The Knight Frank Global House Price Index has shown that property prices in major locations around the world have increased by 53% in the first three months of 2010. Furthermore, for the first time since 2008, annual price inflation for all global real estate markets has again turned positive. However, Asia is experiencing the sharpest increases and the biggest recoveries, while many European countries have not yet recovered.

In Europe, the most positive markets are in Scandinavia, Norway, Sweden, and Finland. Countries with bigger economies, such as France and England, have been slower at recovering as they’ve been more affected by the weakness of the Euro and the debt crisis.

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.

2010 has seen a sharp increase in consumer confidence of the French real estate market. The French property market has slowly been recovering from the economic downturn, and more and more international buyers are looking into investing in French properties and Paris apartments. France Home Finance has seen a 65% increase in the number of inquiries by buyers from the UK in Q1 2010.

Other reasons for this sudden increase include the weakening of the Euro over the past few months and lower interest rates offered by banks, making French mortgages very attractive for the investor.

September 2009 - The UNTWO Tourism Barometer has just released tourism statistics for 2008 and France wins again as the most visited country in the world.

Ranked by number of international tourist arrivals in 2008:

1. France- 79.3 million
2. United States - 58.0 million
3. Spain - 57.3 million
4. China - 53.0 million
5. Italy - 42.7 million
6. United Kingdom - 30.1 million
7. Ukraine - 25.4 million
8. Turkey - 25.0 million
9. Germany - 24.9 million
10. Mexico - 22.6 million

Source : UNTWO http://www.unwto.org/facts/eng/pdf/barometer/UNWTO_Barom09_update_sept_en.pdf

August, 2009 - France Home Finance is please to announce that to better serve our clients, we have moved to new offices in Paris next to the Bastille and the Village Saint Paul.

We look forward to visits from our clients next time you are in town. Come see us and discover this neighbourhood that we love.

FHF Top 5 Neighbourhood picks:

1. Pack a picnic and enjoy the sun in the Place de Vosges (pick up everything you need in the shops on the rue Saint Antoine along the way)
2. Relax with an authentic Thai foot massage at La Villa Thai (the real deal and impossible to find in Paris) La Villa Thaï : 8 bis rue Sedaine, 75011 Paris, Tel : +33 (0)1 48 07 02 02, www.lavillathai.com
3. Enjoy a world class performance at the National Opera : www.operadeparis.fr
4. Taste delicious French bistrot cuisine at Le Gaspard de la Nuit : 6 rue des Tournelles, 75004 Paris, Tel: +33 (0)1 42 77 90 53, www.legaspard.com
5. Discover the best French wines at Les Caprices de l'Instant, reputed to be one of the best cavistes in Paris : 12 rue Jacques Cœur, 75004 Paris, Tel: +33 (0)1 40 27 89 00