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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

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National Australia Bank - Home loans Personal Finance > Home loans" Personal Business Community ONLINE SERVICES Planning tools Home loans Personal loans Credit Cards Transactions and Savings accounts Financial planning Investments Insurance Private Bank More financial solutions Rates, fees & charges News & information Contact us Apply online Personal Finance > Home loans Home loan centre   CANNEX mortgage star ratings National home loans awarded 5 stars   More...   Home loan products   First home buyer We have a range of different loan options for you to consider.   How much can I borrow? What's the best loan for me? Buying your First home can be a confusing time the National is here to help. Renovating or upgrading your home   Investing Is it time to move or give your existing home a facelift? We are here to help you every step of the way.   Whether you’re new to gearing to invest or are an old hand at it, we have the information & products for you. Want to Apply Now?     Online Phone 13 13 12 , 8am to 9pm EST, 7 days a week Contact your nearest mobile mortgage manager Visit a National branch Home loan products Buying your first home Renovating or upgrading your home Investing Rates, fees and charges Property search Frequently Asked Questions National home loan specialists How to apply Internet Banking Login Register More ... OnLine Trading Login Register More ... JAVASCRIPT WARNING ... The national.com.au website and online services such as Internet Banking require javascript to be enabled. Please visit our Accessibility page for more information. FIND A NATIONAL LOCATION ... State ACT NSW NT QLD SA TAS VIC WA RELATED TOPICS Home loan products Rates, fees & charges Comparison rates How to apply for a home loan TOOLS Home Buying & Selling calculator Home Loan repayment calculator Home Loan Pre-approval Search for a property Privacy Sitemap Media centre Shareholders Careers Locations Contact us About the National © National Australia Bank Limited. Use of the information contained on this page is governed by Australian law and is subject to the disclaimers which can be read on the disclaimer page . View the National Privacy Policy .

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15-Year Fixed Rate Land Loan Thursday, December 29, 2005 Serving our 'Fire Family' since 1935 ©2005 Los Angeles Firemen's Credit Union 15-Year Fixed Rate Land Loan With a fifteen year term, you'll have a shorter loan life and pay less in interest than a thirty year term. And, if a low payment is not a priority, then you'll receive a greater savings benefit from a lower rate. Features: No fees 15-year fixed rate loan 50% loan to value $359,650 loan limit 45 Day Rate Lock from date of completed application Only two (2) land loans permitted per household Available in all states that the Credit Union currently lends in, subject to verification of all applicable State laws > Apply Now > Check Rates This loan is a 15-year fixed rate loan, 50% loan to value with a limit of $359,650 (secondary market conforming loan limit.) Loans may not be used for business purposes and may not be located in a commercial or manufacturing area. Rates are subject to change daily. A one-point fee, if applicable, is based on the loan amount. Year-end rebates may apply at the discretion of the LAFCU Board of Directors. Participation in this program will not be confirmed until the completed application has been submitted to the Real Estate Department. All requests will be processed and must meet LAFCU's underwriting guidelines. Funding of these loans is subject to credit approval and verification of employment, equity, and all other related file documentation necessary to qualify applicant(s). The principal and interest payments for a 15-Year Fixed Trust Deed Land Loan in the amount of $180,000 at 7.75% results in monthly payments of $1,694.66. Mortgage Loans > Check Mortgage Rates > First Trust Deeds > Second Trust Deeds > Home Equity Lines > 7/23 > 15 Year Fixed > 15 Year Fixed Land Loan > 20 Year Fixed > 30 Year Fixed > Construction Loans > Non-owner occupied properties > Vacation / 2nd Home > Rental / Investments

