Product Description

more and more people are buying property in france. the climate, culture and lifestyle make it a seductive proposition, and affordable travel connections and comparatively low property prices in most regions can make this dream a reality for many.

the new edition of this popular book deals with the details of buying or renting a home in france in a practical, straight-forward style. every aspect of buying property is dealt with, including financial issues and choosing a location, and there is an in-depth look at the different regions of france. with maps, useful addresses, information on travel and a dictionary of helpful french terms, this really is the ideal companion for anyone considering buying a property in france. comprehensive and readable, it will help any prospective buyer avoid the pitfalls and turning the dream of a home in france into reality.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #143888 in Books
• Published on: 2006-07-03
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 287 pages

The Weekly Telegraph
"A concise book filled with updated information and clear advice...His step-by-step guide...is invaluable."

Review

"deals with all the issues"

observer

“clearly and simply unravels the legalese surrounding moving across the channel.”

build it

“concise and clearly set out, this is a good research starting point if you’re thinking of upping sticks.”

the mail on sunday

“everything you need to know about buying a property in france.”

french property news

“offers expert advice on the whole range of issues which need to be considered by anyone with the dream of turning their fantasy of a home in france into reality.”

scotlands new homebuyer

“the ideal companion on your journey to owning your dream french home.”

homes overseas

“a concise book filled with updated information and clear advice…his step-by-step guide…is invaluable.”

the weekly telegraph

“packed with practical, expert advice, this is an indispensable guide on how to avert disaster when purchasing a french property. with step-by-step guidance, it deals with the finer details to make your move a stress-free success. no prospective buyer should be without it.”

everything france

“a practical guide that deals with all the relevant issues.”

mortgage advisor and home buyer

“a constant reference point.”

french property links

“the author is a legal expert who understands the lengthy french contract process. it includes a helpful summary of the different regions and the running costs for a house in france.”

scottish sunday mail

“up-to-date, relevant, and, ultimately, tells you exactly what you need to know.”

living france

The Mail on Sunday
"Concise and clearly set out, this is a good research starting point if you're thinking of upping sticks."

Customer Reviews

factual, easy to read
Avery concise and well set out book, you can pick it up and find exactly what you want. The guide and map illustrations to the different regions are clear and the information given exactly what is needed. One of the best guides to understanding living in France that I have read and I would definitely recommend it

Good, but not comprehensive
As noted in the other reviews, this is a good book. Having lived for a few years in France, I found that the majority of information given is correct and up to date. This is an excellent book for people based in the UK who are thinking about buying in France. There is lots of information about French culture, language, daily life and administrative concerns.

However, this is supposed to be a book about buying property, and not a book about living in France (there are plenty of other books on this subject). That Charles Davey is a barrister is constantly in evidence, since he recommends seeking professional advice at every turn. I would however have preferred that he explain some of the subjects in more detail in order to avoid costly professional advice (or at least be able to judge if it's really necessary).

What is also lacking is the real financial detail that would enable a potential buyer to cost up their investment. important topics (for example the French equivelent of stamp duty) are passed over in one sentence, whereas it would be nice to see worked examples of buying and selling different kinds of property.

Finally, there is no real discussion of buying strategy. It would be nice to have comparisons of a new home versus a renovation, or small house versus a large appartment. Similarly, historical house price trends, or where is likely to appreciate or depreciate.

Thus, overall, it is still a good book, especially for someone new to the subject, but for those who already have experience of France, it falls short of being the "Complete Guide".

To the point and informative
This is one of the more informative guides probably because the author is a legal brain and so understands the contract process. Additionally, there is a helpful summary of the different regions, their attractions and shortfalls and a good explanation of the considerations for running costs for a house in France. Highly recommended.