<![CDATA[PROPERTY FOR SALE IN SOUTH OF FRANCE, VAR, COTE D'AZUR - Blog]]>Wed, 29 Apr 2026 15:45:58 +0100Weebly<![CDATA[Sales Service for Home Owners]]>Tue, 19 Aug 2025 16:03:00 GMThttps://www.smartfindervar.com/blog/sales-service-for-home-ownersAfter assisting numerous clients in their property search, we are pleased now to highlight a service we have provided certain homeowners in Property Sales & Rentals.

Often past clients come back to us to resell the property we found them, or as part of their search they need to sell their existing property located in the south of France. After many succesful sales we are expanding this service so anyone can benefit from our expertise in property sales.

Our approach is founded on three key principles:
  • Precise Valuation: We provide a clear property estimate based on current market data and demand, ensuring your home is priced correctly to attract serious buyers.
  • Extensive Exposure: Through our network of partners, your property will be marketed on an unparalleled number of online portals, maximizing its visibility to a global audience.
  • Dedicated Focus: We limit the number of properties we handle to ensure every client receives our complete and undivided attention, with all inquiries receiving a timely response.

​We will ensure your property journey is managed with professionalism and care that you expect.
You will find further details on our sales and rental service here

To get started on your property sale journey, contact us directly !
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]]><![CDATA[Property investment à la carte]]>Thu, 30 May 2024 23:00:00 GMThttps://www.smartfindervar.com/blog/property-investment-a-la-carte
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A short review on different approaches to property investment in the French Riviera to see which can best meet your objectives.

Classic property buy to let investments aiming for the best possible return on the capital invested.
The idea is to target the property segment most in demand, and these are typically small or mid-sized apartments in dynamic cities, preferably in the better areas to ensure hassle free rentals.  Nice and Aix-en-provence are the top 2 cities in the South of France that are economically prosperous, with an international appeal and also large student populations.
But if you are open to seasonal rentals, Cannes with its dynamic convention centre and attractive beach and seafront “La Croisette” provides probably the best returns. 
Smartfinder Home has assisted several international investors buy flats in Cannes, with one investor regularly earning 8% gross or 5% after property tax and expenses.

Pleasure property investments covers second homes that in addition to earning rental income, also benefit the owner, enabling him/her to occasionally occupy the property they buy. This is a balanced use of a second home, and that at least serves both the region and the planet, by optimizing usage of an important asset ! This is aligned with the “uber” trend like car sharing or boat sharing, that internet platforms facilitate so well.  
This way, you have the freedom to decide the balance between the amount of rental income you want Vs. personal use in the high season. Using the property off-season, or doing home exchanges is the “extra fun” bonus you derive from these investments.
Such an investment will hold its value better than boats or modern cars, and provide a better safety net than volatile markets. The French Riviera is still the top spot on the Mediterranean and guarantees a flow of well off buyers that maintains demand and prices.
So unlike Paris, where prices have dropped 20% over the last 2 years, prices in Cannes or Nice have continued to rise slightly. 

Alternative property investments that have advantages over SCPI investment vehicles or the constraints of using government schemes for tax breaks:
  1. Nu-propriété - buying base ownership is the tax efficient long term property investment, enabling you to get at a considerable discount ownership of a property.
  2. Prello - to leverage your investment by buying only the share you want of a luxury property. This is managed co-ownership, not timesharing, part of the uber trend.
  3. Peer to peer property loan - you can use platforms to do this, but you can reduce intermediary fees almost completely using instead Smartfinder Home introductions and that are guaranteed just like bank loans with a fixed 3% to 4,5% return.

For any of these property investments, please contact Smartfinder Home - we will be delighted to share the pros and cons and guide you through the process.
]]><![CDATA[Story of a New Yorker who chose to live in Nice]]>Thu, 19 Oct 2023 23:00:00 GMThttps://www.smartfindervar.com/blog/story-of-a-new-yorker-who-chose-to-live-in-nice
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  "Nice might seem like an obvious place to settle if one is planning to move to France.  After all, the Cote d’Azur is the second most touristed spot in France, after Paris. But it wasn’t even on my list when I decided to fulfill my lifelong dream to live in France.
A friend, a fellow American expat who lives in Paris, told me the Riviera was tacky. Too many tourists. No authenticity. He did admit that Antibes was a pleasant town, but counseled me against Nice or Cannes.
I never considered moving to Paris. I lived in New York for 50 years and I wanted to get away from the metropolis. I was seeking a more laid-back lifestyle. At age 64, newly retired and financially comfortable, I decided to spend 3-4 months each year in a different part of France to decide which area most suited me.
My first scouting trip took me to Brittany and Normandy. I spent a month in each. Beautiful places, but too much rain and cold weather, even in May and June. Also, I couldn’t imagine living in a region that produced no wine. I crossed them off my list.

