The 6 best reasons to get a Loan Pre-Approval for your French Mortgage

1. Getting a formal pre-approval letter from French Mortgage Xpress can tell you the maximum a lender is likely to loan you for your new French Mortgage, which will help you narrow down your property search to within the price range you can afford.
2. You can get an idea of what your monthly re-payments will be for your French Mortgage on your new property in France.
3. You’ll have more credibility with the real estate agents and with vendors if your French Mortgage is pre-approved. Some agents won’t take you seriously until you have the pre-approval. They don’t want to waste their time, or yours. If you’re making a special trip form the UK this is vital.
4. French Mortgage loan approval takes time. If you wait to apply for a French Mortgage after you’ve actually made an offer, you could lose out on the property to someone else who already has the finance in place or has their French Mortgage pre-approved.
5. The lender can often lock in an interest rate, which protects you if rates rise while you are looking for your new property.
6. Pre-approval gives you at least some peace of mind, which you will appreciate during the often stressful process of buying a home, especially one in another country.

Don’t confuse loan pre-approval with pre-qualifying for a French Mortgage. Lenders will often pre-qualify a would-be buyer based on what you tell them about your income, employment and basic credit information, like how much you currently owe on credit cards or other loans. The lender is not agreeing to loan you money or committing to an interest rate. But the process can tell you whether it makes sense to move forward in your home search.

Loan pre-approval is a more formal process. You’ll need to provide your Independent French Mortgage Broker a lot of information about yourself, especially about your income and outgoings and general spending and saving habits.

If you get pre-approved for your French Mortgage, you’ll receive a letter telling you the maximum loan you can get and some sample interest rates you could qualify for.

The 1st step in arranging this Pre-Approval letter is to complete the on-line French Mortgage Quote Request Form or give us a call on +33(0)4.92.98.80.70

Chateau Grimaldi originally build as a Roman Fort was rebuilt in the 16th century; still preserving it Roman Square and Roman Tower, now housing a Musee Picasso. There are many other notable sites worth visiting; the 17th century Cathedral with its magnificent altarpiece. The musee of Archeologique forms part of the fortifications and contains many important collections for the history of Antibes.

Located on the southern point of Cap d’Antibes is the Musee Naval et Napoleonien housed in a fortified round tower, known as the Batterie de Grillon. The well preserved 12th century ramparts now form the seafront boulevard from which a fine view can be had of Nice and the mountains behind the urban areas.

Antibes is the second largrest town in the Alpes Maritimes region and offers the residence and tourists alike an immense variation of landscapes and attractions and coastlines to enjoy. Antibes has become a major tourist destination helped by the creation of the Port de Plaisance (yachting harbour). The port is packed with luxury yachts and plays host to the Antibes Yacht Show every April.

Many of the full time and part time residence of Antibes live in mix of luxury property in Antibes from secluded luxury villas in Antibes to penthouse apartments in Antibes town. Much of the property for sale in Antibes has a Mediterranean feel with some other properties for sale in Antibes following the traditional provencale villa design.

There is a large range of property for sale in the areas of Antibes from the multi-million euro property for sale in Cap d’Antibes to the small city centre apartments for sale in Antibes town itself, close the market with its narrow cobbled streets. Much of the property in Antibes town is well kept and decorated with flowers climbing the walls or in flower boxes decorating the window sills of the Antibes apartments and village house.

The residents of Antibes enjoy a vibrant atmosphere throughout the year with the many festivals and activities both on the water and on land. There are many restaurants and bars and clubs for those who want to experience the night-life Antibes has to offer.

Property in Antibes and its surrounding areas are in great demand and this in turn has increased prices over the past few years. The area is serviced by excellent road, rail and air links. Nice International airport is only a short 20 minute drive from the property in Antibes.

There are many luxury golf courses and family attractions such as Marine Land which is said to be the largest marine park in Europe. This tourism development has helped to increase the price of property for sale in Antibes, however, if buying a property in Antibes for an investment, the rental yields can be quite attractive.

So, Antibes could well be the perfect location for an investment property or even a second home on the French Riviera. However, your first thought should be how you might fund the property purchase in Valbonne. You will need the impartial advice of an Independent French Mortgage Broker preferably based in Valbonne. When the French mortgage broker is based in Valbonne they will be in a better position to handle the mortgage application with more efficiency and speed. They will have regular meetings with the regional bank officials and these close relationships will only benefit the clients of the Valbonne French Mortgage Broker and in turn benefit their clients.

Property ownership in France

The good news for UK based buyers of Investment Property in France is that there is an abundance of property all over the South of France; a restored Mas, stylish new builds, pieds-a-terre, family villas or even winter sports apartments. Capital appreciation is good and rental yields are strong. There is no better time than 2012 to acquire an Investment Property in the South of France.

A good rental yield from an investment property can be achieved with so many tourists and the enormous quantity of conferences throughout the year especially in Cannes, making the South of France an excellent choice for your Overseas Property Investment.

