Buying Guide Details

Buying Property in Auvergne

Where to buy property in Auvergne

This part of the Massif Central in France is an ideal location for a holiday home – and, whether ready to move into or ripe for renovation, property in Auvergne is very affordable to the overseas buyer.

The most expensive property in Auvergne is in the département of Haute-Loire, in the southeast of the region. Its capital, Le Puy-en-Velay, is an ancient settlement on the pilgrim route to Santiago de Compostela in Spain. Dominated by volcanic peaks, it’s a charming town in an area of diverse scenery and many lovely villages. Nature lovers will be attracted to the area around Ambert, to the east, in the centre of the Livradois-Forez parklands.

Around the fashionable spa town of Vichy, in the north of Auvergne, is a clutch of historic towns such as Gannat and Moulins. Right in the centre of the region is its historic capital, Clermont-Ferrand, now a bustling university town in an area of lakes, farming and (extinct!) volcanic mountains.

The key point to buying property in Auvergne is its year-round choice of activities – there’s skiing, fishing, ballooning, canoeing and beautiful, varied landscapes for walking and hiking. Tough perhaps not one of the most convenient regions to reach, its outstanding beauty and reasonable property prices mean that it should not be overlooked. It also enjoys one of France’s lowest crime rates.

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The Process of Buying Property in Auvergne

Once the buyer has found a property for sale in Auvergne and made an offer, both parties must sign a compromis; a legally binding agreement setting out all terms involved
Financing will have to be sorted out by this stage as details regarding any loans must be clearly outlined in the compromis
There is then a seven-day cooling-off period, which gives the buyer (but not the seller) the opportunity to back out of the deal without penalty. A 10% deposit is then required and the notaire then carries out all checks on the property (for clean title, wood rot, etc)
Before the signing takes place, all funds must be transferred to the notary’s account. Failure to do this on time could mean the buyer loses both the property and the money
If the buyer is not able to visit the property in Auvergne before signing the final contract, a representative should do so on their behalf to make sure that everything is in order. The contract clearly states that the property is accepted in its condition on the day of sale
Finally the acte de vente is signed in front of the notary, and the sale is complete.

Homes Overseas Property Club

Homes Overseas has joined forces with a collection of IFA specialists to form the Homes Overseas Property Club (HOPC), designed for existing and prospective overseas property homeowners.

The Club – which has access to international lawyers in no fewer than 43 different countries - has been set up in order to guide people through some of the various issues relating to buying and maintaining a property overseas. It offers advice on a range of topics, including financial, legal, insurance, taxation, property management and foreign currency matters.

For further information please telephone 0845 838 7142 or email info@homesoverseaspropertyclub.com

Fees & Taxes

Vary hugely depending on the region and type of property in Auvergne, but set aside 12 to 15% of the selling price
Allow around 6 to 8% per cent for notaire’s fees. This includes stamp duty, which varies from 0.6% for a new-build to 6% for any property over five years old
Agents’ fees vary greatly and can be anywhere from 4 to 15%. Around 7% is the most common amount, but check when looking in agent’s windows for the letters FAI after the price – this indicates that their fees are already included
IVA (VAT) of 19.6% is applicable on most fees and taxes, but is avoided on leasebacks. The price of new-build properties usually includes 19.6% IVA, but always verify this from the start
If a property in Auvergne is sold on within two years, capital gains tax is likely to be in excess of 33%
Transfer tax varies greatly, but for properties over five years it tends to be around 7%.

Getting there

There’s no international airport in the region. Lyon and Limoges are two of the nearest, and both towns also have TGV rail links too.

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