2020 vision

Karen Tait lists 10 reasons to make this the year you buy your French property

- Karen Tait

If you’ve been dreaming of owning a property in France for a while – a holiday home or a permanent move – what’s stopping you? Maybe you’re worried about making the financial commitment, or are waiting until exchange rates hit a certain level. Perhaps Brexit stopped you in your tracks, or you can’t decide on a location. Whatever the reason, as we enter a new year, now’s the time to think about what you really want, and if a French property is still your dream, why not make it your New Year’s Resolution.

If you still need a little encouragement, here are just a few reasons to nudge you in the right direction.

1) VALUE FOR MONEY

Even after all the years I’ve been editing this magazine, I’m still struck on a daily basis by the amazing value properties you can buy across the Channel. Yes, there are expensive pockets (Paris and the Riviera, for example) but look around the beautiful countryside of France and you’ll find thousands of stunning homes at bargain prices. From village houses to rambling country estates, there’s such an amazing choice on offer too.

At the time of writing, the average UK house price is just over £234,000 (€274,00), rising to £250,000 (€293,000) in England and over £329,000 (€385,000) in the south-east. Compare that to average prices in a few French departments:

• Charente (NouvelleAquitaine): €115,000

• Dordogne (NouvelleAquitaine): €120,000

• Creuse (Nouvelle-Aquitaine): €62,500

• Côtes-d’Armor (Brittany): €133,000

• Pas de Calais (Hauts de France): €135,000

• Manche (Normandy): €133,800

• Gers (Occitanie): €142,000

• Aude (Occitanie): €130,500

• Ariège (Occitanie): €109,800

• Lot (Occitanie): €125,000