FrenchEntree Makes French Mortgage Best Buy Tables Available

The FrenchEntree Mortgage zone provides up to date information about getting a French mortgage for your home or holiday home in France.

On the FrenchEntree mortgage site, visitors can read a number of useful articles on acquiring a French mortgage including an introduction to French mortgages , FAQ of French mortgages – explaining how French mortgages work, an explanation of the differences between French and UK mortgages and the types of mortgages on offer from Equity Release Mortgages to Buy-to-let Mortgages to Leaseback Mortgages. It also provides visitors with the information they require to "get in touch" with FrenchEntree’s FSA mortgage consultants for further advice.

Furthermore, when selecting a mortgage for a property here in the UK, an individual’s first port of call will often be UK mortgage best buy tables. With this in mind, International Private Finance has become the first company in the market to make this information on French mortgages available online and it can be viewed on the FrenchEntree mortgage zone. View the French mortgage best buy tables.

FrenchEntree visitors can browse this information at their leisure. The tables outline the most competitive products currently available in each product area, providing information on both fixed and variable rates. The monthly payments for both repayment and interest only options are based on a loan amount of € 250,000 over a 20 year term. The FrenchEntree mortgage consultants will make sure that they keep the table regularly updated.

Visit the FrenchEntree French mortgages advice website.

FrenchEntree are the complete online guide to holidays, property and life in France.

About French Entree : FrenchEntree www.frenchentree.com is a Bath-based leading website for people moving to France and living in France . With over 7,000 properties featured on the website and more than 50,000 pages of supporting information about living, holidaying and buying property in France, it is an authority site for property to buy in france .

Read more...

FrenchEntree launches Popular products and where to buy site for expats in France

FrenchEntree have launched a new shopping website called “Popular products and where to buy”. This is because they have noticed a demand among their readers, particularly those who read their Enjoying Life in France newsletter for information about where to shop for particular products and services in France.

The products which expats tend to miss are those that they could easily purchase in the UK but cannot find in France. Sometimes the products can not be easily found, while other times the quality does not compare in France.

The following are some of the main products which British ex-pats tend to miss in France and which feature in the new zone:

British Paint in France: You may be surprised to learn that many ex-pats have been disappointed with the texture of French paints and miss English paint such as Dulux. In the ex-pat community out of all the items asked for when a car goes back to the UK, paint is normally at the top of the list! So a number of British ex-pats have started companies supplying competitively priced paint in France. See the FrenchEntree article
British paint in France .

British Furniture in France: Many expats in France miss the comfort of British beds and this has led to the creation of a number of British bed suppliers across Europe. See the FrenchEntree article
British beds in France

We all admire elegant Parisian style furniture, but it comes as a surprise to many ex-pats in France when they can’t find a single piece in close proximity to their home. The furniture they do find may be overly elaborate, over priced and impractical for their needs or, at the other end of the scale, of poor design, style and quality. Of course there are good French furniture companies, but they are hard to find - the new FrenchEntree shopping zone makes it that little bit easier.

British furniture suppliers in France are particularly popular with British gite owners, who know how they want to furnish their gite and, want to use an English speaking firm selling the kinds of good quality furniture that they are familiar with. See the FrenchEntree article British furniture in France

Wood burning stoves in France: To add warmth and charm to their country home in France, many people look to purchase a wood burning stove. It may be a traditionally English product, but a number of companies are emerging in France as the demand for this product increases. See the FrenchEntree article Wood burning stoves in France

British shops and food in France: So many Brits move to France, the heart of cuisine not imagining that they’d miss traditional English food such as Heinz baked beans or Cadburys chocolate, but they do! One thing in particular expats miss is English tea, such as Tetley or PG Tips. See the FrenchEntree article British food in France

Starting a new life in France can be an exciting experience as can decorating and furnishing your new home. The FrenchEntree shopping zone is there to help those who live, own property or regularly visit France. Visit the FrenchEntree Shopping in France website.


About French Entree : FrenchEntree www.frenchentree.com is a Bath-based leading website for people moving to France and living in France . With over 7,000 properties featured on the website and more than 50,000 pages of supporting information about living, holidaying and buying property in France, it is an authority site in the French property industry.

Read more...

FrenchEntree Living Receives Record Number Of Hits

The FrenchEntree living website is viewed by tens of thousands of British and English speaking ex-pats in France each month, as well as those about to move to France, and people who have second homes in France. This month it received record hits of 150,000 unique visitors.

On FrenchEntree Living, visitors can find out how to do many important things, such as join the French health system, be self-employed in France and start up a business in France. The retiring to France section which has a wealth of information on pensions, savings and investments, serves to answer the questions of thousands of ex-pats each year; while an education zone provides parents with advice on the French education system and schools in France.

FrenchEntree Living can also steer ex-pats through day-to-day practicalities, from personal finance including opening a French bank account and getting a French mortgage or loan; to insuring their car; getting broadband; registering for gas and electricity; insurance, and sorting out their French driving licence.

For help with the French language, FrenchEntree Living has a vocabulary library plus information on French courses and learning aids.

To help visitors enjoy their new life in France, a La Belle Vie section, including a Gastrozone, provides the latest on French food and wine and French culture . It also has advice on renovation, gardening and a popular Real Life stories’ section which features amusing, interesting and uplifting tales from those who are already enjoying life in France.

The sites popularity is enhanced by the fact that a living newsletter “Enjoying Life in France” is sent to thousands of FrenchEntree living readers bi-monthly.

The zone continues to grow with a recently launched swimming pool zone, and a shopping zone is coming soon.

About French Entree:

FrenchEntree www.frenchentree.com is a Bath-based leading website for people moving to France and living in France. With over 7,000 properties featured on the website and more than 50,000 pages of supporting information about living, holidaying and buying property in France, it is an authority site in the French property industry.

Read more...

Need Advice on French Taxes or Legal Issues – French Entree has the answer

FrenchEntree.com has a comprehensive Tax Zone and Legal Zone to advise not only expats in France but those planning to move there soon, and those who own, or are thinking about owning second homes in France.

The FrenchEntree French Tax Zone is sponsored by Siddalls Financial Advisors and features information about the French tax system and advice on how it may affect French residents and non-residents. Popular articles widely read by non-French residents include: Why take financial advice before moving to France?, What happens with your UK investments if you move to France?, Tax on earned income - key differences between France and UK, and Tax liability on French holiday home rental income.

While for French residents useful articles include: French tax rates for 2008, French wealth tax explained"), Is your French home subject to capital gains tax?, and information on the recently signed Double tax treaty. Articles covering important taxes including income tax, inheritance tax and information on taxe fonciere and taxe d'habitation receive thousands of unique visitors each month.

The French legal system is very different from that in the UK, especially when it comes to buying a house. The aim of the FrenchEntree French Law Zone is to provide information on the French legal system, including in regards to buying property in France , the work of the French legal officials the notaires, the planning process, divorce issues, and the implications of French laws such as inheritance law on expats in France. Popular articles include: How French law works, the role of the notaire, French planning law, Is your UK will valid in French law? and Divorce and your French property

There are other zones on FrenchEntree.com which work in conjunction with the Tax Zone and Law Zone. Tax planning, inheritance planning, planning your current and future income, pensions and savings and investment planning all require reliable information and sound advice, so FrenchEntree have worked in conjunction with Siddalls Financial Advisors to create a Financial Planning Zone and Retiring to France Zone. The Retiring to France Zone helps those retiring to France research their retirement and those already there make the most of their investments and pensions.