Real Estate Prices

CNN/Money: The hottest zip codes Web CNN/Money Buying & Selling Investment Property Home Improvement Million $ Life Financing Best Places This year's hottest zip codes By Sarah Max, CNN/Money senior staff writer PLUS: • What makes a zip code HOT? • Homes in hot zip codes • Ultimate home guide 2005 SALEM, Ore. (CNN/Money) - Whether home prices will rise or fall in the coming year is anyone's guess. The housing market continues to stump experts on both sides of the bubble debate. Even so, economists at Fiserv Case Shiller Weiss think they have a pretty good idea what's in the cards for most metros in 2005. Their prediction: Los Angeles will fizzle. Miami will sizzle. There's some reason to believe them. Fiserv CSW has been forecasting annual home-price growth at the metro level for more than a decade, with a not-too-shabby record: the group's median forecast error is less than 2 percent. To track housing performance, the researchers look at repeat sales data for a sample of houses in each zip code, a method they consider more accurate than simply looking at changes in an area's median home price. They also consider past price changes, employment trends and interest-rate trends to devise a forecast for the coming year. Finally, they make adjustments to individual areas to account for other factors that could influence an area's housing market. What's up in L.A.? Over the past five years home prices in the Los Angeles area appreciated 125 percent, with prices in a handful of zip codes up nearly 200 percent. But Fiserv CSW is predicting that prices in the greater Los Angeles area will increase by only 5.8 percent in 2005, with slightly better appreciation in some L.A. markets and price declines in others. "There is anecdotal evidence that the market there is weakening," said David Stiff, a senior economist with Case Shiller Weiss. "It hasn't worked its way into our model yet." For that reason, the firm declined to give a forecast for individual zip codes in Los Angeles. "We are very uncertain about what will happen to home prices in Los Angeles this year," Stiff added. Miami's market, however, may still have room to grow. Home prices in the Miami-Fort Lauderdale metro have doubled over the last five years, and Fiserv CSW is forecasting that they will appreciate another 16.4 percent this year. "Unlike L.A., Miami has a higher ceiling [for price appreciation] because affordability is less of an issue," said Stiff. What's the forecast for your hood? For each of the 10 largest metro regions tracked by Fiserv Case Shiller Weiss, here are the 10 zip codes with the largest median five-year price increases -- and their prospects for the coming year. Data on five-year price change are through the fourth quarter of 2004, while the forecasted change is for the first quarter of 2005 through the first quarter of 2006. Click on column headings to re-sort » Metro Area Median price 5-Yr Price Change 1 Forecasted change 2 Boston 338,000 73.60% 8.00% Lawrence MA 01841 226,000 121.10% 9.90% New Bedford MA 02744 207,000 120.50% 9.60% New Bedford MA 02740 225,000 118.10% 9.80% Worcester MA 01610 193,000 116.30% 16.20% Fairhaven MA 02719 254,000 113.50% 9.80% New Bedford MA 02745 245,000 112.30% 11.10% Wareham MA 02571 260,500 111.50% 8.20% Manchester NH 03102 242,000 111.10% 10.80% North Dartmouth MA 02747 324,500 110.90% 10.90% Mattapoisett MA 02739 353,500 110.70% 9.80% Chicago 254,000 49.60% 8.30% Chicago IL 60632 205,000 91.20% 13.80% Chicago IL 60638 237,000 90.90% 15.30% Chicago IL 60629 195,000 89.90% 16.70% Chicago IL 60652 180,000 84.60% 16.00% Chicago