Investment opportunties remain in French towns and villages

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by Gill Montia

Leggett Immobilier is convinced that the French housing market will continue to offer investment opportunities for the dedicated buyer throughout 2008.

The French estate agent recommends a property search focused on the centre of French towns and villages, where small properties without gardens can still be obtained for as little as £18,000.

Prices for maison de maitres homes in such locations range from around £72,000 to £107,000.

According to Trevor Leggett, executive director of Leggett Immobilier: “Once renovated, you may have to sit on your property for a little longer in order for the rest of the market to catch up with you, but town houses offer excellent, spacious accommodation and can still provide the quieter, relaxed lifestyle people are looking for at half the price of a comparable property down a quiet lane in the countryside.”

Mr Leggett sees the market as in a state of change because an increasing number of investors are looking for permanent homes, with around 75% of prospective buyers wanting to move to France on a long-term basis.

In addition the average age of the estate agent’s client is getting younger (currently between 40 and 50 years) and as a result, those moving to France are more likely to be looking for work and wanting to integrate fully into their new communities.