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5 reasons why you should use a currency broker

IMPORTANT

You should be vigilant when selecting financial services firms. Our agency will not accept responsibility if you transfer money to a firm which goes out of business owing you money.

Get the best Euro € rate

The French property buying process includes a contract called the "Compromis de  Vente" where the term of the sale are laid as well as the price – which will be in euros. So if you are living in the UK you will need to  convert pounds sterling in to euros so you can complete the purchase of your property in France. The same applies if you wish to change dollars to euros or other worldwide currencies.

A Foreign exchange currency broker can offer favourable rates on these transactions and could save you a small sum which go towards a new kitchen, bathroom or swimming pool!

If you are considering buying a French property, it is essential to understand the complexities of currency exchange rates and how they can impact your purchase. A currency broker can provide you with valuable assistance in this process, helping you to secure the best exchange rate and save money on your property purchase. 

Here are some of the reasons why you should consider using a currency broker when buying a house in France: 

1. Competitive exchange rates:

A currency broker can offer you more competitive exchange rates than banks, which can save you a significant amount of money on your property purchase. They have access to a range of currency markets, which means they can offer you better rates than banks and other financial institutions.

2. Expertise:

Currency brokers are experts in foreign exchange, and they have a deep understanding of how the currency markets work. They can provide you with valuable insights into market trends and help you make informed decisions about when to buy or sell currency.

3. Personalised service:

When you work with a currency broker, you will have access to a dedicated account manager who can provide you with personalised service. They can guide you through the currency exchange process and answer any questions you may have along the way. 

4. Flexibility:

Currency brokers offer flexibility in terms of how you can transfer your money. You can choose to transfer your funds in a lump sum or in installments, depending on your needs and preferences.

5. Peace of mind:

When you work with a currency broker, you can have peace of mind knowing that your money is in safe hands. Currency brokers are regulated by financial authorities, which means they are required to adhere to strict standards and regulations.

In conclusion, using a currency broker when buying a house in France can provide you with many benefits, including competitive exchange rates, expert advice, personalised service, flexibility, and peace of mind. With the assistance of a currency broker, you can navigate the currency exchange process with ease and confidence, allowing you to focus on finding your dream home in France.

You should be vigilant when selecting financial services firms. Our agency will not accept responsibility if you transfer money to a firm which goes out of business owing you money. 

Additional checks are also recommended.

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    So you want to sell your property in France? This is an exciting journey, but understanding its value is crucial for making informed decisions. Town & Country Property France offers free verbal property estimations only.

    Why Town & Country Property France Doesn’t Offer Written Property Valuations

    You might be wondering why Town & Country Property France doesn’t provide written property valuations, even for a fee. Here’s a closer look at the reasons behind this policy:

    Market Nuances: The French property market, especially for rural properties, can be complex. Factors like limited recent sales data and unique property characteristics make it challenging to provide precise and reliable written valuations. Town & Country Property France prioritises providing accurate and realistic market insights through our expertise and local knowledge.

    Focus on Informed Decisions: Instead of relying solely on a single valuation, Town & Country Property France encourages comprehensive market research and open communication. We offer the following valuable resources to help you make informed decisions:

    • Market expertise: Our experienced team can share valuable insights into local market trends and comparable property sales.
    • Property inspection by agent: We personally visit your property, allowing us to assess the property’s condition, features, and potential first hand.

    By understanding the market complexities and Town & Country Property France’s commitment to informed decision-making, you can appreciate our approach. Our focus lies in providing comprehensive guidance and support through every stage of your French property sale, empowering you to make confident choices based on all available information.

    Who can provide written property valuations in France

    While Town & Country Property France doesn’t offer written valuations, there are other options in France:

    1. Experts Immobiliers (Independent Property Experts): These qualified professionals can offer detailed reports considering various factors influencing the property’s value. They are often used for legal purposes or for people with a property portfolio to manage or refinance. Their services are chargeable.

    2. Notaires (Notaries): These legal professionals can provide official valuations, but these are typically used for legal purposes rather than general inquiries and may come at a cost.

    3. Estate Agents: Some estate agents might offer written, preliminary valuations based on their experience and knowledge of the local market. These valuations should be used for general guidance only. Town & Country Property France offers free verbal estimations of your property.

    It’s important to remember that no single valuation method guarantees absolute accuracy. Combining different approaches, like consulting an expert immobilier and researching comparable properties, can provide a more comprehensive picture of your property’s potential value.

    Loi Carrez: Getting the Right Measure of Your French Home

    The Loi Carrez is used to calculate a precise measurement of a property’s habitable surface area, and is principally used in the sales of co-owned buildings (copropriété) such as apartments and condos. A vendor is obliged to supply this information to buyers.

    What is Habitable Surface Area?

