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Comparing New & Older Properties
Older Properties in France: Pro's & Cons
Advantages of Buying New Properties in France
Comparing New & Older Properties
The amazing choice of different architecture of properties in France gives buyers a chance to think about what they really want out of their home in France. There are pros and cons to each type of property and when looking at the option of buying either an old property, possibly with character or a brand new property with all the modern attributes there are many different things to consider.
Different types of properties suit and appeal to different purchasers, we don’t all choose the same thing, thank goodness!
Older Properties in France: Pro’s & Cons
So many people start out with an idea of what they would like and end up buying something totally different - you want a 'chocolate box' country cottage surrounded by flowers and gardens - but in the event you decide that cutting the lawn every weekend is not what you had in mind.
With the character and charm of old houses in many cases comes poor insulation and draughty rooms, meaning that it may take the whole weekend to warm up your home, depending on which part of France you are living in. Older properties may require continual maintenance. This has on occasion persuaded buyers to opt for something more recent or new and sometimes opt for an apartment.
Some purchasers set out with the idea that renovation may make it cheaper and then realise that they could not cope with it or that in fact it can be very much more expensive to get the work done and so buy a ready to move into property - whilst there are others who wanted it to be in perfect condition and find they cannot find perfection in their eyes and decide to restore for themselves.
Advantages of Buying New Properties in France
New properties offer the benefit of absolutely no work on moving in, a ten year guarantee, plus in many cases being given the choice of colours, tiles, carpet etc., low maintenance as well as lower conveyancing costs. They are built according to modern regulations for insulation, heating, electrics and plumbing.
If the property is on a gated domaine or block of apartments then ease of locking up when leaving it empty, possibly with a guardian or security on site and communal amenities such as pools, tennis and occasionally golf are other reasons for their popularity.
Being on a complex gives the possibility of making friends with other residents as most purchasers will be moving in around the same time and are likely to have something in common with the people who have chosen similar properties. The communal facilities also allow the children to mingle with French children and possibly other nationalities too and may allow them to improve their French.
When buying a new property that has not been built yet – ie buying ‘off -plan’ - you will need to be prepared to wait for your property, as normally building doesn’t start until much of the development is sold. You can go and view the site and choose the orientation and size you prefer – obviously the earlier you choose the better the choice, but the longer the wait until it is completed.
The developments tend to be built either near the coast or in particularly popular places a little inland, they are rare in the centre of rural France. Properties for investment may also be found in major cities where demand for rental properties will be high.
You need to have imagination and be able to read the plans. You will be able to view the site and situation of your property and be shown exactly where your property will be placed, but it is often hard to imagine the finished article within landscaped grounds when you are looking at a muddy field with no markings.
Occasionally there are developments of refurbished property, in which case you can view the building. These developments were often previously used and owned by large French companies for the purpose of staff holidays, but this idea seems to be dying out and such properties are then refurbished and offered for sale. These will be available for use more quickly and offer the possibility of at least viewing the shell of the property.
French regulations regarding purchase of new properties are very protective of the purchaser. The developer must have a bank guarantee in place so that they are guaranteeing that the purchaser will get his property come what may – even if the developer runs into any financial problems the bank are guaranteeing that they will employ other builders and you will get your property. In practice this means that the developers do not run into any problems as the bank will have done its due diligence before offering a guarantee.
New properties are built to comply with modern regulations and will have a 10 year guarantee similar to the National House Builders Guarantee. They offer good insulation and use low maintenance materials mean that the upkeep is likely to be low.
The French themselves do like new properties so that when you come to sell your property you will find a wide market making it easier to sell than a very unique property which may only appeal to a smaller section of the market.
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Property to Buy in France | Choosing Old vs New French Houses |
