red tape for buying a home in France
 

Hi y'all <BR> <BR>just curious: I keep seeing adverts showing how much cheaper it would be to buy a home in France, given the dollar/franc situation. The prices I saw on my most recent trip seemed fairly affordable, esp coming from DC as I do... <BR> <BR>what sort of redtape is necessary to buy a home over there? <BR> <BR>obviously this is just a pipe dream right now, but, if I were to buy a home somewhere which is a good vacation rental market maybe it is not as nutty as it sounds. <BR> <BR>just thinking out loud here folks. any suggestions, awesome! <BR> <BR>Beth

Hi, Beth. <BR> <BR>There's not much red tape at all. The process is fairly straightforward - easier in my experience than buying a house in the DC area. I have an article I wrote on purchasing real estate in France for International Living Magazine I can send you if you're interested. Just let me know what e-mail to send it to. <BR>The best information around is contained in a series called Les Guides du Logement, published by De Particulier à Particulier. I have the series and if you want to borrow them, contact me.

As StCirq said, there isn't all that much red tape involved. The largest amount would be in getting a mortgage. <BR>You might want to open a bank account here in France - develop a relationship with a bank and it will make it easier to apply for one when you're ready. <BR> <BR>PB

There is quite a bit of information on the Internet French Property <BR>http://www.french-property.com/index.htm <BR>and maybe somewhat less on the French Property News site <BR>http://www.french-property-news.com/ <BR>Greg

The biggest point I always see mentioned in articles is the impact of French property and inheritance laws. <BR> <BR>You should read up on these even if you don't have children. <BR> <BR>