    This specifically refers to the livable floor space within a property. Here’s the catch: not every nook and cranny counts towards your Loi Carrez measurement:

    • What’s Included: Rooms with ceilings higher than 1.8 metres (about 6 feet), such as living rooms, bedrooms, and finished basements.
    • What’s Excluded: Balconies, garages, attics (unless converted), stairwells, closets, and areas with very low ceilings.

    Why Does Loi Carrez Matter?

    • Accurate Pricing: Ensures you’re paying a fair price per square metre, not for unusable space.
    • Comparison Tool: Lets you accurately compare different properties based on their actual liveable area.
    • Protection: If the listed surface area is significantly off, you have legal recourse to adjust the sale price.

    Who Measures under Loi Carrez?

    Don’t do it yourself, get the licenced professionals to calculate your surface habitable. These include:

    • Diagnosticians: Specialists in property assessments.
    • Surveyors: Offer the most precise measurements.

    What Happens During the Measurement

    The professional will:

    • Take Precise Measurements: Of each room with qualifying ceiling height.
    • Calculate: Total habitable surface area, often using specialised software.
    • Provide a Certificate: The official document stating the exact measurement.

    Loi Carrez in the Buying Process

    • Mandatory for Copropriété: Sellers must include the Loi Carrez measurement in all property listings for co-owned buildings (like apartments & condos).
    • Validity: The certificate remains valid indefinitely unless significant structural changes are made.

    Key Takeaways for Homebuyers

    • Demand the Measurement: Don’t just assume it’s available.
    • Accuracy is Key: Verify the certificate, especially if you have plans to convert unfinished spaces.
    • Price Impact: Understand how the habitable surface area relates to the asking price.

    Don’t Get Shortchanged on Space

    The Loi Carrez promotes fairness and transparency in the French real estate market. By understanding this vital measurement, you protect your investment and ensure you’re getting exactly what you pay for.

    Let’s dive deeper into Loi Carrez’s detailed rules and how they impact houses and apartments.

    Specific Exclusions for Loi Carrez Calculation

    Beyond the basics, here’s a more granular look at what does NOT qualify as habitable surface area:

    • Walls & Partitions: The thickness of walls reduces the actual liveable space.
    • Stairwells & Doorways: The areas occupied by the stairs themselves and the space taken up by door swings are excluded.
    • Technical Areas: Space for boilers, water heaters, etc., even if within a room, aren’t counted.
    • Built-ins: Large, permanent features like fireplaces or non-removable closets eat into the measurement.
    • Areas under 1.8m Ceiling Height: Awkward nooks with very low ceilings (think sloped attic rooms) don’t count towards the total.

    Loi Carrez: Apartments vs. Houses

    • Mandatory for Apartments: In co-owned buildings, the Loi Carrez measurement must be included in ALL listings and sale contracts to ensure buyers are fully informed.
    • Not usually needed for Houses: There may, however, be exceptions.

    Why the Difference?

    Apartments within the same building might have varying layouts and usable space despite having similar overall square footage. Loi Carrez gives a clear-cut metric for comparison, which is vital in dense co-owned properties.

    Real-World Example

    Imagine two 60 square metre apartments:

    • Apartment A: Spacious rooms, minimal closets, and built-in elements = 55 sq m of Loi Carrez habitable area.
    • Apartment B: More walls and built-in storage = Only 48 sq m of Loi Carrez habitable area.

    While overall the same size, the livable space is vastly different, affecting their pricing.

    Key Takeaways

    • Demand Precision: Ask for the Loi Carrez measurement.
    • Convert with Caution: If planning to modify a property, factor in that any additions might fall under Loi Carrez exclusions.
    • Protect Yourself: If the actual habitable space differs by more than 5% from the listed figure, you may have legal grounds to renegotiate the price, particularly with apartments.

    Géorisques and ERP : Understanding Risk Reports in French Home Buying

    France enjoys varied landscapes – mountains, coastlines, forests – but this beauty often comes alongside potential natural and technological risks. That’s why risk reports are an obligatory and crucial part of information required as part of the real estate process.



    Why Géorisques and ERP Reports Matter

    The Géorisques and ERP (état des risques et pollutions) reports provide vital information about a commune’s and a property’s potential risk of exposure to various natural and technological hazards, including:

    • Flooding: Risk from overflowing rivers, coastal flooding, etc.
    • Landslides and Ground Movement: Especially prevalent in mountainous or earthquake-prone regions and areas with clay soil.
    • Wildfires: A significant concern in some forested areas.
    • Industrial Risks: Proximity to factories or sites storing potentially hazardous materials.
    • Other Localised Risks: Like abandoned mines or radon gas presence.

    When is a Géorisques and ERP Report Required?


    The Géorisques report must be shared with buyers at the first viewing. It is freely available to access online. Sellers must provide the buyer with a similar report called the ERP report (it must be less than 6 months old). Your estate agent or notaire will know which reports are necessary.

    What’s in the Report?