The second year I went South. First a month in Antibes. And my friend was right. Visiting in March, I found it to be authentically French, a great walking town and quite tempting. But it is a small town (population 75,000). On a Sunday afternoon, I checked the local movie schedule only to discover that the cinemas in Antibes had no afternoon showings. And after a month I was bored witless.
From Antibes I went to the even smaller Sanary-sur-mer, (population 13,000) another postcard-perfect seafront town, this time in the Var region between Toulon and Marseille. I fell in love with it. As one of only 3 Americans in town, I was an object of some curiosity and quickly made a circle of friends. My active social life, including private visits to some of the Bandol estates, blinded me to its limitations for a woman who has lived her entire life in major metropolises. I moved on.

The following year I discovered Southwest France. First St. Jean de Luz, a delightful beach resort in the pays Basque close to the Spanish border. One of the nicest beaches I’ve seen anywhere, great food, a welcoming environment. But, in the end, too small, even with Biarritz and the very pretty city of Bayonne nearby. 
On to Bordeaux, where I spent the month of July on the bassin d’Arcachon, and August in the nearby suburb of Bouliac. Having made a very good friend in Gujan-Mestras on the Arcachon peninsula, Bordeaux seemed perfect to me. I came back the following February. It was cold and wet. Plus, knowledgeable friends told me that Bordeaux was a very closed off social scene. Like many French cities (including Lyon and Toulouse, I've been told) if you haven’t lived there for at least 3 generations, you are an outsider and will find it difficult be make intimate friends. .

Year 4 I decided to ignore my Parisian friend’s advice and check out Nice, which I knew a little from my stay in Antibes and where I had an old friend from New York. And finally the pieces all fell into place. I fell in love for good.
I came back 3 years in a row, just to make sure. But this was the real thing. What my Parisian friend didn’t know was that Nice (the 5th or 6th largest city in France, depending on whether you count the metro area) has everything I wanted. A lively cultural life. A climate that never gets below freezing. And more. Almost everyone in Nice—including the French—come from somewhere else, so outsiders are more easily accepted. An international city where the lingua franca is as much English or Italian as French. Easy public transportation. The second largest French airport after Paris with direct flights to everywhere, including New York. A city as much Italian as French and only 40 minutes from Italy.
And the laid-back lifestyle I craved. Sort of a southern California lifestyle on the Mediterranean. I am, finally, home". Evelyn, Nice
]]><![CDATA[Nice, the "Capital" of the French Riviera]]>Thu, 14 Sep 2023 23:00:00 GMThttps://www.smartfindervar.com/blog/nice-the-capital-of-the-french-riviera
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Welcome to “Nissa La Bella”, the captivating Côte d'Azur town of Nice, which effortlessly combines history, culture and Mediterranean charm. 
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Capital of tourism
The success of Nice, known as the "tourism capital of the Riviera", comes not only from its picturesque setting between the famous 7km long Promenade des Anglais facing the Baie des Anges, the cobble streets of the old town and its port and 7 hills, but also due to its cultural life with events such as the Nice Carnival or the Jazz Festival amongst over 160 exhibitions, concerts and shows planned for the coming year. These events are easily accessible via the excellent Nice Tourist Office website.

Nice remains a lively city all year round, with hundreds of restaurants providing gastronomic delights with its diverse and delectable cuisine. From the renowned Nicoise salad to local markets and Michelin-starred restaurants, the town offers gastronomic adventure that will delight the most discerning palates.
You will find prestigious shops near Place Massena and its main shopping center "CAP 3000", recently renovated was voted in 2022 by MIPIM as the best shopping center in the world.

So it's only natural that for many buyers looking to establish themselves on the Côte d'Azur, proximity to the city of Nice is as often requested as is proximity to the seafront or the airport. What's more, excellent ski resorts are within a 1-hour drive of the city.

Living in Nice
And if you're looking to settle down in Nice itself, there's something for everyone, from an apartment in a Belle Epoque residence with high ceilings on the hill of Cimiez, to a modern villa in Gairaut, a charming apartment in the Old town or the carré d'or in the heart of the city.

A 2 bedroom apartment in the most sought-after neighborhoods is typically 800000 Euros, but smaller 1 bedroom apartments in good areas can be found for around 400000 Euros. 
Due to international demand, prices in Nice remain stable despite the current context of higher interest rates that have reduced prices in Paris and Bordeaux. 

Location, location ...
All these factors, along with the region's climate and proximity to Cannes, Monaco and Sophia-Antipolis, mean that living in Nice or keeping a pied-à-terre in the city remains an excellent investment.