About French Entree:

FrenchEntree www.frenchentree.com is a Bath-based leading website for people moving to France and living in France. With over 7,000 properties featured on the website and more than 50,000 pages of supporting information about living, holidaying and buying property in France, it is an authority site in the French property industry.

Read more...

French Entree Launches Property Finder Service for France

Bath based French property website FrenchEntree are delighted to announce a new property finder network which enables interested people to apply for a licence to operate as a property finder in an exclusive territory.

The property finder service will enable you to own a fully registered property search agency and to help people looking to move to France to find their dream French property. FrenchEntree will help you build your own website and provide full training on operating as a property finder in France.

With over 150,000 unique visitors per month on the FrenchEntree website looking for information on living in France and buying property in France the FrenchEntree website will be able to provide a good platform to launch your services.

Through targeted search engine promotion and online marketing strategies your website can be up and running within a short space of time and you can look forward to helping people find their new French homes.

Further information on the Property Finder service can be found at http://www.frenchentree.com/property-finder-france/DisplayArticle.asp?ID=36375. If you would like to contact FrenchEntree to enquire about further information please call FrenchEntree on 0044 (0)1225 463752.

About French Entree:

FrenchEntree is a Bath-based leading website for people moving to France and living in France. With over 7,000 properties featured on the website and more than 50,000 pages of supporting information about living, holidaying and buying property in France, it is an authority site in the French property industry.

Read more...

FrenchEntree launch property buyers club

FrenchEntree was launched in 2003 in order to provide a reliable and independent source of information about France and French property. At FrenchEntree we realise that buying a French property can be a daunting and confusing experience for people who have never done so before, and our aim is to make the process as simple and risk-free as possible.

That is why we have created the FrenchEntree Property Buyers Club - to provide prospective buyers with information and advice to help you make an informed purchasing decision, saving time and reducing your financial risk. This is a completely FREE service which includes telephone help and a comprehensive information pack.

In order to guide you through the different steps of buying a property in France, we have put together a pack which contains some key information designed to help you at important stages of your French property purchase.

Our service also includes telephone help from our property consultants, an introduction to our FrenchEntree Premier Partners (approved and fully registered estate agents), applications and inquiry forms to contact selected specialists (legal advice, mortgage, removal, currency exchange, insurance…), and savings on property purchase related services such as travel.

If you wish to join the FrenchEntree Property Buyers Club, you can contact us 24/7 on 0800 7836136 (or for non-UK +44 1225 463752) or email us your details and your request to become a Club member at propertysales@frenchentree.com


About French Entree:
FrenchEntree is a Bath-based leading website for people moving to France and living in France. With over 7,000 properties featured on the website and more than 50,000 pages of supporting information about living, holidaying and buying property in France, it is an authority site in the French property industry.

Read more...

Property in the French Alps continues to appeal to investors

Market figures recently released for the first quarter of 2008 show positive results in the world of alpine property , with mountain and lakeside resorts continuing to perform well. Despite the property market slow down experienced in the UK and many parts of France, property values in many resorts in the French Alps grew in the year between April 2007 and March 2008.

The French Alps is one of the most unique property markets in Europe; not only are buyers in the Alps able to enjoy a fantastic ski and summer season in their property, the Alps are also amongst some of the most environmentally protected regions of France; planning restrictions are strict and land to build on is extremely limited. In recent years this combination of limited supply and increasing demand from second home owners has driven strong capital growth across the region as a whole, in particular in the mountains. In the lakeside destinations, such as Annecy and Lake Geneva, property prices have been driven by local and international businesses attracting high numbers of buyers drawn to a lifestyle and quality of life that other parts of France and Europe simply can’t beat.

In the first quarter of 2008 resale apartment prices across the mountain resorts of Haute-Savoie increased by just over 3% and in the Annecy area the average increase was 2.5%. Some of the strongest performances were experienced by those resorts which have long been favourite property hot spots with international buyers; Chamonix Mont Blanc saw prices up by almost 8.9%, Morzine just under 10.9%, Megeve by 7.5%, La Clusaz by over 7.3% and Le Grand Bornand by 13.8%. New build apartment prices are continuing to perform well, reflecting increased demand for spacious property, in good condition and with multiple bathrooms. Globally new build prices increased by 4%, with the mountains performing well at 5.6% up and the Annecy area up by 5.9%. Certain resorts in the mountains performed very well, notably Saint Gervais les Bains, with an increase of 25% and Samoens with an increase of just over 32% up. Land is still difficult to find in both the mountain resorts and the Annecy area and this is reflected with strong growth of 9.6% overall; 16% up in the Annecy area and 8.5% up in the mountains.

So why are the Alps continuing to hold their own during an increasingly difficult economic period for both the UK and the euro zone? Firstly, French banks have always had a sensible lending policy. Buyers are legally not allowed to take on debt of more than a third of their income, ensuring that they do not over-extend themselves with their mortgage. They also need to provide a 15% - 20% cash deposit for the bank to approve their finance. The same rules apply to international purchasers, so the banks approach each loan application with these stringent rules in mind. It’s relatively rare for a French bank to repossess a home, so for their own protection the banks want to be certain that you can afford the property you purchase. Many buyers in the Alps have taken out a French loan to fund their purchase so they have been vetted and approved as being comfortably able to afford their property. As a result the problems surrounding the cancellation of attractive 100% or 120% mortgages and buyers over-extending their personal debt don’t apply here. It is also difficult to release equity on a French property and this combination of factors means that the housing market here is not experiencing the same bumpy ride as that of the UK.

Secondly, the Alps have historically had a real shortage of property for sale. Planning restrictions here are strict and little land is available for development. Home owners in this part of France tend to be in it for the long term and reluctant to part with their property – whether they are locals in a much-loved family home or affluent second home owners. Unlike the vast volumes of unsold new build property available in markets like the UK and Spain, limited development in key locations in the mountains has maintained new property values. There is still a huge amount of interest in owning a property in this part of France from both French and international buyers and quality property continues to sell.

Thirdly, many properties here are second homes. Property owners are typically affluent investors who can also maximise the return on their investment through seasonal lettings. They do not need to sell because they are relocating through work or to move closer to family, so their motivations and pressures to sell are different to many other home owners. If they feel that the market conditions aren’t right they won’t place their property on the market and this further restricts available property to buy.

The current marketplace is an interesting one. Good quality property in the mountain resorts continues to be in short supply, thus holding its value and continuing to sell. High value property in the top end of the market is also doing a good trade. Older and tired property is proving slower to sell and these vendors are being more realistic about what their property is worth. Current UK property market conditions have made buyers cautious and many are adopting a “wait and see” approach. The result is a pent-up demand which will be released when consumers feel that the cycle is beginning to move upwards again. A savvy buyer would know that now is a good time to invest – when a slower market enables negotiation that wouldn’t have been possible 24 months ago. If you are looking for a ski or summer property in the French Alps then please contact the Ascendant team. We are always happy to discuss your requirements and provide information on the local property market.

About the author: The author is a real estate agent who has good knowledge on the Property for Sale Annecy . For more information he recommends you to visit http://www.ascendant-property.com/

Read more...

FrenchEntree Launch Mortgage Advisory Service

FrenchEntree are pleased to announce the launch of a new mortgage advisory service specialising in French mortgages. If you are looking to buy a French property and require information on the types of mortgage options available please read our mortgage information website or call us on 0044 (0)1373 466422 and one of our one of our FSA regulated mortgage consultants will be happy to help.

