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Searching for Property in Var, France

By riviera-provence on , 01:23

Searching for Property in Var, France

If you are considering investing in Provence property, you would be well advised to concentrate your search on its southernmost department, le Var.

Le Var is considered to be the gateway to not only the Cote d’Azur, but also the Provence Alpes, including the greater part of the former within its borders. It is a largely mountainous region and with more than 55% of its area covered by forest, it is the second most verdant department in all of France.

Le Var is also a very beautiful region and as a consequence it is extremely popular with hikers. Amongst its principal attractions is the Canyon du Verdon, which at a length of 25km, and a depth reaching a staggering 700m, is the second largest canyon in the world.

For those who revel in more leisurely pursuits, there are of course the famous beaches of the Cote d’Azur to enjoy. If swimming and water-sports are your thing, you needn’t confide yourself to the coast as the interior offers a number of rivers and crystal clear mountain lakes.

It is largely as a result of its superb natural landscapes that Var continues to enjoy a sustained popularity amongst both tourists and property investors alike. However, the consequence of such popularity has seen the average price of property in Var, rise to well above the French national average.

It is worth noting, however, that the average price of properties in Var has been skewed by the inflated prices of properties within the more exclusive resorts of the Cote’ d’Azur. Included amongst these is Saint Tropez where luxury property is amongst the most expensive in Provence, if not France.

For those whose budget does not stretch to luxury property, Var offers plenty of alternatives. Although properties in Toulon, the capital city of Var, are relatively expensive for the region, they nevertheless offer great value for money when compared to similar properties in towns such as Saint Tropez.

If you are looking for less expensive property for sale in Var, then you should concentrate your search inland. Not only does the Var interior offer properties that are far more affordable than those of the coast, but it also offers respite from the international masses that gather there. If you invest in inland Var property, you will find that you enjoy a far more authentically Provencal living experience.

You will find a great range of properties for sale in the interior of Var, including converted farmhouse, village homes, and maison de maitres. Although there are a few purpose built developments, many of which include superb amenities such as swimming pools and golf clubs, these are few and far between as a result of the strict planning restrictions that operate in the area.

Despite the relatively high average cost of properties in Var, they nevertheless represent some of the best real estate (immobilier) investment opportunities in all of Provence. The fact that the region is so popular with tourists means that the rental market is extremely strong and if you are intending to buy a holiday home, then you should give serious consideration to renting it out during your absences.

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Why Invest in Property in Cannes (France)

By riviera-provence on , 00:15

Why Invest in Property in Cannes (France)

The obvious answer to the above question is ‘pleasure’. Cannes is superb little town, blessed with beautiful beaches, stunning scenery, excellent restaurants, and wonderful weather. Add to this the small matter of an International Film Festival, outstanding shopping and a buzzing night-life and it is easy to see why so many tourists flock to Cannes each and every year.

Given its glamorous reputation you could be forgiven for thinking that property investment in Cannes was the preserve of those with more money than sense. While property prices in Cannes are high relative to the rest of France, they are in fact relatively low when compared to capital cities such as London, and if you do posses the capital to buy into Cannes real estate, you will discover that rather than being an expensive luxury your outlay does is in fact represent a shrewd investment.

The reason for property investment in Cannes being so lucrative is two-fold. Demand for properties in Cannes is extremely high, while supply is extremely limited with the result being that Cannes properties tend to greatly appreciate in value. Given that French planning restrictions, designed to prevent overdevelopment, are extremely stringent, this is a trend that is likely to continue in the foreseeable future.

The second reason for property investment in Cannes being so lucrative is that potential rental yields are extremely high. For the past three years, Cannes has had an average of 9.4 million visitors per year and given the fact that the town has so many annual events it is relatively protected from the kind of fluctuations that can negatively affect less diversified resorts. Furthermore, one in five visitors to Cannes are business people attending the many annual conferences and events. Like the tourists these people need accommodation, but tend to have far greater budgets at their disposal.

Cannes is also extremely well connected; it has its own airport (catering for private aircraft) at Mandelieu, and is only a 35 minute drive from Nice Côte d’Azur Airport. As such Cannes is within 3 hours travel of most European capitals, including Berlin and London

Searching for property for sale in Cannes (France)

Before choosing which area you want to search for properties for sale in Cannes, you must first decide whether you want your new home to be exclusively for the use of your family and friends, or whether you plan to make use of your property’s potentially high rental yield.

If you are simply looking for private holiday apartments for sale in Cannes, then you would be advised to concentrate your search on the following areas, ‘La Californie’, ‘La Basse Californie’, ‘Super Cannes’ and ‘Le Cannet’. These are all very attractive areas within easy walking distance of the town centre and the beaches. Most residences in this area will have a balcony or terrace, and many will have access to a communal swimming pool.