If you want to live in the city of Nice or in one of the nicest villages within 30 minutes of the town, under sunny blue skies all the year round, don't hesitate to call us. SMARTFINDER HOME will find the right property for you!
]]><![CDATA[Safeguarding wealth – the move to the Luxury property market]]>Sat, 30 Apr 2022 22:04:42 GMThttps://www.smartfindervar.com/blog/safeguarding-wealth-the-move-to-the-luxury-property-marketLatest news from Sothebys and Barnes confirm that the experience of Covid has impacted how the wealthy are shifting a greater proportion of their assets from companies and shares towards property, and in particular luxury property they can occupy and make the most of, and in sunny climates. Depending on the areas in France, luxury property sales have doubled and sometimes trebled over the last 2 years.

In the Barnes city index the winners are in the US Miami and Austin-Texas and in Europe Madrid and Monaco, the losers in Europe being Zurich, Stockholm and Copenhagen.

On the French Riviera this traditional bastide in Saint-Tropez was sold by Sotheby’s for more than 10 million euros. Its 290m² and its 6 bedrooms are not its only assets since the property has a garden of over 3000m² and is located on a secured domain.
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The way these properties are being used are now more as semi-main homes rather than second homes, thanks to home working.
The most sought-after luxury properties are those that have been renovated to high standards, followed by those in excellent locations and that have potential.
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You can find superb properties at more reasonable prices at very short distances from the best known and sometimes over hyped locations. Smartfinder Home guides you on the best areas to invest in for high end properties !
]]><![CDATA[Property Market on the French Riviera even more Dynamic]]>Thu, 31 Mar 2022 21:41:04 GMThttps://www.smartfindervar.com/blog/property-market-on-the-french-riviera-even-more-dynamicDespite the war in Ukraine, possible energy shortages and inflation, buyers in the South of France are still heavily outnumbering sellers, and houses that used to be sold in months or years, now sell in days.

As a result house prices have risen 10% year on year in Saint Raphael on the Var coast.
This has been the first significant rise in since 2008. 
So waiting to buy is no longer the best option, as there is potential for further price increases.
Investors in new build properties have rated Nice as their most sought after destination in France, according to the latest study that came out this month from Salon de l'immobilier neuf.

As we facilitate acquiring a property on the French Riviera and Provence, in addition to unbiased advice we provide, we have adapted our property search to the current maket conditions.

Timing is now key, and knowing when you are able to come to visit properties and make a buying decision will determine which properties you can get. The best is for a buyer to determine clearly what he is looking for, and if possible over a wide area covering several towns, and then be able to make a quick decision after an on-site or remote visit.
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We have helped even buyers from China make good buy on the basis of a remote visit, and also get finance. So helping European or US residents find and buy a property, and making it less of a challenge is what we are here for  !
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]]><![CDATA[Change from a buyers to a sellers Market in the South of France]]>Thu, 30 Sep 2021 22:36:51 GMThttps://www.smartfindervar.com/blog/change-from-a-buyers-to-a-sellers-market-in-the-south-of-france
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Following the rush to buy properties since the end of deconfinement in May 2021, estate agents have now a shortage of properties for sale. If you visit agent’s websites, you will often see more houses that have been sold than those still on offer.

What is the impact of this for a house buyer ?
The first impact is of course to restrict the choice to houses that either needed some work or renovation, or have a handicap or that were considered overpriced. All is not lost for the buyer, as a small number of attractive houses still come onto the market priced correctly, but as soon as they are advertised, they sell in a matter of weeks and even on the very first visit of a buyer.

This means that searches months ahead of a purchase are no longer useful, as you will find the best houses get sold even sometimes days before you reach the region.

So what is the best approach for buyers who are not based locally ?
The 2 solutions we recommend are:
  • If you don’t know the areas in the South of France well enough and need to visit the region as well as the properties, then the best is to do an intensive search 20 days before you come with the help of a property finder like Smartfinder Home. It is useful to do an early search on property websites, but more as an educational exercise to help you identify the type of properties that you like most.
  • A second more innovative approach, adopted by some of our clients who know the French Riviera is to run an ongoing search and pounce on a property that meets your needs as soon as it appears on the market. And if you don’t live locally, ask us to do a virtual visit of the house to get objective feedback rather than a sales pitch, along with video and dozens of photos. You can then negotiate and agree a price and do the confirmation visit immediately after.

