They reported being mostly concerned about four things, getting caught up in local tax or legal issues, not being able to keep their property secure when unoccupied, lack of understanding of the local language, and being tricked into paying too much for a property.
These are valid concerns for people who are looking for real estate in France, as unfortunately these problems have occurred before. Many people have heard horror stories about these situations happening to people who invest in real estate in France.
However, there are ways to minimize the risk of these problems and make sure that purchasing your dream France property is as easy and safe as possible.
Getting Caught Out by Legal and Tax Issues. Understanding the legal red tape of purchasing a France property can be overwhelming, and many homeowners are intimidated by the task. If you find yourself struggling, you might find that it is worth it to hire a bilingual lawyer who speaks both French and English fluently and who specializes in international property purchases.
They will make sure that you are filling out all forms correctly, and explain any confusing legal jargon to you. Your bi-lingual lawyer can also advise you on tax issues. It might seem expensive to hire your own lawyer, but if they save you from a costly mistake in the future you will be glad you did.
Keeping the Property Secure. If you are worried about your holiday home being broken into when you are not using it, there are a number of things that you can do. First of all, you can invest in high quality security system for your home.
The best thing that you can do is to make sure that your holiday home is occupied throughout the year by renting it out to other tourists when you are not using it. This solution has the added benefit of earning you an extra income as well. Many holiday home owner rental websites make it easy to find tenants for your property online.
Not Being Able to Understand the Local Language. To avoid the frustration of not being understood, start learning the basics of French before you even move to France. Of course, mastering a language is difficult and you should not expect to be fluent in a short time, but even having a basic vocabulary and knowing some simple greetings will get you a long way.
When you make an attempt to speak French with the locals, they will often appreciate your efforts and do their best to accommodate you. Do your best, and remember the longer you live in France the more you will learn.
Paying Too Much for a Property. To avoid this trap, use your instincts to guide you. If a real estate agent selling France properties seems insincere, they probably are trying to charge you too much. Be sure to do your research and shop around.
Take a look at what other France properties of similar style in the same area are being sold for. Don’t be afraid to negotiate for a lower price, and always insist on inspecting the property thoroughly before signing anything.
Now that you know how to avoid the most common concerns, your search for your new home in France should be much easier.
House Sales France are market leaders for property France. Leading real estate France with the latest France property available to view online. Options to sell property France as well as market news and advice: http://www.housesalesfrance.com for more information
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