Our specialist French mortgage zone features an introduction to French mortgages, French mortgages FAQs, information on buy to let mortgages, leaseback options and equity release mortgage options to help you understand the options open to you.

We are also able to offer advice on the various Euro mortgage rate options and we more than happy to answer any question that you might have. Obtaining a French mortgage need not be a problem. Here at FrenchEntree we are very familiar with the French mortgage application process and we will help you obtain your mortgage in no time at all to enable you to buy your dream property in France.

About French Entree
FrenchEntree is a Bath-based leading website for people moving to France and living in France. With over 7,000 properties featured on the website and more than 50,000 pages of supporting information about living, holidaying and buying property in France, it is an authority site in the French property industry.

Read more...

Student travel insurance

There are many great things about being a student, daytime TV and cheap booze to name but two. Another excellent perk is being able to access inexpensive options for travel, and having the time to do it. If you want to travel, you will probably not have a better opportunity than now – once you are established in your career with four weeks’ annual leave and a mortgage, you will wish you travelled in your student days!



But before you set off for your lads weekend in Amsterdam or your working summer holiday, don’t forget something you might have dismissed as boring; student travel insurance. According to the Foreign & Commonwealth Office, 28% - the equivalent of over 3 million people aged 16-30 - did not take out travel insurance for their trip. But why is student travel insurance so important?



Most importantly, student travel insurance covers overseas emergency medical expenses and repatriation costs. Don’t forget that Great Britain is fairly unusual in the world in having a comprehensive state healthcare system. As a British national travelling abroad you (or your parents) will be expected to cover your medical bills, which in some countries can run into thousands of pounds even if you’ve remembered to get your EHIC (European Health Insurance Card). But according to www.gapyear.com, backpackers still spend more time choosing a penknife for their trip than choosing travel insurance.



Student travel insurance also covers you for cancellation and curtailment of your trip. If you’ve been scrimping and saving your meagre student budget for your trip of a lifetime, you might well feel bitter if you had to cancel it or cut it short. For this reason it is important to purchase insurance for your trip as soon as you book it to give you instant protection.



There are a great many student travel insurance policies to choose from, and you might be tempted to buy the first one you see, but check carefully that it is suitable for your needs. Whilst a single trip student travel insurance policy or backpacker student travel insurance policy is ideal for one holiday or a longer trip, an annual multi-trip student travel insurance policy is better value if you are planning on taking lots of short trips. However many do not provide cover for trips lasting more than 31 days. Also check that you are covered for any adventurous activities you might be doing on your trip such as scuba diving, and especially for any employment you might be engaged in abroad – never assume that your employer has everything sorted.



Don’t fall into the trap of wanting to save money by not taking out student travel insurance at all – remember that the cost of sorting out even a small problem can greatly exceed the cost of taking out the insurance in the first place. Thanks to comparison sites such as Moneysupermarket it is easier than ever to find good value student travel insurance.

Read more...

Ski Insurance is a must for Winter Sports – A Report!

Imagine you have now read your code of conduct and found that as a skier in the ski resorts, you are about to undertake a risky sport where injuries are very common!

Or as they put it – “Injuries are not uncommon”!

Ski resort owners have insured themselves beforehand to fight against any unwanted calamity or any accident of that sort. But what about you?

A ski lift accident can occur anytime, hurting a lot of people, even in a warmer winter but add to that some foul weather and the chances of accidents increase exponentially.

During the peak skiing season, the vast majority of skiers do not come from professional skiing background and very few of them have prior experience of the treacherous slopes. In most cases what happens is that just after taking some initial lessons from instructors they board the ski lift and head out to the slopes.

It is not that only the novices get injured, as an accident can occur to anybody, even to a professional. It only takes seconds to go back home with an unwanted injury.

But what do the farsighted skiers do to ensure they are properly covered? Apart from taking the game seriously, they also get themselves insured.

Yes, the good news is that, insurance is available in the market to support you in such cases, known as ski insurance.

Ski insurance coverage is normally intended for skiing (including mono skiing), snowboarding, sledging, ice skating, and other winter sport activities. Most of these policies also cover off-piste for skiers and snowboarders.

Ski insurance may cover emergency medical and other expenses along with personal liability and ski and snowboard equipment cover. It may also offer you cover for valuables, baggage or even for delayed baggage or loss of lift pass.

So, if you are looking for a stress free trip with your skis this winter, it will be worthwhile to consult an insurance advisor for ski insurance.

Read more...

Single trip travel insurance

If you only plan to travel abroad once this year, then single trip travel insurance is probably the best value – there’s no point in paying for cover you don’t need!

Generally speaking, you can purchase single trip travel insurance to cover three areas; Europe, Worldwide and Worldwide with exclusions. These exclusions tend to be travel to areas like the Caribbean, USA and Canada where claims tend to be more expensive. Check your policy details to make sure you have chosen the right territory – for example, some providers include Tunisia under their European cover, while others don’t.

It is also very important to check the details of your single trip travel insurance policy very carefully to check the cover meets your needs. If it does prove to be unsuitable, you should be able to obtain a refund within 14 days of taking out the policy provided your trip has not already begun and you have not made a claim on the policy.

A good single trip travel insurance policy should offer cover for emergency medical expenses, cancellation, curtailment, personal possessions, personal liability and legal expenses. Many single trip travel insurance policies offer the option to exclude baggage cover for a discount – this is worth doing if you already have “away from home” cover for your personal belongings on your home contents insurance policy, or don’t feel that you need cover for this.

You may also have encountered something called “excess waiver” on some single trip travel insurance policies. Basically, the excess is an amount that you pay whenever you make a certain type of claim. By paying a small addition premium for “excess waiver” you can eliminate this cost.

If you are planning a ski or snowboard trip, it is important to find single trip travel insurance which offers cover for this. Similarly if you are going on an adventure holiday, check that the single trip travel insurance policy offers cover for any hazardous activities you are taking part in before you go.

Single trip travel insurance is available from a number of places. If you booked your holiday through a travel agent you will probably have been offered their policy, but remember you are not obliged to take this and it can work out very expensive. Thanks to comparison sites such as Moneysupermarket it is easier than ever to compare single trip travel insurance premiums, and as a result the market has become very competitive.

Don’t be tempted to try and save money by travelling without single trip travel insurance – the cost of sorting out even a small problem will probably outweigh the premium you paid, and bills for medical emergencies can run into many thousands of pounds.

Read more...

Multi-trip travel insurance

Did you know that if you are a regular traveller you might be able to save money by taking out multi-trip travel insurance instead of taking out a single trip policy each time you travel?

Most multi-trip travel insurance enable you to make as many trips as you like within a defined period (usually a year), provided they don’t exceed a certain amount of time. So as well as saving money on your premium, if you want to take off somewhere for a last minute break, you don’t have to worry about arranging travel insurance.

Before you buy a multi-trip travel insurance policy, consider where you are likely to be travelling within the policy period. If you’re not sure it may be better value to purchase a multi-trip travel insurance policy for European travel; you can always extend it to Worldwide at a later date. If you are planning to do wintersports, check the policy details carefully – some multi-trip travel insurance policies allow you a certain number of days of wintersports cover at no extra cost, others require you to pay an additional premium.

You should also consider the duration of your planned trips for the following year and choose a multi-trip travel insurance policy which will cover your longest trip. There are some very cheap multi-trip travel insurance policies on the market, but some of these allow a maximum trip duration of only four days!

Multi-trip travel insurance policies should cover emergency medical expenses, trip cancellation, baggage and personal belongings at a minimum. However, some companies are willing to offer a premium discount if you decide against coverage for lost and damaged luggage. Check your home contents insurance as you may already have cover on that for taking personal belongings abroad.

