In the Provence region, the Pont Royal Golf, near Salon de Provence (13), is niched in the charming hinterland called Guarrigue. It is surrounded by a nature full of fragrant herbs and local rocks, where walkers used to come to gather mushrooms and hunters to wait for their game… until 1989 when the golf was created. Nowadays, tourists and locals form the population of the area, which by the way offers all amenities from the post office to the tourist information office. This cohabitation gives its charm to Pont Royal, as tourists bring activity and fancy, and residents contribute to the durability of the region. Classified one of the best courses in Europe, the 18-course golf was designed by the Spanish champion Severiano Ballesteros. He perfectly integrated it into the surrounding nature. Every step in the course is a new challenge, as they are all different from one another. The course perfectly alternates technical difficulties and panoramic view points.

The Academic Golf Roquebrune, in Roquebrune sur Argens, on the Cote d’Azur (83), is ideally set in a Mediterranean and Provencal landscape… between the sea and the hinterland. It is a real heaven, as the course is all natural, enabling everyone to combine sport and relaxation. The estate comprises a restaurant, called the Restaurant du Club-House, where you will be able to taste a fine Mediterranean cuisine, as well as organise a seminar. The residence set here has the shape of a real village, which perfectly fits in the landscape. It comprises a swimming pool and New Build villas from 2 to 4 bedrooms.

Still on the Cote d’Azur, the Golf de l’Esterel, near Frejus is niched among pine trees, at the foot of the Esterel hill. The course was designed by Trent Jones Sr and offers great quality services all year long. The landscape as well as the course itself will please every player with different difficulty levels and fabulous views over the Cote d’Azur.

In the Paris Ile de France region, the Cely Golf & Country Club is also an 18-hole golf course, located near Fontainebleau (77) in Cely-en-Biere. It is set in the luxurious estate of the Chateau de Cely, at the foot of a lovely hill. A few years ago, the Woman World’s Championship chose Cely to set the competition. The course was designed by Marc Adam and Patrick Fromanger, who chose an American style with undulating and hilly curves… there again pleasing every player with different difficulty levels and fantastic view points.

The Odet Golf Course, in Brittany (29), is niched among oak and pine trees. With wide spaces, the course offers lots of possibilities: the greens are wider than they are deep and the bunkers are as long as the close beaches! The estate has all the possible assets, which are training courses, season tickets, pass, proshop, restaurant, swimming pool, equipment service, etc. What’s more, it is very close to the Benodet seaside resort and comprises 130 hectares of woodland and ponds. The leaseback development Les jardins d’Arvor is set on the golf course and offers New Build apartments from studio to 3 bedrooms.

A farmhouse in France can offer bags of regional architectural features and charm. If you’re lucky, you’ll also find glorious views of unspoilt countryside. Traditional farmhouses are often spacious and may come with plenty of land and/or outbuildings to convert for guests, storage or hobbies. Practicalities to consider are whether the rural location might be too lonely and, if there’s a lot of land, whether you can manage or rent it out.

Owning a water mill in France – what a romantic prospect! Rugged stone, a huge grain loft with exposed beams, the dramatic sound of water as it rushes into a lake or river. Water mills do come on the market and, fully restored, command high prices. If you favour a restoration project, bear in mind that the work must be sympathetic to the architecture and could involve not only traditional building work but also specialist attention to the working mechanisms of the mill and wheel.

Think of a French chateau and you’ll probably see an elegant classical façade, tall stone turrets and rows of neatly shuttered windows. They whisper of bygone opulence and history’s half-forgotten secrets; the appeal is obvious. There are finds still to be made, especially in the Limousin, Auvergne and other up-and-coming areas. Whilst modernised chateaux command high prices, remember that restoration is also very costly. Renovation grants can be available for listed properties but the process is slow and you must use an approved architect and craftsmen.

Older village houses in France often go unloved and unwanted by natives, who prefer to build new. For those who like to be part of a community, these properties offer great potential. Usually much larger than traditional British terraced cottages, many have spacious rooms, high ceilings and beamed lofts ripe for conversion and oozing traditional charm. Before you buy, it makes sense to commission a survey, paying particular attention to the roof and foundations, and to check out both local and regional building restrictions and regulations.

Finally, a word on price variations. Paris, the south of France and popular tourist areas are most expensive, while properties in less accessible rural locations offer more for your money.

‘New builds and leaseback properties have become increasingly popular recently as people have become more aware of the economic advantages of buying this type of property, such as the lower notaire fees payable for new builds and VAT refunds offered on leaseback properties. That’s why we’ve decided to create this niche website – to make it easier for customers seeking this type of property,’ says Matthieu Cany, co-founder of Sextant Properties.

Customers of the new website need not worry about being charged more, however. ‘Sextant New Build offers the same bespoke service as Sextant Properties, helping prospective buyers wishing to purchase property in France’, explains Matthieu. ’Our service is free and the properties on our site are offered at exactly the same price as a customer would pay if they went directly to the developer’.

