Knowing what questions to ask when buying a house in France is crucial when it comes to deciding whether a particular French property is right for you or not.
Knowing what questions to ask when buying a house in France is crucial when it comes to deciding whether a particular French property is right for you or not.
Buying a home in France is a big decision – so it’s critical that you ask estate agents and property surveyors key questions throughout the buying process so you know exactly what you’re getting yourself into.
So, without any further ado, here are 14 questions to ask when buying property in France.
The Most Important Questions to Ask When Buying a House in France
- Why is the house being sold? Finding out the answer to this question will help you determine the reasons behind the previous owner’s decision to move.
- How long has previous owner lived at the property, and was it in use as a full- or part-time home?
- Has the property been let out to either long-term tenants or as a holiday home? If so, how much revenue did the property garner? This will help you understand how much you could earn from the property if you were to rent it out yourself.
- How long has the property been on the market? You need to find this out, because the longer a house has been on the market, the harder you may be able to negotiate on price.
- How many offers have already been made on the property? Again, knowing this will indicate how much room you have to negotiate on price, and if there is any competition from other buyers.
- How much do property taxes (known as the tax foncière) cost per year? Knowing this will help you determine if you can budget to live in the house or not.
- What furnishings, fittings, and fixtures (if any) are included in the asking price? This will help you understand what is and what’s not included so you can plan your budget accordingly.
- What is the condition of the roof? When was the last time it was replaced or repaired? What about the structural condition of the property? For this type of information, it is highly recommended that you commission a full property survey from a trusted and reputed property surveyor.
- What is the internet service and connection speed like at the property? For accurate information, it is advised that you contact the relevant internet service provider.
- Has an alteration or extension been refused planning permission in the past? If so, it’s essential to find out why, as this may thwart any ideas you have about making improvements.
- Are there any big infrastructure projects planned for the area, such as new roads or wind farms? This is useful information, as large-scale projects like these are likely to cause some disturbance and disruption to the area.
- Where are the property’s boundaries and who owns the land next to the property? This is an important question, as boundary disputes can become as ugly as they can be costly – and any changes to the surrounding area may affect the property’s value when the time comes to sell.
- How close is the property to basic amenities, like medical care, supermarkets, and schools, and how close is the town centre, beach, and entertainment venues? These are important questions that will affect your lifestyle in your new home.
- What are the neighbours like? It’s crucial to know a bit about the people in the neighbourhood before you decide to move somewhere.
Charles Mackintosh – South of France Property Surveyor
Knowing what questions to ask when buying a house in France is essential. If you’re considering a property purchase in the South of France, get in touch with RICS chartered surveyor Charles Mackintosh. With over 30 years’ experience living and working in the region, Charles specialises in giving English language property surveys and advice to overseas buyers.