Buying Guide Details

Buying Property in Brittany (Bretagne)

Where to buy property in Brittany (Bretagne)

Brittany has long been a favourite with British and Irish home buyers, drawn by the splendid sandy beaches of its Atlantic coast and its mild climate – and, of course, its proximity to our shores. Links to the area are better than ever since the introduction of low-cost air routes.

Home owners have seen prices of property in Brittany (Bretagne) among the fastest-growing in the whole of France, though there are variations within the region. The southern resorts have seen the most notable increases while the northwestern départmente of Finisterre remains largely undeveloped and one of the cheaper places to buy property in Brittany (Bretagne).

There are still inexpensive renovation projects as well as a vast array of habitable properties in Brittany (Bretagne). From the most humble of abandoned stone farm buildings to glorious chateaux, the choice of property to buy in Brittany (Bretagne) is vast. With countryside, rivers and canals as well as its extensive coastline, there’s a range of landscape and locations appealing to every taste, from the historic port of St. Malo in the north through innumerable rural hamlets to lively towns such as Vannes in the south.

Only the Côte d’Azur has more visitors annually in France – those with an eye on investment returns will note that property rental opportunities in Brittany (Bretagne) are very promising with such a successful tourist industry. Though property prices in Brittany (Bretagne) have risen quite dramatically in recent years, by UK standards property in Brittany (Bretagne) is good value.

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The Process of Buying Property in Brittany (Bretagne)

• Once the buyer has found a property in Brittany (Bretagne) 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 Brittany (Bretagne) 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 Brittany (Bretagne), 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 in Brittany (Bretagne) usually includes 19.6% IVA, but always verify this from the start
• If a property in Brittany (Bretagne) is sold on within two years,  capital gains tax is likely to be in excess of 33%
• Transfer tax varies greatly, but for properties in Brittany (Bretagne) over five years it tends to be around 7%.

Getting there

There are direct flights to Dinard, Brest and Rennes from a number of UK airports, though numerous ferry links to St. Malo, for example, and road/rail connection via the Channel Tunnel also make getting there very easy.

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