Blog

France’s Economy is Looking Up

The central Bank of France anticipates that the country’s economy will see growth of 0.8% during the second quarter, doubling the rate from the first part of 2011.

Posted April 28, 2011

Exchange Rate Forecast

The pound has slipped slightly against the dollar, following a revised forecast of economic growth, which put the country slightly below where it had been previously anticipated. At the same time, the UK’s inflation expectation has been lowered, thus alleviating pressure to increase the interest rate. However, the pound rose marginally on the euro.

Posted April 21, 2011

Outlook for European Interest and Inflation Rates

Rising inflation rates across Europe, and notably in France, with a 2.3% increase in February alone, are encouraging the European Central Bank (ECB) to increase the interest rates in order to counter these unanticipated levels of inflation. The bank shifted its year-long and its 2012 overall inflation projections.

Posted April 11, 2011

Why France is still Drawing Expats

A recent survey by the UK Post Office's International Payments division indicates that France is the preferred destination for expatriate relocation, ranking above Spain, the United States, and Australia.

Posted April 1, 2011

Euro Exchange Rate Outlook

The European Central Bank reaction to inflation by increasing interest rates pushed the Euro/USD exchange rate above 1.40 in mid-March.

Posted March 25, 2011

France, World Tourism Leader in 2010

Continuing its eight year reign as the most visited country in the world, France yet again claimed the top spot in the annual survey by the UN World Tourism Organization with 78.95 million visitors. Paris was the most visited city in France.

Posted March 21, 2011

Update on the French Mortgage Market

The French mortgage market is the third largest in the European Union after the United Kingdom and Germany. While the mortgage market in the UK and Spain suffered significantly during the fina ncial crisis, the French mortgage market has remained strong, with limited defaulting. Due to a strict upfront financial analysis for each dossier, French banks have succeeded for the most part in lending what borrowers are able to repay. This has created a great deal of stability for the French real estate market.

Posted March 16, 2011

Rising French Property Values – Building off 2010

French property values increased sharply in 2010 and have continued the upward trend through the beginning of 2011. The Ile-de-France region has seen the most significant increases, though the rest of France has too seen property values increasing. The rising values in 2010 were more consistent across old homes than across old apartments, though both property types increased in value.

Posted March 8, 2011

Role of the Notaire

As you’re looking into buying a property in France, one of the most crucial people with whom you will interact throughout the buying process is the notaire. You may be wondering who the notaire is and what his or her role may be in the process.

Posted February 28, 2011

Key French Tax Deadlines for 2011

Key French tax deadlines to note for 2011

30/04/2011 is the deadline to submit :

• 2010 VAT declaration for French leasebacks
• 2010 income declaration for furnished French rental property
• 2010 French income tax declaration for French "Société Civile Immobilière" or “SCI”s

Posted February 10, 2011