Stability returns to the French market

As we have completed the first quarter of 2016, we have been reflecting on the year so far. What should international buyers expect of the market now? Earlier this year, the Notaires de France “called” the bottom of the housing market.

They said that the upturn in sales that began in the middle of last year has continued and that prices had levelled off. They even went so far as to say that in the “older house” market two thirds of departments had shown rising prices. To quote the Notaires: “For the beginning of 2016, early indicators show a slight rise in prices.

At the end of February 2016 the year-on-year trend is +0.4% for older apartments and +1.4% for older houses in mainland France.” Of course general statements are treated with caution – for sure it’s still a buyer’s market. Experience has taught us that France is made up of hundreds of micro markets – each with their own character and foibles – particularly in more rural areas where transaction numbers are much smaller and thus “averages” can be misleading.

Now is a great time to look at property in France as the spring shoots start to show in the property market as well as in the beautiful countryside and gardens across the country.