Property purchase in France
Jose Doros
Why did you decide to buy an overseas property in France?
We (the family) have been taking vacations in the region for years. We love the countryside and my wife is a life long wine aficionado.
What advice would you give people thinking of buying overseas property?
Like any home purchase you'll have the option of buying a resale property or off-plan (which is basically a property that hasn't been built yet). There are advantages to both. Buying an off-plan property is often cheaper than buying an older home. This is because developers keep prices low during the early stages of development in order to encourage sales. In addition, these newer homes have to comply with strict regulations and building codes.
When transferring your money what options did you consider?
My first stop was my bank. I then compared their rates with those of the other main stream banks. I also spoke to my financial advisor and to some colleagues at work who’d already bought property overseas. Two had used HiFX and recommended I give you a call.
Why did you choose HiFX?
With HiFX the whole process seemed a lot more simple. One of your Private Client Team walked me through all the options and answered every question and concern I had. I particularly liked the way I could lock into an exchange rate using a forward contract so I knew ahead of time exactly how much my installments to the developer would be. The rates you quoted were also far more competitive than those given by the banks.
Since using you for my initial currency needs, I’ve begun transferring my Euro mortgage payments using the Regular Payments Service. The lack of bank charges was a huge attraction!