Buy Property

Buying Property in France Web TransitionsAbroad.com Home Work Study Travel Living As seen in Transitions Abroad Magazine March/April 2000 Related Topics Living Abroad Related Articles Legal Living in France Moving to France Buying a Home in France Property in France How to Find It, Buy It, And Live in It By Phyllis Cohen Buying property in France is not just for movie stars and celebrities. Ordinary people with a passable knowledge of French (or a friend who speaks it) and a lot of patience can acquire a bit of magic too. But before you attempt it, arm yourself with knowledge of how to find your special place, how to buy it, and how to live in it. Finding the Place As you look for what you want, here are several things to bear in mind: Don’t expect American state-of-the-art appliances, floor layouts, or conveniences. Part of the charm of old buildings is that they are old, and that includes the kitchens and plumbing. Decide if you want a pied-à-terre (a small place where you can comfortably stay for several weeks or months at a time) or a year-round residence. Generally, an apartment is sold with an empty kitchen—four walls and a water outlet. There are stores that will help you design and install your own kitchen, ranging from pre-fabricated cabinets at IKEA to a kitchen created by cuisinistes . Get at least three estimates as well as references before selecting your vendor. If you will be in a city, decide whether or not you will have a car. Parking in Paris is difficult; having a parking place can greatly increase the resale value of your place. France offers a wide variety of locales. Before you go to the effort of buying something, you really need to explore. Paris itself is divided into 20 arrondissements , each with its own character. If you are willing to live in the banlieue , or suburbs, prices drop dramatically. Properties in the countryside are considerably cheaper. Finding the right house or flat is more complicated than in the U.S. There is no such thing as Multiple Listings in France. Only 30 percent of real estate transactions occur with the help of realtors; the rest are directly between buyer and seller. As a foreigner, you might be more comfortable working through an agent, or agent immobilier , who knows the laws of France. Getting Started Let’s say you’ve decided to buy an appartement in Paris. Walk the streets to find an area you like, then hunt down some agencies that look promising. You can also check out the listings and realtors in various magazines, newspapers, and on the Internet. There is relatively little new construction in Paris. Those apartment complexes that are being developed are usually sold when ground is first broken; in other words, you basically buy an apartment two years before it is completed. Occasionally, you will find almost-completed apartments listed in newspapers and real estate magazines.If you are truly brave, you can buy a place at auction. Notices appear in newspapers such as Le Figaro and the International Herald Tribune. Let the buyer beware. At least take an architect with you when you go to look at the offering. Reading Listings No matter where you find your listings, they will all be posted as À Louer (For Rent) and À Vendre (To Buy). They will also tell you what arrondissement (if in Paris) or département (if in the rest of the country) the property is located in. Perhaps most importantly, they will give you the size in square meters and the number of rooms. Most apartments in Paris are small. Studios are 100-200 square feet, some smaller. Three-bedroom apartments are frequently under 1,000 square feet. Listings will tell you how many rooms there are other than the kitchen. A studio is one room. A one-bedroom apartment will have two pièces, or two rooms, plus the kitchen. Bedrooms are almost uniformly small, while the living rooms are comparatively large. Bear in mind that the French follow the European convention of counting the first floor as the ground floor (Rez-de-Chauseé or RdC); the second floor in American terminology is the first floor in Europe. Generally, the higher the floor, the more expensive the property. Closing the Deal Once you have decided on a place you like at a mutually-agreed upon price, you and the seller sign a document known as a promesse de vente . This is a legally binding document that confirms that the seller must sell the property to the buyer. The buyer, however, has 11 days to change his mind. The seller must also provide to the buyer an accurate floor plan of the apartment or house. All sales in France are conducted with notaires. Both the buyer and seller has his own notaire and they confirm that all aspects of the sale are done according to law. If you are buying a condominium, there will be a set of rules that govern the building. As an owner, you are a co-proprietaire and are bound by the laws of the building. Owners collectively determine such things as whether you are allowed to install a satellite antenna on your balcony, whether the building as a whole will subscribe to cable TV, how often and how much money will be spent on repainting the walls, etc. Do not make the mistake (as we did) of not personally reading all regulations before you sign. As a foreigner, it is advisable to hire an avocat , or lawyer, who specializes in real estate. In case of a disagreement, you are far better off having someone who knows the law and knows how to speak French. Tax Considerations Before buying property in France, you should know that the Government of France has very specific inheritance laws. By law, on your death your