Housing: The INSEE rejects the idea of a bubble

Contrary to the Centre for Strategic Analysis, the French Institute for Statistics says the price rise is down to the lack of accommodation and not down to speculation. Read the rest of this entry »

Construction: BBC (energy efficient building) basics

With the Environment round table, the BBC Label for low energy consumption buildings becomes more and more essential for construction as well as for renovation. What is behind these rather intimidating initials? Read the rest of this entry »

Property: Invest for seniors

As there are only 200 senior residences in France and one third of the French population will be over 60 by 2050 (compared to 20% nowadays) more and more property developers are starting to offer new residences for seniors. Read the rest of this entry »

New build: Building sites increase

The number of building sites has soared by 33.7% in the past year and building permits are also increasing.

The upturn in the building market is now confirmed. According to the latest statistics published on Wednesday by the ministry for sustainable development, new-build building sites in France had increased by late March by 12.4% over one year, with 372 756 units and by 33.7% over the last three months compared to the previous three months with 106 156 units. Read the rest of this entry »

The Provence Cote d’Azur region, a place to invest

Sextant Properties is a member of the SNPI (Syndicat National des Professionnels Immobiliers). We receive regular updates from them, and last week received an internal news update that may interest serious buyers. This news is relevant for potential investors in the Provence Cote d’Azur (PACA). Read the rest of this entry »

History of the leaseback concept

Buying a French property is the dream of many but maybe you can’t justify the expense if you only plan to use the property for a few weeks of the year. In that case, the French leaseback scheme may be for you. ‘Leasebacks’ enable you to go to France during your holidays and rent it out for the rest of the year. Read the rest of this entry »

Is the city of Lyon a future great attraction?

France’s second biggest city has more to boast about than its dynamism and popularity. With 480,000 inhabitants in the city and 1,430,000 more with the suburbs and satellite towns, Lyon is also a strategic place geographically speaking. Read the rest of this entry »

April Currency Update

After a vaguely promising start to March the pound gave up the ghost. On the first day of the month sterling had a peek above €1.18 and evidently took fright at what it saw. Read the rest of this entry »

Leasebacks offer you great activities!

Whether set in the city, the countryside, in a French ski resort or by the seaside, French leasebacks offer –as well as a superb apartment with the best facilities and amenities nearby- plenty of activities! Read the rest of this entry »

March French Mortgage Update

The scene is set: a progressive rise in loan rates

February 2011 saw a confirmed yet measured rise in interest rates which started at the end of last year: the average rate over 20 years is now established at 4.05%, compared to the 3.94% of January 2011. Read the rest of this entry »