There has been a significant increase in the number of properties being put on the market in the French Riviera in the first month of this year.

EstateNetFrance revealed nearly 16 per cent more homes were for sale in January, compared to December.

This also represents a 12 per cent rise in comparison to the same month in 2010.

According to the organisation, many sellers were waiting until the new tax regulations relating to property in France came into force at the start of January to put their houses up for sale.

In addition, assets that had previously been taken off the market have been listed again, increasing the pool of available real estate.

The company pointed out it is a "buyer's market" in France, even in the luxury sector on the French Riviera, where the average price of a high-end home has fallen below €2 million (£1.7 million) for the first time.

Last month, EstateNetFrance asserted buyers still view property on the French Riviera as "a secure, long-term investment", which is why there was substantial growth in the number of real estate transactions recorded in the area during 2011.

During the final three months of 2011, France recorded its highest commercial property transaction volume since the third quarter of 2007.

Figures released by CB Richard Ellis (CBRE) revealed that investment in French commercial real estate climbed by 65 per cent between the third and fourth quarters of last year.

In total, €6.5 billion (£5.4 billion) was transacted between October and December 2011, making it the second most popular market in Europe after the UK.

The CBRE report stated: "Investment activity in France was heavily biased towards the Paris office sector and included large portfolio and single-asset deals."

According to the Savills European Office Markets bulletin released in autumn last year, yields for Parisian offices stood at just over five per cent in the third quarter of 2011.

The organisation noted that both demand and rents were on an upward trend at this time, while the supply of such real estate assets in the French capital was falling.

Head of Europe, the Middle East and Africa capital markets at CBRE Jonathan Hull stated that data from the final quarter indicates France, along with the UK, Germany and the Nordic nations, "are key to core strategies" among investors.

The value of luxury properties in the French Riviera fell in 2011, according to one estate agency specialising in the region.

EstateNetFrance revealed that the average price of real estate in the French Riviera and Monaco dropped by 5.06 per cent over the past 12 months, however, the rate of sales increased.

The agency recorded a 16.29 per cent jump in the number of transactions completed during 2011, with the firm noting the region is considered a "secure, long-term investment", which has helped drive interest in property here.

On average, a luxury home in the French Riviera or Monaco now costs €2,117,349 (£1,754,580), with the majority of high-end real estate assets on the market in the €1 million to €3 million price range.

According to the most recent Global House Price Index published by Knight Frank, France is one of the European nations to see the value of its residential property rise in 2011.

In the firm's latest table, the country saw real estate prices climb by 6.7 per cent between  the third quarter of 2011 and the same period in 2010.
 

Anyone considering purchasing property in France should seek out legal advice from an independent professional with knowledge of the country's market, it has been advised.

This is according to managing director at Leapfrog-properties Niclas Dowlatshahi, who stressed that the differences between French and British laws make this a prudent step.

"If possible, this should be a French notaire (an impartial notary), who is willing to take the time to explain things to you," he stated.

Mr Dowlatshahi added that this is preferable to a UK-based solicitor, as a notaire will have a more in-depth knowledge of regulations regarding real estate transactions in France - and it is this kind of professional who will complete the deal on your behalf.

Recent changes to tax laws in the country relating to wealth and property ownership also need to be considered and understood, he pointed out.

Last month, Tim Harvey from Offshoreonline.org - specialists in European mortgages - highlighted the good availability of home loans for 85 per cent of the real estate asset's value.

He added that it is easier to arrange a mortgage with a high loan-to-value in France than it is in the UK at present.
 

One expert in the French real estate sector has stressed that the country's property market can have an "extremely healthy mid to long-term future".

Trevor Leggett, of Leggett Immobilier, explained that the best way to achieve this is to be cautious in the short term and adopt a "sensible view on pricing".

He stressed that both agents and owners in the nation need to be "realistic with their expectations and valuations".

Should this happen, Mr Leggett anticipates that the French property sector will remain one of the most attractive and healthy in Europe.

"In troubled times owners and investors seek 'safe havens' and they simply don't come more secure or enjoyable than France," he added.

The perception of France as a brand outside the country appears to be particularly strong at present, with a recent FutureBrand survey placing it among the top nations in the world in this regard.

