Buy French property now – before prices rise

May 11, 2010 - PRLog -- There may still be political uncertainty in the UK but one thing is certain: if you’re thinking of buying a French property this year, the French Property Exhibition at Harrogate is the best place to be this weekend!

With the euro under threat from the Greece crisis, and concerns about Portugal and Spain’s debt problem too, sterling is starting to rally, rising to 1.8 the day before the election. After a small drop during the election results, it’s on the rise again – up to 1.6 today and expected to keep rising. It might not seem like a huge change, but for someone purchasing a property at €100,000, the difference between buying the property earlier in the year at a rate of 1.2, and buying it today at 1.6, would be £20,883 in their favour.

As sterling strengthens we are anticipating an increased interest in the French property market, and a corresponding rise in prices. Indeed, in many parts of France property prices are already on the move upwards. It’s a balancing game now: do you wait for sterling to strengthen further but risk property prices also rising, or do you buy now while prices are still low - indeed, there are still many amazing price-reduced bargains on the market – and there’s not so much competition from other buyers?

The French Property Exhibition is the ideal place to start exploring your options, whether you’re ready to buy now or planning for a purchase later this year or next year. You’ll be able to browse property details and discuss your plans with an assortment of estate agents, legal professionals and financial experts, all eager to help make your dream come true.

5 reasons to buy a French property now!

1. Bargains galore across the Channel: many property prices have been reduced to levels not seen for years
2. For now, it’s still a buyer's market: vendors are willing to negotiate but it won’t stay that way for ever
3. Put your hard-earned savings to work: forget the banks, put your money into bricks and mortar, and make a lifestyle investment too
4. Safe and sound: while other overseas property markets are floundering, France still offers a good long-term return on your investment
5. Free holidays: your French property can provide you with holidays and perhaps even earn you an income through rentals

----- Ends -----

About the Harrogate French Property Exhibition
• The exhibition takes place 14-16 May 2010 in the Yorkshire Event Centre.
• Visitors can register online for up to six free entry tickets at www.fpeharrogate.com.

Notes to editors
• Archant Life France publishes the market-leading titles French Property News, Living France and France Magazine, all three of which have recently celebrated 20 years of publication, as well as leading French property website www.francepropertyshop.com
• The French Property Exhibitions have been held several times a year at regional locations since 1989
• Permission is granted for this release to be reproduced in full or in part on the condition that the Harrogate French Property Exhibition is credited. Where the article is reproduced online, please include a link to www.fpeharrogate.com

Press contacts
• For further information please contact Group Advertising Manager Debbie Macleod on +44 (0)1242 216 087 (debbie.macleod@archant.co.uk) or Exhibitions Manager David Storrar on +44 (0)1242 211 071 (david.storrar@archant.co.uk)