Hi,

I am considering looking for a plot of land and building a villa in Provence and I would be very grateful for any advice that people could offer. Is this such a good idea as I would not like to lose any money.

Ideally, I would love to live near the coast and because the Cote d'Azur is probably too expensive I am open to living anywhere down the coast towards Toulon (and further if it is worth it).

I suppose the main questions i'm looking answered are:

1 - Is it worth the money building my own villa?
2 - Will I lose money in the process?
3 - What sort of villa could I expect to build in this region?

Thanks for all your help.

First mistake - openly stating what your budget is.

Hello,
I've just read your post. I am french and hope I can help you.
The area you chose is a nice one. And you're right, it is most expensive in the Cote d'Azur. I think you are very brave to think about building your villa but you may have some luck because I suppose that you will find more english speaking builders and administrations in the South of France - more touristic. I live in the South West France near Bordeaux, in the countryside and it is not impossible for an english speaking person but more difficult to live here if this person doesn't speak french. I would say that there are a lot of nice persons anyway and english speaking people don't struggle too long !

Let's go back to your wish and question. I can only advise you to choose an english speaking builder, you'll find it easier. Or even better : an english (speaking) architect who will make the project for you from A to point Z. The architect also deals with the uilder, the electrician, the plumber etc. If not, you will have to fill a lot of forms - if you're not use to it you will understand that filling forms is a french speciality - as planning permission of course and all that stuff. For that you will have to visit the 'Mairie' (Councel) where you want to build your villa before to start anything (they will give you the forms and advices).

Personally I am running a website with an english business partner living in the South West France like me - he would have a lot to tell you - and without wanting to make any publicity for my job, I apologise in advance to the webmaster, my will is only to help you finding your dream's location to invest your money in France (and start a new life perhaps ?), I invite you to have a look here : french-property-sale.eu
Estate agents and private sellers advertise here their lands, properties for sale and after a quick check, I've found 2 lands for sale in Provence. This information may interest you.

I wish you good luck and hope you will come to my wonderful country !
Regards

. Coming to France to choose a place - will cost money
. Buying the land - Go to a 'notaire' to have all the legal security - you will have to pay fees if you buy something. I found that for you : paris.notaires.fr/hpr.php?cID=288
(sorry I can't put links in my posts yet)
. Architect - will cost money
. Builder and all the other professionals - will cost money
. Electricity, telephone and water suppliers - will cost money
. Tax for the building - will cost money and the amount depends on the place you build in
etc
etc
etc
and I am sure I forget a lot of things...

You have to collect all the informations first and use a spreadsheet.

Good fun !

Hey, Be careful .....

Land may be available to buy, but you cannot build on it without planning permission.

Either .....
Buy land with planning permission already given ....

Or....
Make doubly sure that you will get planning permission on the land before agreeing to buy it.
Check it out with the local Mairie.

As with everything to do with propetry here .... research and research and research again.

Kind Regards
Carole Bayliss
mortgagefrance.com

I absolutely agree. Carole is right.

Hi Busgrw,

My wife and I looked at Cannes and used these guys - They are based and Cannes and know the area and French Market very well . James was very helpful and showed us around.

Invested Interest Ltd

let me know if you have any joy.

Also remeber that if you want the best euro rate visit

__________________


Damian George

Buy Euros - Best Euro Rates

Re. First mistake - openly stating what your budget is.
*********************************************
Good point, except that this is a Forum, not a real estate agency! Here it is possible to be forthright I think.

A couple of years ago I walked into an Agency in the Poitou and asked them what they had on their books and the man asked what my budget was. I refused to answer and he then refused to carry the matter any further. Two minutes later I walked out. Fortunately not all agents in France are so obtuse.

Second bit of advice, related to that above: Don't be bullied!

I used an agent in Cannes called Azur Assistance who were very good.

Hi Cannes Flat,

can i ask how you found them?

__________________


Damian George

Buy Euros - Best Euro Rates