Another good reason to choose multi-trip travel insurance is that it often works out cheaper to include your partner or even your whole family on the policy. However if the kids are going on holiday without you (on a school trip for example, or with their grandparents), check whether the multi-trip travel insurance policy covers them for this – most allow the adults to travel independently of each other but in many cases children must be accompanied by an insured adult on the policy.

The key when comparing multi-trip travel insurance prices is to ensure that you are comparing on a like-for-like basis in terms of cover and limits. So check the policy summary document (also known as the keyfacts) of each provider and also check that the cover levels are adequate for your needs.

Read more...

Low cost travel insurance

To relax properly on holiday it’s good to know you are properly covered with your travel insurance. It’s even better when you’ve managed to find a low cost travel insurance policy and you can have some extra days out with the money you’ve saved.

There are now hundreds of travel insurance products on the market and premiums vary enormously. In addition, the level of cover you get varies considerably between policies. However there are a number of ways that you can obtain low cost travel insurance and still be properly covered.

Many travel agents will quote the price for your holiday including insurance. Make sure you find out how much this insurance actually costs as you will quite likely be able to find an equivalent but lower cost travel insurance policy. Remember that you are not obliged to buy the travel agent’s policy even if you book your holiday with them. With so many price comparison sites available you can compare low cost travel insurance policies from many providers with just a few clicks. E.G. Moneysupermarket enables you to compare prices and cover online.

While medical expenses can be very high when abroad, it is extremely rare for a claim to reach anywhere near the £10m offered by some policies. But you don’t want to be under-covered. If you are off on a holiday or trip of a lifetime, check that the level of cancellation cover is sufficient for your trip. Check with your insurer if you are covered for pre-existing medical conditions or any sporting activities you might be undertaking. Also check your home contents insurance as your personal belongings and valuables may already be covered for your holiday, meaning you might not have to pay for baggage cover – some companies offer a discount for deleting baggage cover.

Joint policies are likely to be cheaper for couples, and kids are sometimes covered at no extra cost. Many low cost travel insurance policies can now be purchased online with many providers offering a discount for this, making a further saving.

Finally, for low cost travel insurance, if you travel abroad more than once a year, consider buying an annual multi-trip insurance policy – they often work out cheaper.

24/7 Travel Insurance sells single trip low cost travel insurance starting from under £5* and annual multi-trip low cost travel insurance starting from only £35.25**. Their How We Compare page also shows the significant differences in premiums between well-known providers.

In short – don’t scrimp on low cost travel insurance, but don’t pay over the odds either!

*Premium £4.76 includes Insurance Premium Tax; based on an individual traveller aged under 55 taking out a Standard single-trip policy for 3 days in Europe and purchased within 14 days of departure date.
**Includes Insurance Premium Tax; based on an individual traveller aged under 55 taking out a Standard policy for travel in Europe.

Read more...

Holiday Insurance

You probably already insure your car, your home, and possibly even your life. But have you ever thought of the consequences of not insuring your holiday?

It seems that a lot of people haven’t thought of holiday insurance – according to Moneysupermarket, one in five people travel without holiday insurance, but 90% of people don’t do this intentionally. Yet this oversight could leave you seriously out of pocket. A broken leg sustained on holiday could cost £10,000 in Europe and as much as £30,000 in the USA*.

Another important reason to take out holiday insurance is cancellation. If you have booked a package holiday and need to cancel, you can at the very least expect to lose your deposit and, as the date of departure approaches, a hefty percentage of the holiday costs too. If you are booking a more expensive holiday, check that the cancellation cover offered with your holiday insurance is sufficient to cover the cost of the trip.

As well as emergency medical expenses and cancellation cover, holiday insurance should also include cover for curtailment, personal liability and legal expenses. Most holiday insurance policies also cover your personal belongings although some policies offer the option to exclude baggage cover for a discount – this is worth doing if you already have “away from home” cover for your personal belongings on your home contents insurance policy, or don’t feel that you need cover for this.

Holiday insurance can be taken out for a one-off trip, or you can buy a policy that covers you for an unlimited number of trips taken in the course of a year (up to a certain number of days per trip). If you take more than two trips in a year this will very likely work out as better value for money. If you are going away for an extended period you can obtain holiday insurance for this too.

Holiday insurance is available from a number of places. If you booked your holiday through a travel agent you will probably have been offered their policy, but remember you are not obliged to take this and it can work out very expensive. Thanks to comparison sites such as Moneysupermarket it is easier than ever to compare holiday insurance premiums, and as a result the market is becoming very competitive. But remember to compare the cover features and cover limits as well, before you buy your holiday insurance.

Finally, make sure you read your holiday insurance policy documents carefully to check the cover meets your needs. If it does prove to be unsuitable, you should be able to obtain a refund within 14 days provided your trip has not already begun and you have not made a claim on the policy.

Read more...

Gap Year Travel Insurance

If you are going on a gap year no doubt you have found the planning very exciting. Unfortunately this article is about something that you might consider boring but is the most important thing to take with you: gap year travel insurance. If you think this is too boring to read on, at least make sure your parents read it!

Young travellers who have the world at their feet often feel immortal and invincible but unfortunately they are not. The choices of how to spend a gap year are limitless, but many of the gappers are on tight budgets and gap year travel insurance can seem like another unnecessary expense. But in relation to the costs of the trip (not to mention potential costs), gap year travel insurance is not expensive. What is expensive is the medical bills that can occur while abroad. The bill for an air ambulance to hospital, a few days treatment, then repatriation back to the UK, can easily reach tens of thousands of pounds and if you are not insured it could fall upon your parents to pay for it!

Gap year travel insurance is different from an annual multi-trip policy. While an annual multi-trip policy may appear to last all year, they restrict the number of days for individual trips so they will most likely not be suitable for a gap year.

Many gap year destinations offer extreme sports such as scuba diving, skydiving and bungee jumping at much cheaper rates than the UK and you may be tempted to give them a go. It is very important to check the small print of your policy or check with your insurance provider to ensure that you are covered to participate in these activities.

It is also important to check that your gap year travel insurance covers you for any valuables you are taking with you such as glasses, mp3 players and digital cameras. You may already have “all-risks” cover for these on you or your parents’ home contents insurance policy. Some insurers will cover them on a “new-for-old” basis but you will need to keep hold of the original receipts and obtain a police report for claims of this nature.

As you will have gathered from the above, it is essential when comparing different gap year travel insurance policies that you check the cover, terms conditions and exclusions carefully so that you know exactly what you are getting before you purchase. Fortunately it is now easier to do this as all providers must provide a Policy Summary (also known as Keyfacts), which is a document that contains an outline of the key features and benefits of the gap year travel insurance policy.

Nowadays it is easy to compare gap year travel insurance premiums in just a few clicks thanks to comparison sites such as Moneysupermarket. But be sure to check the small print carefully as cover levels vary considerably as well.

Whatever gap year travel insurance policy you buy, keep a copy of your insurance details on your person all the time and leave a copy with someone at home. And remember, alcohol might be much cheaper abroad but many insurers will refuse to pay out on any claims arising if you are intoxicated!

A 12-month gap year travel insurance policy can be purchased for as little as £65.80* from www.247travelinsurance.co.uk - a small price to pay to reduce your parents’ worries and really enjoy your trip!


* £65.80 including Insurance Premium Tax is based on an individual aged 18-35 travelling in Europe for a period of 12 months, purchasing a backpacker ‘standard’ travel insurance policy excluding winter sports cover.