property is divided equally between your spouse and your surviving children. There are some steps you can take to ensure that the surviving spouse can continue to live in the house or flat. Speak with a lawyer about this before you buy the property. You will pay between 8 and10 percent in taxes and fees. If you buy an apartment less than five years old, however, you will pay only 3 to 5 percent or less. Ask also about property taxes, which tend to be less in Paris than in the country. Generally, you will be responsible for both a land and a habitation tax. A larger question is your residency status. If you reside in France full time and earn a living here, you will become part of the French social system. The taxes are extraordinarily high (more than 50 percent). Again, you should seek the advice of a tax attorney who is familiar with both the American and French taxation systems. You can get a list of attorneys from the U.S. Consulate. Financing If you are able to pay cash for your new home, you will not need a mortgage, and many properties for sale in the country might well be within reach of your savings kitty. If you need a mortgage, things become a bit more complicated. A French bank will issue a mortgage to expats as long as you can show regular income. By French law the total of all of your mortgage payments worldwide cannot be more than 30 percent of your total income.Lastly, you must have mortgage insurance for a large mortgage and a physical examination at the bank’s expense. If you do not fall neatly into an income category (e.g., you are retired without a fixed income), Banque Woolwich is a good resource. The staff are used to dealing with expats and speak excellent English (Banque Woolwich, 9, rue Boudreau, 75009 Paris; 011-331-42-684-221, fax 011-331-474- 203-23; www.woolwich.co.uk ). Mary Fort is branch manager.The good news is that mortgages in France currently have excellent rates. Most mortgages (or “prets”) are for 15 years and currently run 4.5 percent annually. Once you are here in France, an excellent book to read is At Home in Paris , published by the Junior Service League of Paris. It gives all sorts of hints on differences of living in the States versus France (like how to make sure your laundry pipes don’t clog up with deposits). Living in France is a free publication, in English, that gives useful information on housing, employment, banking, insurance, etc. It can be found at various establishments around Paris that cater to foreigners. To absorb the flavor of a buying experience, read Peter Mayle’s A Year in Provence or Francis Mayes’ Under the Tuscan Sun. Both give agonizingly accurate pictures of the adventure of buying property abroad. All in all, buying property in France might seem like a daunting experience, but it is not an unpleasant one. Contrary to France’s reputation of being inhospitable to foreigners, we have found the opposite to be true. With the notable exception of a few surly cab drivers, we have found the French to be polite and helpful. And as we take our evening walks across the Alexander III bridge we can’t help but be amazed that a small part of this City of Lights belongs to us! Real Estate Listings De Particulier A Particulier (From Buyer to Seller), published weekly on Thursdays, is the most popular nationwide resource. L’Hebdo Immobilier (Weekly Realtor), published weekly on Wednesdays, also has an Internet site at www.immobilierenfrance.com . Demeures de France, a bi-monthly publication that specializes in upscale offerings, is in English and in French and also has an Internet site at www.demeures.com . Demeures de Charme is similar to Demeures de France, and is also in English and in French. FUSAC , a bi-weekly free publication for English-speaking residents of Paris, has advertisements for rentals, purchases, and agencies which can help you do either. FUSAC is available at many locations around the city including W.H. Smith and Brentano’s, two English-language bookstores. PHYLLIS COHEN and her husband Bob have taken a year off from their software company, packed their bags, and moved to Paris (See " Moving to France " in the January February Issue of Transitions Abroad Magazine). Web TransitionsAbroad.com Home Work Study Travel Living Disclaimer ©Transitions Abroad

Real Estate Listing

For Sale By Owner, homes for sale, houses, real estate, for sale - ForSaleByOwner.com Sell a Home Buy a Home Services Mortgages City Profiles Appraisals Service Directory Foreclosures Mortgages Service Providers Appraise Your Home Moving & Relocation Home Improvement Title Company Search Insurance Lawyers Virtual Tours Home Builders Real Estate Agents Research What is FSBO? City Profiles City Comparisons School Reports Crime Comparisons Salary Calculator Cost of Living Comp. Home Sale Prices Tools Free eBook DIY Software Mortgage Calculators Home Selling Guide Home Buying Guide Ad Writing Tips Real Estate Forms Home Buying Checklist Utilities Connections Your Credit Report Glossary Real Estate News Edit Your Ad Modify Your Ad Cancel Your Ad Upload Photos Help/FAQ BUYING A HOME? Search the largest real estate database of For Sale By Owner homes for sale! City State AL AK AB AZ AR BC CA CO CT DE DC FL GA HI ID IL IN IA KS KY LA ME MB MD MA MI MN MS MO MT NE NV NB NH NJ NM NY NF NC ND NT NS OH OK ON OR PA PE PR QC RI SK SC SD TN TX UT VT VA WA WV WI WY YT Int Zip Listing ID SELLING A HOME? "We sold two homes fsbo with your service (totaling nearly $500,000), which saved us $30,000 in commissions! We owe it to ForSaleByOwner.com - don't change a thing!" - The Chapmans, Virginia Home