» New build Provence

Four days in the Languedoc-Roussillon by Jim Beattie

Aurelie — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 10:36:36 +0000

Our weekend started early, on Thursday in fact, with a morning flight from London to the compact airport in Beziers. We left the English capital under rain and arrived, as we had so fervently hoped, under a haze of glorious sunshine. There was no time to enjoy it yet though, as we had a busy schedule ahead of us.
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Our first stop was to the site of the future tourist residence in Juvignac- set in 445 acres of land it will offer furnished apartments and a swimming pool, close to Fontcaude golf course (ref 30871). Speaking of golf, we moved on to the leaseback development Domaine du Golf Fabregues (ref 14161), where we stayed the night. The residence offers a range of facilities, including of course the golf course (excellent for a novice like me as it is only 6 holes) and a pool, but it also includes a spa and a restaurant, perfect for a relaxing mini-break. Before our evening meal we met a new partner of Sextant’s, who showed us the location of a new leaseback project near Beziers.
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Our stomachs rumbling, we proceeded into Beziers itself in search of our evening meal. Strolling along the beach we found the answer to our prayers- a paillotte, or beach hut. These delightful structures pop up over the summer and serve the freshest seafood around, then like some fragile flower, they vanish for the winter only to reappear again the following year. I feasted on fresh prawns and bourride, the popular fish stew with chilli and garlic mayonnaise. Rosé was on tap to wash it all down, as the sun set, framing the local fairground in the background, a sort of Mediterranean Coney Island.
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Friday was another sunny day. We decided to breakfast in Montpellier, the capital of the Languedoc-Roussillon. It is a vibrant city with a beautiful old town, bursting with history. The architecture especially is interesting, and a real mix, including an 18^th century water tower, an aqueduct, the medieval Ancient Courrier and a host of delightful narrow streets. It’s also mainly pedestrian, making strolling along even more pleasant. Bakeries and cafes are a dime a dozen here, with enticing smells of freshly ground coffee and croissants wafting through the air. In the afternoon, we drove to a superb development near Carcassonne, a magnificent vineyard and spa estate (ref 24659). The collection of intimate houses, stylishly decorated and furnished to the highest standards really compliments the use of local materials (flagstones, wrought iron and stone). The reception house in particular took our breath away, with its beautiful Spa, Hammam and pool, the chic bar and restaurant and panoramic views from the terraces. Carrying on with the luxury feel, we headed to the La Redorte chateau (ref 26624), currently languishing in faded grandeur but soon to be rehabilitated into a stunning development of apartments and villas. Recalling its glorious wine producing past, the red liquid will flow once again, with 12 bottles of wine a year to be offered to each owner! We even visited the secret tunnel where the process will begin anew. Following this visit we felt a little parched ourselves and decided we wanted to experience wine tasting too. We found a charming local producer and a wizened old lady with a sale’s technique to beat any property mogul had me surrendering my hard-earned cash in exchange for a few bottles.
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Dinner was a glorious affair in the attractive town of Pezenas. I supped on breast of duck in a succulent fig sauce, one of the best meals I’d had in a long while. We chose to visit the place properly the following day, and returned, tired but satisfied, to our living quarters in Herepian. The former convent here has been delightfully renovated now offering six contemporary yet classic suites. Needless to say, we slept well.
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On our final day, we woke early to properly explore Pezenas. Its Saturday market seemed to attract the whole region, and for good reason. The array of mouth-watering produce on offer was staggering- cheeses, sausages, fresh fish, fruit (watermelon, cherries, apricots, nectarines…) and vegetables (the asparagus is renowned). Quaint squares are to be seen at every turn, with cafes and restaurants each more appealing than the next. The birth place of Moliere (France’s answer to Shakespeare), the playwright is celebrated in many ways, notably in street and cafe names and every summer impromptu plays are staged in courtyards for the delight of locals and tourists alike. We took the opportunity to view a development near Pezenas, which offers furnished luxury apartments in restored 19^th century buildings. At its heart lies a swimming pool and spa with a tiled Mediterranean courtyard, with full guest services and conference rooms, ideal for investors (ref 24697).
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Along from Pezenas lies Marseillan, a picturesque fishing port by the lagoon. Here the Port Rive Gauche development is entirely sold out- a charming rustic decor and uninterrupted sea views made sure of that.
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We managed to pack a lot into our morning, and after a lovely lunch on the promontory with views over the bay and the beach, we drove to Sete, known as the Venice of Languedoc. We took in a hotel residence right by the sea (ref 29546), and slightly further out a modern residence set in the hills with a pool and landscaped gardens (ref 14243). La Grande Motte, a seaside resort 45 minutes east of here offers a leaseback development nestled in a large landscaped park with swimming pools and leisure facilities, ideal for investment as the resort is very popular among the French (ref 30108).
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Finally, for a bit of relaxation, we headed 15 minutes east to Aigues Mortes. This beautiful fortified medieval town is set between the sea and lagoons, making for spectacular scenery. The development in the Aigues Mortes marina doesn’t disappoint (ref 27053), with small but perfectly formed Mediterranean houses, reminiscent of fishermen’s dwellings, some with their own moorings. Inside the town walls, the plethora of cafes, boutiques and restaurants see life go by at a slow, relaxed pace. It really is the perfect place to unwind. We enjoyed a leisurely meal of pizza with an ice cold beer, a lovely end to our trip.
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On Sunday morning we flew back from Montpellier airport. Our flight was at 10 am and we were back on British soil by 1pm, so quickly it felt like we’d never left…
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If you’re still unsure where to buy in the Languedoc, and weighing up the pros and cons of Sete, Marseillans, Aigues Mortes or any other town, don’t hesitate to get in touch.
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Jim Beattie
Direct line: 020 7428 4915
jim@sextantproperties.com
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Which French Leaseback should I choose?