Read more...

Gap Year Travel Insurance

If you are going on a gap year no doubt you have found the planning very exciting. Unfortunately this article is about something that you might consider boring but is the most important thing to take with you: gap year travel insurance. If you think this is too boring to read on, at least make sure your parents read it!

Young travellers who have the world at their feet often feel immortal and invincible but unfortunately they are not. The choices of how to spend a gap year are limitless, but many of the gappers are on tight budgets and gap year travel insurance can seem like another unnecessary expense. But in relation to the costs of the trip (not to mention potential costs), gap year travel insurance is not expensive. What is expensive is the medical bills that can occur while abroad. The bill for an air ambulance to hospital, a few days treatment, then repatriation back to the UK, can easily reach tens of thousands of pounds and if you are not insured it could fall upon your parents to pay for it!

Gap year travel insurance is different from an annual multi-trip policy. While an annual multi-trip policy may appear to last all year, they restrict the number of days for individual trips so they will most likely not be suitable for a gap year.

Many gap year destinations offer extreme sports such as scuba diving, skydiving and bungee jumping at much cheaper rates than the UK and you may be tempted to give them a go. It is very important to check the small print of your policy or check with your insurance provider to ensure that you are covered to participate in these activities.

It is also important to check that your gap year travel insurance covers you for any valuables you are taking with you such as glasses, mp3 players and digital cameras. You may already have “all-risks” cover for these on you or your parents’ home contents insurance policy. Some insurers will cover them on a “new-for-old” basis but you will need to keep hold of the original receipts and obtain a police report for claims of this nature.

As you will have gathered from the above, it is essential when comparing different gap year travel insurance policies that you check the cover, terms conditions and exclusions carefully so that you know exactly what you are getting before you purchase. Fortunately it is now easier to do this as all providers must provide a Policy Summary (also known as Keyfacts), which is a document that contains an outline of the key features and benefits of the gap year travel insurance policy.

Nowadays it is easy to compare gap year travel insurance premiums in just a few clicks thanks to comparison sites such as Moneysupermarket. But be sure to check the small print carefully as cover levels vary considerably as well.

Whatever gap year travel insurance policy you buy, keep a copy of your insurance details on your person all the time and leave a copy with someone at home. And remember, alcohol might be much cheaper abroad but many insurers will refuse to pay out on any claims arising if you are intoxicated!

A 12-month gap year travel insurance policy can be purchased for as little as £65.80* from www.247travelinsurance.co.uk - a small price to pay to reduce your parents’ worries and really enjoy your trip!


* £65.80 including Insurance Premium Tax is based on an individual aged 18-35 travelling in Europe for a period of 12 months, purchasing a backpacker ‘standard’ travel insurance policy excluding winter sports cover.

Read more...

Family Travel Insurance

Most parents will agree that family holidays are wonderful – but can also be stressful! But having a good family travel insurance policy can help alleviate some of that stress.

There are two types of family travel insurance: single-trip or annual multi-trip. As the names suggest, single-trip covers you for a one-off trip whereas annual multi-trip allows you to take as many trips as you like in a year. If you travel more than once or twice a year, annual multi-trip often works out cheaper.

If you purchased your holiday through a travel agency, you may have been offered family travel insurance when you booked. However you are not obliged to buy family travel insurance from the travel agent, even if you booked your trip with them. Shopping around could save you money, and this is much easier nowadays thanks to price comparison sites such as Moneysupermarket which enables you to compare family travel insurance premiums in just a few clicks.

So why should you take out family travel insurance? The main reason is to protect yourself from a potentially hefty medical bill if you or your children need hospital treatment. In some countries, even a cut foot needing stitches can lead to a three figure bill.

Similarly, family travel insurance offers cover for cancellation if a member of the family falls ill before departure – airlines will not carry passengers who have ear infections or infectious diseases such as chicken pox. As children have excellent timing when it comes to such things, family travel insurance offers protection if you need to cancel at the last minute.

Another important area covered by family travel insurance is your personal possessions. If your suitcases don’t turn up at the airport you can claim for buying essential items such as clothes and toiletries (this is a real lifesaver if you are travelling with a baby). Your items are also covered against theft.

A real nightmare for travelling families are delays, so wouldn’t it be nice to be able to claim some money back for that? Most family travel insurance will pay out for delays of over 12 hours, so that should cover all the colouring books and games you had to buy!

Family travel insurance premiums are not expensive either. 24/7 Travel Insurance offer family travel insurance from under £20 for a family of four going on holiday to Europe for a week – and children under 18 go free with 24/7 Travel Insurance. Family travel insurance offers cover for the stressful, but comparatively minor, scenarios discussed here, and also for more serious situations. It is a small price to pay for peace of mind on your holiday. Now all you have to worry about is how often you’ll hear “are we there yet?...”

*Premium £15.27 including Insurance Premium Tax is based on two adults aged under 55 and two children under 18 purchasing a standard single-trip policy for 7 days in Europe and purchased within 14 days of departure date.

Read more...

Discount travel insurance

In the current financial climate, more and more people are seeking discount holidays and discount travel insurance to go with it!

There are now hundreds of travel insurance products on the market and premiums vary enormously. However there are a number of ways that you can obtain discount travel insurance and still be properly covered.

You should not just purchase your insurance from your travel agent as shopping around could save you money and get you better cover. Nowadays it is easy to compare discount travel insurance premiums in just a few clicks thanks to comparison sites such as Moneysupermarket. But be sure to check the small print carefully as cover levels vary considerably and you don’t want to be under-covered or paying for extra cover that you don’t need. It is important to assess what your personal requirements are in terms of cover levels.

For example, while medical expenses can be very high when abroad (and cover for emergency medical expenses is an absolute must), it is extremely rare for a claim to reach anywhere near the £10m offered by some policies. If you are off on a holiday of a lifetime, check that the level of cancellation cover is sufficient – or if you are booking a last minute break this may be less important to you.

Check also that your discount travel insurance policy covers you for any sporting activities you might be undertaking. Also check your home contents insurance as your personal belongings and valuables may already be covered for your holiday, meaning you might not have to pay for baggage cover – some companies offer a discount for deleting baggage cover. If you have private medical insurance and it has an overseas extension you may not need medical expenses cover and some discount travel insurance providers offer a discount for excluding this – but it is vital to check with your private medical insurance provider that your policy covers this.

Fortunately it is now easier to check your discount travel insurance policy meets your needs as all providers must provide a Policy Summary (also known as Keyfacts), which is a document that contains an outline of the key features and benefits of the discount travel insurance policy.

Joint policies are likely to be cheaper for couples, and kids are sometimes covered at no extra cost. Many discount travel insurance policies can now be purchased online with many providers offering a discount for this, making a further saving.

Finally, for discount travel insurance, if you travel abroad more than once a year, consider buying an annual multi-trip discount travel insurance policy – they often work out cheaper.

247 Travel Insurance sells single trip discount travel insurance starting from under £5* and annual multi-trip cheap travel insurance starting from only £32.35**. Their How We Compare page also shows the significant differences in premiums between well-known providers.

In short – don’t scrimp on discount travel insurance, but don’t pay over the odds either!

Read more...

Cheap travel insurance

To relax properly on holiday it’s good to know you are properly covered with your travel insurance. It’s even better when you’ve managed to find a cheap travel insurance policy and you can have some extra days out with the money you’ve saved!

There are now hundreds of travel insurance products on the market and premiums vary enormously. In addition, the level of cover you get varies considerably between policies. However there are a number of ways that you can obtain cheap travel insurance and still be properly covered.

