Property prices in France have risen by 10% over the last year, pushed in part by British buyers? unrelenting demand for a second home in the French sunshine. In spite of this growth, however, French property remains competitively priced in comparison with the UK, where prices have increased by around 18% over the same period. According to Abbey National France, mortgage applications between March and August 2004 increased by 17% compared with the same period in 2003, and the British now represent 40% of international property buyers, a figure which has doubled since 2000. Italian and Belgian buyers are also taking advantage of the French market, accounting for 12% and 6% of international buyers respectively. Buyers are drawn to character properties, the figures revealed, with old properties accounting for 81% of houses bought by international buyers in 2003. John Woodhouse, Deputy Managing Director of Abbey National France, said: ?Buying a home in France has more appeal than ever amongst UK buyers.? Mr Woodhouse believes that the process of buying a home in France is now much easier: ?That, combined with low mortgage interest rates and easy access to France by train, the Eurotunnel and low cost flights means that owning a property in France may be easier and more achievable than people first think,? he said.
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A well-connected rural playground with 23 acres on the edge of the South Downs National ParkOld House Farm is an impressive family home with a wealth of amenities that would inspire any rural passion.
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The UK gets its first ‘European stork village’ — and it's in West SussexAlthough the mortality rate among white storks can be up to 90%, the future looks rosy for breeding pairs in southern England.
