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Mortgage Rates, Home Loans, Home Equity Loans, Debt Consolidation and Bad Credit Loans - HomeLoanCenter.com Mortgage Refinance Home Equity Loans Home Purchase Credit Concerns Debt Consolidation Check Loan Status Loan Calculators Rate Quote Rate Watch FAQs Find the Right Loan 5 Reasons to Refinance Home Buying Tips Mortgage Terms Glossary Get Loan Approval in Minutes. Qualifying is Quick & Easy. -- Choose Your Loan Type -- Refinance Purchase Home Equity Loan -- Choose Your State -- AK AL AR AZ CA CO CT DC DE FL GA HI IA ID IL IN KS KY LA MA MD ME MI MN MO MS MT NC ND NE NH NJ NM NV NY OH OK OR PA RI SC SD TN TX UT VA VT WA WI WV WY Our Mortgage Calculators will help you find the right loan. How Much Can You Afford? How Much Equity is in Your Home? How Much Could You Save? What Will Your Monthly Payment Be? Hsieh Joins Expert Panel on CNBC Anthony Hsieh appears on a special edition of CNBC Primetime with a panel of residential real estate industry experts. Anthony Hsieh, on CNN's Open House Hsieh appeared as a guest speaker on CNN's Open House to discuss good housing debt versus bad housing debt. Click below for a Personalized Payment and Rate. Option ARM 1.000% 1.106% 1 Month ARM 2.000% 2.116% 3/1 Libor ARM 5.000% 5.149% 15 Year Fixed 5.125% 5.384% 30 Year Fixed 5.625% 5.782% 30 Yr Fixed Jumbo 6.125% 6.289% Assumptions Site Map | About Us | Contact Us | Business Hours | Careers | Privacy Policy | Our Guarantees | Licensing | Legal Information Loan Payment Calculator | Mortgage Refinance | Home Equity Loan | Home Purchase | Adjustable Rate Mortgages | Second Mortgage Tools & Resources | Mortgage Interest Rates | Home Loan | Equity Loan | Debt Consolidation © 2005 Home Loan Center, Inc. All rights reserved. Loan programs are offered by Home Loan Center, Inc.

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6232 Real Estate Agents and Salespersons Quick Search Find an occupational description by entering its four-digit NOC code. 6232 Real Estate Agents and Salespersons Real estate agents and salespersons act as agents for the sales or purchase of houses, apartments, commercial buildings, land and other real estate and are employed in the real estate industry. Example Titles commercial real estate agent real estate agent real estate broker real estate sales representative residential real estate agent supervisor, real estate agents View all titles Main duties Real estate agents and salespersons perform some or all of the following duties: Solicit property sales listings from prospective vendors Assist vendors in selling property by establishing asking price, advertising the property, listing the property with listing services and conducting open houses for prospective buyers Assist prospective buyers in selecting, visiting, inspecting and making offers of purchase on real estate properties Advise clients on market conditions, prices, mortgages, legal requirements and related matters Draw up sales agreements for approval of purchaser and seller May rent or lease properties on behalf of clients. Real estate agents and salespersons may specialize in residential, commercial, industrial/institutional or rural real estate sales. Employment requirements Completion of secondary school is required. Completion of a real estate training course is required. Provincial or territorial licensure in the province or territory of employment is required. Additional information Real estate agents and salespersons normally work on a commission basis. Real estate agents may operate independently by obtaining a broker's licence in accordance with the regulations of the province of employment. A broker's licence is required to become a manager in real estate. Classified elsewhere Assessors, Valuators and Appraisers ( 1235 ) Insurance, Real Estate and Financial Brokerage Managers ( 0121 ) Mortgage brokers (in 1114 Other Financial Officers) Rental agents (in 1224 Property Administrators) Right-of-way agents (in 1225 Purchasing Agents and Officers ) Classification Structure - 6 Last Modified:2004/11/01 Important Notices