Due to the current scarcity of houses we also offer “a la carte” assistance for your property search, specially adapted to budgets below 400K:
  1. A formal coaching/training session on how to find and buy a property in South of France
  2. An upfront search of the best fitting 10 properties + sharing your criteria to the top estate agents

​So to help you in this competitive market, you have at your disposal new ways of realizing your house buying project ! 
]]><![CDATA[Story of An international Couple Who Landed In The Var]]>Wed, 30 Jun 2021 20:40:24 GMThttps://www.smartfindervar.com/blog/story-of-an-international-couple-who-landed-in-the-varIf you thought moving to the South of France is only about retirees earning a well deserved rest in the sun, or stars like George Clooney settling near their buddies, there are also active younger entrepreneurs, like Hamish and Verushka who arrived from Australia and here is their short story.

After different jobs on Australia's West Coast near Perth, including scuba diving lessons, Verushka was keen to see more of her family who had settled in Lorgues in the Var. So with Hamish they made the jump to France and with their characteristic energy, created a new company and had their house built at the same time.
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Four years later, here was the succesful outcome, a new concept store "La Grange" in the centre of Lorgues:
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Not many people would have bet on their success, an Australian selling coffee to the French !
But it worked, and in their store you can find lots of other quality beverages, including a number of the best local rosés and other wares and most precious of all, their friendly welcome !  
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Other interntional entrepreneurs have settled also in the Var region, bringing their skills and energy to rejuvenate old wine domains, renovating properties and much else.
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Watch the story below on the Lorgues Coffee Roasters venture.
]]><![CDATA[Houses & GARDENS - the New trend for home buyers in france]]>Fri, 30 Apr 2021 21:35:13 GMThttps://www.smartfindervar.com/blog/houses-gardens-the-new-trend-for-home-buyers-in-france
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Can changes in home buying intentions, be an opportunity for house sellers ?
Definitely yes, if you own a larger property, two recent studies have highlighted, showing an interesting shift in buying intentions over 2020.
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With 165 billion Euros of extra savings, the 20% most wealthy in France who have been unable to spend their money due to the various lockdowns. Many are thinking of using some of those savings to buy property instead. With stock markets and bitcoins reaching ever new heights, maybe now is the time to cash in on those gains before the next financial bubble bursts. And property of course is a natural safe haven.  According to IFOP, 42% of those with extra savings would like to buy a property.

A confirmation of this is that estate agents in the South of France are seeing unparalleled interest in higher value properties between 1M-10M Euros. Houses that had been on the market sometimes for years are now selling in a matter of months when priced correctly. In fact estate agents are running out of properties to sell. But in the French Riviera, there has not been significant price increases, but rather smaller margins for negotiating the price down.  

The other tendency highlighted by French notaires, is that for once it is no longer the Paris region that is the locomotive for the property market. Instead a number of provinces and rural areas not far from major towns are getting a boost. In the South of France in the region around Aix-en-provence close to Marseilles houses have increased on average around 6%, whereas apartments in Bordeaux have dropped 5%.

This is part of the tendency of home buyers looking for more space and greener environments, after having been confined in small apartments. And with the advantages for many of teleworking and less commuting, why not benefit from a pleasant garden and all the joys of the countryside !  
]]><![CDATA[Inspiration for Renovation - Modern Style house with Character]]>Wed, 31 Mar 2021 20:35:40 GMThttps://www.smartfindervar.com/blog/inspiration-for-renovation-modern-style-house-with-characterIf you thought a modern style house could not have character, then check this house in the Var near Flayosc, and relax with the volume switched on !
Houses like this are excessively rare and this house sold very quickly. Your best chance of getting a similar house is to get a well proportioned Provencal house in a good situation and renovate it. We can help you find houses with potential and put you in touch with experts in renovation. At the end of the day, that investment will give you significant capital appreciation!
With many houses in need of renovation, there are no shortages of potential projects in the region. Could that be your next revenue generation scheme ?
]]><![CDATA[Best Videos on The Cote d'Azur - Nice Corniches & St Tropez]]>Sun, 31 Jan 2021 23:32:39 GMThttps://www.smartfindervar.com/blog/best-videos-on-the-cote-dazur-nice-corniches-st-tropezOur pick of great videos includes these ones of the Nice to Monaco corniche and yachting in St Tropez.

Beautiful footage and video of the regatta "Voile de St Tropez", when 300 yachts converge in the Autumn in the gulf of St Tropez:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X9S4_Ba5tN8

Plus the excellent French program "Racines et des ailes" describing the history and origin of St Tropez:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cadmBNvaayA
]]><![CDATA[Will confinement change the way buyers find houses?]]>Sun, 01 Nov 2020 00:27:04 GMThttps://www.smartfindervar.com/blog/will-confinement-change-the-way-buyers-find-housesThe immediate impact on house hunting in France during confinement
With a new confinement period starting again in several European countries, and from this Friday in France, property buyers will not be authorised to view properties, nor to visit estate agents. Instead the French housing ministry encourages buyers and agents to do virtual visits instead. So in the same way workers and companies are required to adapt to home working, or use click and collect internet websites instead of going to supermarkets, property buyers are encouraged to further their search through the internet and the collaborative tools that exist.

