The worst day of the year is behind us...

It is widely accepted that the last Monday in January is when most of us feel at an all time low for the year as memories of Christmas fade, the gloom gets to us (if we are in the northern hemisphere) and anxiety and depression can set in for all sorts of reasons not least the fact that New Years’ resolutions have already been broken. However, from our perspective, here at Athena Mortgages, all in fact seems to be brightening up and we are looking forward to another excellent year.The general feeling from many of our partners seems to be positive with many having closed many sales of French property over the festive period and continued the habit into the New Year. Across the board there seems to be a feeling of cautious optimism for the coming year with many plans now starting to bear fruit....

Read More

Poll predicts no rise in ECB rates until Q4

The view that interest rates for mortgages in France will remain low for the next year at least, continues to be borne out as a recent poll by Reuters of 80 economists has predicted that there will be no increase in the European Central Bank interest rates until the fourth quarter of 2010. With this news, the outlook for rates for financing in France remains good with rates generally predicted to only rise to 2% in 2011. As we step out of the shadows of 2009 and into the uncertain light of 2010, there is a great opportunity for those with the confidence to search out and negotiate price reductions for the bargain property currently available in France. So if you have been planning to buy a property in France or you are looking for a good long term investment, The borrowing conditions have...

Read More