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The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Business NEWS AND VIEWS PUNJAB HARYANA JAMMU & KASHMIR HIMACHAL REGIONAL BRIEFS NATION OPINIONS MAILBAG BUSINESS SPORTS WORLD SPECIAL COVERAGE CHANDIGARH LUDHIANA DELHI THE TRIBUNE SPECIALS 50 YEARS OF INDEPENDENCE TERCENTENARY CELEBRATIONS B U S I N E S S A-I fleet expansion plan takes off as Boeing offers Rs 1,000 cr rebate New Delhi, December 24 The empowered Group of Ministers today approved flag carrier Air-Indiasplans to purchase 68 aircraft, after securing a Rs 1,000 crore discount on the deal value from US manufacturer Boeing. Istithmar stake in SpiceJet is $50m Stewardesses walk past the engine of an Air Deccan Airbus A-320 aircraft on the tarmac at Bangalore airport. Low-cost private carrier Air Deccan announced on Saturday, that it would buy 30 A320 aircraft from European consortium Airbus Industrie for $1.5 billion. AFP photo Apax to buy Tommy Hilfiger for $1.6 b New York, December 24 After several months of searching for a suitor, Tommy Hilfiger on Friday embraced the same private equity firm that two years ago helped buy out fellow US design icon Calvin Klein. EARLIER STORIES No decision on selling stake in PSUs December 24, 2005 New Year bonanza for RIL investors December 23, 2005 Kalam draws up roadmap for 10-12 pc GDP growth December 22, 2005 Govt to list large central PSUs December 21, 2005 Govt invites EoI for 8 pc stake in Maruti shares December 20, 2005 Raha terrific CEO, but ONGC faulty, Mani tells PM December 19, 2005 Govt may inject dose of health cess to boost economy December 18, 2005 Rs 9,245-cr package for rural coops okayed December 17, 2005 Tatas buy Thailands steel company December 16, 2005 Aiyar blows hot and cold on LPG, kerosene price hike December 15, 2005 Roche, Hetero ink deal London, December 24 Swiss pharmaceutical firm Roche has signed a deal Hyderabad-based Hetero Drugs authorising it to manufacture and sell its anti-viral flu medicine Tamiflu under licence in a number of developing countries. CBoP mulls acquisition Mumbai, December 24 The Centurion Bank of Punjab, the merged entity between the Centurion Bank and the Bank of Punjab, today said it is looking at further acquisition to increase its presence in the domestic market. INVESTOR GUIDANCE NRIs can buy house abroad and claim exemption in India Q: I have sold my house in India and earned some capital gains. Can I claim exemption u/s 54 by purchasing a house abroad? Aviation Notes Tourism to figure in Punjabi Parvasi Divas meet Aviation and tourism are among a few vital areas for development and expansion through non-resident Indians in Punjab in particular and country in general. Taiwanese models display a Toyota Motor Marathon Race concept car at the 2006 International Auto Show on Saturday in Taiwan. AP/PTI A-I fleet expansion plan takes off as Boeing offers Rs 1,000 cr rebate Tribune News Service & PTI New Delhi, December 24 The empowered Group of Ministers (eGoM) today approved flag carrier Air-Indias (A-I) plans to purchase 68 aircraft, after securing a Rs 1,000 crore discount on the deal value from US manufacturer Boeing. Besides the huge discount on the total price of around Rs 35,000 crore, Boeing has also offered to set up MRO (maintenance, repair, overhaul) and training facilities in India at a cost of around $205 million. The eGoM has also made Boeing agree to sourcing materials from India, equal to 30 per cent of the value of the aircraft, which works out approximately to Rs 8,500 crore. After a five-hour long meeting that eGoM and A-I officials held with Boeing representatives, Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel told reporters that the documents would now be sent to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for final approval. The eGoM, headed by Finance Minister P. Chidambaram, has Law Minister H.R. Bhardwaj and Programme Implementation Minister Oscar Fernandes and Patel as members. Patel had a few months ago informed Parliament that the deal would cost Rs 38,900 crore which was the price prevailing at that point of time. Official sources said A-I has converted its options to buy 16 aircraft into a firm order, taking the total number of firm orders to 50. It is also acquiring 18 more aircraft for its subsidiary Air-India Express. The fleet would comprise eight Boeing 777-200 (Long Range), 15 B777-300 (Extended Range) and 27 B787s, besides 18 Boeing 737-800s for Air-India Express. The AI Board has selected engines for all 68 aircraft from the CFM International, a 50:50 joint venture between Snecma of France and General Electric Aviation of the US. While the B777-200s and 777-300s would be fitted with GE90 engines, the B787s would have GEnx engines, totalling to about Rs 4,912 crore. The B737-800s of the AI Express would be fitted with CFM56 engines at a cost of around Rs 768 crore. The fleet acquisition proposals of Air-India and Air-India Express were cleared by the Public Investment Board on October 13. While the precise calculation of the monetary concessions was being worked out, an official statement gave a break-up