If you are looking for a Cannes apartments for sale, with a view to letting it out on a seasonal basis, then you should concentrate your search on ‘Palm Beach’, ‘Le Suquet’, and ‘La Banane’. These areas are all located within a short walking distance of the ‘Palais de Festivals’ and so are particularly attractive to business clients who wish to rent luxury property in Cannes. Properties in this area tend to be smaller and more expensive, and there is less chance of finding accommodation with a balcony, while swimming pools are even scarcer.

If you are looking for a Cannes villa for sale you should concentrate your search on ‘La Californie’, ‘La Basse Califonie’, ‘Super Cannes’ and ‘Le Cannet’. These are all extremely attractive areas and if you are looking for a villa with a super sea view in Cannes, then these areas are your best bets. You should note however, that these are amongst the most expensive properties for sale in Cannes, and indeed the South of France. On the positive side, they also command extremely lucrative rental prices during the long summers.

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Properties for sale in Nice

By riviera-provence on , 00:12

With its idyllic location on the French Riviera, it is not surprising that Nice has become a major tourist centre and one of the leading holiday resorts of the Mediterranean coast.

Nice has a well deserved reputation as an all-year round resort and with an average of 300 days of sunshine per year; visitors are all but guaranteed a taste of the famous Mediterranean climate.

Located in the region Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, the city of Nice boasts many attractions. Here you will find beautiful beaches, interesting museums, and famous landmarks relating to its rich history.

As a result real estate in Nice is represents one the South of France’s soundest opportunities for property investment

Over the past four years investors have seen an average yearly increase of 14% in the price of property in Nice, far higher than the average across France.

If you also take into account the year round strength of the rental market, which allows owners of holiday-homes to make the most of their assets during their absence, you get a strong sense that Nice will continue to attract foreign buyers for the foreseeable future.

Searching for Properties for Sale in Nice (France)

If you are looking for property for sale in Nice, then it is well worth contacting one of the city’s many ‘Agence Immobilier’. Nice has over 700 real estate agents and together they offer a wide selection of properties to suit all tastes and budgets.

Properties for sale in Nice can range from studio apartments through to the most luxurious palaces with sea views, though these are almost exclusively the preserve of the rich and famous.

Nice real estate agents will typically offer a range of renovated or new apartments for sale including:

   *      studio,
   *      two to seven room
   *      duplex,
   *      triplex,

If you are looking for luxury property in Nice then you may consider the ‘Belle Epoque’ apartments and villas. ‘Belle Epoque’ is the term used to describe the period in history which was considered to be the ‘golden age’ by the upper classes.

Those who can afford to purchase luxury property in Nice may want to consider focusing on any of the following prestigious areas such as:

   *      "Quartier des Musiciens",
   *      Victor Hugo,
   *      Cimiez,
   *      Mont Boron,
   *      Promenade des Anglais.

Alternatively you can also find many good deals for immobilier in Nice if you focus your search away from the beach and the city-centre.

There are 10 major projects under construction by the local government that are expected to transform the city. "Les Grands Projets" ,as they are known, include the creation of a new student district, the upgrading of the major Nice bypass route and transforming the port into a luxury marina.

Whether you are looking for a small apartment to use as a Pied-à-terre, or a luxurious beach-front villa you are sure to find a suitable property in Nice for sale.

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Buying property in St Tropez

By riviera-provence on , 00:09

Buying property in St Tropez

Forget ‘keeping up with the Joneses, if you’re serious about buying property in Saint Tropez, you’re going to have to start ‘keeping up with the Zeta-Joneses!’

A popular hang-out for the ‘bohemian crowd’ since the early twentieth century, St Tropez has long attracted creative types, from musicians and actors, to painters and writers. However it is was only in 1956, when director Roger Vadim cast this former fishing village as a backdrop to Brigitte Bardot for his 1956 film ‘Et Dieu... créa la femme’ (And God created Woman), that St Tropez caught the public imagination and began establish the reputation that it enjoys today.

Nowadays St Trop (as it has been re-christened by those-in-the-know) is firmly established as a party town for the rich and famous, and its harbour, which until its destruction by Nazi bombs in 1945 was the biggest commercial port in France, is full to bursting point with luxury yachts.

If you are new to St Tropez then it might take you a few weeks to secure an invite to one of the famous yacht parties. However, there is plenty of people watching to be done in the town itself, and if you are there between June and August you will stand a particularly good chance of spotting members of the ‘glitterati’ enjoying their summers of fun.

