Welcome
This is the first of a regular
newsletter to clients and potential clients of Allez Francais. We
are based in the heart of the Poitou-Charentes area and formed to assist
buyers of property in France both before and after purchase
with a comprehensive range of services. Following
our successful visit to Olympia, many properties have sold during
January, and therefore a virtually new set of properties are shown
on the website. Please remember that we only show about 10% of our
portfolio, which is constantly changing.
Title
Insurance
Title Insurance guarantees an owner or buyer in France one thing
- peace of mind. The more that you delve into owning your own home
in France, the more you have a feeling of uncertainty about your
property - having that ownership problem, perhaps a boundary dispute,
or an issue over a right of way or drainage. If the unthinkable
happened, your dream property could turn into your worst nightmare.
Unlike in the UK, properties in France are normally purchased using
a single person acting in the conveyancing process (the Notaire).
A Notaire does not have a duty of care to clients as in the UK -
they are public officials, and no matter how good they are they
occasionally make mistakes. You could be faced with losing possession
and have to go through the worry of pursuing a costly and lengthy
Court battle in a different language and under an unfamiliar system
to try to get your money back.
We therefore recommend Title Insurance to ALL of our clients to
give you this essential peace of mind. Policies cost a once only
premium of 250 Euros.
Click here for an application
form
Currency
dealings
Purchasers of property abroad are always keen to negotiate a good
price. What they often fail to realise is that great savings can
be made by ensuring that they receive the best exchange rates. Using
a currency expert, as opposed to a local High Street bank can make
a very significant difference. There are also a range of different
contracts that can be used depending upon your circumstances.
Spot Contract
A spot contract secures a currency with a view to taking delivery
of, or have the currency made available within two days. The currency
is for immediate delivery upon receipt of the clients cleared funds.
Fixed Term Forward Contract
A Forward Contract gives you the facility to fix your rate now for
delivery on a specific date in the future. The rate is guaranteed
irrespective of market fluctuations. A deposit of normally 11% is
required to secure the contract, and is payable within two working
days. Rates can be fixed up to 2 years in advance.
Forward Time Option Contract
This contract allows the currency to be made available between two
predetermined dates. This is particularly useful when for example,
the exact completion date on a property is not certain. A "window"
of up to three months can be agreed for this type of contract. Again,
a deposit is required to secure the rate and is due within two working
days. The standard charge of 15.00 will apply for each additional
Express Telegraphic Transfer.
Stop Loss Orders
Stop loss orders are a mechanism whereby a bottom price can be agreed,
so that if the market falls to this level, an order to purchase
is automatically triggered and payment for the contract becomes
due. This can provide a safety net against sharp downward swings
in the market, beyond levels that would otherwise be unacceptable.
Limit Orders
Limit orders are sometimes used by clients wishing to achieve a
level not currently available in the market. These orders tend to
be used against contracts of substantial value where import or export
costings on the product being purchased have been made at a particular
level and the client has a period of time before payment is due.
This allows a better rate to be achieved should the market move
in the clients favour.
There are no fees or commission, merely
a small administrative charge for the Priority International Transfer
of funds. In order to transact business through Foreign Currency
Direct it is necessary to open an account for which there is no
cost or obligation.
Click here for an application
form
|
Latest
Property News  Selection
of the Month - The Moulin featured on the website.
In addition, we have 3 properties in
the Dordogne.
- A super gîte complex already up
and running with excellent potential
- A lovely house with an established
cattery business
- A super home, with a swimming pool
with views over Perigueux
Contact us for full details...
Price latest > The Old
Chateau > The owner has indicated that he will listen to
'offers'. Call us to register your interest.
We do have a few special properties
and would suggest you phone immediately if you or a friend are seeking
a SALMON FISH FARM in France or alternatively a beautiful
MILL.
English
wordings for policies
One thing more than anything else that appeals to many of our clients
is the value of having their insurance policy, whether it be for
buildings, contents, or a vehicle, in English.
We have established a network of general insurance providers who
are able to provide English wordings for policy schedules. This
is backed by local English speaking brokers.
Using this arrangement will again give you peace of mind, knowing
that you have the correct insurance and that there are no nasty
exclusions!
If you already have a French policy, ask us for a comparison quote,
but bear in mind that you normally have to give 2-3 months notice
to your existing insurer.
E-mail Peter Elias
for further details
Financial
Advice
Getting it right before you buy in France is paramount especially
if you intend to reside there permanently. Peter Elias is an Independent
Financial Adviser with Smith Consulting in the UK, and specialises
in Investments, Inheritance Tax and Pension Planning.
He is able to advise you on the most appropriate home for your investments
based upon your individual circumstances. He can provide solutions
to your Inheritance Tax problems both in the UK and France. He can
assist you with planning your retirement income in the most effective
way.
If you are a UK resident and taxpayer, you have not taken advantage
of your individual ISA allowance 2001/2002 or want to plan in advance
your 2002/2003 payment then contact us now..
Click here for a
personal consultation
Translation
services
Travel
links
Next
Issue
We hope that you have enjoyed this
newsletter. In the next issue we plan to cover the following subjects:
1. En tontine clause.
2. Health Insurance in France.
3. Do you need a survey?
4. Planning a viewing 'holiday'.
Email us - let us
know if there is anything else you would like to see featured. |
Don't
forget, we have a special arrangement with the BBC who are interested
in following through on any of our clients who are giving up the
boring lifestyle of the UK for something more exciting on this side
of the Channel.