Selling Testimonials » For Sale By Website "When Chris Gaydos decided to sell his Baltimore home this summer, he didn't want a penny less than $263,000. After a real estate agent said $245,000 was the best he'd get, he bought a FSBO listing at ForSaleByOwner.com . A month later, he got the offer he wanted, and pocketed $7,000 by cutting out the middleman." Why use For Sale By Owner.com? For Sale By Owner makes selling a home on your own easy. We sell the most houses for sale by owner, proving our house selling strategies sell more homes than any site in home selling. Moreover, your home's selling price is determined by you, not a real estate broker who takes a 6% fee for selling your home. Proven Home Selling Record Since 1997, For Sale By Owner has helped sell thousands of houses, saving home owners billions of dollars in real estate commissions. ( click here for more details ) Unparalleled Exposure We are among the top-five most visited real estate sites in the world and the largest "For Sale By Owner" homes for sale site. ( For Sale By Owner.com statistics ) Easy to Use For Sale By Owner makes home selling a sellers dream. We provide the best customer service in the industry with 24/7 support and a comprehensive "Home Selling" guide for selling a home yourself. ( for a guide on selling your home click here ) Affordable Prices For Sale By Owner provides several packages to suit your individual needs. List your home for sale with markets starting at only $89.95. ( for prices in your area click here ) Sell Your Home Guaranteed Home Owner; if your home doesn't sell, we'll give you your money back. That's correct. Your house will sell or you'll receive a full refund! ( For Sale By Owner house selling guarantee ) Act now, and start selling your house on your own in the largest For Sale By Owner site (with up to 6 color home photos and a 1,000 word house description - try buying that in a newspaper ad). Sell your home for sale by owner and market your fsbo home to millions of home buyers that might be looking to buy a home just like yours. Want to see what your home could look like on For Sale By Owner.com ? Check out our featured Home click here What Will I Save? Calculate your savings when you use us! You save ! City Profiles Find Out more about your new location! 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Colorado Real Estate Quick

Selling Breckenridge, Keystone, and all Summit CountyColorado Real Estate Summit County Real Estate Home Summit County MLS Summit County Real Estate Sales Summit County Real Estate Showcase New Construction Selling Buying 1031 Exchange Office Locations Breckenridge Resort Help Wanted Summit County Colorado Real Estate Quick Real Estate Search Area: Breckenridge Keystone Copper Mountain Dillon / Summit Cove Frisco Silverthorne / Wildernest Park County Leadville Other Type: Residential Price: 000 to 000 Min Beds Ignore 1 2 3 4 5 Min Baths: Ignore 1 2 3 4 5 Min Square Feet: Contact | Advanced Search | Home Selling Summit County Colorado Real Estate If you own real estate in Summit County Colorado that you are thinking of selling, consider the following. Nobody comes even close to selling as much real estate in Summit County as Re/Max. In fact, Re/Max has been #1 in Summit County real estate sales for 15 years in a row! Real Estate Services for Summit County Sellers Free Competitive Market Analysis (CMA): Determine what your Summit County real estate is currently worth. So what did it really sell for? : If one of your neighbors recently sold real estate and you want to know the actual sales price, complete and submit this form; you can also use this form to determine recent sales within an entire subdivision or condo complex. Not only does Re/Max dominate the county as a whole, but we also lead in the various towns throughout the Summit County, as the following graphs will show: Breckenridge Keystone Silverthorne Dillon Frisco Feature Your Summit County Real Estate Listing On This Web Site The March 2005 Nielsen NetRatings Search Engine Ratings are as follows: This web site is in the top 5 for all of the most relevant search terms for people looking for Summit County real estate on all of the top 3 search engines!!! There is no other Realtor or Real Estate company site for which this is true! The following table shows the search engine rankings of this site as of November 07, 2005: Google 7-Nov Breckenridge Real Estate 1 Breckenridge Colorado Real Estate 2 Summit County Real Estate 2 Summit County Colorado Real Estate 1 Keystone Real Estate 1 Keystone Colorado Real Estate 2 Yahoo Breckenridge Real Estate 2 Breckenridge Colorado Real Estate 4 Summit County Real Estate 5 Summit County Colorado Real Estate 2 Keystone Real Estate 1 Keystone Colorado Real Estate 3 MSN Breckenridge Real Estate 3 Breckenridge Colorado Real Estate 5 Summit County Real Estate 2 Summit County Colorado Real Estate 2 Keystone Real Estate 5 Keystone Colorado Real Estate 2 Overture.com was used to determine that these are the most relevant search phrases. The following table shows how often these phrases were searched for during the past month as of November 07, 2005. Keyphrase Breckenridge Real Estate 1,849 Summit County Real Estate 1,113 Keystone Real Estate 1,540 Breckenridge Colorado Real Estate 1,046 Keystone Colorado Real Estate 1,131 Summit County Colorado Real Estate 882 All other seemingly relevant key phrases have fewer than 500 searches so I do not bother tracking them. Also, when people do search for real estate in other towns of the same name as those in Summit County, it is clear that they are often in fact