While many overseas buyers are drawn to French property because they are after a cottage in the countryside, there are some great benefits to purchasing an off-plan property instead. We dig into them.
What does buying off-plan mean?
Computer images can give you an idea of what your off-plan home in France will look like.
An off-plan property is one that has yet to be built. You are essentially buying the plans and the contract. Often, you will be presented with computer generated images to help you visualise what the property will eventually look like. So, don’t worry if, like me, you’d struggle to visualise what your new home would be like from some architectural designs.
Typically, in France, it takes two years for an off-plan home to be built. But it does depend on when in the building process you find the property.
1. A sparkling new property with high quality finishes
As beautiful as they may be, the trouble with old homes is that they can often come with lots of flaws. Some are unforeseeable until you’re living there. That faulty tap that won’t stop dripping. The leaky ceiling. The small plumbing job that turned out to be a big plumbing job with a big price tag. With an off-plan property, you are promised a building made of high quality, modern materials. So, it’s unlikely that you’d run into the same issues as you would with an older property.
Additionally, in the EU, it is the law that the developer must give you a ten-year structural guarantee.
2. The chance to add to the design
If you get involved with the project early enough, the more opportunity there is to have a say over the design. While the plans are often set, you can ask for furnishings, air-conditioning and heating. Some projects even have a choice of the number of bedrooms you can have.
Moreover, these properties are often built with the latest Smart technology, such as international plug sockets, thermal and noise cancellation. Whereas adding Smart technology to an older property can be tricker and also not flow with the feel of the home.
As well as this, off-plan properties are increasingly being built using sustainable materials and with the environment in mind, such as solar panels.
3. An excellent investment
Often, developers put properties on for a low price initially to interest buyers. However, as the project comes to being – brick by brick – and gains attraction, it will likely rise in value. If you want to capitalise on the investment potential, really think about the location that you are choosing too.
Later on, down the line, long-term renters and holidaymakers are likely to be more interested in your property than an older one. No one wants to be dealing with someone else’s leaky ceiling or faulty taps while they are on holiday.
4. The novelty of being the first owner
As someone who was the first to live in a new building property, I won’t lie, there was something terrifying about accidentally making the first scratch on the wall. However, it also feels really special to be the first person to ever hold the keys to the home. To be the first person to make memories there. And your friends and family will probably be all the more curious to see it too.
Finally, if you are on the lookout for off-plan properties in France, when you browse our property portal, choose “new program” on our filter.
Download our guide on buying in France.
And if you are selling a property, register it with us.
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