Ski resort holiday homes becoming more affordable in France
France is a great option for a second home for the English buyer, either as an investment or a second home. The country is well catered for transport with regional airports allowing rapid access to the UK. So, with England only a short hop away from one of over 477 airports your nearest and dearest need never be to far away. If you live in the north of France there are several regular ferry routes, allowing you to easily take your own car back to England.
France is a very large country without a very large amount of people. That means there's plenty of space for everybody, and it's easy to find properties set in extensive grounds providing privacy and outside space. The country is so vast that it spreads across a great many geographically diverse regions. Each of these regions boasts distinct cultural, geographical and architectural treasures with a delightful array of different types of countryside on offer.
Many people visit France to experience local cuisine and perhaps even to improve their own cooking skills. Excellent farmland and clement weather means that the French have always placed a high priority on eating well with the best possible ingredients. A local market is never far away, where you can try produce from farmers in the region.
At one time or another many of us may have lingered at an estate agents window to check out the cost of houses for sale in France. This doesn't have to be an idle dream as France offers many excellent opportunities for those wishing to purchase property. There's a great range of property on offer including holiday apartments, farmhouses requiring renovation and stunning villas.
A great many people will have developed their love of France through visiting one of their many great ski resorts. The French have a great passion for the sport, and have invested heavily in providing world-class facilities across the country. It's a great time for investors to get involved as holiday homes are available that offer great returns on investments.
Over 1 million English tourist takes to the slopes every year in France creating a buoyant and a lucrative market place for accommodation. France's property market is relatively unregulated, unlike that of some Alpine countries, which limit home ownership for foreigners. This results a range of properties, situated in many resorts that will suit skiers of all levels, from beginner to advanced intermediate.
France's most popular ski destination is The Alps where you can find the most modern resorts, best slopes and the highest standards of hospitality. Chalets that become available in the most popular resorts are snapped up rapidly and go for the most expensive prices. Lesser-known resorts, such as the great skiing you will find in Jura, the Pyrénées, the Vosges and the Massif-Central hold less cachet but offer property that will better suit an entry-level budget.
The leaseback scheme offers a safety net for investors looking for a guaranteed return. The French government, to ensure that quality accommodation is developed in the best tourist areas, introduced this scheme. Once you have purchased your property, you can rent it to a holiday company for a minimum of nine years. You get to stay in the property for a set time each year, with the scheme enabling homeowners to generate income from their investments without the hassle of upkeep or maintenance.