustained demand for residential property.  Read more... (808 words, 1 image, estimated 3:14 mins reading time)

New data coming in for 2008 and 2009 shows that despite the difficult current climate, the French property market is continuing to strengthen under Sarkozy’s “real estate investor-friendly” Governance.

Sarkozy’s laws which support broader home ownership have been a major driver. From the beginning of 2009, France has been able to offer its homeowners zero-interest loans of up to €30,000. The loi Bouvard pertaining to tourism property extends the original Loi Scellier (on unfurnished property) to sale and leasebacks so that residents can offset 25% of the cost of buying a residential property against their personal income tax up to a maximum of €75,000 on a €300,000 property.  Read more... (441 words, estimated 1:46 mins reading time)