of the $205 million investments promised in India by Boeing and GE. The money would be used for setting up four training simulators costing (up to $75 million), MRO for Boeing aircraft (up to $100 million) and training and other civil aviation requirements ($10 million), besides GEs investment in an engine shop ($20 million). Istithmar stake in SpiceJet is $50m Dubai: Istithmar PJSC, a UAE-based investment house focusing on private equity and alternative investments, has announced that it has raised its stake in low-cost Indian carrier SpiceJet to $50 million. It invested $12.5 million in SpiceJet earlier this year, and the present stake-rise was made through the carriers recent issue of Foreign Currency Convertible Bonds (FCCB). Istithmars investment in SpiceJet, its first in India, reflected the groups long-term plans in Indias burgeoning aviation industry, news reports said. Executive Chairman of Istithmar Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, said his company is extremely bullish on low-cost carriers in India with the current spate of reforms and the gradual shift to a more open skies policy. UNI Apax to buy Tommy Hilfiger for $1.6 b New York, December 24 After several months of searching for a suitor, Tommy Hilfiger on Friday embraced the same private equity firm that two years ago helped buy out fellow US design icon Calvin Klein. Tommy Hilfiger Corp said it had accepted a $1.6 billion cash takeover bid from Apax Partners. Apax in 2003 teamed up with clothing vendor Phillips-Van Heusen Corp. to buy Calvin Klein, and PVH said it is in preliminary talks with Apax on how they could collaborate on a Tommy deal. This is an incredible brand, a great American iconic brand that we think we can continue to grow globally very significantly, John Megrue, Apax co-chief executive officer, said. John Orrico, fund manager of the Arbitrage Fund, a mutual fund that specialises in merger targets, said that in light of Tommys 49 per cent share rise this year, the price seemed fair. Theyre getting taken out in line with market expectations, Orrico said. Tommy Hilfiger, which maintains headquarters in Hong Kong and New York, has struggled with relatively flat sales for the past five years. J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. advised Tommy Hilfiger on the deal. Reuters Roche, Hetero ink deal London, December 24 Swiss pharmaceutical firm Roche has signed a deal Hyderabad-based Hetero Drugs authorising it to manufacture and sell its anti-viral flu medicine Tamiflu under licence in a number of developing countries. The deal makes Hetero the second drug company after Shanghai Pharmaceutical Group to receive a sub-licence that will allow it to sell large volumes of Tamiflu at a price that it chooses. It will also be the first time Roche has authorised a partner company to produce and sell Tamiflu not only in its home market but also in other less developed and developing countries. A Roche spokesman said the deal, which initially lasts for two years, will allow Hetero to sell Tamiflu at whatever price it chooses in India and countries where there is no or poor intellectual property protection for the drug. UNI CBoP mulls acquisition Mumbai, December 24 The Centurion Bank of Punjab, the merged entity between the Centurion Bank and the Bank of Punjab, today said it is looking at further acquisition to increase its presence in the domestic market. To fund the acquisition and other expansion plans, the bank would raise up to Rs 416 crore in the overseas or domestic markets. It would also increase its authorised capital to Rs 250 crore from Rs 150 crore by issuing additional 20 crore shares to three private equity investors. Acquisition is part of our strategy. We will grab the opportunity as and when it comes, Banks Chief Executive Officer Shailendra Bhandari told PTI from Goa where the banks board held an extraordinary general meeting. He said the acquisition would aim at increasing the banks presence in the country and would be carried out in such a manner that the branches do not overlap too much. Centurion Bank of Punjab has 240 branches, mainly concentrated in the North and South. It has reasonable presence in the West and limited presence in the East. Asked whether the bank would look at any bank in the East for acquisition, Bhandarai evaded any direct answer. PTI Investor guidance by A.N. Shanbhag NRIs can buy house abroad and claim exemption in India Q: I have sold my house in India and earned some capital gains. Can I claim exemption u/s 54 by purchasing a house abroad? Vinayak A: Sec. 54 and 54F give exemptions from tax on long-term