Compared to the UK, a long history of prudent lending in France has meant mortgage finance in France is still readily available and great value. Coupled with an approximate discount of 10% on French property prices a year ago – there is no better time than 2012 to acquire an Investment Property in the South of France.

Terms:

• 3.15% – 20% deposit required
• Max term 20 years
• Minimum loan – €100,000
• No penalty for early repayment during first 8 years.

A Fast, Efficient and Professional NO FEES independent service – just look at our TESTIMONIALS

Please call the Matt or Gael for further information on +33(0)4.92.98.80.70 or complete the short REQUEST A QUOTE form & get a quote in 1 working day!

Standard Repayment French Mortgage:

• Minimum loan amount: €100,000
• Interest rates: 3.15% with 20% deposit
• Repayment: No penalty at any time for early repayment in part (min10%)

When buying a property in a foreign country and securing a French Mortgage you need to be sure you are getting the best possible service and support available. French Mortgage Xpress is actually based on the French Riviera – we are local, on the ground and have regular meetings with all our partner banks to make sure our clients are getting looked after and are receiving a fast, efficient and professional service.

The sun is here and 2011 and French Property is still a great investment. The French Mortgage rates are at one of the lowest levels seen in France for many years. Property prices are moving upwards, however, there are still some great bargains with property prices at levels seen 3 – 4 years ago in areas such as Valbonne, Mougins, Antibes, Nice and Cannes on the French Riviera.

France was even voted the best place to live in the world by International Living Magazine for the 5th year in a row!, and why not! Quality of life, Culture & Leisure, Health, Infrastructure and of course not forgetting the climate and the 300 days of sunshine we get on the French Riviera during the year.

Property ownership in France

The good news for buyers of Investment Property in France is that there is an abundance of property all over the South of France; a restored Mas, stylish new builds, a pieds-a terre, family villas or even winter sports apartments. Capital appreciation is good and rental yields are strong. The Cote d’Azur is second only to Paris in price, but you don’t need a fortune to buy. A good rental yield from an investment property can be achieved with so many tourists and the enormous quantity of conferences throughout the year especially in Cannes. This makes the South of France an excellent choice for your Overseas Property Investment.

For second home owners in the South of France and property investors – 2012 is the perfect opportunity to buy into some of the most desirable towns and cities such as Cannes, Nice and Antibes on the Cote d’Azur. The French banks have not suffered like their UK counterparts, meaning they are more inclined to lend to the foreign Property Investor who might not have considered France before. Coupled with some extremely attractive loan rates, France is fast becoming an astute investment for UK and foreign property investors.

Interst Only Hybrid

Terms:

• 3.6% Fixed 1st 5 years
• 80% Loan to Value (20% deposit required)
• Loan period: 8-20 years
• Primary, secondary residents/holiday home or investment property, home improvements

With the Interest-only mortgage there are additional benefits to give you extra flexibility:
- You can include payments of the principal to your interest-only payments anytime you want and for as long as you want.
- You can make early repayments towards the principal with no penalty, either partially or totally.

Only 1 or 2 hours from most major European cities, Nice International airport is but a short 20 minute drive from Cannes making this region of the French Riviera one of the most popular retreats for busy Europeans throughout the year. Cannes enjoys over 300 days of sunshine per annum and you can find yourself adorning a pair of sun glasses whilst sipping an aperitif on La Croisette in any winter month.

Cannes stretches some 9 kilometers from La Bocca district to the rocks of the Fourcade to the east. From the harbour the town presents a truly magnificent panorama with a mix of both modern and époque architecture. The city is centered on rue d’Antibes and La Croisette . A truly cosmopolitan boulevard, this 3 kilometre promenade around the harbour goes from the old port in the west past the Palais des Festival and onto Port Canto and Palm Beach in the east. An evening stroll along La Croisette is truly one of the most enjoyable past times for any visitor to Cannes on the French Riviera

The walk along the boulevard presents quite a spectacle in itself, performed against the backdrop of the sea, golden beaches and palm trees. La Croisette is the true symbol of the rapid expansion Cannes has enjoyed over the last century, with a concentration of luxury hotels, impressive private apartment blocks and residences plus the prestigious global luxury brand boutiques.

In contrast to the opulence of La Croisette is the area known as Le Suquet. The oldest part of Cannes, where the streets and houses cluster around the slopes of Mont Chevalier. Le Suquet has the intimate, quiet and peaceful feel of a village – in stark contrast to the bustling streets below following the coast line in the bay of Cannes. After a steep climb past the restaurants and shops within this old part of Cannes there are some lovely cafes in which to rest a while before descending into the vivaciousness of Cannes and La Croisette.

Cannes is the perfect location for a weekend getaway and the ideal choice for a second home in the sun. Whether you’re interested in a property near the coast in Cannes, or a villa further behind the coast in the hills such as Valbonne or Mougins – renting a villa in the South of France is an excellent way of finding a location and seeing whether this region of the South of France is really where you want to buy. There are many tremendous villas or apartments to rent in Cannes throughout the year, whether you’re looking for a short 2 week break or longer term over the summer months whilst you’re looking for that villa in Cannes to buy.

