French property boom set to stall
Posted by Ben H
The decade-long boom in France's housing market is set to end this year with a slew of surveys pointing to sharply declining sales and possibly a small fall in property prices, writes Ben Hall in Paris .
Average values declined by 0.8 per cent in the first three months of 2008, according to the National Notaries Index published on Tuesday. It also recorded a sharp quarterly fall - the biggest in 10 years - in the number of sales in the Paris region, down by 7.9 per cent on the same period in 2007.
HSBC is predicting a 4 per cent average decline in prices this year and a 6 per cent fall in 2009. But there are big regional variations, with a 6.4 per cent decline in property prices in the Loire region over the last year and a 5.9 per cent rise in Lorraine, in north-eastern France, according to the estate agents Century 21.
France has witnessed a surge in property prices on a par with neighbouring countries, with average prices doubling between 2000 and 2007, according to FNAIM, the national housing federation. A buoyant construction sector has also been an important factor behind the drop in French unemployment.
Copyright - The Financial Times Limited 2008
French Property Specialist FrenchEntree launches Apartments Finder websites
France Property
FrenchEntree is pleased to announce the launch of their specialist Apartment finding website “Apartment in France” to help those moving to France. FrenchEntree are pleased to announce the launch of their specialist property finding websites for “Cannes Apartments” and “Nice Apartments”.
It is for all those looking for luxury apartments in these popular and chic locations in the south of France. Through their premier partners, FrenchEntree can offer their visitors a service too, by arranging viewings and guiding them if they wish through the entire purchasing process.
The kinds of apartments on the market range from studios to maisonettes, in new build complexes to town houses. Some of the typical style apartments that feature have sea views, pool facilities, balconies and terraces. Away from the town centre, buyers can get even larger properties for their money. The apartment’s property search weblets can help visitors narrow their French property search down, by allowing them the option to look in a specific area and within a certain price range in order to find an apartment, which matches their requirements.
Whether buyers are planning to spend €170,000 to €1,000,000, they should contact FrenchEntree to find the perfect apartment in and around Cannes or Nice! FrenchEntree are a complete online guide to Property, Living and Holidays in France.
Visit www.frenchentree.com
Live your dream in Burgundy
I’m almost evangelistic about living in Burgundy. I love, love, LOVE it here for so many reasons: the climate (real seasons), the people (friendly and welcoming), the food and wine (we are at the heart of gastronomic France, and have some of the best wine in the world); and all the things to do (far too many to go into here). If you lived here, you’d love it too.
Well, with house prices now beginning to show true value for money after a few years of it being a seller’s market, you too could have share of the dream that is real. I’ve seen some great houses recently, all realistically priced, too. And although the property market place is less busy than it has been in recent years, houses which are correctly valued are still selling really fast.
Have a look at these reference numbers and if they look inviting, it’s because they are! 120075,a hamlet hideaway with great gite potential. 120076 has views that you will never tire of. 120080 is a real bargain set in beautiful countryside. 120081 is an ideal second home base for exploring the region.
So don’t delay. Make an appointment with the team in London and come out and start making your dream real – it does exist and it can happen!