    • Maps: Clearly outline zones with different levels of risk.
    • Hazard History: Details past events in the area.
    • Preventive Measures: Any local regulations or recommendations. Any risk prevention plans in place for the commune.

    Decoding the Report for Homebuyers

    • No Risk: Great! The property isn’t located in a designated risk zone.
    • Manageable Risk: The report will provide information on mitigation measures and potential restrictions (ex: specific building requirements).
    • High Risk: You’ll need to carefully consider whether the risk is acceptable and how it might impact your insurance.

    The Report’s Impact

    Géorisques reports supply information to help you:

    • Informed Decisions: be informed about hazard risks.
    • Insurance: risk levels may influence home insurance premiums.
    • Preparedness: understand your property’s potential vulnerabilities so you can plan accordingly.

    Beyond the Report

    • Official Website: The government website https://www.georisques.gouv.fr/ provides general risk maps and information.
    • Localised Information: Don’t hesitate to ask local authorities (like the Mairie) for details about the area.

    Don’t Let Risks Take You by Surprise

    Géorisques and ERP reports bring transparency to the French home-buying process. Understanding them is vital for assessing a property’s suitability and making choices that help ensure your long-term safety and well-being.

    Gas Safety First: Understanding Gas Inspection Reports in France

    When buying a home in France that has a fixed gas installation, a gas inspection report provides essential information about safety. Let’s demystify this important document:

    Why Gas Inspections Matter

    Some anomalies can be dangerous, leading to leaks, fires, or even explosions. Gas inspections are designed to identify potential hazards and help protect you from these risks.

    When is a Gas Inspection Required?

    • Mandatory: Property with a fixed gas installation more than 15 years old requires a gas inspection report (less than 6 months old) before the sale can be finalised.

    What a Gas Inspection Checks

    An independent certified professional will examine:

    • Gas Pipes: Looking for anomalies such as signs of damage, the wrong type of pipe or an out of date pipe.
    • Appliances: Checking safety mechanisms.
    • Ventilation: Checking adequate venilation to prevent dangerous gas build-up.

    The Gas Inspection Report: What to Look For

    • Anomalies: The report will list any issues found, categorised by their level of severity.
    • Corrective Measures: Recommendations for necessary repairs or improvements.
    • Overall Risk Assessment: Whether the gas installation is deemed safe or poses potential dangers.

    How the Report Impacts Your Purchase

    • Clean Report: Good news! However, always make sure it’s recent. Remember that any ‘non fixed’ installations may not have been inspected.
    • Minor Issues: These might be easily fixable with minor repairs. Always ask a qualified professional to carry out the repairs.
    • Major Problems: Significant issues could require extensive and costly repairs, and may be a point of negotiation or a reason to reconsider the purchase. Always ask a qualified professional to carry out the repairs.

    Beyond the Report

    • Responsibility for Repairs: Sometime negotiated between the buyer and seller, otherwise factor the cost of repairs into your budget.
    • Maintenance: Regular gas installation checks by a professional are important even after you move in.
    • Carbon Monoxide Detectors: While not mandatory, these can provide an extra layer of safety.

    Don’t Compromise on Gas Safety

    Gas inspection reports are a crucial piece of the puzzle when purchasing a property in France. They help inform you about potentially dangerous problems. Understanding the report empowers you to make informed decisions.

    When it comes to buying property in France, trust the experienced estate agents at Town & Country Property France to deliver exceptional service and results. Contact us today to discuss your real estate goals and let us assist you in making your French property dreams a reality!

    With our extensive knowledge of the French property market, we are well-equipped to provide you with accurate and up-to-date information about the buying or selling process. From understanding local regulations to identifying the best neighbourhoods and property types, our team has the expertise to guide you every step of the way.

    Whether you’re in search of a charming country house, a luxurious chateau, or a holiday home with a pool, we have an extensive portfolio of properties to suit a variety of preferences and budgets. Our English-speaking estate agents work closely with you to understand your specific requirements and match you with properties that align with your needs and desires.

    At our agency, we understand that each client is unique. That’s why we pride ourselves on providing personalised service tailored to your individual goals and preferences. Our English speaking estate agents take the time to listen to your requirements, answer your questions, and provide guidance based on your specific needs, ensuring a smooth and hassle-free experience.

    Language should never be a barrier when it comes to buying or selling property in France. Our agents are proficient in both English and French. We understand the importance of effective communication, and our multilingual capabilities enable us to cater to clients from diverse backgrounds and ensure clear and transparent transactions.

    Navigating the intricacies of the real estate market in France can be daunting, especially in a foreign country. However, our agents are skilled negotiators who will work tirelessly to secure the best possible deal for you. Whether you’re a buyer looking to get the best price or a seller aiming to maximise your profits, we have your best interests at heart.

    Don’t let language or unfamiliarity with the French real estate market hold you back. Contact our agency today and let our experienced estate agents in France guide you towards a successful property purcahse.


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      7 Av. de la Gare, 16210 Chalais, France

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