Many travel agents will quote the price for your holiday including insurance. Make sure you find out how much this insurance actually costs as you will quite likely be able to find an equivalent but cheaper travel insurance policy. Remember that you are not obliged to buy the travel agent’s policy even if you book your holiday with them. With so many price comparison sites available you can compare cheap travel insurance policies from many providers with just a few clicks’ E.G. Moneysupermarket enables you to compare prices and cover online.

While medical expenses can be very high when abroad, it is extremely rare for a claim to reach anywhere near the £10m offered by some policies. But you don’t want to be under-covered. If you are off on a holiday of a lifetime, check that the level of cancellation cover is sufficient for your trip. Check with your insurer if you are covered for pre-existing medical conditions or any sporting activities you might be undertaking. Also check your home contents insurance as your personal belongings and valuables may already be covered for your holiday, meaning you might not have to pay for baggage cover – some companies offer a discount for deleting baggage cover.

Joint policies are likely to be cheaper for couples, and kids are sometimes covered at no extra cost. Many cheap travel insurance policies can now be purchased online with many providers offering a discount for this, making a further saving.

Finally, for cheap travel insurance, if you travel abroad more than once a year, consider buying an annual multi-trip insurance policy – they often work out cheaper.

24/7 Travel Insurance sells single trip cheap travel insurance starting from under £5* and annual multi-trip cheap travel insurance starting from only £35.25**. Their How We Compare page also shows the significant differences in premiums between well-known providers.

In short – don’t scrimp on cheap travel insurance, but don’t pay over the odds either!

Read more...

Buying a Chateaux if France – top tips

Living in a French chateau is a fairytale dream for most, and the prices associated with buying such a property ensure its exclusivity. France has a significant number of chateaux on the property market, many of which were built in the early nineteenth century when France’s dominance and wealth rose.

At FrenchEntree we have created a Chateaux for sale website so that our visitors can easily find all of the chateaux that we have for sale, and narrow their search criteria.

Here are our top tips to consider when purchasing a chateau:

1. Decide whether you are looking for a renovation opportunity or a chateau ready to move into. Sometimes a chateau in need of renovation, either decoratively, structurally or both will come on the market. However, renovating a chateau is not always worthwhile because in many cases it is less effort and expense to spend more in buying a good example than in creating one. However, if you are after a challenge and have the necessary funds, there are a number of beautiful bourgeois buildings in need of some TLC.

2. Chateaux can make profitable businesses so consider your options. Chateaux with adequate grounds are often sought after for sporting businesses, such as fishing and equestrian schools, hunting, walking and wildlife grounds, as well as many other outdoor activities. Sometimes a chateau may even come on the market with a working, or the potential for a vineyard. Chateaux are also great venues for weddings and other functions, and make not only a spectacular setting for a restaurant, but desirable and luxurious hotels which attract affluent visitors.

3. Set your budget including how much you will need to spend once you have purchased the property. When looking at a chateau in need of renovation you should find out how much it will cost to renovate/ decorate once you have purchased it. From the structural point of view, it important to bear in mind the costs of renovating a substantial property as these of course can be considerable. Our agents advise that on average, you should consider spending anything between 500 and 1,500 Euros per square metre (the latter if it is a total rebuild) to renovate a ruin. If the property is merely in need of internal modernisation and refurbishment (for example kitchens, bathrooms and heating for instance) you can generally halve this figure.

4. Decide on the location in which you want to purchase a chateau. There are many chateaux available on the French property market from smaller manor houses to enormous stately homes, as well as grand royal and secular palaces. Such properties can be found in all regions across France, from Poitou Charentes to the Midi-Pyrenees. Limousin offers the chateau buyer some cheaper alternatives, with a number of manor houses on the market. While in the Provence-Alps-Cote d’Azur for example, you will get far less for your money.

5. Find a few agents in the area who deal with prestige property and let them know exactly what you are looking for and your budget. It pays to stay with an agent you can trust who will ensure you don't travel for many miles for a fruitless trip. Build up a good relationship with your agent so that they will let you know when properties meeting your criteria come on the market and so that they give you first refusal.

6. Don’t go for the first chateau you visit without careful consideration, especially if it is in need of repair. Nevertheless, be realistic in your expectations, it is of course extremely advantageous to find a chateau where the roof has been well maintained and there is absolutely nothing to repair or update.

There are of course many other factors to consider depending upon your personal situation.

Whether you are choosing a chateau for permanent residence or for a business opportunity, there are many chateaux for sale. So if elegance, style and exquisite architecture are what you desire in your property in France , why not make a French chateau your home?

About the Author: Aynsley Peet is the Web Manager for the French property website FrenchEntree www.frenchentree.com – the ultimate guide to property for sale in France, living in France and holidays in France.

Read more...

Hire A Broker For Your Sarasota Home Purchase

When purchasing a home in Sarasota real estate, you might want to hire the help of a broker to avoid any scenarios that will only stress you out during the acquisition.

By definition, brokers are professionals in the real estate market that will act as an intermediary between the buyer and seller during the purchase of a property. They know everything there is to know about the business and will be a useful tool to aid you in getting the perfect residence at the shortest possible time.

In most cases, a broker will be charging a commission for his or her services in your home acquisition project. The amount is usually a percentage of the total amount of the property you plan to purchase. Even if this strategy entails additional cost on your end, the burden and stress that you won't be subjected to is worth every penny you dish out.

Ask For A License First

Keep in mind that there are hundreds, or even thousands of brokers in Sarasota. Some works as a freelance, while others are working under a real estate firm in buying and selling properties. Whatever the choices may be, it is advisable that you look for an individual with a license to back up their profession.

Since licensed brokers will adhere to the strict codes and ethics of real estate acquisition, you can be sure that they will be giving you quality service that is worth your time and money.

Experience Is Always A Good Basis

Aside from their license and permits as a real estate broker, you might want to check out their experiences in the business to ensure that they are the perfect man or woman for the job.

If it's possible, you might want to check with some of their clients and customers regarding their ability as a real estate agent. You can also inquire about their portfolio or experience in the real estate market directly when you meet them personally for the first time.

Referral Is Better

Rather than checking out each broker in Sarasota, you might want to ask those you are close with if they know of one that they can refer for your home acquisition project. Since those people whom you trust have first-hand experience with their respective brokers, they can easily give you enough details to determine if they are the one for your needs.

If you don't want to go around the city to find a broker for your own, then you might want to check the local yellow pages or maybe look them up on the Internet to avoid the stress, especially to your feet.

Vanessa Arellano Doctor
Sarasota Real Estate

Read more...

Property Investment Seminars- A ladder to step ahead in capital growth

Property investment seminars are property developers and realestate agent’s brochures which is produced to discuss on property development or property market in order to get the investor to part on the property investment seminars which gives own housing projects. Property investment seminars provide property investment information on a wide variety of topics. UK property experts in the property marketplace, stands at the top to represent the best investment properties in UK.

In property investment seminars you can get valuable property investment information. To check about property Investment Seminars search online. You will get more details on how to attend, schedule or learn more about such property investment seminars and opportunities.

Property investment seminars are of one and a half hour presentation which aims to wealth building through real estate. Property investment seminars are usually conducted free of cost. Property investment seminar will provide an insight overview to investing in commercial and industrial properties. Property investment seminars will mainly focus on the valuation and pricing methods related to the field of investment Properties, with specific reference to UK. Property investment seminars features a number of renowned speakers, who will tackle major practical issues related to the realestate, industrial and commercial properties which are important area of capital growth. Additionally, property investment seminars will address the issue of how to evaluate Intellectual Property Rights by adopting international best practices. The property investment seminars many make discussions at length a range of topics relevant to properties in the UK and the importance of Intellectual Property Valuation in Intellectual Asset Management.

