Clé France

Hi Sharon,

We had a good day of visiting houses with your agents. Both were so friendly and helpful and a delight to be with.

There was one house in particular we saw, that we are thinking about.

I will get back to you again in due course.

Best wishes, John.

Cle France will guide YOU through the French Property Buying Process!

And as several of our clients say "Follow your heart and make the move"!

Dear Sharon, All went well on the day of the signing and we are so happy to now own a little piece of he French Countryside. Thanks for your help.

Regards, Kim De Beer.

YOU can benefit from our vast network of professionals by buying, like Kim and her family did, through Cle France.

With thousands of houses for sale in Lower Normandy alone, never mind the rest of France, it pays to be with Cle France.

We will guide YOU through the French Property Buying Process!

And as several of our clients say "Follow your heart and make the move"!

French mortgage rates 1.8%, good news for your French property plans.

The French mortgage rates have touched their lowest ever, below 2%, ideal for an investment in France. French mortgages have always been a good option for investors as they are locked for long periods up to 25 years.

Since the pound sterling exchange rate has declined over the last 2 years the French mortgage interest rates have declined also. The interest you would have paid on a French mortgage has therefore declined by over 40% for a 20 year period.

This would mean today’s loss on the exchange rate has been offset by the interest rate decline.

Best rates at the moment can be obtained for a 80% LTV of 1.8% over 20 years, and this rate is fixed for that whole period. This can be obtained for properties all over France.

If you have savings already locked up given yield of over 2% then it’s worth leaving them untouched and obtaining a mortgage instead. You would also be protected by the current trampoline exchange rates we are experiencing presently.

Cle France Mortgage Options...

Looking for more spending power? 'The Banks' will only try and sell you their own tired products!

For the vast majority of people looking for property in France, and especially non-resident buyers, it is much quicker and much more effective to use the services of a experienced and qualified Independent Mortgage Broker.

An Independent Mortgage Broker will look at your specific circumstances then look through a selection of lenders to find you the best possible Mortgage product for your specific requirements, it is so obvious when you think about it!

We have 2 clear options for you

Option 1 would be a French Bank Mortgage or option 2 is UK Bank Mortgage.

It does not matter if you have not found your perfect French House yet, you can still start planning for when you do buy into your French property dream so in no particular order choose from our 2 options, just think about the one that best suits your circumstances and you can discuss your plans on a 'no obligation' basis, International, UK based or the leading French mortgage arranger.

Both Cle France Partners will be willing to advise you on a no obligation basis: 

OPTION 1 : English Speaking French Mortgage Broker

Aurore Davis is our English speaking French Mortgage broker at 'Vous Financer' the French Mortgage Experts, Aurore is our main English speaking advisor, born in Paris she speaks perfect English as she has lived and worked in London for many years after working in Paris.

Whether you have found the perfect French home for sale or still looking at the options for buying French property, Cle France and Aurore Davis at Vous Financer can help you to find the best mortgage out there.

OPTION 2 : UK borrowing for overseas buying

Tim Durkin of STAG Mortgages and Insurance services may have the borrowing / mortgage solution for you.

We are proud to work in partnership with STAG Mortgage & Insurance Services. Tim Durkin is your specialist contact in this British owned and managed company.

Contact them by clicking the links above - you have nothing to lose!

For everything you need to know about French property visit www.clefrance.co.uk

Question: Hi Alex, I have a small gardening business in the UK and have always wondered if I can set this type of business up in France, we were thinking about buying a holiday home at first but after our first viewing trip with Cle France we saw that is we spend a little bit more we can get a lot more in France and move over full time. But... we would have to work and therefore was thinking about running the same sort of business in France.

A friend told me to start small and mentioned becoming 'auto entrepreneur' but I thought he was talking about being a car mechanic! LOL so can you tell me What is an auto entrepreneur?

Thanks, Dominic.

Answer: Hi Dominic, being an 'auto entrepreneur' is actually the most popular business set-up in France and is actually a 'tax status' or 'regime' rather than a legal stand point. You are actually an 'Enterprise Individuelle' or self employed / sole trader who chooses to be taxed as an 'auto entrepreneur'. Tax is based and worked out on your turnover, which cannot exceed 32,900 euros (in 2016 but this goes up a little each year) HOWEVER you cannot claim expenses against tax or charge VAT or recover it on purchases paid. 

So your gross turnover is taxed.

However it is a very simple system to operate when first arriving in France as you don’t have to produce accounts, Yippe! just proof of income and you have to pay as you go on a monthly basis. not many Ex-Pats setting up business set up Ltd companies as they are much more complicated when paying tax and social charges for both those within the business. But either way it’s essential to get some advice before setting up your business, particularly if your French is not that good yet.

Cle France have lots of local contacts so just ask for more details when you are ready.

For everything you need to know about French property visit www.clefrance.co.uk

Question: Hi I would like to buy property in France but in the future. What impact do you believe Brexit will have to a British citizen buying property in France. Would it be easier whilst the UK is still in EU? Thanks, Hazel.

Answer: Hi Hazel, there are quite a few articles on our blog pages on the Cle France website from various sources, especially from our legal contacts, my own view is that the process of 'BREXIT' will potentially take a number of years to negotiate, and in the meantime nothing changes, British people are still moving to France to live. In fact we've just had our busiest month in 8 years. 

So the consensus of opinion is that for now not much will change. The process of withdrawing from the EU will not be a speedy one, and the residency of those ex-pats living in France and elsewhere in the EU will no doubt form a part of that negotiation process.  

When I moved to France a residency permit known as the ‘Carte De Sejour’ was required; it was a relatively straightforward application process (or at least as straightforward as a French bureaucratic process can be!). Perhaps this could be re-introduced for British residents in the future.

Clearly there remain many questions to be answered, and fine details to be ironed out. But what is becoming apparent is that this will be a long process, possibly years in the making, and we will of course bring further news as and when it becomes available during the coming months.

But in the meantime life continues much as it always has done: the British have always lived, worked and retired to sunnier climes, and that will doubtless continue, even if some administrative aspects of live abroad may change.

Here is a link to 4 articles which we have published on the subject that you may find useful.

For everything you need to know about French property visit www.clefrance.co.uk