Buying Guide Details

Buying Property in Pays-de-la-Loire

Where to buy property in Pays-de-la-Loire

This region stretches inland from the Atlantic coast in the west of France. The coastal resorts along the Loire-Atlantique and Vendee are very popular and have some of the highest property prices in northern France. The great climate means that there is high demand from holidaymakers and property buyers looking for a holiday or retirement properties.

Inland, there are wonderful old towns such as Châteaubriant and Saumur which combine picturesque history with a thriving day-to-day life. On the coast towards the north of the region are St.-Nazaire, a famous shipbuilding port with plenty to occupy the tourist, and La Baule with its curving nine-kilometre sandy beach.

Sarthe, on the Loire in the northeast of the region, is a popular area with Parisians looking for a second property, driving property prices upwards. Le Mans, famous for its motor racing, is the departmental capital and well-connected to Paris.

The Vendée département in the south has a great balmy climate that has made its resorts, such as Les Sables d’Olonne, popular with French second-property owners and overseas property buyers alike. Great beaches, surfing and some excellent shopping and food markets make the area very desirable.

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The Process of Buying Property in Pays-de-la-Loire

Once the property buyer has found a property in Pays-de-la-Loire 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 property 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 in Pays-de-la-Loire (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 property buyer loses both the property in Pays-de-la-Loire and the money
If the property buyer is not able to visit the property in Pays-de-la-Loire 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 in Pays-de-la-Loire 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 Pays-de-la-Loire, 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 in Pays-de-la-Loire 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 property in Pays-de-la-Loire 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 are direct flights to Nantes and Angers airports from a variety of UK airports.

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