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Guide to South West France

Property

Some parts of South West France offer the intriguing potential of property that is less expensive than elsewhere in the country, and can be let out to the local market rather than the flow of tourists, giving owners the security of long-term lets and tenants who will treat the property as their own. Around Perpignan, for example, there is a demand for rental property for families who have moved to the area for work – there are some new developments being built on the outskirts of the city, and for a little over £150,000 you can get a small villa that would make a great family home to rent to the local market.

Looking further east, the mountain villages of the Pyrenees offer some fantastic opportunities for those who are happy to endure the cold of the winter in return for living in the beautiful surroundings of the Pyrenees. For example, in the Ariege region there are new-build two bedroom apartments for around £130,000, or projects for renovation of a similar size for under £50,000.

Carcassonne is also a great location in which to look for property, though purchasing within the town walls is not only expensive but difficult to do as property is rarely available on the market. There are numerous low-density new developments being constructed within sight of the famous walls, with family villas available for under £200,000. Access to the town is easy, and it is one of the most popular tourist destinations, so a well-marketed villa or apartment can be rented out successfully during the summer months.

Reflecting its historic popularity with the British market, the Dordogne is probably the most expensive part of this corner of France, purely due to the demand for property and the lack of huge building projects to supply it. Village houses can still be found for renovation for under £100,000, but many of the most desirable properties will already have been renovated, and may cost upwards of £200,000 for a small family home.

If you are lucky enough to have a budget to make the rest of us jealous, the South West of France can accommodate your tastes with ease. Consider taking on a vineyard, and produce your own vintage, or should the sound of waves crashing on the beach take your fancy, you may prefer a coastal villa with sea views on the outskirts of Biarritz. Expect both of these options to set you back £500,000 and more.

Finally, a word on potential growth. Prices in this part of France are growing faster than almost every other region, and some parts have reported more than ten per cent capital growth per year for the past three or four years, backed up by official statistics. Though this growth may slow a little in the future, with the mature overseas property climate in France and the new Sarkozy government’s efforts to encourage more French people to buy property, prices should continue to rise.

Local life

Some parts of South West France offer the intriguing potential of property that is less expensive than elsewhere in the country, and can be let out to the local market rather than the flow of tourists, giving owners the security of long-term lets and tenants who will treat the property as their own. Around Perpignan, for example, there is a demand for rental property for families who have moved to the area for work – there are some new developments being built on the outskirts of the city, and for a little over £150,000 you can get a small villa that would make a great family home to rent to the local market.

Looking further east, the mountain villages of the Pyrenees offer some fantastic opportunities for those who are happy to endure the cold of the winter in return for living in the beautiful surroundings of the Pyrenees. For example, in the Ariege region there are new-build two bedroom apartments for around £130,000, or projects for renovation of a similar size for under £50,000.

Carcassonne is also a great location in which to look for property, though purchasing within the town walls is not only expensive but difficult to do as property is rarely available on the market. There are numerous low-density new developments being constructed within sight of the famous walls, with family villas available for under £200,000. Access to the town is easy, and it is one of the most popular tourist destinations, so a well-marketed villa or apartment can be rented out successfully during the summer months.

Reflecting its historic popularity with the British market, the Dordogne is probably the most expensive part of this corner of France, purely due to the demand for property and the lack of huge building projects to supply it. Village houses can still be found for renovation for under £100,000, but many of the most desirable properties will already have been renovated, and may cost upwards of £200,000 for a small family home.

If you are lucky enough to have a budget to make the rest of us jealous, the South West of France can accommodate your tastes with ease. Consider taking on a vineyard, and produce your own vintage, or should the sound of waves crashing on the beach take your fancy, you may prefer a coastal villa with sea views on the outskirts of Biarritz. Expect both of these options to set you back £500,000 and more.

Finally, a word on potential growth. Prices in this part of France are growing faster than almost every other region, and some parts have reported more than ten per cent capital growth per year for the past three or four years, backed up by official statistics. Though this growth may slow a little in the future, with the mature overseas property climate in France and the new Sarkozy government’s efforts to encourage more French people to buy property, prices should continue to rise.

Conclusion

One of the most diverse and beautiful regions of France, the South West has the full range of weather, property, landscapes and languages. And with property still to be found for bargain prices and incredibly easy access, it is no wonder more and more British buyers are heading there.

More pages

Page 1: Introduction
Page 2: Property

Related Articles

• Buying a Property in France
• France: An Overview

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