So, once you’ve fallen in love with that villa or apartment in Cannes, there is only one important element to factor in – how are you going to pay for it? You will need the impartial advice of an Independent French Mortgage Broker preferably based near to Cannes. When the French mortgage broker is locally based near Cannes they will be in a better position to handle the mortgage application with more efficiency and speed. They will have regular meetings with the regional bank officials and these close relationships will only benefit the clients of the French Mortgage Broker and in turn benefit their clients.

Looking to buy a property in France?

LOOK NO FURTHER! – French Mortgage Express offers UK and other international buyers a dedicated service to finding the right French Mortgages in France for their specific needs. If your salary is in the UK or outside of France – it’s not a problem. We can help and have arranged hundred’s of mortgages in France for people just like you

Confused about a Mortgage in France?

DON’T BE! – There are many different types of French Mortgages available to you; standard variable, interest only, capped, buy to let or fixed French Mortgages. Every mortgage in France will have a different interest rate dependent on your circumstances and the level of deposit you’re able to put down. It’s our job to work with you and find you the best solution from the wide range of French Mortgages available.

Why are we independent and based in France?

SIMPLE! – Being independent allows us to take an impartial look at your circumstances and then recommend the best French Mortgage for you from our panel banks in France. We’re not tied to any banks and can look at the whole market place to find the best French Mortgages for your situation. French Mortgage Xpress in based in Valbonne in the South of France – this means we have personal relationships with many of the banks in France and can talk directly to the international departments to make sure all our UK and non-resident clients are given a fast and efficient service when applying for French Mortgages. French Mortgage Xpress is also fully licensed in FRANCE to advise on French Mortgages; we hold the carte demarcharge bancaire/financier, we have professional indemnity insurance and hold an Orias number

2012 is a buyers market and borrowings are great value. According to FNAIM (The French National federation of Real Estate) things are stabilizing and prices are currently related to the levels they reached in the 3^rd quarter of 2005.

So, as a UK property investor or simply looking for a sunny retreat – 2011 is definitely the time to invest in a property in Cannes, Valbonne, Mougins or the many of the other French villages and towns in the South of France.

Terms:

• 3.15% – 20% deposit required
• Minimum loan £100,000
• Minimum 20% down payment
• Maximum term is 20 years

Looking for the best french mortgage?

The team at French Mortgage Xpress realise how hard it can be buying a property in a foreign country, added to that the mine-field of foreign mortgages and you’ve got a recipe for a serious head-ache.

So, what is the cure? Simple…………….French Mortgage Xpress!

Here are 4 little reasons why you should contact us right now to discuss your French Mortgage.

1.     FREE ADVICE: No obligations quote within 24 hours.

2.     HASSLE FREE: It’s not easy trying to get a mortgage at any time but when it’s in a foreign country things can get a little more difficult. This is where French Mortgage Xpress and their team come to their own. All the forms will be in English and the advisors will help you ever step of the way if any translations are required. French Mortgage Xpress is actually based in France, so they are right on hand to meet with bank representatives to make sure your file goes through the systems as smoothly as possible.

3.     INDEPENDENT ADVICE: Being an Independent French Mortgage Broker simply means they have access to every mortgage product on the market. The team will look at your individual circumstances and requirements and simply recommend the best product applicable to your wants, needs and aspirations.

4.     SPECIAL DEALS: As an Independent Mortgage Broker in France the team at French Mortgage Xpress are able to offer their clients exclusive mortgages products created for the non-resident buyer.

Why not take the first step and contact French Mortgage Xpress to get a FREE no obligations quotation?

According to a report by the National Association for Real Estate Agencies (FNAIM), property prices increased by an average of 3% in the Cannes area in 2010. This is in line with recently announced figures for Antibes and Nice where property prices rose by 3.3% and 4% respectively. This is positive news for home owners and buyers alike.

The report, published in the Nice Matin, went on to say that the price per square meter for apartments in the Cannes area for the last quarter of 2010 increased to €5,000 per m² from €4,300 per m² in 2009.

Other indicators that the property market on the French Riviera is on the rebound are the increase in the number of property sales: up 24% for 2010 compared to 2009 in the Cannes area with the transaction time (the time between the property coming on the market and the actual sale) down to 87 days from the 2009 figure of 120 days.

Matt Frost from French Mortgage Xpress also confirmed that his office saw an increase of over 10% in successful mortgage applications for 2010 when compared to 2009.

Interest rates in France are still very competitive and there are some innovative French Mortgage products available such as the new Capped rate product. France and especially the French Riviera are still offering solid investment opportunities for the international property investor. Cannes is still home to a large number of congress throughout the year and is still an enormously popular holiday destination meaning rental yields are strong.