Edward Landau of My French Property 

By then, the "fonctionnaires" had begun to snap up a few of the bargains on the market and we began to see more French clients coming down from the north of France, looking for a better climate and a cheaper, more natural way of life. A stream of Belgian and Scandanavian clients began to trickle through and more recently a fresh wave of British buyers. Most have had to trim their budgets dramatically but with the current mood, we have been able to negotiate some tremendous deals for purchasers which have tended to compensate for the weakness in Sterling. 

As a result, we enjoyed a marked increase in the volume of transactions during the second and third quarters of 2009. Most of the demand has been in the lower end of the market but as the year has evolved, the value of transactions has steadily been creeping up. 

In October, for the first time in over two years, we are seeing our level of stock reducing as sales outstrip fresh supply. Prices are still weak and there are many good opportunities on the market at the moment. It is not all about price however, as there are several exceptional properties available which are difficult to source when times are buoyant.

Many clients looking at Euro based mortgages which are offering historically low interest rates. This presents purchasers with the ability to redeem their mortgage if and when the pound makes any notable gains.

There is also renewed interest in the "buy to let" offers available from the sound developers. We currently have availability across a range of new build developments, where rental returns are guaranteed, as well as VAT refunds, with low deposits and competitive financing, whilst all of the property management and all related costs are taken care of. Owners choose the level of usage they require each year and leave the rental to the developer. After holding the units for fifteen years, there are no capital gains to be paid.

Going into the New Year we certainly are remaining cautious but the signs are fairly positive. Traffic on our website has more than doubled in the recent months and enquiries are at record levels. If the level of enquiries is any indication of genuine demnad, then the levels of value and the range of choice which is currently available could well dissipate through the Spring.

Our advice? Heed the words of Horace, who, upon returning to Italy and finding his family home and worldly possessions confiscated, turned to poetry. In his early works he immortalised the phrase "Carpe Diem". Seize the day and live your dreams to their full.

My French Property - is an French Estate Agent based near Pau in the French Pyrannees. For further information on available property and to arrange a viewing trip, please contact Edward or Penny Landau on UK: 087 17 41 09 and +33 562 969 427