capital gains arising out of sale (or transfer) of a long-term asset, provided the assessee has purchased within one year before or two years after the date of sale or has constructed within three years after that date, a residential house. Now comes the amusing part. An NRI (and in some special conditions, even residents) can buy a house abroad and claim the exemption legitimately. The legislation has not added the words in India! Yet another case for CBDT. 1-by-6 category Q: Is 1-by-6 category for filing returns applicable to NRIs? Bhoumik A: Notification 10674, dated August 20, 1998 has exempted NRIs from the 1-by-6 category. It has also exempted senior citizens having no business or professional income even if they possess an immovable property. Also foreign travel to certain countries like Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka or pilgrimages to Saudi Arabia or to China organised by Ministry of External Affairs does not fall under the 1-by-6 category. Income from NSC Q: I have purchased NSCs, which mature after six years. My question is regarding taxation thereof. Do I have to pay the tax at the time of maturity when I receive the money? That would mean a heavy burden on me and may take me to the next tax bracket also. Is there any way out? Subhash A: The income from NSC is chargeable to tax on accrual basis. It accrues only at the end of each year. The year-end is computed from the date of purchase and is not related to the end of the financial year. However, if you have failed to do so in earlier years, you may pay the tax at the end of the term (on receipt basis) but you will lose all benefit of deductions on annual interests. Section 80C Q: I invested in the Tax Saving ELSS mutual fund scheme in the month of August/ September, 2005, opting for Systematic Investment Plan (SIP). I invested an amount of Rs 5,000 per month and would thus invest a sum of Rs.35,000 by March 31, 2006. I also intend to deposit an amount of Rs.70,000 in my existing PPF account before March 31, 2006. Can you kindly let me know: 1) Whether I will be eligible to get deduction of Rs.1 lakh from my taxable income u/s 80C for A.Y. 2006-07; 2) Whether the above mentioned investments, both in ELSS as well as PPF would qualify for EEE or EET method on withdrawal (ELSS investments will remain locked in for 3 years hence attracting long term capital gains upon withdrawal after three years and PPF account completes 15 years this year hence eligible for total withdrawal of balance and closure next year). 3) I have some earned interest on my investment in NSC in previous years and will pay LIC premium on my 12-year-old insurance policy and will continue to earn interest on existing NSC and pay premium on the insurance policy in future also. So what treatment would they get in subsequent assessment years EEE or EET? If I will need to claim deduction u/s 80C for the same. Sumeet A: Yes, you are entitled to claim the benefit u/s 80C for the FY 05-06 for both ELSS and PPF investments. EET has not yet become a law and it is strongly felt that if and when it is enacted, it will not be with retrospective effect. Therefore, at least for FY 05-06 the old EEE system will apply. The answer to this question is similar to point 2 above. For FY 05-06, it will be EEE and for subsequent years, it will depend upon when and in what manner the law is enacted. Demat charges Q: I read your article on Dividends - Look before you strip, was informative for layman . Sometimes the accountants who file our returns are not aware of all these lT rules (IT laws). I have a small doubt in stocks / equity shares, while considering capital gain/loss, can we factor in CDSL or demat charges ? What about STT? Vinod Argekar, Muscat A: The Continent Deferred Sales Load or CDSL is reduced by the MF from the repurchase NAV and the investor gets only the net proceeds in hand. Hence, it gets automatically factored in. STT cannot be claimed by an investor as a deduction. However, if you are a trader, you can set-off the STT against your tax on trading profits. Demat charges are of two types, one charge is for dematting the particular scrip whereas the other charge is the general holding charge. The first charge can be directly associated with the scrip and hence you can claim it. The other charge needs to be apportioned over the entire portfolio and hence is that much more difficult to claim. If it is significant then the apportionment exercise may be carried on. However, if it is minimal then the means wont justify the end. Trust this meets your requirements. The author may be contacted at wonderlandconsultants@yahoo.com