ahouseinbrittanyfinance
So, you've seen a house you like the look of...
This is where it gets serious...and I'll tell you why:-

So...It's gloomy on the Sterling to Euro rate....But, as you might expect prices of property in France is being reduced , after a respectable period of time and there are some extreme bargains still to be had check the Price Drop Page...Prices in Brittany and Normandy have always been brilliant by comparison to those in the UK. But it is exchange rates which tend to be the restraining factor on the fluidity of the market. Here's an example:-

Recently I amended some details on a property originally uploaded in November '07. It's price was 331,723 Euros (a Sterling Equivalent of GBP £230,300). I needed to add more photo's to the property entry on January 9th.By this time its Sterling Equivalent had become.£247,335. A staggering difference of £17,000!! To soften the blow of this trend buyers should investigate the Foreign Exchange market in order to get the very best value from their Great British Pounds! I am providing links to 3 Foreign Exchange Houses...I'm sure each of them wishes that I would only nominate one...them! But I'm sure that discerning buyers will want to check an alternative...and I would rather you stay here on our site than feel the need to go elsewhere...so, here are three worthy FX specialists so that you can make an informed choice...

And...You CAN Beat The Banks...by a country mile!
Yep! Rest assured...all will beat the pants off what you may find on the High Street! In fact...even before taking into account the fluctuating exchange rate you will make a saving of between £3,000 to £4,000 per £100,000 exchanged just by avoiding your bank for this part of your purchase procedure...Note:- A client of ours recently missed seeing the information here and, because he dealt with his bank to convert his funds ended up paying appx £12,000 more than he would otherwise have had to just on converting his funds...Sometimes these lessons are hard learned...and they needn't be!!! He is currently trying to redress the balance through the courts...Have you heard what happens to snowballs in hell?

If you would like to chat informally about foreign exchange then by all means call us on 01903 202272 we'll be happy to have a chat... But here are the experts...

First Rate FX

Sterling Exchange

The Sterling/UK financial market is currently volatile...You are thinking of buying a property within the Euro market. So it seems to make good sense to borrow where the 'water is calmer' and in the currency of the country where your new property is situated. You see it's sounding simpler already...

So let's try and make matters easier...Why do we point you in the direction of lending & financial exchange professionals? Quite simply (and yet quite memorably in my life) I got just 2% in my GCE Maths Mock 'O' Level. I manage to make it to the shops and back without losing too much, but above that I tend to call in the professionals who know as much about their job as I now know about mine! Another good reason to check out the names below rather than go elsewhere...Mortgages in the Euro sector tend to be at a rate of around 2% lower than you'll find in the Sterling market. So, explore the links below who have demonstrated their skills with our clients' purchasing needs and convinced me that they are the right people for the job...
And do tell them that we sent you!

Opening your first bank account in France? Yep...they can do that too...as would our agents if you ask them nicely...

If you would like to chat informally about mortgages then by all means call us on 01903 202272 we'll be happy to have a chat... But here are the experts...

Cafpi...Associations with 70+ lending sources

French-Mortgage.com...It is what it says on the tin!

A little bit of procedure...
When your offer has been accepted on the house you intend to buy...you will be asked to sign the Compromis de Vente... At the time of signing this document you will be required to provide payment of a deposit of 10% of the purchase price of the property. This can be paid by a Eurocheque ...a bank transfer to the Notaire...OR a cheque drawn on a French bank account...
But it can all be financed, together with the balance for handover/transfer at the Acte Finale - that's the meeting at which you will sign the final agreement.

Bank Account It's a good idea, since you are keen on buying a property in Brittany or Normandy, that you open an account over there before you get 'too far down the road' - even on your first viewing trip - that's what we did - It simplifies everything and the bank will be very helpful. If you have the merest smattering of French you should be able to proceed without any trouble AND you're likely to find that there is at least one member of staff who will speak English. If you have any hesitation then ask the agent you are viewing with - they will be happy to help if you haven't already organised the account. BUT You can, if you wish, arrange to open your bank account via Cafpi or one of the Financial Exchange Specialists above. If only these services had been offered to us when we were going through the buying process!

Whilst we point you in the direction of the property you may wish to buy...our associates on this page are the teams to approach for financing your purchase and sorting out the economic movement of your funds...
Good hunting...

Chris Slade
A House in Brittany Limited