The South of France is a beautiful location to look for a new property that suits your needs. Whether you’re making a permanent move with your family, looking for a quiet vacation spot or wanting to covert a buy-to-let in a popular destination, there will be a few things to consider before taking the leap.
Enlisting the help of a professional and experienced South of France surveyor can ease the stress of looking for a new property.
The place you finalise with should ideally be able to accommodate your lifestyle. Here’s what you need to consider when looking for a South of France property.
Permanent Home
If you are relocating with your family, you will want to take into account your personal taste, the size of the house and number of rooms to comfortably accommodate your brood. Proximity to schools, doctors and other municipal facilities will also be a big factor in settling into your South of France property. A permanent fixture means you’ll have the option for more long-term alterations. However, if you are purchasing a listed South of France property and want to make alterations, you will need to consult with the Architectes des Bâtiments de France (ABF). Charles Mackintosh, a surveyor based in the South of France, will be able to assist in liaising with this department.
With climate in the South of France being hot in summer and mild in winter due its proximity to the Mediterranean, you will probably want to allow for perennial garden access – make sure it’s south-facing for best sunlight exposure.
Holiday Home
The South of France has long since been a popular holiday destination for holidaymakers. When purchasing a property for leisure purposes, you will want to consider its location depending on whether you’d like to be close to tourist attractions, or somewhere a little more secluded. Either way, try to factor in accessibility.
If you intend to only spend short periods of time in the South of France, perhaps an apartment would be a feasible solution as this generally requires minimum attention.
The other option for a holiday home is buying a holiday property to let to holiday goers. Again, location and transport accessibility should be factors you have in mind when making your choice, as they could affect your overall rental income. Furthermore, your décor should ideally give off a neutral and minimal feel so that it has a universal appeal for potential guests. We will be able to help you source professionals for any renovation projects you may have in sight.
Tax
As with any property there will be a number of tax implications such as the Capital Gains Tax, home owner’s tax (Taxe Foncière) and the resident tax (Tax d’Habitation). You must ensure that you have put a budget together that factors in the various costs involved in the process.
Taking the decision to purchase a property is a big one to say the least, but Charles Mackintosh can help with everything from surveying to the project management of your renovation. Please get in touch today to consult with Charles, who has over 30 years’ experience.