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Overseas Property News
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French property and mortgage watch
Country: France
20 October 2009 Similar to the UK, the French property market is continuing to show signs of stabilisation. While French property prices fell by 1% during Q3 as a whole, they rose by 0.1% during September, resulting in a total positive return for the period April to September 2009 of 2.8%. Returns for the 12 months to September 2009 have now pulled back to a respectable -7.8%, reports Athena Mortgages. Unlike the UK, however, a history of prudent lending in France (lenders do not allow borrowers’ total outgoings on finance payments to exceed one third of their total gross monthly income) has meant mortgage finance is still readily available. While mortgage finance in the UK remains extremely difficult to secure, especially at higher LTVs, the French banks continue to lend to borrowers with smaller deposits, even up to 100% LTV. This level of LTV is also available to non-resident borrowers, both for second homes and investment properties and is proving highly attractive given the ongoing weakness of sterling.
Interest in the French property market among UK-based investors is soaring as a result. In Q3 2009, Athena Mortgages saw a 21% rise in mortgage enquiries on Q2, which in turn was up 42% on Q1. Mortgage completions in the third quarter were also up 14% on Q2. Many British property investors are now looking across the channel to add to their portfolios given the difficulty securing (competitive) finance at home.
The buy-to-let sector in France is attracting particular interest from investors at present, as depressed prices are boosting yields significantly in many areas. In the Normandy town of Alençon, for example, gross yields are 7.5% , while in the medieval town of Poitiers, western France, they are currently 7% . Nevers in central France boasts the highest gross yields, currently, of 7.6% . Other towns of note include Clermont Ferrand (6.8% ) and Tours (6.4% ).
For second home buyers, now is an ideal time to buy into some of the most desirable towns and cities of France at significantly discounted prices. For example, prices in the highly sought-after destinations of Biarritz, Cannes, Perpignan and Nice are all approximately 10% lower than a year ago.
A growing number of UK investors are also placing French leaseback properties into SIPPs, something that can be arranged through several French lenders. To this end, Athena Mortgages is currently working closely with French tax specialists, Sykes Anderson, and Liberty SIPP. John Luke Busby, director, Athena Mortgages, comments: “There is a degree of correlation between the UK and France, at present, in the sense that both property markets are clearly stabilising. However, while the UK property market remains very difficult for investors to access given ongoing lending constraints, there is now a real appetite to lend among the French lenders, who have suffered much less than their British counterparts. For a growing number of British property investors, France is fast proving the place to be, particularly given the availability of 100% mortgages, which circumvents the punitive exchange rate. “Crucially, there is also significant innovation at the product level. For example, we have recently launched a ‘next generation’ hybrid mortgage product in conjunction with a major French bank. With a typical rate of 3%, the new product enables borrowers to split their mortgage amount into an interest-only portion and a repayment portion, which represents a perfect balance between the potential shortfall of a capital repayment loan and the speculation of the interest-only route.
“With extremely competitive borrowing rates, attractive prices and genuine product innovation, there’s a real buzz to the French property market at present.”
See Also: Athena Mortgages, French property
Some properties in France
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Price: £16,198
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Type: House
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Town offering all shops and services, markets, schools, situated 5 minutes from the Orb river valley, 30 minutes from Beziers and the motorway.
Building needing total renovation (floors, roof, etc) in a quiet street, with 30 m2 private garden.
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View details | Enquire further
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Price: £16,614
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Type: Apartment
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Autignac: Nice village with all shops, 15 minutes from Beziers, 20 minutes from the motorway and 30 minutes from the coast.
Flat leisure land of 10 000 m2 located 500 m of a village with all amenities.
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View details | Enquire further
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Price: £22,000
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Type: Apartment
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Bedrooms: 1
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World Class Chateau Estate in idlyllic French Lake District* Non-Status Finance*150% Guaranteed Buy-Back* 8% guaranteed return years 1-2 *8%+ NET return year 3 onwards*Spa, Golf, Outdoor pursuits*Buy via your SIPP*Immediate income*I am an investor
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Price: £26,582
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Type: Apartment
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Saint Genies de Fontedit : nice village with all shops, 15 minutes from Beziers, 20 minutes from the motorway and 30 minutes from the coast.
Flat leisure land of 18 000 m2 located 500 m of a village with alla amenities.
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Price: £28,000
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Type: Apartment
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Bedrooms: 1
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Make your pension work harder with 13.6% NET return pa via a SIPP*0% Non-Status Finance*Exit Strategy with 150% Return on Your Capital Investment*200% NET return over 10 years*Investment so brilliant I have bought one myself*Only 6 units left
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Price: £28,000
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Type: Apartment
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Bedrooms: 1
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Last remaining fractionals at this stunning resort for 1/12 ownership of a luxury Chateau Suite. An opportunity to own a share in the luxurious Chateau de la Cazine, combining the perfect lifestyle choice, with a rewarding investment.
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Price: £29,074
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Type: House
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In a hamlet at 5 minutes from Lamalou les Bains, stone house to renovate with possibility to make 90 m2 of living space on a plot of about 100 m2.
Ground = Courtyard/garden of 30 m2 + ruine of about 70 m2 ground surface.
1st = Possibility to make a
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Price: £29,240
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Type: Apartment
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Autignac : Nice village with all shops, 15 minutes from Beziers, 20 minutes from the motorway and 30 minutes from the coast.
Flat leisure land of 20.135 m2 located 500 m of a village with alla amenities.
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View details | Enquire further
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Price: £33,219
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Type: House
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Village with cafe / restaurant and small grocery store, 10 minutes from major shops and 30 minutes from Beziers, the highway and the sea.
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Price: £33,228
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Type: House
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Bedrooms: 2
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This village house is situated in a village in the north of the Gers. Property for total renovation. The house, of approx. 109 m2, currently consists of 4 rooms with two separate entrances.
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View details | Enquire further
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