Mortgages in France

First you will need to show proof of Civil Status; a passport, marriage or divorce certificate and your proof of credit worthiness. (more…)

Nowadays it is quite straightforward to obtain a mortgage from a French bank to purchase a property in France. Many banks have all the necessary forms printed in English and have people who are fluent in the English language ready and eager to assist you.

There are many advantages also in having a French Mortgage; Euro mortgage rates are substantially lower than U.K. mortgage rates, sometimes up to 2% less.

They are more stable too, as they are influenced by the European Central Bank and so you are protected from fluctuations in the euro-pound exchange rates. (more…)

So maybe you feel more secure dealing with a British bank. Maybe you find the sheer “foreignness” of a French bank off putting. If that is the case then you need to weigh up the pros and cons of a U.K. mortgage.

Firstly there is the Language: everyone speaks English, all the paperwork is in English, let’s face it, no unfamiliar words or phrases are going to enter into the equation. (more…)

As a foreign investor, you may be inclined to seek mortgage financing for your French real estate from your local, trusted bank.  However, obtaining French financing may offer tax, equity, inheritance, currency exchange or other benefits that would make obtaining a French mortgage a good idea.   When obtaining funds from a foreign country, you certainly do not want to be taken advantage of because of inexperience with foreign mortgage products or language barriers.  The first step to protecting yourself and your assets is to read through some of our other articles about the French mortgage market and familiarize yourself what is available.  The second step is making sure you have qualified, bi-lingual professionals looking out for your best interests.  And the third step is to know about and understand the legislation that the French government has in place to protect consumers purchasing French real estate.  The French legislation provides a variety of rules and restrictions with which the lenders must comply. (more…)

French lending rules and guidelines are very likely to be different from those of your country.  It is important to be well prepared if you are a non-resident intent on obtaining French financing. (more…)

If you are a non-resident looking to invest in French real estate, you have two choices when it comes to financing.  You can find a local lender who specializes in international lending, or you can obtain financing from a French bank for your French property.   If you decide to obtain your loan from a French lender, there are a few things you should know. (more…)

Remortgaging is a process that replaces an existing mortgage with a loan from a new lender.  Remortgaging is almost identical to refinancing, the only difference being that a remortgage always involves a new loan from a new lender.  A refinance involves a new loan from the existing lender or a new lender.  The concept of remortgaging is relatively new in France but can offer a variety of benefits.

Remortgaging your French real estate may provide for long term cost savings.  When you purchased your property the interest rate offered to you may have been high due to current economic factors or your own credit situation, years later remortgaging your property to a lower interest loan may be financially rewarding. (more…)

France has a large variety of lending institutions.  As a foreign real estate investor, you have a lot of choices to make when it comes to securing financing for your real estate purchases.  Some financing institutions may be better prepared and willing to work with non-residents than others. (more…)