Testing Times for French Houses

Anyone looking at French property for sale this month is probably wondering why, all of a sudden, house particulars are illustrated with these coloured graphs, identical to those found on washing machines, dishwashers and other electronic equipment. This is the latest ‘green’ measure from the French government to reduce energy consumption and emissions, particularly in the building sector. Hence since January 1^st this year, all properties for sale have to be graded for DPE (Diagnostic de Performance Energetique) and the results of this energy-efficiency rating has to be displayed in all ‘for sale’ details.

Both agents and private sellers must obtain and provide this information to all prospective buyers; failure to do so could result in a 37,500 Euro fine or even imprisonment. This is all part of the ‘Grenelle Environnement’ legislation designed to reduce energy consumption in the French building sector (which is the biggest consumer of energy in the economic sector in France) by at least 38% in the next ten years.

What does this mean for the buyer? Well the building tests (expertises) in France which have to be undertaken before a property can be finally sold are already some of the most comprehensive in the world and this will just provide more information for the buyer; of course it is useful to know but it probably won’t make any difference to the buying decision. However, right now it means that the market is at a bit of a standstill. Properties cannot be advertised until the tests have been done which has resulted in lots of frustrated agents with a big stack of properties to sell but which they cannot advertise or show to potential buyers until the backlog of testing has been cleared.

Well-meaning also as these tests are, let’s hope that they won’t result in owners of old properties replacing their traditional wooden windows with the even more un-ecological PVC to improve their energy ratings. This would be a disaster and, personally, I would rather turn the heating down and put on another jumper than see the character of French houses and thus France being changed so irrevocably.

A year to buy in France

How lovely to be back in France after three days in London at the France Show in Earl’s Court; to walk the dog in the fields behind the house this morning, breathe some fresh mountain air and drink my coffee on the terrace in the sun. And it seems that I am not alone in preferring this life; many people I spoke to at the France Show were looking for a similar change of lifestyle. Noticeable this year were the number of serious buyers ready to make their long-planned move to France, who have done their research, know where they want to be and have sensible and realistic expectations of what they can afford and will get for their money.

Winter sunshine and a cat's life!

It was also interesting at the show to see how many more people now understand both what a property finder does and the benefits of using one. Our services are well understood in places like America, Canada, the Middle East and Australia but it is only recently that professional buying agents have entered the collective British consciousness; mainly it has to be said, as a result of Kirstie and Phil.

Clearly we save our clients money that they would otherwise have to spend on house hunting trips to France with flights, car hire, petrol and accommodation but also by knowing average prices in different areas of the region and ensuring our clients buy for the best possible price. Equally important however, is that our clients get to choose from a much wider choice of houses because we source properties from all the agents in the region as well as notaires and private sellers.

Moreover, we save our clients a great deal of time and frustration by doing all the time-consuming initial trawling thorough property details and then by visiting all possibilities and eliminating the time-wasters, before drawing up a short list of houses meeting the buyer’s exact requirements, complete with photographs and descriptions. We have no vested interest in selling so they can be sure of unbiased advice; we are working just for the client and our only aim is to ensure that they find exactly the property they want at the best possible price and to make sure that they avoid any pitfalls. 

This is one of the most important purchases we make so professional help makes sense both financially and in terms of finding the very best properties available.  Now that more and more people understand these benefits, it looks as if we all have a busy time ahead.

The France Show – Earls Court, 14th, 15th and 16th January

I am looking forward to meeting lots of Francophiles at the France Show at Earls Court next weekend. I will be on the Frenchentrée stand, number 91 so do please come along and say hello. I will be delighted to discuss everything to do with buying property in the beautiful (and incredibly good value) Ariège and Haute Garonne as well as providing as much information as possible on the area in general. This is not a very well known part of France so please feel free to come and ask as many questions as you like.

For those of you thinking of buying a house in France, I will talk you through my property finding service and how I can help you find a real gem without all the costs, stress and frustration that is often part of the house hunting process. Even if you are not planning to use a property finder, please come and talk through what it is that you are looking for as this is still a region where the majority of the houses for sale never reach the internet or certainly not in English.  I will be on the stand every day but if you arrive just when I have wandered off, please ask one of my colleagues to give me a call and I will come back from the food market or wine-tasting stand to meet you! If you would like to make a firm appointment in advance, please email me on nadia@foothillsoffrance.com.

And if you are looking to buy in another part of France entirely, all of Frenchentrée’s property finding experts will be on the stand at some point during the weekend, covering some of the most beautiful regions of France. All will be delighted to meet you and help you as much as possible with your property search.

The French Property Exhibition part of the France Show is organised by French Property News. It brings together estate agents, developers, solicitors, banks and other professionals covering just about every aspect of buying your property in France. But the show is not just about property. You will also find information on holidays, regions, learning the language and living in France as well as the biggest French market in the UK. Packed with the finest in French food and wine, it is a celebration of French cuisine and a must for anyone who appreciates the finer French things in life. Take a look at the website here.

I really look forward to seeing you there.