Aviation Notes by K.R. Wadhwaney Tourism to figure in Punjabi Parvasi Divas meet Aviation and tourism are among a few vital areas for development and expansion through non-resident Indians (NRIs) in Punjab in particular and country in general. This all-important topic will be discussed threadbare at the two-day international convention, organised by the Punjabi Parvasi Divas at Chandigarh on January 14 and 15, 2006. Many renowned aviators and tourism personalities are expected to provide wide-range data for expeditious progress. Aviation analysts are of firm belief that speedy progress is possible only when infrastructure is developed at different airports. The fact of the matter is that many more planes are criss-crossing domestic skies than before but there is not even marginal development at airports, which are the gateways of the country. Existing climate is conductive as common people have realised that time saved is money saved. No wonder more persons are flying through no-frills airlines. Apart from Indian, which has been a key player for decades, five private carriers Spicejet, Air Deccan, Kingfisher, Sahara and Jet Airways have been flying high. While India continues to have major market share, these private operators have been offering razor-sharp competition to each other. In a free for all, more private operators are about to join as the new year unfolds. The analysts feel that the competition will become more combative which new promotions and schemes being floated by innovative players. Imagine, Air Deccan is even eyeing for flying on NE routes to capture the market. The fares are lower but we have no problem to make the most of it, said airline officials. This is however one version of the airline industry. The other is that there are more players in the vexed airline trade than there is room for. They predict at least 50 per cent will fold or merge with each other before 2006 closes. This observation is not improbable because airline trade is a rough industry. Recently, Kingfisher Airlines has introduced special fares for the Indian armed forces, government employees and public sector personnel. Analysts says it is surprising that no carrier is offering similar kind of facilities to mediapersons. Media is a huge market now. There is indeed a boom as far as airlines are concerned. But despite new operators and routes being connected with each other, the ground situation in airports remain static. The congestion has increased manifolds and pre-flying and after flying continues to be irksome to passengers. If the passenger has to reach airport about two hours before scheduled departure, he has to wait for long to get his baggage. In all, flying is not as much comfortable as it ought to be. Flights are often delayed and then there are instances when flights are cancelled without any prior notice to passengers. Some operators are hell-bent on taking passengers for granted. 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Scottsdale Real Estate, Arizona Golf Properties, Phoenix and Carefree Real Estate Listings Arizona Real Estate by Judy Brickman With 18 years of experience in real estate, Judy Brickman specializes in golf course properties , Arizona luxury homes , vacation home rental and sale, second homes and residential lots in northeast Scottsdale and Carefree. With her expertise in real estate in Scottsdale, Arizona and the surrounding area, she is an excellent resource when buying or selling your home! With special emphasis on such areas as The Boulders , Desert Mountain, Estancia, Mirabel, Desert Highlands, Whisper Rock, Troon, DC Ranch, Terravita, Grayhawk and Legend Trail, Carefree and Pinnacle Peak you will be able to view the broad spectrum of real estate available ranging from luxury Arizona golf properties to regular Phoenix, Carefree, and Scottsdale real estate. Combining extensive knowledge of the Arizona real estate marketplace with a dedicated commitment to service, Judy Brickman welcomes the opportunity to work with you in locating your dream home or lot, or in marketing your property. When searching for Real Estate in Scottsdale, Arizona , Phoenix homes for sale, or other Arizona real estate - Judy Brickman is truly your number one option! Welcome to Arizona Real Estate | About Judy Brickman | Contact Judy Arizona Real Estate Listings | Golf Properties | The Boulders Resort | Arizona State Information Buyers Questionnaire | Sellers Questionnaire | Real Estate Links | Site Map Internet Marketing by VKI Studios

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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