Rachel — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 10:00:00 +0000

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Nowadays, if you want to finance your French leaseback property, it is better to select one which has a yield lower than 5%; otherwise, banks might decline your mortgage because they will be afraid that the management company of your leaseback will not fulfil all the financial requirements.
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However, buying conditions in France are currently excellent. The exchange rate is extremely favorable since Sterling reached a 19-month high against the euro at the end of June reaching €1.203. If you’re thinking about purchasing a leaseback property, you might be interested in one of our new programs in Argeles Sur Mer, a traditional small village located in the south of France on the Mediterranean coast, at the foot of the Pyrenees Mountains and the Spanish border. With its 7km of sandy beaches, long flower-bedecked and landscaped seaside promenade, Argeles draws in the crowds every year. Les Demeures de la Massane is a new residence offering apartments and villas with terraces and/or gardens. Purely Mediterranean in style, its architecture is a harmonious blend of wood, light coloured stone and ochre shades. The communal area comprises an aquatic centre with a swimming pool and a paddling pool, a spa with sauna, gym and a Jacuzzi, a games area for children and a bowling pitch.
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If you purchase a 1 bedroom apartment for 120k€ HT in this residence, you will receive an annual rental income of €4,560 HT with a yield of 3.80%. The rent will be paid by the management company, regardless of the actual occupancy of the premises.
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In order to obtain a mortgage for this leaseback, you can ask for an interest only mortgage with 100% LTV (Loan to Value Ratio). Accordingly, it will cover 100% of the purchase price of your property excluding VAT (the VAT is financed by the developer) but you will need to secure 30% of the total amount on a side investment such as on a life insurance contract or a bond. It is important to know that when you purchase a leaseback, you will need to fulfil financial obligations. Indeed there may be some shortfalls that mean that the capital required to fulfil these obligations may exceed the available capital. But there is no need to worry; with this kind of investment you are more likely to have a low shortfall.
If you want more information regarding investments options on this leaseback, we can send you a detailed leaseback simulation.
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In addition, as the rental income of your new property will be revised every three years in line with the reference rental index, there will be a clear capital appreciation after a few years. The rise in the value of your asset is also an important part of your investment.
To sum up, there are four major points that will allow you to develop the value of your asset:
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- The capital appreciation. This is part of the return on investment and must be considered as an investment goal from the beginning of the project. The property value of your investment will increase through the years due to price inflation.
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- The side investment interests. By securing 30% of the total amount required, you will not just be making a classic deposit as this side investment will add revenues to your asset, by generating interests. For example, with a secured amount of 36k€ HT on a life insurance contract for a purchase of 120k€ HT, you are able to obtain a yield of 4%. It will be a considerable capital received just from the interests of this side investment.
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- The rental appreciation. It should definitely be considered as the main part of the leaseback investment. Revised every three years, your rental income is likely to increase from a minimum of 1.5% to 2% maximum per annum. Consequently, shortfalls will certainly decrease every three years.
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- The diversification of your investments. These leaseback mortgages are a good way to generate additional revenues and are more rewarding years later if you are able to purchase another one in a different location. These assets will be a major security for your golden years.
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So if you are interested, do not hesitate to get professional advice, for example from Sextant Mortgages in order to receive simulations for leaseback mortgages.