looking for information on real estate in other states like Frisco Texas and Dillon Montana. Real estate currently on the market receives the following services: Web Marketing | Other Marketing | Sellers' Service Pledge All real estate will be featured on the following web sites: Featured Properties : Complete photos and information hosted on this site. Listings on most other sites link to this one. Other RE/MAX web sites: Both www.cloradomountainproperties.com and www.breckenridgebrokers.com contain all Re/Max listings. Also, this company has over 75 agents, most of which have their own personal web sites that feature Re/Max real estate listings. I also permit other non Re/Max agents throughout Summit County to include my real estate listings on their personal web sites through a real estate search service similar to the one accessible by clicking on the banner at the top of this page. If there are any other worthwhile real estate listing sites which you can suggest, let me know and I will look into putting your property information on them for you. Please note: many other sites you might think of (yahoo, excite, infospace, infoseek, etc.) already draw their information from one or more of the sites listed above. Other means I use to market real estate include (with your permission) but are not limited to: Including your property in the Summit County Multiple Listing Service (MLS), through which Realtors with other companies can show your property to their prospective buyers. Installing the internationally recognized RE/MAX for sale sign on your property. Direct mailing to potential buyers. Telemarketing to potential buyers. Circulating flyers describing your property to other local real estate offices. Holding open houses. Also , as a broker with RE/MAX Properties of the Summit, I will fulfill the following Sellers' Service Pledge by performing the following services: Provide a marketing plan for your property to include, as appropriate, recommended promotional and other activities, along with a "schedule of events" outlining those marketing steps mutually agreed upon. Furnish a written Competitive Market Analysis to help you determine the most effective listing price for your property. This analysis may be updated to reflect changing market conditions. Review various financing alternatives and assist you in determining those which best enhance the saleability of your property. Review local marketing customs, conditions and procedures, and make recommendations designed to enhance the marketability of your property. Install the internationally recognized RE/MAX sign on your property, with your permission. Expose your property to appropriate incoming transferees referred to this office through the RE/MAX VIP Referral System. Provide regular progress reports throughout the marketing period and discuss with you comments received about your property. Show your property to qualified buyers. Provide a VIP Referral Form, if appropriate, offering the services of a RE/MAX office at your new destination to assist with your search for a new property. Submit to you all written offers as presented; assist with negotiations; and provide an estimate of your net sales proceeds prior to acceptance. Upon acceptance of an offer by you, monitor pre-settlement (escrow) activities throughout the closing process as permitted by law or local practice. " If there is anything else you would like from your Realtor, let me know and you will not be disappointed with my service!" Click here to contact Ted. Ted Amenta is an Associate Broker with RE/MAX Properties of the Summit Site Map 1 2 3 4

Selling Home-Made Food Products

Selling Home Made Food Products Online Questions? Just Ask! Home > Start-Up > Questions from Readers > Food Product Regulations Question from reader: What kind of license/health inspections etc. do you think would be involved in selling a home made food product from a web site? Answer from Brett Krkosska: Comply With Regulations Before Selling Home-Made Food Products Online Before starting a home business selling food products it's a good idea to investigate regulations on the local level, as well as state and federal mandates. The Food and Drug Administration is the federal regulatory body who sets national guidelines. More information can be found by visiting their website. You'll need to make some phone calls to research your requirements on the state and local level, as regulations vary with location. State governments vary as to what products may or may not be prepared and sold from home. For instance, canned goods are often prohibited. Many states require a food permit, and inspections from your local health department are to be expected. You may find that a commercial kitchen, or at the very least, a separate kitchen is required for home prepared foods. Call your state and local health agencies for information on permits and regulations that apply to your business. You'll also want to make sure you are in compliance with local zoning and licensing laws. Your county and city clerks are a good place to start. And of course, normal tasks such as registering your business name, registering a trademark, obtaining a sales tax certificate, getting adequate insurance coverage... should all be attended to before opening for business. << More Questions from Readers Search for more information about Selling Home-Made Food Products Web HomeBizTools.com Real-world, common sense strategies for small and home based business success. Your issues... real answers. First Name: Your Email: Your email address is safe. Our Privacy policy .

