Lights of Paris
Paris can be safely called the center of Europe. Tens of millions of holidaymakers visiting the French capital every year have ensured the city's primacy among tourist destinations. Due to this popularity, real estate properties in Paris are increasing in price from year to year. On average, the cost of housing increases by 7-12% annually, while in some areas, the demand for which has increased in recent years, for example, in the Latin Quarter, the price increase is noticeably higher.
"Among the main criteria that determine the luxury status of real estate, I would first of all name the address,– says Roman Shendrikov, Director of Development at Cosmopolite. – The most prestigious districts are the central and western ones, among them the 1st, 4th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 16th. The few western suburbs of Paris are also exceptionally prestigious. Next, architecture, the year of construction and authenticity, the presence of a garden, a terrace, a neighborhood, and a luxurious interior are important." As in any megalopolis, a good view from the window in Paris is valued even higher than the square footage, and apartments with a view are much more expensive than similar apartments without it. On average, the cost is 1 sq. m. The cost of luxury housing in the French capital ranges from 25,000 to 50,000 euros.
"The demand for apartments in luxury neighborhoods is steadily growing, it has even reached the point that some buyers offer money to real estate agents so that they are the first to inform them about new offers," says Irina Duport, founder of Immoconcept. – In some quarters, such as around the Luxembourg Gardens, there is such a rush of demand that buyers "get in line." Modern apartments reconstructed according to the latest safety and comfort standards in the park area are in increasing demand among buyers of expensive housing, and lofts with good design solutions are gaining popularity."
The attractive coast
Picturesque nature and wonderful climate are the undoubted advantages of the Cote d'Azur. "However, the coast owes its current reputation as the most prestigious resort in Europe to the English aristocracy, who came here back in the 19th century. for treatment," Roman Shendrikov notes. – Today it is a favorite vacation spot for luxury lovers from America, Europe and the Middle East – from all over the world. The main thing is to choose the right offer, that is, a villa near the sea, in an area with a good reputation, a large plot, a garden, a spacious heated pool and, of course, a beautiful view."
There is no price ceiling on the Cote d'Azur, but there are also no barriers to the client's imagination: luxury villas of all possible styles and designs, with parks and helipads attract attention and money from all over the world. The most prestigious places on everyone's lips are Saint-Tropez, Cap Ferrat, Beauvallon, Villefranche. "Recently, the famous villa Leopold was sold for 500 million euros,– says Irina Duport. "But you can buy a more modest villa very close by – for only 10 million euros."
Russian buyers, as a rule, immediately begin to rebuild the purchased villas to suit their taste. According to Irina Duport, an interesting solution may be to purchase a plot and build a villa "from scratch" – it takes as much time as rebuilding, but there are fewer technical problems. In addition, in the case of construction, the company is obliged to give a ten-year warranty, which simplifies the life of the owner in case of problems.
Buy a story
It would be wrong to limit the choice of luxury real estate only to Paris and the Cote d'Azur. In France, you can realize a romantic dream and become the owner of a castle in which everything breathes history, and formidable ancestors, even if not yours, silently gaze from portraits on the walls. Unable to pay the very high maintenance costs of buildings and land, the descendants of famous aristocratic families sell the family possessions. However, it is very difficult to buy an estate in which nothing needs to be completed or rebuilt. There are not many castles that are ready to accept new owners immediately after the deal is concluded.
Most castles in France are located in the Loire River valley and in the central part of the country. All offers are divided into really old castles built before the 19th century, estates of the rich nobility of the 19th century and stylized castles that appeared in Europe in the second half of the 19th century. If you're lucky, you can find an option even with authentic furniture and finishes. But lovers of antiquity should keep in mind that such real estate is often protected by the state and any alterations or even replacement of the entrance door will have to be coordinated with the local commission for the protection of historical and architectural monuments.
"There is a stereotypical opinion that castles are expensive, they have terrible taxes and that they are very expensive to maintain. This is not the case," says Irina Duport. – Moreover, in some cases, the state provides money for repairs. And the costs of the castle, if it is recorded in the register of historical monuments, can always be deducted from the tax base almost unlimited, which, by the way, is used by many rich families. Thanks to tax optimization, the cost of such locks is reduced, and when selling they are not asked for expensive, so you can always find a castle in the center of France much cheaper than a house in Zhukovka."
Elite mountain color
The French Alps are becoming one of the new areas of investment for Russian clients. Having a house in the mountains, it can be used not only in winter, but also in summer, because there is plenty of entertainment at this time of the year. One should not expect that in Alpine chalets the rooms will be decorated in the Rococo style. These houses are not built to impress the guests with the decor of the rooms – in this case, functionality is primarily important. Therefore, the price here depends solely on the location of the object.
As an alternative to the house, it is worth considering apartments in elite luxury residential complexes with their own protected area, service, parking and an indoor swimming pool. In such popular places as Chamonix Valley or Megeve resort, the price is 1 sq.m. The cost of housing varies from 7,000 to 12,000 euros. A complex of three chalets with two and three bedrooms, 10 km from the center of Mezhev, with a total cost of 4.5 million euros, is now for sale.
Some difficulties
From the point of view of legislation, there are no restrictions for Russian clients to purchase real estate in France. There are many luxury real estate agencies that provide services for the selection of an object and further transaction management. At the same time, do not forget that the purchase of real estate in France does not give the right to obtain a residence permit, but on the basis of documents certifying the availability of housing in the country, it is possible to obtain a long-term visa to stay in the country for 6 months a year.
The biggest problem for Russian customers remains the availability of a particular region of the country. That is why there are so few Russians outside Paris, the Cote d'Azur and the Alps, that is, those regions where direct flights from Moscow are made. So, Languedoc-Roussillon with the main city of Montpellier, bordering Spain, or Brittany have long been favored by the British and Americans, but they are less popular among Russians due to the lack of direct flights to Russia.
"Many people are afraid to buy very expensive real estate in France because of high taxes," says Irina Duport. – But these issues are easily solved by the relevant specialists. Having a loan dramatically improves the situation. The Government is currently considering a project to abolish the welfare tax and abolish the tax on foreign companies owning real estate in France. In addition, starting this year, there are quotas for foreign investors, according to which resident status is given. This makes French real estate even more attractive to a Russian buyer."