Real Estate & Construction News in France from Propertyshowrooms.com

Building costs in France 'among the world's highest'

Fri, 19 Aug 2011 00:00:00 GMT

France has been named as one of the most expensive countries in the world in which to build new property.

According to a survey released by EC Harris, the European nation came fifth place in the table, behind Switzerland, Denmark, Sweden and Ireland.

However, the research stated that "construction costs are remarkably consistent among the largest EU countries".

The high price of building a property in France may mean that more investors put their money into existing homes rather than new developments.

Head of cost and commercial at EC Harris Matthew Riley warned that the supply of building materials could become a problem for developed nations in the future.

Although France does not top the table in terms of its construction expenses, it was the highest-ranked European country in the Knight Frank Global House Price Index published earlier this year.

The organisation attributed rising real estate values to economic growth during the first quarter of 2011, which has helped boost consumer spending, productivity and demand for properties.

British buyers tempted by French new-builds

Tue, 30 Nov 2010 00:00:00 GMT

A new generation of British property investors have become interested in buying French real estate, it has been claimed.

The increased availability of new-build homes in the country has caught the attention of investors, with many looking to take advantage of the low cost, minimum maintenance buying opportunities.

"A shortage of homes throughout France has seen increased house building activity and the fact that they are much cheaper than resale properties with mortgages easier to obtain means there is a lot of interest," said Patrick Joseph, of French property website My-French-House.com.

"There are some fantastic opportunities to be had in the new build sector, all ready to move into and perfect for families looking for a second home within easy reach of the UK."

Furthermore, those looking to buy property in France will be encouraged by the expert's belief that the real estate market in the country is buoyant, thanks to low mortgage rates and good availability.

New development planned for French Alps

Wed, 10 Nov 2010 00:00:00 GMT

In excess of a thousand new properties are to be built in French ski resorts, it has been announced.

The news is sure to interest individuals looking at Midi-Pyrenees property listings or those searching for Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur property for sale.

According to developer MGM Group, the holiday homes will be state of the art in terms of both sustainability and economy.

Richard Deans, of MGM’s UK sales office in London, said that this is the company's biggest undertaking so far this year.

He explained that with market growth in the French Alps gaining momentum, MGM is looking to take advantage by building a "higher than usual number of sites".

Mr Deans added that demand has pushed property prices in the French Alps back up to the pre-credit crunch levels of 2007.

"While current demand makes further rises inevitable, currency exchange rate fluctuations may temper the high levels of demand we saw in the summer. Sales in July and August this year were the best I can ever remember," he said.

Risk planning zones in France have major implications for property

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT

The French government is creating new planning zones to take into account the possible effects of natural disasters which have major implications for developers and property owners...

French firm quits Iran gas deal

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT

French energy firm Total will not invest in Iran because it is too risky, the company's boss says in a newspaper interview...

MBI International Plans 1 bn Euros Towers in Paris

Thu, 3 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT

MBI International & Partners, the global group that combines the companies owned by Sheikh Mohamed Bin Issa Al Jaber, announced its investments in a two unique towers project to become the local business landmarks on the Parisian border...

Building Surveys - A roof over your head

Wed, 26 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Chartered Building Surveyor Martin Quirke FRICS takes a look at the most common problems encountered with French roofs, from what...

Better transport 'makes living abroad feasible'

Mon, 19 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Living abroad is becoming a highly feasible lifestyle choice because of good transport connections, according to a newspaper.

The Telegraph stated that Britons now had an unprecedented amount of access to other countries due to relatively recent developments such as the Channel Tunnel.

In addition, the publication said that international travel had become much more affordable and convenient than it had been several decades ago.

As an example, it stated that it was now quicker to travel to London from Paris than it was from Manchester.

This was said to be leading to many Britons choosing to live overseas and commute internationally.

The Telegraph commented: "The globe has become a smaller, less intimidating place.

"Living abroad simply isn't a big deal anymore," it added.

Last week, the accessibility of France was significantly improved with the launch of a new high-speed rail link between St Pancras International and Paris.

French property market "sheltered"

Fri, 10 Aug 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Experts assert that the French property market is by and large sheltered from the current US sub-prime crisis due to a stringent legal framework that will not allow sub-prime risks to penetrate.

Serge Grzybowski, chief executive of property development group Icade, argues that France is protected from this vulnerability as a result of the way in which its mortage system is set up, with banks tending not to lend excessively to mortgage borrowers.

In the US a combination of uncapped floating rate loans and relatively high lending in relation to disposable income leaves many borrowers susceptible to base rate fluctuations.

"Floating-rate loans are often capped in France and banks don't lend more than 33 per cent of an individual's disposable income," explained Mr Grzybowski to the French press, according to Forbes.

He continued to state that French property groups tend to have little exposure to "the more speculative property markets" or foreign property markets.

A spokesperson for Association Integration Kreizh Briezh maintains that UK property investors with an eye on the French market would stand to benefit from French language classes in order to make the process and transition easier.

Burgundy ripe with developable properties

Fri, 27 Apr 2007 00:00:00 GMT

The outstanding investment potential of the Burgundy region of the south of France is often overlooked by short-sighted investors, according to a spokesperson for property specialists Rightmove.

Local competition for investors in the Burgundy property market is curbed because purchase prices are often too high for French citizens looking for a home.

Yet "British people have somehow forgotten about it," Rightmove's Maud Rousseau remarked.

Investment opportunities for British homebuyers looking to snap up and spruce up a property in a great location with a fabulous climate are rife, she stressed: "You can still get a very good price for an amazing property".

Ms Rousseau suggested that the best buys will often be homes in need of some slight renovation, which French buyers will tend to avoid.

As an investment, she added, a Burgundy home is unlikely to disappoint ? demand for accommodation from visiting holidaymakers will stay strong as long as the weather stays hot, and spring temperatures of 29 degrees Celsius are currently blessing Burgundy's vineyards.