Can agents support buyers in a “remote search”?
Property portals and websites are perfect for identifying potential properties of interest. But if you need more details and want to see a house remote, today not many French agents are equipped to run virtual visits. Also, unless they know the buyer is serious, even the agents who could do a virtual visit, will often not be motivated to do so.

On the other hand, a property finder is used to meeting buyers’ requests, as we always work for the buyer rather than the seller. It is normal for a property finder to do upfront visits for clients who do not live locally. Smartfinder Home often check houses in advance, sending a complete set of photos and videos of a property that has been shortlisted by a buyer. In addition, we can also run virtual visits with whatever application you prefer – Facetime, Skype, Teams or Zoom. This way we can show you round a property and answer your questions as we move from room to room, so you can ask us to point the camera in any direction. And if you are concerned at the state of a property, we can take high definition photos and get further advice from professionals.

The 2 other key factors when buying a property
Beyond the style and layout of a property, the 2 key factors in making a buying decision is of course the situation of the property and knowing if it is at market price.
If you know from past visits the area you are searching in, that is ideal. If you do not know the area, google maps and street view are fantastic tools. But they will not indicate the level of road noise nor give you an idea the neighbourhood. Therefore, you need an expert who knows the different areas and can give you realistic view of house prices. And as a property finder is not limited to a portfolio of properties and that objective feedback is given, it is quite evident that there is no better way to find a property, especially in current circumstances.

Smartfinder Home is the only licensed property finder member of the FFCI covering the French Riviera, the Var and Alpes Maritimes – we will be delighted to help you find your dream property in the South East of France even during confinement !
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]]><![CDATA[Panoramic Views over the French Riviera and Provence]]>Mon, 31 Aug 2020 22:07:25 GMThttps://www.smartfindervar.com/blog/panoramic-views-over-the-french-riviera-and-provenceAs we are always on the lookout for properties with a unique appeal, here are 2 affordable properties that have that rare combination of a superb +180 degree view as well as a practical and enviable location.

For the best panoramic view over the Provence countryside I have seen in 25 years check our first pick, a large 5 bedroom villa near Lorgues in the Var !
The large and deep terrace overlooks the plain of vines and olive groves below and as far as the hills of Roquebrune and the Maures natural park over 20km away. Very well located 1km from the lively market town of Lorgues with over 40 restaurants, you are also just 40 minutes from Sainte Maxime facing St Tropez and 1 hour from Nice airport.  
This well-equipped and spacious property has the living room, open kitchen and master bedroom on the ground floor, all opening onto the south facing terrace with that superb view. Another 3 bedrooms are on the first floor and fifth one is at basement level, all en suite. The pool is surrounded by a lovely stone wall in a totally private setting, so you have the choice of where to celebrate with friends and taste the famous rosé from the local vineyards.  
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​Our next pick is a superb bright apartment on the west of Nice facing south west over the Baie des Anges and the Cap d'Antibes. Every early morning you can admire how the city lights fade away as the sun rises or admire amazing sunsets in the evening as the lights come on over the West of Nice and for over 20km all along the coast. 
Recently renovated, the living room and open kitchen open onto the south and west facing terrace. The 3 ensuite bedrooms also open onto the outside terrace. The property also has garage and a pool in the residence with shops just walking distance from this superb luxury well maintained building. Check out the photos of this spacious and practical 120m2 apartment, just 15 minutes to the city centre, 10 minutes from Nice airport, right next to the Botanical gardens.
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So why not make these your next homeworking base !
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]]><![CDATA[Boom of holiday rentals for Villas with Pools]]>Tue, 30 Jun 2020 21:59:17 GMThttps://www.smartfindervar.com/blog/boom-of-holiday-rentals-for-villas-with-poolsVillas now preferred to hotels - Following deconfinement and the frustration of many city dwellers deprived of space, there has been  a huge increase in demand for rental of houses with gardens and a pool. In the South of France, client requests have literally doubled in August compared to 2019, and in every segment. Sotheby’s in Monaco or the Leboncoin website at both ends of the spectrum have seen the same surge in interest. But luxury hotels on the coast due to travel restrictions are having difficulties getting reservations.

Holiday rental websites - We have listed on the rental listings page some of the top holiday rental websites covering the French Riviera and Provence verte. A useful website that lets you search across several of the largest rental sites like AirBnb and Homelidays/Abritel from a single location is likibu.com.

For personal advice, if you would to get information on the best holiday rentals and areas in the region, please contact us and we will pleased to advise you. For luxury villa rentals we also can run a dedicated search and pick precisely the best rental meeting your criteria.

