Insight Invest's Discussion Area

“House prices in the UK had doubled within three years, sound familiar? This was 1989.”

“Twenty years on and again house prices more than doubled in three years, and again the bubble has burst, so what can we learn from the past? Firstly, that recessions don’t last for ever and the market will recover. Secondly, that France is probably the most stable country to buy property in, with none of the risks of so-called emerging markets nor the problems that have dogged the Spanish market for years such as properties with no planning permission being bulldozed by the authorities. Thirdly, prices are coming down and there is a good range of property for sale, so now is as good a time as any to buy.”

Dick Schrader, Founder, French Property News

Property in France insightinvest/france

Or will it be TODAY?

Will it ever be possible for all of the “interested parties” to put aside their own agenda in the interests of humanity and our environment as a whole?

I hear every day in the news the same lame excuses for not doing this or that, due to economic circumstances.

Are the powers that control our lives ever going to realize that by the time they overcome their “need for greed” it may well be too late bring our planet back from the precipice upon which it now teeters.

We hear that the carbon reductions promised across Europe are less than those already being achieved and far less than are needed to make a significant difference. A good get out clause if ever I heard one!

It is said that we need to plant 23,000 hectares of forest, every year, for the next 40 years in the UK alone to fulfil our future timber requirements but at present anything over 10 acres (app. 4 hectares) requires planning consent for change of use.

Given the usual churlish behaviour of most local planning authorities, how many trees do you think we will see planted in our lifetime?

Whilst I think that there is far too much of a “big brother” approach to many parts of government I do strongly believe that local authorities should be made to take heed of what the government believes to be in the national or global interest and that farmers who see a benefit to changing their growing strategy should be allowed to do so without let or hindrance.

The inference from reports I have read seems to be that it is not possible to achieve the required level of forestation in the time required using indigenous species due to their slow growth rates and that we should instead seriously consider growing non-native, fast growing species such as Black Acacia and Paulownia[1] mixed with fast growing Poplar and Willow to name but a few.

So, come on governments. For once give us a completely thought out infrastructure throughout all levels of government to enable us to put this into practice with the least interference from bureaucracy.

Will we wait until “the day after tomorrow” or will we work toward cleaning up the planet NOW?

insightinvest/forestry

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[1] Paulownia has the ability to capture large quantities of CO² and is also able to clean up land. Paulownia can be coppiced after 1 year and then at 2 yearly intervals or can be grown as valuable timber after 12 or more years growth, a truly remarkable hardwood.

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE FRANCE?

MAGICAL COUNTRY, ENCHANTING LIFESTYLE, GOOD PLACE TO EAT, GREAT PLACE TO INVEST

The sheer beauty and diversity of France is stunning and would take a lifetime to fully appreciate. Every region looks and feels different. They have their own individual style of architecture, cuisine, and sense of identity.

France has often been overlooked as a superb place to invest. It has the second largest economy in the Euro zone and is still growing. France is virtually next door to the UK and a favorite destination for Brits. Property offers much more value for money, with low cost mortgages and a climate to suit everyone.

Property prices have never been lower. All are seriously under market value and offering up to three times the value of similar properties in the UK.

The planning system is simple. A `can do` attitude prevails. Most local authorities are keen to encourage development of all kinds.

Insight Invest have many contacts in the french property business.

We can source a home for you, at much less than you could buy an equivalent property in the UK.

We can look for your holiday home OR look for properties where you can realise an income, so you could have ‘money in the bank’ AND a living to be had from your purchase.

Let us find your dream property. Be it a group of gites or that carp fishing lake you’ve always wanted or even a small hotel.

Call us on 0845 465 0775 or sign up for our mailing list at Go to France

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