Searching for Property in St Tropez by area

If you’ve ever searched for property on the internet before you will be used to those pull-down menus that allow you to specify details like ‘price-range’ and ‘minimum number of bedrooms’ required. When you are searching for property for sale in Saint Tropez you will find the same pull-down menus, but the list of specifications will include also include such features as ‘swimming-pools’, ‘tennis-courts’, and whether or not you require a helipad!

Whether you own a helicopter or not, if you are serious about your party-going then a helipad is something of a must. Let’s face it you’re not going to be able to catch the bus to many private yacht parties!

If you are still serious in your quest for real estate or immobilier in Saint Tropez then you’d better ask yourself the following questions:

Am I

  1.      a Russian oligarch
  2.      a professional footballer
  3.      on seriously good terms with my bank-manager.
  4.      married to one of the above

If the answer is ‘a’ then you might consider a property in the Parcs de St Tropez. Considered to be some of the most spectacular real-estate in Saint Tropez (if not the world), these properties retail from between 5 000 000€ and 250 000 000€.

If the answer is ‘b’ then the above is probably out of your price range (unless you’re thinking of joining Manchester City FC). Slightly cheaper (relative to the St Tropez property market) are the residences near Pampellone beach, which start at around 5 000 000€. This is considered to be one of the chicest areas of the town and the glorious white sands of the beach host some of the trendiest beach clubs in the world including club 55, Nikki beach and La Voile Rouge.

If your answer is ‘c’ then your bank manager may be reassured by the fact that Saint Tropez properties have traditionally offered very good returns on investments. Prices have been steadily rising for over a decade and lack of availability combined with continuing high demand should keep prices stable despite the worldwide recession.

In order to find more affordable Saint Tropez property you may try looking in the port area of the old town where the prices start at 600 000€ for a two-bedroom apartment with no sea-view, and 1 500 000€ for a two-bedroom apartment overlooking the sea. These old houses (formerly inhabited by fishermen) represent some of the more affordable Saint Tropez real-estate but tend to be sold very quickly as a result.

Although prices seem relatively high, it should not be forgotten that with an average of 320 sunshine days a year, St Tropez has an extremely lucrative holiday rental market. If money is no object, you can live where you like and enjoy the town year-round. If money is an issue, then a shrewd investment will allow you to enjoy this beautiful town at a fraction of the price but still allow you to rub shoulders with the rich and famous.

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Property Investment in Marseille

By riviera-provence on , 00:03

Property Investment in Marseille

With a population of 1.6 million, Marseille is France’s second largest city. Despite its stunning Mediterranean location, the city has until recently been regarded as something of a rough diamond, its reputation tarnished by high unemployment and simmering racial tensions. Between 1994 and 2004, however, unemployment dropped from 20% to 14% and with more and more businesses relocating to Marseille, they are encouraging signs that this trend will continue.

The transformation of Marseille’s fortunes is in no small part due to its vastly improved transport links. It takes just 3 hours to travel to Marseilles on the TGV and, after the recent upgrade of the Eurostar service, it is now possible to reach London within 7 hours. Even more significant to the city’s fortunes has been the introduction of low-cost airline routes to Marseille-Provence airport at Marignane (27km northwest of the city centre). Easyjet operates flights from Gatwick, Liverpool and Bristol, while Ryanair offer a service from Glasgow.

As a result of its increased accessibility, Marseille is attracting more visitors than ever before and an increasing number of people are opting to deepen their relationship with the city by investing in Marseille properties. Those who do are finding that Marseille is an engaging place to live. Its centre is fun and vibrant and full of diverse cultural offerings from the Opera to a lively Hip-Hop scene. It has superb shopping and a buzzing café culture, and in the Marché aux Puces it has a Sunday market that showcases the city's multi-ethnic background. Add to this a 57km stretch of white sanded beach and an average of 300 days sunshine a year and it is easy to understand why so many people are looking to invest in Marseille real estate (fr. immobilier).

Real Estate Prices in Marseille

Being a large city, there is a naturally a great range in the types of property available for sale in Marseilles.

At the budget end of the Marseilles real estate market you will find many bargains located in and around the city centre. Although a three-room apartment of around 60m2 will typically cost somewhere in the region of €170,000, you will find some agents in Marseille offering similar properties for as little as €170,000.

If you are looking for something larger, then €280,000 will be enough to buy you a 112m2, four-room property in Marseilles 1er arrondissement. For this price you will enjoy the convenience of city-centre living, as well as the charms of a period apartment complete with mouldings and marble fire-places.

If however, you are willing to sacrifice location for amenity then you might consider extending your property search to the Marseilles suburbs where a modern four-room apartment, with access to a resident-owned swimming pool, will cost in the region of €270,000.

Due to the recent increase in demand for property for sale in Marseille, there has in recent years been a shortage of existing stock. Fortunately the local government has been extremely supportive of developers building new properties in Marseille. This has not only been of great advantage to the Marseilles property market, but has also played an integral part in local regeneration schemes.