England is the home of large number of companies with intangible assets such as trademarks. 'Moreover, several indigenous companies in the UK are expanding their presence beyond their homeland and are going global, which accentuates the need to adopt international best practices in evaluating the companies' worth'. So, London is the best place to conduct such great property investment seminars in a big level.

From property investment seminars, property builders find a good way to get suitable investment properties. Property investment seminars are generally a great opportunity to purchase a investment property at below market prices. You just need to attend the property investment seminars to understand the property marketplace.

Property investment seminars gather both the newer property investor and the investor that feels like they require some help in these areas, and much more! Property investment seminars will act as a workshop to allow property builders time to get their questions answered in a group setting and also expand their connections in this field.

About the Author

Jay Parmar works to help all those who want information about the property investment information, properties investment. To know more about cheap houses,investment properties, property investment, Property investment Advice, properties investment, property investment seminars visit: www.ukpropertyplan.co.uk

Read more...

Tips on real estate in Mumbai

Are you planning to invest in real estate in Mumbai? Mumbai is a commercial hub and a preferred destination for corporate India. Recent reports highlight the overwhelming and unreasonable prices in the the financial capital . Property is almost beyond the reach of common man.

Mumbai has always been the hot favorite for most of the corporate sector to have their headquarters in the city. The property prices in Mumbai owe much of its credit to the large scale investments in the commercial sector. And with increasing investments by MNCs in the IT, ITES and the BPO sector, there has been a growing demand for office space; Experts say that the infrastructural development like sealinks, flyovers, highways and also malls coming up in India has been the major reason for prices to go up.which have consequently created an imbalance in demand and supply for residential properties. The rental values in Mumbai have also in high corresponding to that in other metros.

However, here are some tips for the initiated one. Tips on buying property in Mumbai Budget and limitations: In this expensive day and age you must try and analyze what is the best budget you can afford. In that budget you can inquire about the properties available. Decided on 1 bhk, 2 bhk, 3 bhk, or a villa, and further see which areas have properties in the budget and category suitable to you. Research: The advantage of internet is the information it provides you on your fingertips. Once decided on location visit property sites and find the property prices in locations shortlisted. These property prices may be a bit inflated, or deflated. However will provide you a range in which you might be able to you're your kind of property Try owner properties: Owners who have listed their properties on a property site will have their property on immediate availability. Besides, saving on the commission can save you a lot of money which you may invest in furnishing letter. It is easy to refine property search on these sites and locate a good deal. Hire a real estate agent: Property dealers reach out the nook and corner of areas. They may spot properties which could have never fallen on property site. Hire a real estate agent if you're buying your first home in Mumbai. Since it is your first home then don't get your hands dirty with all the dealings and information to be verified before buying a property. Professional help while investing in real estate in Mumbai will ensure that you steer clear of fraudulent deals and make an informed choice. Close look on properties: Now is the time to look into the properties that you may have shortlisted. See at least 5-10, and in various areas, before you decide on a home that suits your needs the best. You may be particular about windows facings, Vaastu etc. It may be useful to jot down the specifics you require from a home and make sure that your choice fulfills your criteria in every aspect. Imagine how the home would look when it's furnished. What coolours you would want your rooms in etc... and then go ahead and select. But Behold until you read the next point Consider the following criteria before you finally decide on the property. Calculate your daily expenses: Sometimes you must be ready to compromise while investing in property in this and of distances. The house could be perfect with the number of rooms you desire. But would you still buy it if it took you hours to get to the city? * Schools around the area. It is a must for your kid's school to be in close proximity to your residence. Keeping this in mind basically solves two problems : Since he/ she is going to be in the same school for about 12-15 years, it may not make sense if your kid has to spend time the problem of travel everyday for your kid as well as ensuring safety. * Opt for higher floors since that helps to keep away from dust. You also get to enjoy all climatic conditions in India, be it winter, rainy or spring. * Some basic necessities are Hospitals, grocery stores, markets, bus depots and railway stations. These amenities ensure hassle free daily life. * The next thing is about the safety of that area. Make enough enquiries in the neighbour-hood and preferably buy a home in enclosed and guarded residential areas * You should be ready to travel for work. However, don't compromise on the above-mentioned areas. A job is dynamic factor and you may shift every year. However if traveling is a hassle for you than it may be more judicious to keep investment in a property and renting it out and staying in rented accommodations. * You should also preferably look for amenities like swimming pool, sports club, gym etc. either within the residential complex or near by. All these facilities will help your family for recreation and refreshment. Research on price: The "asking price" may be a lot more than what the actual price may be. Therefore, finding out the sale prices from the recent property sales in the area you're interested in will be of great help. There may be marginal differences basis various factors including the Vaastu economics of the place, floor of the apartment, Water, furnishings etc. Also understand future valuations, if you are planning to buy a home to live in, and you have a budget big enough to buy it in the city's central location, understand that you may not get high appreciation. If you are looking at home, along with getting the benefit of real estate boom, buy a home in suburbs. So with these tips in mind go ahead and jump in to the property world!

About the Author

Aakriti Bhargav writes on behalf of 99acres.com, which is an internet portal dedicated to meet every aspect of the consumers needs in the real estate industry. It is a forum where buyers, sellers and brokers can exchange information, quickly, effectively and inexpensively. At 99 acres, you can advertise a property, search for a property, browse through Mumbai Real Estate and Properties.

Read more...

Arizona land for sale

As the prices of land is increasing people from America and across the globe is buying vacant land or undeveloped Arizona land for sale. Because of expensive land prices and limited land, people from east, Midwest and west coast are moving their attention to mountain west and southwest.

The underdeveloped area is Arizona, Colorado and New Mexico. People are interested to buy land from these areas because Las Vegas and the phoenix Pinal country have soaring prices. Arizona land can be used as a residential area for retired people or younger families. They can build a house which would be pollution free and provide a clean environment to their children. If the land was purchased when it was undeveloped it would have benefited that person.

He can take advantage of the improvements that has taken place in that area by selling it and earning profit. One of the benefit in purchasing land in Arizona is that the land value will increase in the nearly places as the development is taking place. Another benefit of purchasing a vacant land in this undeveloped area is that it can be used for commercial, residential and for other purposes as there will be minimum restriction compared to east, Midwest and west coast. Another reason for purchasing vacant land in Arizona is because of its increasing value. The price of the vacant land would have increased because the area is developing. Investing in southwest United States is worthwhile in the long run.

Arizona has good climatic conditions. The state has sunshine for 300 days a year. Land can be purchased in northern Arizona, mogollan Rim country and Arizona White Mountains where the climate is pleasant. Arizona has great outdoors. There are various activities taking place in this area like horse riding, ski runs and golf and various other sports which can be enjoyed by both the young family and retired people. It is a good place for children where they can play and study well. There are various museums like the Tucson Children's Museum and the Mesa South west Museum which can be enjoyed by both the children and younger crowd. There are some best schools in this area. In old West Country, land for sale at Arizona is affordable. The beautiful sceneries, fresh air, good living will make a perfect place for youngsters and older generation to live in. This is a perfect holiday spot for everyone as it has little bit of something for everyone.