Among the fantastic properties currently available at www.sextant-new-build.com is a 2 bedroom apartment in a luxury ski-spa resort, on the market for €264,046 (reference 20795). Located in the town of Avoriaz at the heart of the Portes du Soleil (one of the largest ski areas in the world), this apartment is surrounded by 650km of slopes. Or how about a 3 bedroom apartment on an international 18 hole golf course in the heart of Provence? Situated in Pont Royal Golf just 30 minutes from the beautiful town of Aix en Provence and 40 minutes from Marseille international airport, this stunning property is on the market for €260,000 (reference 14974).

‘There are some really beautiful new build and leaseback properties on the market at the moment and this new website is a great place to see what is available out there,‘ says Matthieu.

Sextant New Build website: www.sextant-new-build.com

About Sextant:

Based in London, Sextant Properties was founded by French businessmen Matthieu Cany and Brice Bonato in 2005. With a network of French developers across France and over 230 new properties on its books in the most popular areas of France, Sextant French Properties offers a free bespoke service to people seeking to purchase property in France.

Rich in Agriculture, Property in Southwest France is in High demand

The Bordeaux-Toulouse districts that form the southwest France area are famous all over the world as the wine region, along with Gascony. The grapes from the vineyards vary in quality and taste, thus providing the opportunity for wine, brandy and champagne of rare varieties. Along with the lush vineyards spread throughout this area, the walnut plantations, the duck farms, the plum orchards and the strawberry fields produce a rich variety of agricultural output. This opulence is enhanced by the truffle, lovingly called as ‘black diamond’ by the master chefs of the world. The limestone plateaus above the river of Lot had become fertile grounds for the growth of truffle. With all these natural resources, it is no surprise that the houses for sale in south west France are hot properties in the real estate market.

Properties for Sale in Southwest France

Land, farms, farmhouses, chateaux, barns, villas, holiday homes, holiday complexes, apartments, gites, gite complexes, golf properties, etc. are available in plenty at reasonable prices and terms. The peculiar French word gite really means a self catering holiday accommodation. Buying a gite is considered a sound business investment nowadays. According to statistics available with real estate agents in this area, a decade ago, majority of buyers were purchasing property in southwest France as holiday property. However, the trend had changed and many of them are moving in here permanently, attracted by the serene atmosphere and leisurely living.

In the departments of southwest France, the property values are much less than the other departments of France, as well as the other countries of Europe. This fact makes investments in south west France an attractive proposal. We have a wide choice of properties for sale in this area. With our experience in the real estate market for several years and our extensive contacts with property owners and estate agents in south west France, we are able to offer our clients unique buying and selling opportunities.

Guide in Purchasing Properties in Southwest France

In the process of purchasing properties in France, all the fees are paid by you as the buyer.

The fees of the property deed registration and solicitor’s fees (notaire’s fees) will be about 10% of the property price.

If you are buying the property through estate agents, then their fees will have to be paid over and above this.

At the time of bidding for a south west France property for sale, you will have to sign an agreement known as promise de vente, which is between you and the property seller.

You will be able to state the reasons for cancellation of the agreement in this document and you can include all the reasons that come to your mind, without any restrictions, including failure to obtain mortgage on the property.

You will have to deposit 10% of the property value and you will lose that amount if you cancel the agreement for any reason that is not specified in it.

If the seller cancels the agreement, you will get 10% from the seller.

Southern France, also called as Le Midi, includes Aquitaine, Corsica, Midi-Pyrenees, Languedoc-Roussillon, Rhone-Alps, Provence-Alpes-Cote d’Azur, Limousin, and Auvergne. Excellent properties are available in plenty at highly attractive prices in all these regions. Property in Gascony and property in Landes are considered as very good real estate investments throughout Europe. We will be able to obtain them for you without any kind of hassles on your part. Call us now for further information and detailed discussions.

The idea is to offer customers a bespoke service tailored to their precise needs and requirements.

Sextant Prestige will also guide prospective buyers through some of the legal implications of buying prestige properties in France.

‘There are impacts in terms of inheritance and tax, for example, and we can put clients in touch with expert lawyers and financial advisers,’ says Matthieu Cany, co-founder of Sextant Properties.

Sextant Properties has a network of 160 estate agent offices across France and as of 2 July 2009 the firm had a total of 8,000 properties on its books.

‘That’s why we decided to create a niche website for prestigious properties, to make it even easier for customers looking for high-end French properties,’ says Matthieu.

However, the new website’s customers do not have to worry about being charged more.

‘Sextant Prestige’s service remains the same as the one offered by Sextant Properties,’ says Matthieu. ‘There is no extra fee. The properties are offered at exactly the same price as a customer would pay if they went directly to the agents.’

Among the many upmarket properties currently available on www.sextant-prestige.com is a medieval château near Cognac in the southwest of France. This is set in 35 acres and has its own gîtes, a swimming pool and stunning views – and is on the market for €1.3million (ref 7986).