If you are in no great hurry to secure your immobilier in Marseille, you might well consider investing in one of these new developments. Although the disadvantage is that you cannot view your property until you already own it, the financial incentives of investing in such developments often prove to be extremely tempting.

One such scheme is the Pavilion Massalia. Located in the heart of the city in an area known as La Belle de Mai, the Pavilion Massalia is comprised of a range of one, two, and three bedroom apartments all of which were sold before the building was even completed in early 2007.

With prices starting at €154,500 for a one-bedroom property, apartments in the Pavilion Massalia were relatively expensive at the time. However considering that the long term return on the apartments is forecast to be more than 200%, while annual rental return has the potential to recoup 8% of the initial outlay, it soon becomes clear that such apartments represent an extremely good investment.

Whether you are looking to buy an apartment in an old townhouse, or put your money into one of the many new luxury developments you are sure to find a Marseilles property to suit both your requirements and budget. This is a wonderful old city that has recently had new life breathed into it, and this is a perfect time to invest.

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Fancy Owning A Luxury Property in Provence?

By riviera-provence on , 14:30

France is the world’s number one tourist destination and one of the most popular countries for investment. It is a land of unspoiled beauty featuring a diverse natural landscape, boasting endless white sandy beaches, dramatic Alpine mountain ranges, dreamy scented lavender fields, sun-drenched vineyards and an enviable climate. With so much to offer, it could be very hard to select a location for your luxury property France.

In the South East corner of this country rich in natural beauty, stretching from the Southern Alps to the French Riviera, with the border of Italy and Monaco to the east, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur is a land of many contrasts. Provence offers a wealth of unique attractions for holiday makers, those interested in investing in luxury properties France and also buyers enquiring into homes for sale in Provence France and properties for sale in the French Riviera as a second home.

With a Mediterranean climate featuring more than 3000 hours of sunshine a year, the superb weather offers warm summers providing plenty of sunshine to enjoy the continuous fine white sandy beaches, hiking in the hills, and the endless number of bike trails through haute villages and vineyards. Winters are mild with the coldest month of the year displaying temperatures of 3°C to 15°C (37° to 59° Fahrenheit). With major ski resorts only two hours drive away, Provence presents an ideal location for those interested in investing in luxury property in France. Due to the mild winter temperatures, owners of homes in the south of France will not have to worry about costly heating bills during the winter season. Furthermore, Provence provides an enviable destination for both winter and summer activities hence guaranteeing and investment in Provence property for sale a profitable and rewarding decision.

Tourists and owners of Provence properties and homes in the South of France are spoilt for culinary choice. The enviable climate fosters the growth of delicious seasonal fruit, legumes and herbs, allowing you to enjoy the fine food and wine for which the Provencal region is famous. With an abundance of restaurants within the region, ranging from cosy family run restaurants, to buzzing side-walk cafes, to chateaus rich in gastronomic tradition, food critics flock to the region to sample the awarded Provencal cuisine. Additionally, Provence is home to some of the most famous vineyards in the world including, Chateau Neuf-du-Pape, Gigondas, Cote-du-Rhone, Minuty, Chateau Rascasse, Chateau du Marres, Chateau du Maur. Sommeliers and wine connoisseurs alike can relish in the fine quality, rouges, blancs and roses.

If you fancy life in a luxury property in France, in a small village set in the vineyards for which the region is famous, there is a wide range of houses for sale in the South of France in many picturesque locations. The Luberon is home to many enchanting hilltop villages including Gordes, Lacoste, Bonnieux, and Roussillon. For the adventure seekers in search of amazing day trips, these charming villages can be reached by bike, with numerous bike rental companies offering services throughout The Luberon. Equally seductive are the towns and villages of the Alpilles area, among them the infamous town of Saint-Rémy-de-Provence where Van Gogh created many of his paintings, Eygalières and Les Baux-de-Provence.

With all of these attractions it is no wonder that Provence is an infamous destination for visitors and property investors interested in Provence house for sale and property for sale in the South of France. Home Hunts offers a wide range of homes for sale Provence France, French Riviera properties and luxury property for sale in the South of France. Our multi-lingual team of professionals based throughout the South of France specialise in helping clients buy property in the South of France. Furthermore, we offer a luxury property finding service for FREE! The Home Hunts tailor-made search service is available to anyone looking to purchase a property in Provence. Whether you are looking for luxury property in Antibes, investment properties Aquitaine, property in Bordeaux, luxury property in Arcachon France, or French Riviera property, we have local consultants available to assist you in your search. Our FREE SERVICE provides you with all the legal and financial information you need to know regarding the French house buying process.

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