A new lifestyle ? Renting in a villa in the sun may be a good way of testing a new lifestyle of home working from a distance. Although in many office jobs, this has been a possibility for years, employers had been reluctant to let their employees work for too long remotely. But now as they have been forced to do this because of Covid 19, mentalities are changing fast, helped as well by the sudden realisation that this could also save businesses expensive office space. This new level of trust in homeworking can be a huge opportunity to shift from expensive centrally located city apartments to spacious houses in a rural setting.

300 days of sunshine ! So why not jump further still to Provence or the Cote d’Azur and get the sun as well as the space ! And with Nice as the second largest airport in France after Paris, means you can fly to over 100 destinations direct, including New York, Dubai and Peking. This is why the area within 1 hour of Nice airport has attracted research centres and science parks and why so many exhibition venues are held between Cannes, Nice and Monaco. So if you come here and are not retired yet, you can tell your boss it won’t be only for the Rosé !
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Property for sale overlooking Nice - previously owned by Sean Connery
]]><![CDATA[COVID-19 confinement - impact on the French property market]]>Mon, 30 Mar 2020 20:46:13 GMThttps://www.smartfindervar.com/blog/covid-19-confinement-impact-on-the-french-property-marketOn March 17th, French authorities took the unprecedented decision to almost shutdown France and confine people in their homes, as the only way of dealing with the covid 19 epidemic,.
Like in many countries this is a particularly difficult time, with the most fragile and elderly particularly exposed. We hope that the authorities quickly apply the best policies to control the epidemic !.

What is impact on the French property market ?
The immediate impact is to freeze the property market, as all estate agents have closed even if they remain available by phone or email.
So all house visits and sales are on hold and are delayed until after the end of confinement. 
This week confinement has been extended to the 15th of April, so 4 weeks in total, and if the number of victims does not start to drop, it will likely be extended into May.
This 2 months lockdown will clearly reduce the number of transactions this year and probably over the rest of the year too due to the impact on personal and public finances.
If we check what happened in the last Financial crisis in 2008, property prices in the South of France stopped rising as you can see in the graph below.
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The French social system in 2008 tended to cushion the effect of the economic downturn.
This time, combined with the support by the Central European bank, a more solid banking system and lessons learnt from the previous crisis should also help contain the downturn.
Also the underlying demographic trend in the South of France is a steady increase of people moving to the area and settle in the sun, so in the medium term prices should remain stable.

There may be more amateurs considering homeworking from a villa in the South of France following this period where companies have been obliged to accept homeworking !
Confinement was far easier for lucky homeworkers who could see the effect of springtime in their gardens compared to those confined in small city apartments.

Whatever your real estate project is, we will pleased to advise and will respond to you and answer any questions you may have if you are considering moving to France. During this period we can still run a property search and in certain circumstances also arrange virtual visits. Contact us so we can help you be the first on the spot when the market starts again.
]]><![CDATA[Buying to rent, better in Nice or in Cannes ?]]>Sat, 29 Feb 2020 20:41:03 GMThttps://www.smartfindervar.com/blog/buying-to-rent-better-in-nice-or-in-cannes
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When purchasing an apartment that you will be using as a second home, it makes sense financially to rent it out when it is unoccupied. And in Nice and Cannes there is no shortage of tourists and business travellers who are interested in short term rentals.

Why Cannes offers better rental opportunities than Nice
  • Firstly in Cannes unlike Nice or Paris, there is no super-tax on second homes, and this explains why 48% of properties in Cannes are second homes Vs. just 13% in Nice. The supertax is a 60% increase of the standard property tax (taxe foncière).
  • Secondly due to the exceptionally active convention centre in Cannes, the Palais de Festivals, you can get a good occupancy from business travellers if the flat is centrally located .

How do purchase prices compare ?
Cannes is considered more upmarket and expensive than Nice, yet if you venture just a few hundred meters from the seafront, prices are quite reasonable, at 4000-5000 Eur/m2 instead of 15000 Eur/m2 on the prestigious Croisette.
In Nice, close to the old port or near the central square of Place Massena and Carré d’Or prices can be as high as the Croisette, whereas in the other districts popular for foreign buyers, like Cimiez, Mont Boron or Fabron to the west, prices are also 4000-5000 Eur/m2. 

Other key differences between Nice and Cannes
But the choice depends finally depends on the buyer and if you prefer the larger and livelier city of Nice with its new tram and easy access to the airport, then it makes sense to buy in Nice.
If you prefer a quieter and more secure environment with sandy beaches then Cannes is likely to be your town.
Both towns offer you all the charm and great lifestyle of the French Riviera with its 300 days of sunshine a year !

