French mortgages get lower as lenders compete for custom

French banks are increasingly competitive in terms of mortgages and overseas buyers can now access finance at some of the best rates seen for a long time, it is claimed.

Despite the lack of movement in the European Central Bank which has remained stable at 0.75% for the past eight months, French banks have decreased both their rates and margins.

According to London based French Private Finance, non residents can also access these historically low rates with a 20 year fixed rate now standing at 3.35% and a 20 year tracker mortgage from 2%.

‘The current rates on offer are 0.25% below previous lows which were last seen at the end of the Second World War. The cost for a €100,000 loan has now dropped to €572 per month for a fixed rate over 20 years and €502 per month for a variable rate at 2%,’ said director John Busby.

‘These new rates are certainly attracting the attention of investors who can see the value of locking in these rates for long term investments. One new build development in the Alps with 91 units has almost sold out in the past two months,’ he explained.

‘If you strip out the inflation element which is currently 1%, then the current variable rates are effectively at 1% and fixed rates at 2.35% in real terms. However you look at it, this is incredibly cheap money,’ he added.

Aside from the competition element which has encouraged banks to lower their margins by approximately 10%, there has also been a drop in the rate for borrowing long term money. The indicator for long term money is called the TEC 10 which has dropped by over 0.50% in the last month standing at 1.73 on the 08 of April.

‘Now is certainly one of the best moments for those seeking to buy a property in France. The combination of ultra low rates and soft property prices mean that there are extremely good deals to be had. Prospective buyers in France can expect to borrow at 3% over 15 years, 3.35% over 20 years, 3.50% over 25 years,’ said Busby.