There is a rapid increase in vacant and undeveloped land in Arizona. People's attention is moving towards mountain west and southwest as it is affordable. Areas like northern and eastern Arizona, northern New Mexico and San Luis Valley of southern Colorado is gaining importance. With just a little down payment and monthly payments it becomes affordable for many people to buy land. Since it is an environment friendly area, free from pollution it can be enjoyed by everyone. As this area has beautiful sceneries it can be enjoyed by the younger and older generations.

About the Author

Mari milian is an Expert author for Arizona land for sale and Arlington property for sale. She has written many articles like Phoenix property for sale,Hyder farm land for sale,Kuldip Verma,Billy Whala and Eloy land for sale.

Read more...

Top Ten Tips For Purchasing a Vineyard in France

When thinking about France, many associate the country with its fantastic wine producing beautiful vineyards. A very large number of grape varieties are cultivated in France, including both internationally well-known and the more unusual. For those relocating to France and looking for a business opportunity vineyards can be a very appealing option, after all they are a wine lover’s paradise. The reality of running a vineyard is that it is both rewarding and hard work. At FrenchEntrée we have a whole site dedicated to vineyards for sale in France - here are our top ten tips about buying a French Vineyard:

1. Decide carefully the area that you would like to purchase your vineyard in France, it will determine the kind of wine that you will produce:

Alsace is in the far north-eastern corner of France and is renowned for producing high quality white wines.

Bordeaux is one of the most famous names in the wine trade and has been for centuries. Bordeaux produces more classified wine than any other region in France.

Burgundy produces some of the finest Chardonnay and Pinot Noir wines in the world. At the southern end of the region is the area of Beaujolais which is known for its Gamay-based wines.

Champagne is where that sparkling wine which only when produced in line with very specific and strict practices can be called 'Champagne'.

Languedoc-Roussillon is where a great variety of wines including Sauvignon Blanc and Rosé are produced.

2. Prices start at around €500,000 to about £1.3 million. The most expensive vineyards tend to be in Provence. An estate with a Chateau will be a lot more expensive.

3. The ideal size vineyard is about 20 hectares - this will produce around 130,000 bottles a year.

4. Attached properties are usually French farmhouses. Outbuildings can be converted for holiday accommodation. Many choose to buy a vineyard with the potential for B&B or gite rental because vineyards are a great attraction to visitors who will often purchase lots of wine.

5. There are two levels of land - Vin de Table and AOC (Appelation d'origine Controlee). With Vin de Table land you can declare Vin de Table or Vin de Pays wine, depending on the grape varieties planted.

6. If you plan to make this a viable business, you will need to give your business good marketing exposure. You will have to work hard to sell your wine in a competitive market.

7. It will be hard work! You will have to learn how to protect the vines from the weather, insect and plant diseases, competitors, as well as abide by the local authorities; you or your employees will have to tend the vines everyday.

8. It can be an expensive business to run - especially the cost of employing people in France. It can take up to three years before you begin to reap a profit.

9. It is probably worth paying a premium for an estate with good vines and an established reputation and distributor.

10. Vineyards hold their value well - even if the winemaking isn't a success the land and property will increase.

There is a fabulous choice of vineyards for sale in France, whether you fancy producing sparkling wine in Champagne Ardenne, rich red in Burgundy, fragrant white in Alsace, or even blushing rose in Provence.

Read more...

French Property Specialist French Entrée launches Pays de la Loire regional website

FrenchEntrée are pleased to announce the launch of their latest regional website Pays de la Loire. This website is brimming with news and features on living, holidaying and buying property in this beautiful region.

The site features over 300 available properties from €6,000 to €6,000,000, as well as news and features on property issues in the region. Through their premier partners, FrenchEntrée can offer their visitors a service too, by arranging viewings and guiding them if they wish through the entire purchasing process.

The Pays de la Loire website is home to wealth of articles about life and living in the region. Articles on its history and culture include the complete guide to the Loire's historic buildings. Useful information on schools, health care and transport in the area also add value to this local information source.

For those wanting to holiday in the area, the website has a complete Loire Tourism and Leisure Guide on staying in Pays de la Loire. The Gite and Holiday Rentals database allow visitors to book their holiday.

The Pays de la Loire website works as the other regional sites do, to give visitors not only the specific information they require on holidaying, living and buying property in a particular area of France, but also the service they need, by referring them to reputable businesses.

FrenchEntrée are a complete online guide to French Property, Living and Holidays in France. Visit www.frenchentree.com

Read more...

FrenchEntrée launches new Swimming Pools in France website

FrenchEntrée are pleased to announce the launch of their Swimming Pools in France website devoted to purchasing, installing and maintaining swimming pools and spas in France.

Whether you have a holiday home or permanently reside in France, the warm climate makes France the perfect place to install a pool.

The website features information about pool security, hygiene and heating, as well as about the types of swimming pools on offer, with contact information for reputable pool suppliers and installers in France.

It doesn’t matter whether you want a small on ground pool to splash about in or an olympic sized pool with the latest automatic maintenance package with every accessory under the sun, there are a great number of pools on the market to suit numerous needs and budgets.

The articles on the Swimming Pools in France website will be regularly updated and new content added on specific areas such as pool accessories, and safety regulations. The website also includes information about innovative pool heating methods such as solar sun rings.

FrenchEntrée are a complete online guide to French Property, Living and Holidays in France. Visit www.frenchentree.com

Read more...

Getting the Best Mortgage Rates in the New Economy

All home buyers want the lowest mortgage rate possible when applying for a home loan, because it directly translates to a smaller payment each month. And who doesn't want to shrink their monthly expenses?

But how does one obtain a low rate on a mortgage loan and, for that matter, why is it important in the first place? These are the subjects we will discuss in this tutorial for first-time home buyers.

How Your Credit Score Relates

When you apply for a home loan, you be sure that the lender will request your credit reports and scores from all three of the reporting companies (Experian, Equifax and TransUnion). Lenders also reserve the best rates for borrowers who fall into a certain credit category.

What score you need to qualify for this category will vary from one lender to another, but it's safe to say that the better (higher) your credit score, the lower the mortgage rate you'll receive. This in turn translates into a lower payment each month, which is the whole point to all of this.

Here's something not many home buyers realize. Over the last few years, the score needed to qualify for the best rates on a loan has risen. This is largely due to tougher restrictions on lending institutions (as a result of the subprime loan crisis of 2007 - 2008).

In fact, I saw Jean Chatzky (financial editor for the Today Show) on TV not long ago, talking about this very subject. She said that in May of 2008, borrowers needed a score of at least 620 to qualify for the best rates. By May 2008, however, that requirement had increased to 760 ... an increase of 140 points!

How You Can Improve Your Score

This is a good time to introduce you to another acronym related to home loans, a term you've probably heard before on television. The acronym if FICO (pronounced fie-coh). It stands for Fair Isaac Corporation. This is the company that created the scoring model that is used today. Basically, it's a computerized scoring model that turns your financial history into a numerical score between 300 and 850 (with higher being better).

So with all things being equal, a higher FICO number means that you'll be offered a better rate on your loan. That's because a higher number tells lenders you know how to manage your finances, and that you're responsible when it comes to paying bills.

You can maintain a good score by paying all of your bills on time. This includes credit card balances, car payments, rent, utilities, etc. It also helps to reduce your overall debt, starting with those credit cards. These are the keys to being a successful home buyer in the new economy.

About the Author

Brandon Cornett is a real estate writer who educates Austin, Texas real estate shoppers on all aspects of the purchasing process. He also contributes to many consumer-oriented websites such as http://www.myagentsam.com

Read more...