IL 60639 265,000 84.10% 11.20% Chicago IL 60630 318,000 83.30% 12.20% Chicago IL 60634 300,000 83.20% 12.50% Chicago IL 60640 511,000 82.20% 12.50% Oak Park IL 60302 450,000 80.50% 8.80% Chicago IL 60641 320,000 79.80% 11.10% Detroit 156,000 23.50% 4.50% Inkster MI 48141 85,000 39.80% 3.80% Pontiac MI 48342 75,000 37.90% 3.30% Mount Clemens MI 48043 136,000 35.90% NA Romulus MI 48174 145,000 35.80% 3.40% Dearborn Heights MI 48125 110,000 35.60% 3.40% Center Line MI 48015 125,000 35.60% 5.50% Ann Arbor MI 48103 263,000 35.50% 2.90% Detroit MI 48223 75,000 35.30% 2.00% Ann Arbor MI 48104 314,000 35.00% 1.30% Detroit MI 48235 97,000 34.30% 2.00% Los Angeles 418,000 125.70% 5.80% Rialto CA 92376 270,000 191.90% NA Littlerock CA 93543 230,000 185.80% NA Fontana CA 92335 272,000 184.70% NA Mira Loma CA 91752 449,000 182.50% NA Burbank CA 91502 677,500 180.50% NA Glendale CA 91203 538,000 180.40% NA Inglewood CA 90305 425,000 176.60% NA Santa Ana CA 92707 475,000 176.10% NA Riverside CA 92509 325,000 174.70% NA Inglewood CA 90303 390,000 173.80% NA Miami 246,000 106.00% 16.40% Miami FL 33137 265,000 171.30% NA Miami FL 33138 360,000 161.40% NA Miami FL 33150 142,000 147.80% 21.80% Fort Lauderdale FL 33311 175,000 134.50% 19.90% Pompano Beach FL 33062 355,000 133.00% 20.00% Deerfield Beach FL 33441 253,000 130.70% 17.10% Fort Lauderdale FL 33314 175,000 128.40% 22.80% Hollywood FL 33020 204,000 128.30% NA Pompano Beach FL 33064 171,000 126.90% 21.50% Miami FL 33179 169,000 125.50% 18.20% New York 360,000 87.50% 11.90% Beach Haven NJ 08008 687,500 146.00% 14.30% Tuckerton NJ 08087 216,000 134.50% 13.70% Mastic Beach NY 11951 228,000 130.20% NA Manorville NY 11949 392,000 128.80% 16.30% Brielle NJ 08730 519,000 127.70% 11.70% Bellport NY 11713 158,000 127.50% NA Mastic NY 11950 239,500 127.20% 17.10% Lavallette NJ 08735 557,500 127.00% 12.90% Perth Amboy NJ 08861 260,000 126.90% 13.00% Waretown NJ 08758 350,000 125.60% 15.50% Philadelphia 199,000 71.00% 11.40% Brigantine NJ 08203 358,500 149.50% 15.40% Sea Isle City NJ 08243 699,000 136.50% 20.10% Ocean City NJ 08226 650,000 133.80% 18.50% Ventnor City NJ 08406 285,000 132.20% 18.50% Villas NJ 08251 167,500 124.40% 20.60% Margate City NJ 08402 549,000 122.70% 17.10% Ocean View NJ 08230 325,000 118.50% 15.30% Northfield NJ 08225 207,500 117.30% 15.60% Marmora NJ 08223 265,000 116.50% 16.00% Somers Point NJ 08244 225,500 111.50% 16.00% San Francisco 576,000 82.00% 14.40% Vallejo CA 94590 361,000 149.00% 16.90% Oakland CA 94621 310,000 144.20% 15.00% Dixon CA 95620 448,000 140.70% 16.10% Fairfield CA 94533 367,000 137.00% 18.00% Vallejo CA 94589 370,000 135.70% 17.80% Oakland CA 94603 326,500 135.70% 15.30% Suisun City CA 94585 380,000 131.50% 17.20% Oakley CA 94561 400,500 130.20% 21.40% Pittsburg CA 94565 389,000 129.90% 20.10% Vacaville CA 95687 391,500 129.70% 14.80% Seattle 289,000 38.50% 10.10% Seattle WA 98126 294,000 57.80% 10.30% Seattle WA 98106 233,000 53.40% 12.30% Seattle WA 98109 556,000 53.00% 11.40% Seattle WA 98107 362,000 52.50% 9.50% Seattle WA 98117 380,000 52.40% 8.40% Seattle WA 98103 399,000 52.30% 8.90% Seattle WA 98199 510,000 51.10% 8.20% Seattle WA 98116 389,000 51.10% 8.10% Seattle WA 98105 441,000 50.60% 6.90% Seattle WA 98168 229,000 48.80% 9.00% Washington, D.C. 335,000 99.00% 14.90% Gaithersburg MD 20877 329,000 127.40% 14.30% Germantown MD 20874 291,000 117.80% 16.00% Silver Spring MD 20903 340,000 116.90% 12.40% Gaithersburg MD 20879 309,000 115.90% 13.70% Rockville MD 20851 320,000 112.50% 9.30% Silver Spring MD 20910 450,000 112.00% 8.70% Gaithersburg MD 20878 485,500 112.00% 10.60% Rockville MD 20853 400,000 111.10% 12.30% Rockville MD 20850 523,000 109.80% 9.30% Silver Spring MD 20901 365,000 109.60% 12.50% Notes: 1 Q4 1999 through Q4 2004 2 Q1 2005 through Q1 2006 Source: Fiserv CSW «top» The Hot List Most profitable renovations How risky is your 401(k)? 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