Agents and viewing
In France, estate agents must hold a carte professionelle, which you can ask to see. French agents give out much less information about a property than their UK counterparts – for example, they’re unlikely to give out a property’s address. They will also accompany you on viewings.
Initial contracts
Once an offer on a property has been accepted, both buyer and seller sign a compromis de vente, a legally binding contract stating the names and addresses of buyer and seller, the address of the property for sale, the agreed price and so on. Conditional clauses can also be included – for example, that the sale is dependent on planning permission being granted. It is essential that you understand everything that has been included in the compromis and any other contracts – if necessary, employ the services of a translator. (Other initial contracts include the promesse de vente and promesse d’achat, i.e. promise to sell or buy.)
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
France Real Estate: Second-Home Sale
That's fantastic news for people like me. Last spring, standing on a cliff overlooking some of the more extraordinary villas near Es Cubells beach in Ibiza, I promised myself that one day I was going to own a vacation home. Maybe it would be on one of the enchanting Balearic Islands, or possibly in south Florida-Miami or Naples-where hot weather is guaranteed most of the year (though the charming hills of the Scottish Highlands and the desolate islands off Croatia have also stirred my heart).
At the time, I did not think I could begin to look at options until several years down the line. But now, with the market for second homes softening fast, even freelance journalists like me can start realistically toying with the idea. I've got my eye on the stunning Zen Vida property in Majorca, which boasts five bedrooms with en suite bathrooms, three al fresco dining areas and a designer kitchen, as well as spectacular views of the Bay of Palma. Then again, it's tough to pass up Théole-sur-Mer, the estate built in 1925 on a private peninsula near Cannes by the architect Barry Dierks, which offers an infinity pool and direct diving into the Mediterranean.
At the time, I did not think I could begin to look at options until several years down the line. But now, with the market for second homes softening fast, even freelance journalists like me can start realistically toying with the idea. I've got my eye on the stunning Zen Vida property in Majorca, which boasts five bedrooms with en suite bathrooms, three al fresco dining areas and a designer kitchen, as well as spectacular views of the Bay of Palma. Then again, it's tough to pass up Théole-sur-Mer, the estate built in 1925 on a private peninsula near Cannes by the architect Barry Dierks, which offers an infinity pool and direct diving into the Mediterranean.
Monday, March 2, 2009
ProLogis Leases 415,000 Square Feet in Southern France
ProLogis (NYSE: PLD), a leading global provider of distribution facilities, announced today that it has leased more than 415,000 square feet (38,560 square meters) in southern France to Point P, one of France's top distributors of construction materials and a subsidiary of the Saint-Gobain Group.
Point P's new lease is for space in a 624,000-square-foot (58,000-square-meter) facility currently under construction at ProLogis Park Clesud, one of ProLogis' largest distribution parks in southern France totaling 2.4 million square feet (224,000 square meters) across nine buildings. Point P plans to use the space to distribute building materials and other outdoor products to a regional network of retail outlets. ProLogis expects to complete development of the facility, which is connected to the railway network, in the first half of 2009.
"We are very pleased to be working with Point P, a well-known construction distributor in southern France," said Ranald Hahn, managing director for ProLogis in southern Europe
Point P's new lease is for space in a 624,000-square-foot (58,000-square-meter) facility currently under construction at ProLogis Park Clesud, one of ProLogis' largest distribution parks in southern France totaling 2.4 million square feet (224,000 square meters) across nine buildings. Point P plans to use the space to distribute building materials and other outdoor products to a regional network of retail outlets. ProLogis expects to complete development of the facility, which is connected to the railway network, in the first half of 2009.
"We are very pleased to be working with Point P, a well-known construction distributor in southern France," said Ranald Hahn, managing director for ProLogis in southern Europe
Sunday, March 1, 2009
At Home In Paris
One benefit of renting an apartment is that you really feel you are a part of the neighborhood. I adore going to all manner of French stores, open-air markets, cheese shops, charcuteries, bakeries, meat markets, fish sellers, flower markets, chocolate shops and wine stores. Even the supermarkets fascinate me.
All of the above were within a 10-minute walk of our apartment, and thanks to our capacious fridge, we could purchase all we wanted. The first morning, I went down early to the open-air market at place Maubert Mutualité, bought a black beret for 10 Euros, and wore it every day, just for extra authenticity.
The problem of the downstairs door resolved itself when we picked up our extra keys waiting for us inside the apartment, but the second door, the one to the apartment, obligingly picked up where the other door had left off; it started to refuse to let us in. Through much time spent praying the lock would open and the timed light in the hall wouldn't go off, we learned to unlock and relock the door until it finally let us in. That is one thing you learn very quickly about a rented apartment: It doesn't come with a concierge.
All of the above were within a 10-minute walk of our apartment, and thanks to our capacious fridge, we could purchase all we wanted. The first morning, I went down early to the open-air market at place Maubert Mutualité, bought a black beret for 10 Euros, and wore it every day, just for extra authenticity.
The problem of the downstairs door resolved itself when we picked up our extra keys waiting for us inside the apartment, but the second door, the one to the apartment, obligingly picked up where the other door had left off; it started to refuse to let us in. Through much time spent praying the lock would open and the timed light in the hall wouldn't go off, we learned to unlock and relock the door until it finally let us in. That is one thing you learn very quickly about a rented apartment: It doesn't come with a concierge.
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