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Everything you always wanted to know about France - from France |
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After 4 months the RentalsFrance.com site is almost back to where I left it in December - the new owners of the site, Fubra, have put a huge effort into repairing damage done by my old hosting company - never ever use a webhosting service from Webreseller.net - and are well into building a new version of the best rentals site ever designed. I have had a painful and sad four months watching eight years of work dissolve, like a slug covered with salt - but summer is coming, the sites are beginning to work and I am putting my time into real-estate again. So far I have avoided getting involved in French property sales as I have developed a dislike for most of the people involved in it. An ability to be "economical with the truth" seems to be the main requirement in the immobilier business in France and the huge commissions charged by the agents and Notaires for little effort and no responsibility has attracted some unpleasant people. However, a simple, straightforward and badly needed gap in the French market has persuaded me to put effort into property sales. Prices have risen fast over the last ten years. There is still a lot of growth in some regions, but the higher prices means that buying a second holiday home is now a major investment and you need to ensure a good return on your capital. If you have ever thought of buying property in France, already own a house here or are looking for a strong and secure way of investing in property - then I am your man. The http://nizas.com website is now the focus for our fractional ownership service, private aircraft, luxury yachts and millionaire lifestyles were the basis for fractional ownership, but French company laws and the security this gives now makes this the ideal way to own the freehold of property in France for a small investment. Combine this with vastly reduces management and marketing costs for reletting and you have a winner. I have lived in the South of France for over 15 years and offer help and advice to anyone who asks. ======= In this newsletter... 1. Advice About Inheritance 2. Cowboy Builders 3. The Importance of Independent Legal Advice 4. TV Licence Requirements 5. Usufruct - what it is 6. Student Strikes 7. Investment 8. Discrimination ======= 1. Inheritance Advice The simplest way for someone from the UK or USA to understand the laws of inheritance in France - is to assume they are the direct opposite of what you would expect - This time you cannot blame Brussels for the confusions created over this very important subject, it was a little Corsican who caused a bit of bother a couple of hundred years ago. This recent letter to a reader stresses the importance of getting this right if you buy a home in France. ======= 2. Carry on Cowboy Buying a property in France is quick and simple - but builders everywhere can cause problems, not just caveat emptor - more like cave cowboy - this is a cautionary tale right on my doorstep. ======= 3. The Importance of Independent Legal Advice Because buying property in France is simple - this does not mean you should not be just as careful - getting the right advice is not as easy as you may think, in fact in most cases there is no one looking after your interests and do not think the French legal system is there to protect you, it is there mainly to make sure you pay the tax on buying the property. We have found a forth-right lawyer in the UK who gives some straight-talking advice. ======= 4. TV Licence Requirements Do you need a licence even if you do not have a set? ======= 5. Usufruct I had never heard of this term before last week and was fascinated to hear about this solid investment option in France - Carole and just about everyone else I spoke to knew all about it of course- but just in case there are other ignoramuses like me I though I would get some clear definitions ======= 6. Student Strikes My two centimes about the recent aggro in France ======= 7. Investment Options There seem to be many new ways to invest in property appearing - I saw this one recently in the Sunday Times ======= 8. Discrimination The riots around France last November did have many racial overtones - France theoretically has no policy or attitude to racism, technically it does not exist - and I am the Easter bunny. At last someone has blown a whistle and I hope it can be heard in every corner of France. ======= Do write to me and visit my site at http://nizas.com, the site is supported by adverts - so do look at them all please - and I do try to reply to all questions. There are over 2,000 features and articles on this site about French life and living in France. You can search from the search box above. Do browse through our website and please use the advertising links, they help pay for the site. I do try to reply to all mail - Contact Me - most is about property or living in France. I publish comments in this newsletter which I believe are of interest and may help find answers for people wanting to come to France. I hope readers will go to the adverts which help support our overheads. |
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