Free Golf property seminar on 7th January 2010

Matthieu Cany — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 08:24:12 +0000

Registration is now open for Sextant Property’s latest free property seminar on 7th January 2010

Come to this free property seminar and learn how to choose investment properties with good returns for a reliable income now and in retirement, the advantages of buying off-plan and how to avoid the perils posed by currency fluctuations.

This seminar’s featured development will be the stunning off-plan development of Pont Royal Golf. Located in the highly sought-after Provence region (which receives over 300 days of sunshine every year), just 30 minutes from the Mediterranean coast and close to the beautiful town of Aix-en-Provence, this development offers residents luxurious eco-friendly apartments and villas set in a beautiful 450 acre park with an 18 hole golf course, excellent sporting facilities, fabulous restaurants and brilliant entertainment throughout the year.

The guest speaker will be Bernard Comptat who will speak about life in his native Provence and why property investors should be looking to purchase in this highly desirable area of France.

This seminar is free but places are limited so book now to avoid disappointment.

Date: Thursday 7th January 2010
Price: FREE

More about Pont Royal Golf

French New build website released

Matthieu Cany — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 16:20:38 +0000

We have been working on this project since the beginning of the summer. The goal was simple: “providing a clean and easy to use website for New build properties”. We decided to simplify it as much as possible in order to ease the search among our 230 New build properties..
The properties are updated on a daily basis

If you would like to be among the first ones to discover the latest developments, you just need to register and wait to receive our email alert.

We hope that it will help you better in your French property search and feel free to send us your feedback: http://www.sextant-new-build.com

New housing: sales are resuming

Matthieu Cany — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 16:41:15 +0000

Building permits issuance has experienced a 29.6% decrease between May and July 2009 compared to the previous year. (Paul Delort (Le Figaro)).

The 2nd quarter new housing sales rose by 29.6% in comparison to 2008 while building permit records are lessening according to the Department of Ecology.

A step towards recovery!
Approximately 28000 new homes in France were sold in the 2nd quarter representing a 29.6% increase over 2008 although there was a 5% sales slope this first quarter. However, the number of new homes arriving on the market is winding down compared to 2008 (-28.9%). By the end of June, the total amount of new build properties on the market was 22.9% lower than the end of June 2008.

As for building permits, the fall goes on. Building permits issuance fell by 29.6% between May and July 2009 compared to the same period a year earlier. Between April and June, there was a 32.3% decline compared to the same period last year. For Benoist Apparu, Housing State Secretary, these indicators still point out “steps toward recovery in a balancing market.” The 2nd quarter is indeed “showing a lift in sales resulting in housing sales stock shortenings”, he said.

New opportunity in Provence: Leaseback properties in Pont Royal Golf

Matthieu Cany — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 09:13:44 +0000

THE VILLAS AND APARTMENTS OF THE HAMEAU in PONT ROYAL GOLF

LOCATION

In Provence, between Alpilles and Lubéron, near Aix en en-Provence (30km) and Avignon (45km). Close to ancient villages: St Rémy de Provence, Lacoste, l’Isle sur la Sorgue, Gordes, Lourmarin, Les Baux de Provence. 73km from the sea and Marseille

