I own a property in France and I wanted to share my experience of buying property in France and the French property buying process. Use the menus on the left and links to 1000's of properties and services and a wide range of French estate agents.

FRENCH PROPERTY FOR SALE ON NEW DEVELOPMENTS

A popular way to buy French property for sale is to choose a home on a new development.
These developments can vary in size from half a dozen houses to blocks of hundreds of apartments.
The rangeof French property for sale is such you are likely to find the right one for you.

Advantages of French property for sale on new developments

The French property for sale has never been lived in - it will be totally new and shiny!

you will have the latest brand new fittings

there should be friends around for children - and for adults too!

apartments on the higher floors can have wonderful views - but is there a lift?

French property for salebe near enough to bars and shops and to allow holidays without a car.

New French property for sale can offer what is often the most affordable way to be near the coast

FEATURES OF FRENCH PROPERTY FOR SALE ON NEW DEVELOPMENTS

French property for sale on developments are easy to maintain- any communal areas are looked after by the management

but you will have community charges to pay for them

there is good security in your absence from your French property for sale

estates can be massive- with lively bars and busy pools

or estates can be small and quiet - with only a handful of other French property for sale

there are often community rules to obey- which may either suit you or annoy you.

For instance you may have to be quiet during siesta time
and there may be rules about where you can hang out your washing.

PROBLEMS WITH NEW DEVELOPMENTS

they can remain a building site for a long time after you move in

sound travels through the party walls dividing the units-
you are likely to hear your neighbours

your balcony or terrace may be overlooked

developments can be soulless and lacking in character

you could get difficult neighbours

who may have lively children - and noisy dogs

FEATURES OF BUYING FRENCH PROPERTY FOR SALE OFF-PLAN

your French property for sale can rise in value even before it is finished

you see drawings and the plot and buy 'off plan' before the property is built

and you pay in stages for the French property for sale as the build advances

the cost of the French property for sale is fixed from the outset

you will have to wait up to 2 years to use your new home

TOP TIP
Check that the communal areas will be ready for when you move in!

POINTS TO CHECK OUT

French property for sale on a development is usually targeted by a developer at a particular nationality,
and they are designed for either mainly residential or holiday use.

Both these points affect the 'feel' and 'quality' French property for sale of an estate-
you need to decide which would suit you best.

Check if there are plans for other estates to be built around yours.
This will be noisy and dusty for months or years and the new properties may block your view.

IMPORTANT LEGAL STUFF TO CHECK

You must check out the developers credentials- make sure that they have bank guarantees.
and check out their previous French property for sale projects for the quality of finish.