Archive for June, 2011
Cheap French Property For Sale – Are There Any Left?
Buying a property in France has been an attractive option for some time now particularly amongst the English but also to a lesser extent the Americans Dutch Germans and others. But the influx of foreign buyers has been huge around 100000 each year so have all the bargains been bought up or is there still cheap French property for sale?
The answer you get will depend on who you talk to and where in France you are. Talk to a property agent from anywhere on the south coast and they’ll probably tell you that cheap French property is a thing of the past. Talk to a farmer from the centre of the country and he’ll tell you the same.
The thing is it’s a question of perspective. The agent probably mostly sees people looking for somewhere with sea views or maybe just a short walk from the beach. That’s going to be expensive. Yet friends of mine bought a two bedroom town house not 15 minutes from the south coast at a bargain price just last year. It needs a bit of work but it suits them perfectly.
Same story with the farmer. Ask him if he knows of any cheap French property for sale and he’ll shake his head. He remembers when these houses were much cheaper and might blame the influx of foreign buyers for recent rises. Yet if you come from the south east of England for example you’ll see comparable properties that in the UK would cost you four times as much.
The truth of the matter is that certainly prices for French property have risen far more than just inflation. In some areas houses haven’t just doubled or tripled but are many times what they were a decade ago. However the explosive growth has now stopped and France still offers some great bargains whether you’re looking for investment a holiday home or a permanent move.
If you pick on the socalled hot spots like the Dordogne Provence or the Alps you’ll struggle. These places have always been pricey even for the French. Anywhere by the sea is a similar story but that’s the same in any country in the world that I can think of!
Go a bit inland though to the less populated areas and you’ll certainly find bargains. France has been suffering the loss of rural population for years and still is to some extent. The work is in the big towns and cities so that’s where many people have moved. If you can work from home or if you’re retiring to France then you’ll find many a picturesque village with very attractive and affordable property.
So if you hear people saying there’s no more cheap French property for sale take it with a pinch of salt. It’s not as easy to find as a decade ago maybe but there are still bargains to be had. Come over here and look in the local agent’s windows the French agents in the small towns. You’ll be amazed what you can find.
About the writer: Jeff Seems is an Englishman living in France. He is author of The French Property Buyer’s Guide which is vital reading for anyone thinking of buying cheap French property.
Cedar Park Texas Information About Anderson Mill West In Cedar Park Texas
Park Place is a neighborhood located just east of Highway 183 north of Brushy Creek Road in Cedar Park. Homes here were built from the late 1970s through the late 1990s. Prices range from the low 100s to around 200000. Many of the older homes have been remodeled or updated and have been well cared for. Buyers looking for investment homes have some good choices in Park Place. Park Place also has established landscaping and trees since homes here started being built in the 1970s.
Park Place Park is over 6 acres and has a basketball court a playscape and a picnic area. There are other parks located nearby with even more amenities.
To see ALL houses for sale in Park Place visit the Park Place page on our Cedar Park Real Estate website.
Park Place is in very close proximity to the new 183 toll road which gives the neighborhood easy access to many more places and makes traveling easy and faster. Park Place is located in Leander ISD with children attending Charlotte Cox Elementary Artie L. Henry Middle School and Vista Ridge Senior High School.
Cedar Park was chosen by Family Circle Magazine as one of the top ten places to raise a family. It is a fast growing community with easy access to Lake Travis Round Rock and Georgetown. Nearby is the Round Rock Express a minor league baseball team Volente Beach Waterpark golf and many parks and recreation. There is also a lot of shopping nearby including Lakeline Mall. There are many new shopping centers with department stores restaurants and other services as well.
About the writer: Tim Kress writes articles for Cedar Park Real Estate. Other articles written by the author related to the 1 REMAX Team in Austin and Cedar Park Real Estate can be found online.
Cancun Vacation Rental Income
I finally founda perfect Cancun real estateparadise a beautiful two bedroom condo right on the white sandy beach overlooking the turquoise blue waters of the Caribbean and at an unbelievable price of 200000 USD. I am sitting on my terrace admiring the fabulous view knocking back a couple of margaritas and adding up all theCancun condorental income that has come streaming in. I have been enjoying wonderful vacations that this income pays for and not to mention that I have beenputting a tidy sum away with the super cash flow its bringing in.
I kick back and put my feet up and pat myself on the back formy savvy Mexico real estate investment I made.
Then suddenly I wake up..It was just a dream.
I think we all have the same dream. If that super deal with super rental income did exist you would be second in line because of course I would have to buy it.
So what is reality? That comfortable two bedroom Cancun beachfront condo will really be upwards of 500000 USD and vacation rentals will not come streaming in.
The Mexican Caribbean is becoming one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world so the market for vacation rentals is huge. However when choosing a property these are some guidelines to go by.
1 The closer to the beach the higher the cost of purchase but also the property has much more potential for a higher occupancy. In some areas such as in the Playa del Carmen real estate market the vacation rental market is so hot that properties not on the beach also do well. But the further away from the beach the lower the occupancy will be and rental rates must be lowered accordingly.
2 Occupancy rates even on most Mexico beachfront properties do not reach 100 annually since vacation hot spots are seasonal. Also there are many factors that influence vacation rental income such as recovery from a hurricane economic problems in other countries acts of terrorism etc.
3 Your vacation rental income potential will be greatly influenced by the property manager you choose. Also if you actively participate the occupancy can increase. You will need to decide how much time and money you wish to invest in promoting your property.
4 Buy a property keeping in mind that vacation rentals should help cover the propertys expenses monthly condo fees Mexico real estate taxes utilities etc. Any extra income then starts to help pay for your vacations. It is not wise to purchase with the idea of positive cash flow however if you do become actively involved and have a good manager you can do nicely with the income.
5 If you plan on using your property most of the winter especially Christmas week the rental income will decrease substantially. High season for vacation rentals is Christmas week through Easter.
6 Consider a Mexico condo hotel. You can purchase a fully titled condo but let the hotel operator rent it out. They will normally take care of all expenses and maintenance and you may still receive some income after all expenses and rental operation fees. However this will limit your own vacation time as there are limits to how many weeks you can use it. Most have contracts for a certain period of years and then you can opt out if you like.
7 Another option would be a small entry level condo in an older beach front complex. There are still some options under 200000 USD located on nice beaches. However they are small modest units in older building. These do well for economy vacation rentals and you can have a place on the beach without a huge investment.
Vacation rental income is a definite benefit of buying a second Cancun home here in the Mexican Caribbean but do be realistic and choose wisely. Buy what you can comfortably afford without relying on the rental income and you will enjoy your place in paradise.
About the writer: Cancun Real Estate by Cyndi Ader originally from the US has been living in Cancun Mexico for 17 years. She is a member of A.M.P.I. The Mexican Association of Real Estate Professionals and is currently a member of the International Relations Committee. She is also an international affiliate of NAR National Association of Realtors. She is the owner/broker of Cancun Properties Real Estate and specializes as a buyer’s broker. for more information 5128796546. Where 9 TOP real estate experts from ALL regions of Mexico come together to share their Tips Knowledge to help you buy safely !