A survey was taken by RICS Europe surveyors, and the results were shocking: One in five believe that by 2020, 90% of global commercial real estate will fall short of meeting environmental standards if no green initiatives are implemented.

This means that governments around the world will be faced with drafting drastic real estate plans and putting them into action. Although there’s a general view that new buildings are meeting better standards, much change is needed. RICS believes that the top priority over the next decade is to incentivise the refurbishment of existing stock.

This will change how French property investors view the value of French commercial properties. There will be an increased concern about whether the properties meet these sustainability standards, especially if they are interested in investing in the property for years to come.

According to a survey taken by Savills International and HomeAway.co.uk, France was among the most popular second home locations in 2009. The research found that these French holiday home investors are composed of buyers with significantly higher disposable incomes who are less reliant on mortgages. Savills stated that “in 2010, the overseas second home market will be characterized by cash rich, lifestyle buyers benefiting from lower prices in traditional, established holiday home hotspots.”

This is due to price decreases of up to 30% for properties in popular holiday locations, such as France. More than 20% of the survey respondents stated that they are planning on purchasing additional holiday properties in the future, as long as market conditions and mortgage availabilities improve in those countries.

This is great news for the second home property market in France, especially in Paris.

Key French tax deadlines to note for 2010

30/04/2010 is the deadline to submit :

• 2009 VAT declaration for French leasebacks
• 2009 income declaration for furnished French rental property
• 2009 French income tax declaration for French "Société Civile Immobilière" or “SCI”s

15/05/2010 is the deadline to submit the 2009 declaration of foreign company shareholders (or be subject to the 3% tax)

31/05/2010 is the deadline for French residents to submit their 2009 income tax declarations

15/06/2010 is the deadline to submit your 2009 declaration for the French “Impot sur la fortune” or “Wealth tax” if you are a French resident

30/06/2010 is the deadline for non-residents to submit their French income tax declarations for 2009

15/09/2010 is the deadline to pay your 2009 income tax bill

15/10/2010 is the deadline to pay your 2009 property tax bill or "Taxe fonciere"

15/11/2010 is the deadline to pay your 2009 occupation tax or “Taxe d’habitacion”

15/12/2010 is the deadline to pay your 2009 professional tax or “Taxe professionelle”