While in the South of France you can buy a Provencal Bastide or country house with 1.4 acres and a swimming pool, again for €1.3million (ref 16899).

‘There are some fantastic prestige properties across France and this new site is a great place to see what is on the market,’ says Matthieu.

Sextant Prestige is at http://www.sextant-prestige.com

About Sextant:
Sextant Properties is based in London and was founded by two French businessmen Matthieu Cany and Brice Bonato. They have built up a unique network of 160 individually selected estate agent offices across France.

The company operates in the most popular corners of France such as the Dordogne, Brittany, Normandy, Limousin, Pays de La Loire, Poitou-Charentes, Midi-Pyrenees, Paris, Languedoc, Provence, Côte d’Azur and the French Alps. They offer all types of properties, from barns, farmhouse, stone houses, gîtes and guesthouse businesses, to mansions, villas and châteaux.

For more information contact:
Matthieu Cany
Managing Director
Sextant French Property Agents
Telephone: 00 44 (0)20 7428 4910
Website: http://www.sextant-prestige.com

Agencies do charge much for their work but frankly speaking we don`t think they do a lot of the paperwork etc. on your behalf. It is up to you to decide what kind of service to use. You can use an agent if you are a first time buyer, the choice is yours, we did just that for our first property purchase in Brittany.

Important advice and tips on choosing the right property in the right area

If you have made the decision to either move to France or at least buy a holiday home, it is wise to think about the right area for your future “castle” Should you look for an area which will gives you easy access to the UK, this might be very convenient if you have to return on a regular basis. So for people in this category it is advisable to look at the Airport and Ferry port distances from the place you want to buy.

You can still find many bargains in France and it is possible that you look for and find a great renovation project with a few acres of land and this could be ideal for you. But keep in mind that sometimes the first impressions unfortunately, are often hiding something, so research is a must.

A few acres of land, that sounds great, and brings to mind ideas of getting a few animals, horses, sheep, and chickens. Who knows you could even dig your own lake and fill it with fish and offer fishing holidays or if you have barns to convert to gites or holiday homes, maybe even a part of your home could be used as bed and breakfast.

So what`s it really like to take on a building or refurbishment project in France

We have been there and done it all and although it sounds fantastic it is not all plain sailing by any means. A property can be advertised as “livable with fishing lake”but frankly speaking it can be far from this, but you learn from your mistakes. When we were searching for a property to buy in Brittany we viewed properties all day with a property agent (not an estate agent). That day we didn` choose anything so we looked and kept looking and on the second day of house hunting in Brittany. At last fortune smiled upon us and we saw the last property of the day. That was it we saw it and said we wanted it, a bit rash you may think but we had made up our minds. A Bretagne Longere with out-buildings and a large unused part of the house and to top it off seven hectares of land all around the property.

Many different ideas occur and all sorts of thoughts start racing through your heads. You want to remake almost everything, this you will put here, and that thing should be moved there and on that place your wish is to create your own fishing lake and with over 10 acres what could be easier.

You buy the property and move there to do some work to create your dream. Now you have to find a well known registered builder or tradesman who can provide good references. When we bought the desired property found a great French registered English builder and a French electrician who speaks perfect English after getting several quotes for the work to be done we eventually chose and the works started.

Remember that employing anyone in France who is not registered is actually illegal and you do it would be liable to fines or worse if you get caught employing people on “the black”. In addition it is always best advice to check the persons or companies insurance certificate; we did and never looked back as the work was finished to a high quality and on time.

Whether you are looking for a rural retreat in the Pyrenees or a seaside apartment in glamorous Nice, Leapfrog Properties can help you find your perfect South of France investment Property. Why not contact us now by email or telephone and one of our advisors will help you find your dream property in the South of France?

Property to buy in the South of France can be expensive (comparable to prices in Paris), especially on the Mediterranean side. However, a safe return on your investment income is virtually guaranteed by the consistent popularity of the place. Cannes and its environs can provide a huge amount of rental business, owing to its popularity as a summer holiday resort, as well as other busy periods, such as during the famous Film Festival and numerous conferences that take place throughout the year in the Palais du Festival.

Marseilles and Aix en Provence are both business centres throughout the year with a vital lettings market and a great deal going for them, making them ideal locations to research for investment property in the South Of France. Both have easy transport links with the UK. Avignon has fantastic rail links with Paris and the Eurostar (during peak season) as well as an airport. We would recommend buying property in either of these towns and surrounding villages as a fantastic South of France Investment Property opportunity.

Don’t delay! Change your lifestyle and live your dream, find your perfect South of France Investment Property here at Leapfrog Properties.

Browse our website “http://www.leapfrog-properties.com/” to Find and Buy Your Property in France then Search our extensive database now for your ideal property in France then contact us with any further questions or to book a 1-1 consultation.