Clé France

A common question I often get asked is "if I see the property I want to buy in France and make an offer on it, what happens next"?

Once you have made your offer on a property in France and it has been accepted the 'Compromis de Vente' is the first document you will sign. It details the main terms of the agreement between the buyer and the seller.

Normally you (the buyer) will pay a 10% deposit on signing the agreement, which is held by the notaire. The agreement has to be signed by both parties and it is a legally binding agreement – there is a 10 day cooling off period and certain clauses can be added in ie. 'subject to mortgage application' or 'subject to CU being granted' etc.

The 'Compromis de Vente' will include an estimated date when the 'Acte Authentique' (the contract of sale) is ready to be signed. Note that this date is not legally binding and is really used as a target date. For the the agreement to be drawn up you will need to provide your passport, marriage / divorce papers. If you are borrowing money you will also need the relevant paperwork.

So if you are planning a viewing trip to look for your perfect property in France and want to act quick when you find it, take these documents with you! If you have any specific questions about buying a house in France then get in touch and I would be only to happy to help.

Blog submitted by: Sharon at Cle France.

I think there are only 6 in the UK but I remember my first year living in France it hit me, especially in May, that there were 13 bank holidays! that has got to rank high as another good reason to buy a house in France and live there!

True they don't move them to the Monday so if a bank holiday falls on a Sunday, there is a risk of it being lost as you will no doubt be lolling around in your garden hammock after eating too much blue cheese and sipping rose wine!

I wonder what other 'good reasons to move to France' there are?

Blog Submitted by: David at Cle France.

Now, don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying Pays de la Loire is one of France's best-kept secrets. After all, the famous River Loire runs its sinuous way through the region and it is home to some of France's most recognisable, not to mention picturesque, châteaux.

However, it is framed by the hugely popular Brittany to the north, and the sun-kissed Poitou-Charentes to the south, so it is little wonder that, when Brits are looking for property along the north-eastern marches of France, their attention is not unreasonably drawn towards Pays de la Loire’s neighbours.

To be fair, Pays de la Loire does borrow more than just a cup of sugar from these neighbours. A relatively recent creation, it incorporates a large chunk of what used to be Brittany and parts of Poitou-Charentes. Occupied by William the Conqueror in 1064, it also includes Norman elements, and is a fascinatingly diverse and disparate region that is pulled together by the Loire river running through it.

Today, the region comprises 32,082km² that are divided between the departments of Loire-Atlantique, Maine-et-Loire, Mayenne, Sarthe and Vendée. And across these five departments are a spectacular array of delights and attractions.

What is your favourite region, department, town, village or part of France?

Blog Submitted by: Alex at Cle France.

If you are looking to move to France from the UK, then you might be surprised at just how simple the whole process of buying a house in France can be.

Many people will be surprised at how uncomplicated it can be to move to France. Many people start out by being 'wary' of buying in France, because the culture is so different but the process of buying a house in France is actually really simple.

It is a simple system and a system that I think gives the buyer considerable support. It is a safe system, a well-tried and tested system and it is quite logical.

Also 'gazumping' is not common in France as the sellers of properties generally stick to their first acceptance.

For more information go to our "The Buying Prcoess" page or better still give me a call or contact me via the website.

Blog Submitted by: Sharon at Cle France.

Back to school or "La Rentrée" has finally arrived, the Calendrier Scolaire helps you see the different term times for this academic year around the different educational zones in France.

There are three distinct geographical zones in the French school system to help spread the holiday periods out across France.

The 2013 - 2014 academic year starts today (Tuesday 3 September for all school children) with the 'Toussaint' and Christmas holidays being taken by all three zones at the same time, the rest are staggered.

And if you want there is a useful calendar you can print off showing the school holiday periods over the coming academic year.

Blog Submitted by: David at Cle France.