|
The founders of Crème de Languedoc were recently asked by UK property trade magazine OPP (Overseas Property Professional) why, in our humble opinion, Brits are flocking to buy homes in the Languedoc region (according to OPP’s reporter, a number of recent independent research reports have flagged this up as a trend, citing increasing numbers of enquiries about Languedoc property as proof).
OPP is the UK property trade bible, and a respected title within the industry. OPP doesn’t take puff, guff or spin, so we’re flattered to be asked for our candid opinion. Here are what we thought some of the reasons might be for Brits loving Languedoc property.
1. Languedoc is good for buy-to-let investment. Latest figures issued in July 2007 by the French estate agents’ federation (FNAIM) show that for buy-to-let investors, Languedoc cities trump those of Provence every time.
FNAIM compares the average price per square metre of resale apartments in major French cities, and similarly, the average rent charged per square metre in those cities, to obtain a buy-to-let “profitability” rating.
Languedoc's key cities beat their Provencal neighbours every time, viz:
PROFITABILITY RATING
LANGUEDOC
- Beziers 5.8
- Narbonne 5.7
- Montpellier 5.6
- Nimes 5.4
- Perpignan 5.3
- Sete 5.0
PROVENCE
- Marseille 4.9
- Aix en Provence 4.5
- Nice 4.3
- Antibes 3.9
- Cannes 3.8
2. Languedoc is one of THE best served French regions in terms of low cost, direct flights to the UK. Languedoc has more international airports than neighbouring Provence (Languedoc has four - Montpellier, Nîmes, Perpignan and Carcassonne, all served by low-cost carriers; Provence only has three).
3. Languedoc is one of only two regions that can boast Mediterranean coastline and climate (Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur is the other, but property is markedly more expensive there).
4. Languedoc’s regional capital Montpellier had a committed, visionary and dynamic mayor, Georges Freche, who held office for some 27 years. He pushed constantly to improve and expand Languedoc’s capital city before moving on in 2004 to become president of the Languedoc-Roussillon region - and he continues to work to raise the region’s profile at an international level.
5. Thanks to sustained efforts by Septimanie Export (Languedoc's export trade body) and the Languedoc regional tourist board, Languedoc's profile has been significantly raised in the UK (the UK is the official focus of the export arm's marketing push for 2007).
6. Investors may well have been attracted by the fact that cities like Narbonne and Béziers (historically low-key, with low property prices to match) are now pushing hard to become more attractive to both the local and overseas markets (Béziers for example is investing in its airport, with the aim of being able to receive international flights).
7. Languedoc is officially the world's single largest wine producing region, and its wine makers have been working hard to improve the quality of their vintages, with results that have been praised in the UK press by luminaries such as Andrew Jefford and Jancis Robinson. Wine and vineyard views have always been very attractive to the British market, so if Languedoc estate agents market their properties with this in mind, they are likely to strike a chord with Brit buyers.
8. Provence offers top-dollar Med coast and sun, plus access to the pricey Alps, whereas Languedoc offers similar quality coast and sun, plus access to the more accessibly-priced Pyrenees. In all likelihood, Brits like the ski + sea + sun combo, and the fact that they can get all this in Languedoc, for less money than they’d pay in Provence.
|
