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Styles english speaking estate agent can help you find the right property in Montpellier

Many people from Britain, America and other countries want to buy a home in the South of France. As well as being a solid investment, a home here will let you enjoy the Mediterranean weather, relaxed lifestyle and culture of this region.

However, buying a home in France can be affected by a number of factors such as language differences, exchange rates and French inheritance laws. This guide examines these issues and explains where you can find help to make the process straightforward.

To look at properties in Montpellier, visit www.styles.fr.

French inheritance laws and how they affect purchasing property

It is always advisable before purchasing a French property to understand France's inheritance laws and how they can affect the ownership of property after the death of the owner/owners. This is especially important where property is purchased jointly between spouses, where there are children involved either from the marriage or from a previous marriage.

The rules of inheritance in France are affected by the fact that in French law there is no concept of testamentary freedom for all, meaning a person may not merely leave assets to who ever and in whatever proportions they please, if they have children.

Making a French will is also advisable, as well a will in the country of your previous residence if moving permanently abroad.

There are several different ways to purchase in France, which can be beneficial when it comes to inheritance and making a will. A French Notaire will advise on this prior to his other role in overseeing the legalities of a purchase.

For more information about dealing with inheritance laws in France when buying property, please contact Styles Estate Agent.

Buying a French property through an SCI

A common way of buying a property in France is through the use of a Société Civile Immobilière, or SCI. The use of this method has benefits for French residents, as well as foreign residents. An SCI is essentially a fully incorporated company with a registered office in France. This office can be the property itself.

The SCI then owns the property in question. Being a company, the SCI is itself owned by shareholders, in most cases, family members. The shareholders can be resident or non-resident in France

STYLES Immobilier in Montpellier helps its customers to make the right purchase and legal decisions, and will recommend notaires most suited to the customer's individual needs. STYLES Immobilier has a full English speaking service and has helped many clients to successfully purchase French property through SCIs.

Foreign Exchange & Property Purchase in France

Exchange rates play a very important part in the process of purchasing an overseas property (assuming the purchase capital is held in a different base currency) and will directly affect the final costs of buying an overseas property either as an investment or when relocating abroad.

It is also worth noting that the price of the property is very different to the cost of the property. The "price" of the property will be in the local currency whereas the "cost" of the property will be how much of the buyer's own currency will be needed to pay for the property.

Exchange rates move constantly and by large amounts. Rates move by the second depending on the supply and demand for each currency. Given that the Euro exchange rate moves an average of 3% every month, it is not difficult to see the financial impact that exchange rates can have on an overseas property purchase.

English speaking Montpellier based estate agent Styles Immobilier guide their clients through the process and provide advice on foreign exhange rates and how this will affect purchasing property in France.

Transferring money for overseas property purchase

High street banks have traditionally been the main suppliers of consumer foreign exchange services.

However, there are also a growing number of specialist foreign exchange dealers - currency dealers - providing services and advice to buyers looking to buy an overseas property. In many cases currency dealers can provide financial, time and administrative advantages when compared to a normal branch of a high street bank.

English speaking French estate agent Styles Immobilier can advise its overseas customers seeking such help, and suggest several several excellent independent foreign exchange dealers when purchasing property through Styles.

Montpellier and its historical and architectural heritage

Montpellier is one of the most beautiful cities in France, with stunning architecture from earliest 12th century right up to the modern day. Much of the Ecusson or central Historical area still has many original buildings, renovated with careful attention thanks to the support from the Mairie of Montpellier, determined to keep as much of the heritage of Montpellier intact.

Over two centuries a large number of private mansions were built in the city, homes that were signs of their owner's prosperity. Noblemen and rich traders built nearly one hundred such luxurious buildings in the centre. Huge gate entrances, large, luminous interior courtyards, forged iron railings lined stone staircases leading up to vast apartments…

During the 17th century great architects such as Simon Levesville and d'Aviler brought major changes to medieval dwellings. The austere façades contrasted with the monumental staircase that was adorned with balustrades and which led onto an internal courtyard. It became the symbol of social distinction.

The main feature of the 18th century was the embellishment of the façades due to a generation of architects from the Languedoc, known as the Giral. Façades gradually became less sober and balconies started to boast elaborate ironworks.

Along with the bourgeoisie's ascension to power and its demand for profit, the Private Mansions became income properties. The façades and the staircases became adorned with exuberant décor, sometimes even ostentatious, inspired by the Haussman style which broke with the tradition of Montpellier. The city became richer and the first private mansions were built. This frenetic building continued until the next century, helping to completely change the face of the city. Montpellier now has over 70 private mansions, including the "Hôtels de Grâves, St Côme, Mirman..." and many more

These mansions are closed to the public, but appartments of all sizes often come up for sale through Styles Immobilier, the specialist estate agency based in the heart of the Ecusson (historiacl centre) Styles helps its customers find something really special, full of original features from a loft style top floor appartment to a large "maison de ville" ,as well as original stone built properties in the surrounding areas of Montpellier.