The return on holiday rentals
You can get up to 4-5% net return on your investment if you choose just the right rental property. Flat tax on property rentals is 30% in France, but there are other options available that depend on your personal tax situation.
Smartfinder Home will be happy to advise and help you find the best rental properties that meet your requirements.
]]><![CDATA[Sanary and Bandol, 2 hidden gems of the French Riviera]]>Tue, 31 Dec 2019 16:13:47 GMThttps://www.smartfindervar.com/blog/sanary-and-bandol-2-hidden-gems-of-the-french-rivieraSanary sur mer, located 20 minutes west of Toulon on the Var coast is a especially picturesque fishing village, rather like Cassis. 
Here is a video showing the Christmas lights of Sanary, when even the fishing boats participate in the decoration of the village.
Since Sanary won the competition of the nicest market in France in 2018, most French people have heard of the little port, that was pride of the Provence and Cote d'Azur region. 
​Here is another video showing the port and town in the daytime.
Next to Sanary is Bandol, which is well known for its excellent rosé, considered the best in Provence. 
Discover the coast, the beaches, the town and clear sea with this footage from a drone. It gives you an idea what you can see from a motorboat when cruising in the area:
And to see Sanary right now, go to the webcam: www.sanary-tourisme.com/webcam.html.
Best is to see Sanary between 5 and 6pm French time, just when the sun sets.
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Happy New Year to the Smartfinder Home community !
]]><![CDATA[tips to avoid 6 mistakes when looking for a house In France]]>Mon, 30 Sep 2019 21:19:36 GMThttps://www.smartfindervar.com/blog/tips-to-avoid-6-mistakes-when-looking-for-a-house-in-france
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Choice, geography, priorities, projection, due diligence, negotiation - these 6 words summarize the potential traps when a buyer embarks on his house hunting journey.
A book could be written on this subject, but in this article I will focus on just the key mistakes house buyers do and how to avoid them. And to support buyers beyond this article, Smartfinder Home are providing a tailored coaching offering remote via phone and chat.

1- Choice constrained by time
A house hunter is like a fisherman, trawling through property websites. The more time you spend, the better chance you will have of finding the right property. But just like fishing, you have amateurs and professionals, the latter will know where to look and how to do it effectively. Our key advice is:
  - Don't limit yourself to looking at just 2-3 property portals. To maximize choice, identify at least a dozen property websites you will monitor and make use of our directory of the top 30 websites with the most adverts.
  - Avoid creating alerts that generate unmanageable emails and phone calls, run instead repeat in depth searches every 1-3 weeks on the property portals you are monitoring, and sort the results by date. Ensure your criteria gets you a selection below 100 properties.
  - Avoid doing the search on your own and delegate instead. You will save time if you have reliable family or friends to check specific property portals. Alternatively get a property finder like Smartfinder Home to do this work for you.

2 - Geography knowing where to look
Often property searches are too narrow if the buyer limits his search only to areas they have been on holiday. Others are too broad, looking across multiple regions - it is best to focus on your favourite region first. When looking for a permanent home space is important, so consider areas further from the sea front or town centres where you may have been on holiday before. For example, within 1 hour of Nice airport you will access better value properties located inland or west towards the Var.

3 - Priorities to get realistic search criteria
There are many examples of impossible searches, like cheap properties with sea views, large land holding walking distance to a village, etc..  So when you start your search, note down and check your criteria on a property portal without any price limits. You will quickly find out if you are at the very bottom of the quality range. As part of our coaching offer we give you a checklist of all criteria you should consider. This will enable you to prioritize faster and save you pointless visits.

4 - Projection or imagining a different decoration
When confronted with old or poor decoration, instinctively buyers just want to walk away.
If you are ready to redecorate, imagine the property with empty rooms and white walls, like a new build with same layout and openings as the current house. From that mental picture then add elements of your own furniture to get an idea of how the room would be like. If you have an interior designer using software, you can get pictures of what the new interior would look like.

5 - Due diligence and getting documents
Sellers and agents often exaggerate possibilities on extensions or minimize issues. We advise that you check these claims through documents, including information regarding planning rules for extensions, diagnostics, building permit conformity etc...
The French legal process ensures you receive many of these documents when signing the compromis de vente, but that can be too late after you have negotiated the price. So if you have a helpful agent or a property finder, make best use of them to help you through all this information, as French notaires are often too busy to be of any help.

