Most clients looking to buy a home in the South of France, Provence or Paris are hard-working entrepreneurs or board-level managers. This target group also wants to enjoy regularly a second home with a beautiful view as a pleasant getaway. And where better to do that than in the South of France?
The French Riviera and the Provence are parts of the country with unlimited possibilities. Here you will find – within an hour’s drive – really anything you can think of. From glitter and glamour by the sea with roaring Lamborghinis to endless mountain walks with a single stray mountain goat. And from fresh ski descents in the Alps to freshly scented vegetable markets on medieval village squares. Visiting another country is also done quickly; Barcelona is only 6 hours away by car (with Flitsmeister) and you can also visit Monaco and Italy within the hour. From the Nice airport, you can now fly to almost two hundred destinations.
In short, buying a house in the South of France is an investment that will never get boring. And so the moment comes when you seriously start looking at what is for sale. For the aspiring buyer who has not looked on the Internet for two years, we have an annoying announcement; prices have risen again.
South of France is always a solid investment
That is a solid certainty for homeowners; the price level of housing in the south of France. Over the years there has been now and then a crisis, but even then the prices never go down like in Spain where many homeowners regularly have heart attacks due to the fluctuating value of the real estate. The French simply hold their breath in a crisis and everything stays the same. If there is no sale for a while, then that time will come again.
Be aware: the ideal home does not exist
The offer on real estate properties in the South of France seems large and once you have viewed many homes, you will see that the ideal home on the French Riviera does not actually exist. There is always something; a tree obstructing the view or there is an annoying French electric cable hanging between two poles on your horizon. By the way, you can always have that cable installed in the ground; it takes some time, money and effort, but it is possible. You will also encounter bathrooms from the early Sixties, cheap floor tiles in the living room, and unsightly air conditioning units. This can all be replaced. The view, the location, the (lack of) noise in the area and the quality of the neighbourhood are the main points to keep in mind.
Your dream team for purchasing a property in the South of France
Engage your own notary
Once you have found your home in the South of France, it is wise to hire our notary. This expert is on your side and will read the files of the seller extra carefully to avoid you being suddenly surprised with a notice from the municipality that you have to demolish that beautiful outbuilding. Or the pool house construction.
If no permit has been issued for an extension and the drawing in the land register deviates significantly from what the owner has shown you, you would like to know this before you sign. In some cases, the notary can ‘correct’ this in the new deed of sale by still requesting conformity if it was performed more than 15 years ago and no complaints have ever been filed.
Mortgage for a home in the South of France
When purchasing a house in the South of France, you may also need financing in addition to the notary. Foreign banks are no longer interested, but regional French banks are still offering mortgages for real estate in France to foreign buyers. If you are going to organize this yourself, prepare yourself for spiritual torture. At a bank branch, it is the most normal thing in the world that you are not given anything to drink. You are kept waiting for a long time because the customer is just a customer. And not a King. Once a manager has descended from the higher echelons of banking, you are met with all kinds of demands with a stern face. If you do not have the cartload of documents ready, you will be given a list and a date to return with a sigh.
Choose professional assistance
After a month in your new house, that tile floor will start to irritate you. And the bathroom faucet is suddenly leaking and squeaking. Time for a renovation! That is the next adventure because renovating in the south of France is often a leap of faith where quality and deadlines are hard to find.
Anyone who engages in the services of Living on the Cote d’Azur has access to a complete team of experienced purchase advisors, English-speaking notaries, friendly bank managers and strong construction workers. In short, the ideal team that takes care in helping you purchase a house in the south of France. Contact us for a first acquaintance by phone or Zoom.
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