Mortgage interest rates in France remain at their lowest for years at around 3%. French property experts consider that this helped to sustain the market for older properties (as opposed to new construction) in 2013.

The Prefect of Paris and the Ile-de-France Region have given authorization to the Russian government to build a Russian Orthodox spiritual and cultural center on the Quai Branly in the 7th Arrondissement (district).

France may have led the way in imposing capital gains tax (CGT) on sales of second homes but the UK is now following suit.

Mortgage rates in France have been at historic lows in recent months. However, the outlook for the next move in interest rates has changed markedly over this period. During the summer of 2013, commentators expected French mortgage rates to rise before the end of the year. In the early fall, this was pushed out to […]

An interview with our collaborator Nicole von Klencke, owner-manager of Unusual Spaces in Berlin. She personally advises clients who seek high-end real estate tailored to their specific needs. 1.    What are your customers typically looking to buy? Our customers want something special, so we offer only architecturally-interesting or exclusive properties with a fascinating history. […]

Real estate transactions in France are subject to stamp duty, which the buyer pays. The rate is currently 5.09% of the price of the property and breaks down into: A departmental (county) tax of 3.80%. Paris is classified as a county. A communal (municipal) tax of 1.20%. Each arrondissement (district) of Paris counts as a […]

Paris notaires (officials who handle property transactions) recently issued figures for real estate sales during the 3rd quarter of 2013. Real estate prices in Paris overall have seen a fall of 2.1% during the past 12 months but, in the 3rd quarter, they were slightly up on the same quarter in 2012. The average price […]

Shooting in Paris has recently finished for a new movie that delves into an aspect of French real estate law – property that is already occupied. ‘My Old Lady’ stars Kevin Kline as a penniless New Yorker who has inherited a valuable Paris apartment from his father. Arriving in Paris to take possession, he finds […]

In recent decades, bricks and mortar have proved the surest bet for a profitable investment over a 10-year period, according to a recent study. Real estate ranked ahead of shares in the CAC 40 (France’s top companies listing), gold and other favorite French investments, such as life insurance and the Livret A savings account.

The average price per sale of French properties to non-residents increased by 5% in 2012 over 2011, although transaction volumes contracted. Non-residents have their main residence outside France and are liable for taxation in their country of residence.