Buying Property in France?
Great info about buying French property!

There is so much more to France than Disneyland Paris and the lush regions of Northern France. Deservedly, these areas get a lot of attention from both holidaymakers and those looking to purchase abroad for investment purposes. Investors, however, should resist the temptation to remain blinkered, as there are many other good investment property areas in France that are worth a second look!

A key area that is worth considering is Marseille. This stunning French port town which lies on the Mediterranean coast attracts hoards of visitors from other regions of France and from the UK. Fast train links have now been established between Paris and Marseille and there are a host of low cost airlines that service the region, making accessibility issues a thing of the past. Recently, Marseille was given the title ‘the hippest spot in France’ and this has been reflected in the property prices.

 Although property prices have increased dramatically in this region, due to the amount of interest from foreign investors, rental yields are also favourable. On average, rental yields in this city are around the 80 percent mark, making this region a popular choice for investors after a solid investment.

Other less well known towns, on the French Riviera, include Saint Laurent Du Var and Cannes La Bocca (near Cannes), both of which have retained their Mediterranean charm, whilst also providing the glitz of Monaco and Cannes. La Bocca, in particular, is located in a Cannes-style setting and even the buildings and renovated apartments have taken this line. Most of the buildings in this town are within 50 metres of the beach with wonderful boutiques, making this a real gem that is certainly on the up.

Saint Laurent is also a place to watch, with Nice International Airport less than 10 minutes away by car and flights from London taking an hour and a half. This region remains affordable and has shown capital increases of around 15 per cent a year for the last five years as well as a healthy rental return at around 7 per cent.

Moving inland from the coastal regions, investors can also find some serious bargains with excellent potential. The Dordogne region is becoming very popular with those visiting France who want a taste of ‘real France’, but also the convenience of easy access. In the rural parts of the Dordogne, properties with 5 acres of land can still be purchased for as little as £50,000 and prices are increasing at a rate of approximately 20 percent a year, making this a great place for capital growth.

Investing in other parts of France offers a wonderful opportunity to benefit from the excellent communication links and the already booming tourist trade, without having to pay the premium of the already popular resorts such as Monaco or Cannes.

Pay particular attention to the latest developments serviced by low cost airline routes and train line expansions, as where these go, property wealth soon follows. Get off the beaten track and make the most of your investment!