Blog, News & Tips

Why France is still Drawing Expats

A recent survey by the UK Post Office's International Payments division indicates that France is the preferred destination for expatriate relocation, ranking above Spain, the United States, and Australia.

Posted April 1, 2011

Euro Exchange Rate Outlook

The European Central Bank reaction to inflation by increasing interest rates pushed the Euro/USD exchange rate above 1.40 in mid-March.

Posted March 25, 2011

France, World Tourism Leader in 2010

Continuing its eight year reign as the most visited country in the world, France yet again claimed the top spot in the annual survey by the UN World Tourism Organization with 78.95 million visitors. Paris was the most visited city in France.

Posted March 21, 2011

Update on the French Mortgage Market

The French mortgage market is the third largest in the European Union after the United Kingdom and Germany. While the mortgage market in the UK and Spain suffered significantly during the fina ncial crisis, the French mortgage market has remained strong, with limited defaulting. Due to a strict upfront financial analysis for each dossier, French banks have succeeded for the most part in lending what borrowers are able to repay. This has created a great deal of stability for the French real estate market.

Posted March 16, 2011

Rising French Property Values – Building off 2010

French property values increased sharply in 2010 and have continued the upward trend through the beginning of 2011. The Ile-de-France region has seen the most significant increases, though the rest of France has too seen property values increasing. The rising values in 2010 were more consistent across old homes than across old apartments, though both property types increased in value.

Posted March 8, 2011

Role of the Notaire

As you’re looking into buying a property in France, one of the most crucial people with whom you will interact throughout the buying process is the notaire. You may be wondering who the notaire is and what his or her role may be in the process.

Posted February 28, 2011

European Economic Outlook for 2011

Excerpts from the press interview with Jean-Claude Trichet, President of the ECB & Vítor Constâncio, Vice-President of the ECB - 3 February 2011

Posted February 10, 2011

Key French Tax Deadlines for 2011

Key French tax deadlines to note for 2011

30/04/2011 is the deadline to submit :

• 2010 VAT declaration for French leasebacks
• 2010 income declaration for furnished French rental property
• 2010 French income tax declaration for French "Société Civile Immobilière" or “SCI”s

Posted February 10, 2011

The Complete Mortgage Process

Contrary to mortgage processes in countries such as the United States and the UK, the French mortgage process requires a comprehensive study of the buyer’s financial profile. This is to reassure the banks that the borrowers will be financially stable enough to meet all the mortgage payments throughout the duration of the mortgage.

Posted January 18, 2011

French Property Taxes Image

There are two main types of taxes on French residential properties to be aware of : property taxes (taxe fonciére) and residential taxes (taxe d’habitation).

Posted November 25, 2010