It performed particularly well in terms of its heritage and culture, while it was 13th in the list of countries people would most like to live in.
 

France has been named as one of the top ten national brands in the world by the recent FutureBrand Country Brand Index - and one real estate expert believes that the image it projects is one of the reasons why investors are attracted to the destination.

Commenting on France's ninth position in the survey - which covers 113 countries - business development manager of Terresens Charlie Williams noted that despite the ongoing economic crisis in the eurozone, France still has "a timeless appeal".

"It has an unbeatable reputation and with a solid country brand, people will always stop by and visit, making this a reliable bet for property investors," he added.

According to the FutureBrand study, France was ranked at number 13 in the would most like to live in category.

However, it came in second and third place respectively for food and attractions, while it also performed well in the history and art and culture sections.

Its strong perception among tourists could therefore make French property a good investment for anyone who wants to target the holiday rentals market.
 

The retail property market in France has been targeted by overseas investors during the third quarter of 2011, a new report shows.

According to BNP Paribas Real Estate, fashion brands have led the way in the take-up of space on French high streets, with the luxury sector putting in a particularly strong performance.

Rents on the Avenue des Champs-Elysees are currently the highest of Europe's prime shopping locations, standing at €11,000 (£9,401) per sq m per year.

This outstrips London's Oxford Street by over €2,000, which was the second most expensive retail location, the research found.

"Retail has been particularly attractive to investors in France thanks to the resilience of household consumption," the study noted.

Last month, a Jones Lang LaSalle survey into the state of the European retail real estate investment market revealed that the amount of money ploughed into the sector increased during the third quarter of 2011, compared to the previous three-month period.
 

Investors looking for a property abroad may want to consider France, one expert has claimed.

Tim Harvey, from euro mortgage specialists Offshoreonline.org, explained that it is currently easier to arrange a high loan-to-value mortgage in France than it is in the UK.

He added that mortgages for up to 85 per cent of a French property's sale price are "widely available", with rates of around 3.45 per cent.

Mr Harvey also made some suggestions about where to buy real estate in the country.

"High -quality areas such as the Cote d'Azur and towns such as Nice and Cannes will always have a special appeal as second homes, but also as rental propositions, as the area has such strong leisure and business traditions," he stated.

Another part of the country that may attract investors due to its robust tourism industry is the French Alps.

The Savills Alpine Property Market Spotlight highlighted the resorts of Val d'Isere, Courcheval and Megeve as being among the most expensive in the region.
 

Investors looking for property in popular ski areas may want to turn their attention to the French region of the Alps.

The Alpine Property Market Spotlight report from Savills highlighted some of the top locations in Europe in which to invest in real estate for the winter season.

According to the firm, the country's strong tourism market and high demand for rental properties from visitors means "revenue streams provide more compelling investment opportunities, as well as lifestyle choices".

In fact, the researchers discovered that of those who purchase real estate in the Alps, 62 per cent do so for both investment and lifestyle reasons.

The most expensive locations for properties in the French Alps are Val d'Isere, Courcheval and Megeve, while destinations such as La Plagne and Morzine may be more affordable.

Last month, the Knight Frank Ski Index highlighted the growth in summer tourism in some regions of the Alps as a factor that has helped boost rental incomes for property owners in the region. Head of residential research at the organisation Liam Bailey noted that the French resorts have established themselves in this niche market and offer far more than just skiing breaks.
 

Research has shown that more Brits bought properties in France during 2010 than in the previous year.

According to the study published by BNP Paribas, the number of purchases of dwellings made by British buyers last year was 23 per cent higher than in 2009.

Meanwhile, investors from the UK accounted for eleven per cent of all foreign property transactions in France, making them the second-largest group to plough their money into the country after the Portuguese.

In terms of the target locations for British buyers, south-west Aquitaine province proved the most popular - including Bordeaux and the Basque Coast - while the Rhones-Alps region and Provence Alps Cote de Azur also attracted attention from UK-based investors, the report revealed.

However, concerns have been raised recently about the introduction of a new capital gains tax regime, which will impact upon second homeowners in France.

Some industry experts have predicted that more properties will be placed on the market over the coming months as owners try to avoid paying additional duty when the tax comes into force in February next year.