Clé France

A neighbour of mine once said of the hunt or "chasse" that took place in the adjoining fields that the morning session is safe but after a calvados lunch they often shoot each other by mistake!

Now I read last week that an "anti-chasse" organisation is calling for the banning of hunting on Sundays, as well as other measures after an increase in the number of accidents due to hunters and possibly the result of the liquid lunch my neighbour spoke of.

In a statement, the "Association pour la Protection des Animaux Sauvages" (APAS) said that in the hunting season 21 people were killed, with all but two being hunters themselves.

In total there were 179 accidents in the last hunting season, compared to 143 for the season before, and APAS says change is necessary.

The organisation is calling for a ban of hunting on Sundays, as it believes with more people taking up cycling, walking and outdoor past-times, France needs to change.

NOTE: don't wear those reindeer antlers you thought were so much fun at xmas time whilst riding your bike through the undergrowth!

APAS says that France is the only country in Europe where hunting is allowed on every day of the week. They also say that the law should be changed to make local hunting bodies more responsible for accidents, firmer regulation should be introduced to ban hunting close to property and that hunters should be required to take regular eye tests!

Blog submitted by: David at Cle France.

A lot of people are taking the opportunity of the low property prices and the high Sterling value to snap up some French property. We have sold 1 property a day this week which is good going even for us!

The one we sold today was a lovely little holiday home for only 28,000 euros!

Yes only 28,000 euros, you can spend more that that on a quality family car! The mind boggles and there are many more properties of all shapes and sizes to match every budget just waiting for you to see.

Book the ferry and ask us to set you up with some viewings, don't wait any longer!

Blog submitted by: Alex at Cle France.

Client's Question: “What information will I need to provide when buying, and when we go to sign the compromis what documents should I take with me ?"

 The notaire will require the following information and documentation when drafting the initial contract:

For all parties to be included on the deed:

-         full names/addresses

-         occupation

-         martial status

-         passports

You should take copies of the following with you:

                   -birth certificates

                   -marriage certificates

                   -divorce papers

Blog submitted by: Alex at Cle France.

So, you have found a property, What is your next step? 

You will make an offer, in much the same way as you would in the U.K. There are no hard and fast rules about what level of offer is acceptable, as much will depend on the seller’s circumstances, and the market conditions at the time. The agent will be able to give some guidance on this, as to what might be acceptable to the vendor.

Once you have agreed a price, and whether or not certain fixtures and fittings are to be included, the initial contract, the Compromis de Vente, is drawn up. Either the notaire or the agent will prepare this document. It is at this point that any suspensive clauses (clauses suspensives) will be entered in to the contract. These can include such items as the completion of building work, mortgage approval or planning permissions being in place. The contract will also indicate a possible completion date, but this date is flexible as the notaire will have to undertake searches on the property, and the final signing date is arranged so that all interested parties can attend.

This intial contract will also detail the cost of buying the property, including a breakdown of the cost of the purchase including the deposit due (usually 10%), the net vendor price, the notaire’s fees and the agency fee, thus providing you with the total amount due to be paid as cleared funds into the notaire’s account prior to final signing day (Acte de Vente or Acte Authentique). A feature of the French purchase process is the seven-day cooling off period. The time runs from when you receive your signed copy of the Compromis de Vente and allows you to back out from the sale without penalty. Once the seven days are over, the rest of the sale will take approximately 8-12 weeks to complete.

It is at the Compromis de Vente stage that you will pay your 10% deposit. The payment is made to the notaire. The deposit will only be refunded if strict conditions are met, so if you do withdraw after the 7 day cooling off period you will lose the money.

It is our job, along with our partner agents, to keep you informed throughout this process, and to assist with the progressing of the sale through to completion.

Blog submitted by: David at Cle France.

I thought I was 'too late' and had missed all the bargains when I bought a house in Normandy in 1994. I said to myself if only I had bought 5 or 10 years ago I would have picked up a bargain!

I never thought it would happen but property prices have been going back in time for a few years now, it is actually cheaper to buy a house in France now than 10 or so years ago. Not just in relative terms and with inflation/deflation etc. BUT in actual hard cash terms property prices are at an all time low.

As an example you HAVE TO SEE the property we sold yesterday!

Just sold this property for a bit less than asking price of 43,500 - SLD02075 

It may not last much longer though so act quick if you are serious about buying a property in France, every dip is followed by a peak and prices may be set to rise, who knows?

AND the Pound is strong, so you get more Euros for your money!

Blog submitted by: David at Cle France.