Scheduled delivery date

1st Phase: 4th quarter 2010

2nd Phase: 2nd quarter 2011

Notification: 1st quarter 2010

Acquisition formula

- Freehold leaseback

- Vat rebate

- Excellent finance options

Guaranteed rental income with holiday options

Up to 3.75%

Sample sales prices

Houses

N° pers

Net floor area

Pre-tax purchase price

2-beds

45.8m²

€220,000

/ €260,000

3-beds

62m²

€291,000

/ €311,000

Apart- ments	N° pers	Net floor area	Pre-tax purchase price
1-beds	3/4	39/43 m²	€172,000 / €240,000
1/2beds	5/6	48/57m²	€215,000 / €292,000
2-beds	6/7	52/57 m²	€224,000 / €285,000

+44 207 428 4910

On a vast lanscaped domain of 450 acres with an 18 hole Golf Course and with round-the-clock security, Pont Royal is set in verdant valleys with an exceptional pine forest around a small lake. On site: the internationally famous 18 hole golf course designed by Sévériano Ballesteros, several swimming pools, a wide variety of activities, shops and restaurants. In the centre of the village, the little squares unveil the charm of their fountains and gardens.

THE HAMEAU OF PONT ROYAL

Located at the heart of the Domain and close to the village centre, the Hameau of Pont Royal, with its Provencal architecture designed by Charles Legler, comprises houses and apartments split up into a vast area of terraced slopes with views over the Lubéron. This carefully-landscaped residence has a pleasant leisure area with games for small children.

THE VILLAS AND APARTMENTS OF THE HAMEAU

The 63 three- and four-bedroom houses with wooden terraces, and the 52 two- and three-bedroom apartments with balcony, loggia or terrace benefit from all the comfort of fully-equipped interiors. The Provence-style decoration, the warm appearance of the materials and the quality fittings make them a very pleasant living environment.

For futher information, arrange a visit on site, specific financial simulations or to discuss availability, please contact me on +44 207 428 4910

Best regards,

Jim Beattie

jim@sextantproperties.com

Sextant French Property Investment

A movie that will give you a taste of the South of France

Matthieu Cany — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 14:42:57 +0000

Yesterday I watched a film that give a real taste of the South of France: A good Year (2006)
The director is Ridley Scott and the main actors are Russell Crowe and Marion Cotillard.
Starting with Max childhood, you will see how children and later on adults can enjoy a property with land, swimming pool and vineyards in the South of France (do not forget the French food).

Do you know that this story can become a reality to you?
Visit this property where the happy owners will be able to make their own wine:
reference 18381

Last unit available in Terres du Sud development (St Remy de Provence)

Matthieu Cany — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 17:21:08 +0000

This highly popular development is almost sold out. Only 1 apartment remain available.

It is a 2 bedroom apartment with East facing and 76.40sqm habitable surface.The price is €267,700and comprises 2 outside car parks. It will be delivered at the end of 2009.

There is also a shared swimming pool for the member of the residence, if you use it as a holiday home it is easier to maintain and cost effective. Your charges will be lower compared to the ones you would have with a detached villa with a private pool.

At Sextant we bet that this property will be sold by the end of 2009 spring!

You can view the full description here: St Remy de Provence

Only 1 apartment remain available in St Remy de Provence

Matthieu Cany — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 17:24:02 +0000

Le Mas du Rouvre is a development located in the centre of St Remy de Provence.

It comprises a shared swimming pool which is ideal for those who are not on the site all year round and who therefore cannot maintain the swimming pool and the garden.

If you do not live on site it is always better to use this solution rather than buying a single villa with its own swimming pool.

Click here to see the full description

18% offered on 5 villas in St Remy de Provence

Matthieu Cany — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 12:39:40 +0000

We just received an email from the developer.

The villas will be delivered on the 2nd quarter 2009. Because the delivery date is due soon they decided to reduce the prices on 5 villas. They have 3 bedrooms, a shared swimming pool and a garage. Their prices range from €329,000 to €343,000.

For example if you decide to buy the villa at €329,000 you will only pay €278,816 (+2.5% of notaires fees).

If you are interested do not hesitate to contact us because we do think that this kind of offer will not stay for a long time on the market.

Click here to see the description