December 2012: Currency update

Investors' impatience with the lack of progress on a permanent solution to the Euroland debt crisis (if that's what it still is) has begun to take its toll. From its position at the beginning of October the euro has fallen by more than two US cents....

French mortgage currency update

Francois Hollande's election is representative of the French people’s will for change as they are tired of a centre-right led government which has always been rigid in its approach to security, immigration and work....

Mortgages in France - Why buy French property now?

Obtaining French mortgage finance for a property in France can sometimes be a daunting process as the French banks generally demand more documentation to support an application than their...

Effect of the UK budget on the French property and mortgage market

George Osborne’s budget today outlined some major changes to UK taxation but what effect if any will this have on the market for French property from UK buyers? The headline changes from the speech are...

Thursday 3 December 2009

10 year low for EU Central Bank rates

The EU central bank today confirmed that it was keeping its rates steady at 1.00%. This rate has been in effect since May of this year and continues to provide support for French property prices which remain stable according to the November press release from the FNAIM, the national Federation of estate agents in France. Average property prices rose in October by 0.6% and the overall drop in the average price of French apartments and houses is now reckoned at 5% for the year. With the Eurozone and France both now having exited the recession and showing signs of growth the outlook is positive for rates for mortgages in France and French property prices.

Although the news today came as no surprise, it is interesting to see that the general consensus for the way in which the French mortgage market and French property market will evolve is currently going to plan. If we look across the water to the US figures released today from a survey by Freddie Mac, the giant US government owned mortgage syndication company, indicated that 30 year fixed rate mortgages are now at their lowest level for 10 years. The rates for these mortgages have been falling for the last 5 weeks and now stand 4.71% down from 4.78% just one week ago according to Reuters news agency. Variable French mortgage interest rates are very low starting at just 2.3% and with the rates for long term loans also decreasing, now standing at 4.5% for a 30 year fixed rate in France at 80% LTV, showing that the money from the economic stimulus packages is definitely filtering into the global economy with many institutions now ready to borrow huge sums and to lend this money on into a rising market over the next 20 years.

So what does this all mean for the outlook for the French property market? Well, it would seem that prices will inevitably start rising as the money from the quantitative easing finds its way into the hands of those who are capable of obtain a mortgage in France. The timing and scale of the increases depends on the speed at which the economy takes off again but certainly within 5 years the increases in French property prices would realistically seem to be substantial providing the period of unconfident growth we are entering only lasts for 3 years. The effects of inflation, energy prices, unemployment rates and of course confidence will all have their parts to play over the coming 12 months making this a very interesting time for both French property and French mortgage markets.

Tuesday 1 December 2009

EU inflation and French mortgages

With the news today that inflation has return to the Eurozone, what does this mean for the outlook for interest rates for French mortgages? The increase in consumer prices for the month of November marks the end of a five month cycle of deflation across the European economic area. The 0.6% rise was driven largely by rises in energy prices which are common at this time of year but exacerbated by the returning trend for oil speculation with traders finding it cheaper to store the oil and to take orders for delivery in six months time. This practice serves to drive up the prices but reducing the supply in the face of increasing demand as oil consuming companies look to hedge against rising costs.

This increase in inflation will increase pressure of the ECB to raise the rates for French mortgages but the pressure to not halt the shoots of growth in the economy with jobless figures still rising will mean that in the short term interest rate rises are still quite unlikely. In the longer term inflation and growth will take a firmer hold, bringing increases in French property prices as investors continue to move out of cash and into assets such as gold and property to avoid the erosion of their net position due to rising inflation. However, with the return of confidence to the market we are predicting in early 2010 and the activity in the market for ski properties we may actually see French lenders starting to decrease their margins slightly and thus their rates for French mortgages will fall in the short term, in order to remain competitive.

If you are looking to purchase in France in the coming months then it would be a good idea to speak to your broker for an up to date view on the timings of any of the rate decreases and when the each individual French bank publishes their rates in order to get the best deal. Alternatively, you can view our current best buys for mortgages in France.