Comments on: Do You Have Any Tips About Buying A Run-down Property Requiring Renovation In France?

By: Volodia

Volodia — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 18:22:45 +0000

The problem is to find the good agency in the right location, and listen to skilled people – mainly hand-workers
The operation will not be difficult in its administrative part, but rather considered your dreaming consideration of the reality – THE PROBLEM RELIES ON YOUR 20.000€ – Add one zero and then maybe you’ll find – otherwise bye bye – prices did not go up because of us but because of your compatriots -
Amen

By: Cabal

Cabal — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 17:59:58 +0000

One thing to add to Choco’s very good explanation. Check that the house or building is not on the list of ‘patrimoine’, which means that it is registered as a heirlom of the country and has to be renovated following extremely strict rules. You need an architect, the approval of a special office etc… And it is extremely expensive. As France is an old country you find those special buildings everywhere, so check first.

By: Bas and Sarah

Bas and Sarah — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 17:01:41 +0000

I have not done this, but I have family living in France who have had quite some houses in France. I know houses are cheap in France, but if they’re THAT cheap, you will most probably have lots and lots of renovations to do. Houses in Europe are much more expensive than in North America. I don’t know if you’re from the USA, but if you are you will face higher costs next to the purchase of the house.
Renovation will be expensive since you will have to exchange USD for EUR, and that’s not exactly cheap right now. Next to that, gas is expensive in Europe, and everything will be more expensive if you’re receiving your income in USD.
Another fact that I wouldn’t underestimate, is the fact that a lot of French people are xenophobic. I know that there are many many great French people, but I also know that especially in smaller places, people don’t like to be addressed in English, and sometimes don’t like “intruders”. If you like to have an active social life, I would make sure to speak French well before going there. I have seen this happen quite a few times before, not all French people are open to foreigner, and some seem to not like people from the USA at all.
Anyways, just my 0.02, I hope it helps You can also look into Belgium (where I personally think most people are more open), Austria, Italy or Spain. I think the house prices will be more or less the same.
Good luck! See the link below for some more things you have to think of when moving abroad.

By: Odile

Odile — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 16:33:12 +0000

The others have given you good advice, and I agree with the writer who said costs can be deceptive. If it’s cheap, it probably requires lots of work.
Another thing you need to know in France is that it is a “buyer’s beware” real estate market. They don’t use disclosure statements, so be very sure you get an architect or engineer to help you determine whether or not your project is feasible, the building is structurally sound, etc. and whether you can get planning permission to do whatever it is you want to do. Read ChocoBN’s advice carefully.
I once made an offer on a property but put a “subject to” financing in the offer. In France there are not building inspectors or appraisers in the same way North America has.
I hired an architect to determine whether the building was sound to renovate. She determined that it was not, and wrote a report stating why. That cost me about E 125 and was well worth the cost. I was able to back out of the deal because the bank would not finance.
Bonne chance!

By: Rillifan

Rillifan — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 16:01:14 +0000

The only thing I would caution you about is that the regulations concerning this sort of thing are complex and difficult. The process requires multiple permissions from various different government bodies all of which are renowned for being pettifogging, nitpicking, officious, arrogant and unhelpful.
EDIT: We can see here the difference in mindsets between people who are used to the European way of doing things and the American.
A few years ago I built a two story building as guest quarters on my ranch. I required no one’s permission to build, no permits, no inspections, paid no fees, dealt with no bureaucrats or planners, nor any regulations or laws.
Certainly not every place in the USA is like that and in most cities there are various rules but in rural America government generally leaves you alone.
Most Americans think being left alone by government is or ought to be the norm while most Europeans think that getting only two or three permits and having to hire only one lawyer to get permission from some government hack to fix up your own house is reasonable.
That’s why, in the final analysis, despite the fact that I love France, I live in the USA. It not in my nature to bow down to anyone let alone some government bureaucrat.