Over the past few months, the French real estate has seen a slight increase in foreigner buyers. This is welcomed news, since foreign investment had all but vanished during the global recession. Will the market return? All eyes are on the UK.
With a half a million homes in France, UK investors are essential to the success of the French housing market. Unfortunately, the UK economy remains under pressure. But foreign investors are still on the lookout for great deals, and with attractive mortgages in France now may be the time to buy.
One way to save money on a second home in France is to buy a fixer-upper. Before you shake your head, take a moment to hear us out. Fixing up an old home is not nearly as difficult or as time-consuming as it seems. In the next few paragraphs we are going to discuss a few simple, inexpensive projects.
We will begin in the kitchen. Most new homeowners make the mistake of pouring all their money into replacing or remodeling this one room. Well, in our opinion, that is a mistake. We say work with what you have. Instead of replacing the cabinets, spend a few pounds sanding and staining them. Instead of putting in an expensive new tile floor, use some linoleum.
One of the most effective and affordable ways to make an old home look younger is to replace the window dressings. We recommend wooden blinds or shutters. They will add warmth and consistency to your home. Lastly, many old homes have hardwood floors hidden under dingy old carpet. For a slightly more involved project, remove the rugs and refinish the floors. They will go great with your new window treatments.
