Buying property in France?

Make sure you get more for your sterling

Whether you’re moving to France, buying a holiday home or simply investing in France, it is more than likely that you will need to transfer money from the UK. When you make these trades is crucial. With currency markets in constant fluctuation, trading at the right time will mean your money goes a lot further.

How could the exchange rate affect the cost of my property?

Currency fluctuations happen every day, and can make a difference of up to 10% in a matter of weeks. These fluctuations can have a massive impact on the Sterling value of a Euro-based property. For example, a French property worth €200,000 would have cost £170,576 on 18 August 2009, but just ten days later it would have cost £176,010 that’s £5,434 more (over £500 per day) – all because of exchange rate movements.

What can I do about it?

Plan ahead. If you leave payments to the last minute, you will have to accept the rate that the markets offer at the time of transfer – whatever that may be. Our expert dealers have been transferring currency for over 30 years, and can tailor a foreign exchange package that suits your needs.

To get the most out of your transaction, it is important to understand the basics of currency, and the contract options available for your transaction, well in advance. Click here to find more information.

Automated regular payments

If you need to make regular international transfers to cover pension transfers, mortgage payments or maintenance costs, you can arrange an automated ’regular payment plan’. This type of service takes the hassle out of regular overseas transfers, as the funds are collected by Direct Debit and automatically sent abroad. You will also have the option to fix exchange rates for a set time period. Click here to find out more.

Selling your overseas property

When repatriating funds back to the UK, it is important to transfer your Euros back into Pounds at the best possible time to ensure you get the best possible rate. A foreign exchange specialist can guide you through the transfer process step by step and will help you make the most of your money.