6 - Negotiation and making a sensible offer
If you start off too low or use wrong justifications, you will lose credibility and upset the seller pointlessly. If you make an offer below the asking price because of a budget limit or to ensure you are buying at market value, find out the context of the sale and psychology of the seller.
The level of your initial offer needs to be realistic so check the history of the property regarding past offers/price changes/time on the market.   Unless there is an urgent compelling event like a professional move/health issue do not expect +20% price drops. Also sellers will not make an effort on price for a buyer they do not like, so empathy is key as well. 
When sending the offer to justify a price drop, do not only highlight weaknesses of the property, but mention also what you like about the property, as appreciation helps sellers be more flexible. You can also get the help of a professional negotiator, and Smartfinder Home provides this via a specific "negotiation mandate" that is results based.

Get Smartfinder Home's new "Coaching for Buyers in France" session now for professional advice adapted to your needs ! With this remote advice you will save yourself weeks of work and ensure you buy at the best price. We also share an extract from our database of property and agency websites, so you can extend your search. 
]]><![CDATA[the Top 30 Property Websites for the South of France]]>Sun, 30 Jun 2019 15:38:47 GMThttps://www.smartfindervar.com/blog/the-top-30-property-websites-for-the-south-of-franceThe best property portals covering the French Riviera
From our latest June 2019 check on property portals, we again checked which property websites have the most properties for sale in the Var and the Alpes Maritimes. There have not been major changes in the ranking of top 30 portals since last year, with Seloger and Superimmo in the top 2 places, and in the luxury property segment of +1 million Eur www.luxuryestate.com/france has consolidated its lead. Almost a dozen portals have disappeared, so consolidation is slowly taking place. 

Tips for using property portals
To filter through the huge number of properties available, narrowing the list to a small budget and size range can still mean you are looking at several hundred properties if you are looking across a wide area. To filter properties more quickly, think of using good keywords such as sea view or "bastide" or "mas" for traditional houses. You need a good understanding of the words used in property descriptions by French estate agents to pick the right words for your search.

The issues remaining on most property sites
All buyers are frustrated by not knowing exactly where the property is located, and by the incomplete set of photos available. Also some property sites make it hard to select specific areas, and you need to become an expert in local geography to know the names of all the local towns and areas that might meet your requirements.  And speaking to agents who focus on just a single area is not of much help, hence the need of an advisor who spans a much wider area like we do at Smartfinder. 

The easy option - delegate your search
If you don't want to spend days looking for your dream home on the different property websites, think of delegating your search to a property finder. Most of the time a property finder incurs no additional cost and can save buyers a huge amount of time. Other benefits of using a professional house hunter like Smartfinder Home is getting access to properties early through our network of partners, before they reach the Internet. For these and many other reasons, buyers who have never thought of using property finders, are turning to us.
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]]><![CDATA[Why there will never be a hard Brexit]]>Tue, 30 Apr 2019 21:32:25 GMThttps://www.smartfindervar.com/blog/why-there-will-never-be-a-hard-brexitPicture
Here is the Good News for UK buyers in France this month
The one lesson from the 6 months extension to leave the EU agreed this month, is that despite all the speculation of a hard Brexit if May’s Brexit deal gets rejected, the actual alternative is staying longer in the EU. There has never been a majority for a Hard Brexit either in the British parliament or in the population. The reason is most British understand the need to maintain strong trading ties with UK’s neighbours - the geographical position of the UK makes this obvious.

So the future options are: 
a) May’s Brexit,
b) A softer customs union Brexit backed by the opposition Labour party 
c) Staying in the EU if a second referendum stops Brexit
So at least a messy hard Brexit is not going to happen.

More business friendly options
All the media scare stories on the consequences of Hard Brexit , such as shortages in shops, further drop in the pound’s value, or difficulties in travelling for summer holidays can be put aside.  When businesses realize that the uncertainty is between more “business friendly” options, hopefully investment and the normal course of business will resume as well.

The implication for UK house buyers wanting to buy in France
As we said 1 year ago, even in the case of May’s current Brexit deal, the impact will be minimal.

French Residency or buying a house – There are no changes either to residency or house purchase up to the cut-off date of 31st December 2020. The worst case scenario after that would be getting  a 1 year Carte de Sejour to become resident like non-EU nationals. As a non-resident you would always have the right to buy a house to use as a holiday home.

Healthcare and pensions – The same rules on residency applies with regards to access to benefits. However it is best to spend at least 6 months in France as resident before the 31st December 2020 cut-off date. Missing the deadline does not mean losing access to these benefits, but there will be more steps and hurdles to go through after Brexit.

Mortgages – It is expected that banks will finance 50-70% of a house purchase by UK nationals after Brexit instead of 80% currently. With historically low interest rates in France, this is an opportunity not to be missed.

Taxation –Bilateral tax treaties in place will continue so no changes are expected. The UK French double tax treaty ensures people are not taxed twice on the same income.

So in the same way people can relocate from non-EU countries such Switzerland and Norway to France, Britons will still be able to buy properties and live in France even if the UK is no longer be part of the EU.
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