Buy Property

Buying a Home - HUD HUD News Newsroom Priorities About HUD Homes Buying Owning Selling Renting Homeless Home improvements HUD homes Fair housing FHA refunds Foreclosure Consumer info Communities About communities Volunteering Organizing Economic development Working with HUD Grants Programs Contracts Work online HUD jobs Complaints Resources Library Handbooks/ forms Common questions Tools Webcasts Mailing lists Contact us Help Buying a Home Information by State Esta página en español Print version Email this to a friend Counseling and Education Housing counseling agencies can give you advice about buying a home. Find a housing counselor near you. Common questions Homeownership videos More from HUD Mortgage glossary FHA mortgage limits HUD approved lenders HUD approved condos Healthy homes Environmental maps Energy info About appraisals Links Rural housing loan programs Loan programs for veterans Freddie Mac Fannie Mae US Postal Service Mover's Guide The homebuying process can seem complicated, but if you take things step-by-step, you will soon be holding the keys to your own home! Nine steps to buying a home Figure out how much you can afford Know your rights Shop for a loan Learn about homebuying programs Shop for a home Make an offer Get a home inspection Shop for homeowners insurance Sign papers Step 1: Figure out how much you can afford What you can afford depends on your income, credit rating, current monthly expenses, downpayment and the interest rate. The calculators below can help, but it is best to visit a lender to find out for sure. How much home can you afford? Buying vs. Renting Need help with your downpayment and/or closing costs? Homebuying programs in your state A housing counselor can help you figure out how to manage and pay off your debt, and start saving for that downpayment! Find a housing counselor near you Step 2: Know your rights Fair Housing: Equal Opportunity for All - brochure Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA) Borrower's rights Predatory lending Back to Top Step 3: Shop for a loan Save money by doing your homework. Talk to several lenders, compare costs and interest rates, negotiate to get a better deal. Consider getting pre-approved for a loan. Looking for the best mortgage: shop, compare, negotiate - brochure Let FHA help you Step 4: Learn about homebuying programs Homebuying programs in your state FHA loan programs offer lower downpayments and are a good option for first-time homebuyers. Let FHA help you HUD's special homebuying programs Good Neighbor Next Door Program - for police officers, teachers, firefighters and emergency medical technicians Homeownership for public housing residents Indian Home Loan Guarantee Program (Section 184) Step 5: Shop for a home Choose a real estate agent Wish list - what features do you want? Home-shopping checklist take this list with you when comparing homes Homes for sale (including HUD homes) " Fixer-uppers " - home purchase and repair programs Manufactured (mobile) homes Build a home If you choose a home in a neighborhood with a Home Owners Association (HOA), be sure to request a copy of the HOA packet, so you can review before closing. Back to Top Step 6: Make an offer Discuss the process with your real estate agent. If the seller counters your offer, you may need to negotiate until you both agree to the terms of the sale. Making an offer Step 7: Get a home inspection Make your offer contingent on a home inspection. An inspection will tell you about the condition of the home, and can help you avoid buying a home that needs major repairs. For Your Protection Get a Home Inspection Step 8: Shop for homeowners insurance Lenders require that you have homeowners insurance. Be sure to shop around. Homeowners insurance 12 ways to lower your homeowners insurance costs Step 9: Sign papers You're finally ready to go to "settlement" or "closing." Be sure to read everything before you sign! Settlement Costs and Helpful Information Content updated December 1, 2005 Back to Top FOIA Privacy Web Policies and Important Links Home U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development 451 7th Street S.W., Washington, DC 20410 Telephone: (202) 708-1112 TTY: (202) 708-1455 Find the address of a HUD office near you