Perpignan Villas

The number of foreigners purchasing property in France has nearly doubled in the last six years with the Languedoc market offering incredible opportunities for investment with an average capital growth of 15 % per year, and with developments showing up to 30 % capital appreciation.

If you are looking for a place in the sun southern France is definitely worth looking at as it is less populated than many other parts of the country.  Perpignan is an excellent place to consider as it offers all the conveniences of city living with the countryside and beaches just a stone’s throw away.  It also provides fast transport communication links to the ski and mountain resorts in the Pyrenees. 
 
The quality of construction in France is generally good and solid, but you should be aware that if you purchase a new build or property off plan then it only comes with a two year guarantee for its structural soundness and not ten as in the UK.   As a rough guide, villas range in price from a small two bedroom property in the centre of town for around €200,000 to a large house on the outskirts of Perpignan that can cost in excess of €1 million.

A good way to purchase a villa here at a reasonable price with a new build costing anything from €150,000 plus is to look at a new development.  A lotissement is an area of land which has been cleared for building where the owner of the plot is responsible for supplying the roads and to placing the services along it – you have to get them connected.   If you purchase a plot on one of these areas you can design and build a villa to your own specifications, but be sure to check with the Mairie (Council) that the views of the hills and vineyards from your villa does not have approved plans for more building plots or the rolling hills and open spaces become another building site!   

As France has some of the most skilled craftsmen in the world, designing and decorating your villa can be a joy.  The Languedoc-Roussillon region has a rich cultural heritage in terms of rustic styles and materials with an abundance of natural stone and exotic woods which if used effectively can look really spectacular.