Summary:
It is estimated that at least half a million Brits now own houses in France and that around 100,000 are buying, looking for, or at least thinking seriously about, a (second) home in France.



Every home owner has to go through the process of searching for property and buying it; most new and existing owners will be renovating or redecorating at some point and this will involve dealing with tradesmen and/or suppliers. For this, these homebuyers will need to understand at least the basics of French property law, house construction, building, plumbing, electrical systems etc, and they need to know not only the words but how the systems work. Teach Yourself French for Homebuyers gives the explanations and vocabulary for each aspect of finding, buying, renovating and living in a house in France.



In addition to approximately 90 labelled illustrations, the book has a CD which gives the pronunciation and practice of the necessary vocabulary.

• PRACTICAL INFORMATION – help with finding, buying and doing up that dream home abroad
• HIGHLY ILLUSTRATED – identify and ask for the items and services you need
• LANGUAGE BACK-UP ON CD – practice in saying and understanding key words and phrases
• SURVIVAL GUIDE – all you need to make your venture a success

Table of Contents:
1 FINDING A HOUSE: regions of France; outline map; map of départements; types of houses, locations, terms used by estate agents; searching on line (English and French sites); dedicated English-abroad and local agent/notary sales; illustrations from websit
2 BUYING: property law outline; inheritance; insurance; fees and taxes; contracts and payments; local taxes; daily life – mairie, post service, doctor, pharmacy, etc; finding tradesmen; summary diagrams and illustrations
3 THE HOUSE: key differences; rooms; roof – structure and parts, materials; walls – external and internal, structure, materials; floors and ceilings – structure, materials; building and brickworking tools and tradesmen
4 WOODWORK: how materials and construction differ from the UK; windows, components and metalwork; skirting boards, panelling, rails etc; staircase; built-in cupboards etc, wood and wood products; tools and tradesmen
5 PAINTING AND DECORATING: how finishes and materials differ from the UK; paint and other finishes; wallpaper and related materials; decorative mouldings; tiles, wall and floor, grout, cements etc; flooring – carpets, woodblock etc; cleaning, stripping an
6 PLUMBING: how the systems work and how they differ from the UK; pipework and connections; bathroom and kitchen; baths, showers and sinks; guttering and drainage; septic tanks; tools and tradesmen
7 HEATING AND LIGHTING: how the French approach differs from the UK; wiring, fuses, switches etc; open fires, stoves, fireplaces and fuel; central heating systems and components; gas and electric fires; cooker details and types; lighting
8 THE GARDEN AND LAND: how the French approach to gardens differs from the UK; the land, drainage, types of soil; plants, pots etc and where to find them
9 KEY FRENCH PHRASES: shopping, asking directions, outlining work, numbers, calendar, directions, identifying self and others
10 PROPERTY AS INVESTMENT: buying as investment; holiday rentals; gites as a business; leaseback; taxes; capital gains; income tax

About the Author(s):
Peter MacBride is a successful author who writes from his own experience of buying a home abroad. Monique Perceau is a native speaker of French.

Readership:
People contemplating buying a property in France.