French mortgages could appeal to Britons

Wed, 16 May 2007

Savvy property investors could do well to take out a mortgage now in order to buy real estate in France following the country's recent presidential elections.

This is according to Trisha Mason, managing director of property investment firm VEF, who said president Nicolas Sarkozy's election bodes well for the nation's housing market.

She said that while France is traditionally a "safe choice" for investors, "it's more interesting this month than it was last month".

And while it is unlikely that property investors will see the same kind of capital growth in France as in emerging markets such as those in eastern Europe, there are profits to be made by investors.

Ms Mason said property investors could do well by combining higher risk investments in eastern Europe with low-risk property in France for a balanced portfolio.

"France is good because it's a mature economy, it's a safe property market – but it's not going to produce the capital growth that some eastern countries do," she added.

Taking out a mortgage from a French mortgage lender is also "relatively straightforward", according to the French Entrée website.

The portal suggests there is "very little difference" between taking out a mortgage from a lender in France and one in the UK.

However, using an overseas mortgage specialist is advisable as they will have a better understanding of the local system, which could save the borrower time and money, it says.

French mortgages could appeal to Britons

Related Mortgage articles

Recommended links