France Made Simple

Catharine Sceats
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France Made Simple explains everything you need to know to create a new life there for you and your family. Host Catharine Higginson draws on her personal experience gained from over 20 years of living and working in France and shares insight from specialist guests tackling subjects such as inheritance planning, property purchase and renovation, visas and insurance. And if you appreciated what we do, please feel free to head over to my Buy Me A Coffee page - buymeacoffee.com/francemadesimple - lots of free resources there too!

  1. 23 HR AGO

    Buy In France With Confidence!

    Unlock the secrets to buying property in France without falling into common pitfalls! Paul Simper, a seasoned property finder, reveals why the French real estate market is so different—and how you can navigate it like a pro. Most buyers rely on UK or US-style expectations, but in France, the process is more structured and less familiar—yet far more predictable once you understand the rules. From slower market pace and agent conflicts to the significance of legal deposits and diagnostic reports, Paul uncovers the hidden traps that could cost you thousands or even your dream home. You'll discover:- Why French agents are often less proactive—and how to overcome their slow response times- The critical role of proper surveys and why the standard diagnostic report isn’t enough- The true costs beyond the purchase price, including stamp duty and notary fees (often 7-8%)- The importance of clear timelines, from promesse de vente to act de vente, for certainty and peace of mind- How cultural differences and local laws can trip up international buyers and what to do about them- Practical tips to avoid pushy agents, misinformed expectations, and costly surprises! Whether you're considering a holiday retreat, a full relocation, or an investment property, understanding French buying procedures is crucial—especially if you want to avoid costly delays or legal pitfalls. This episode is essential listening for anyone dreaming of owning a home in France, particularly through an international lens. Paul Simper is a property finder with deep expertise in the French market, passionate about guiding buyers through the nuances and complexities. His insights could save you months of frustration and thousands of euros. Don't buy in France without knowing these insider secrets. Hit play now and start your journey with confidence—because buying property here isn’t just different, it’s better when you know how it works. If you’d like to know more you can get in touch directly : www.luxurybuyersagentfrance.com M: +33 (0)7 69 40 01 20    O: +33 (0)5 47 66 21 81UK: +44 (0)77 99 07 28 02 paul@luxurybuyersagentfrance.com

    28 min

  2. 3 DAYS AGO

    Let’s Take The Eurostar To Paris!

    Whether you’re travelling to and from France for business or pleasure, taking the train is a great way to get there. And back! People often think that flying is going to be the cheapest and quickest option but this isn’t necessarily so. And going by train is a much nicer and less stressful experience. In this episode we chat through all the things you need to know when taking the Eurostar and travelling onwards in France or Europe. And of course, there’s the usual handy hints from yours truly 😉 I really hope this is helpful and do let me know if there’s anything I’ve missed. There usually is…

    18 min

  3. 6 DAYS AGO

    How To Design An Outdoor Eating Space

    One of the best things about moving to France is having more time. And more outside space. Plus of course better weather…Put those three together and you’ll see why eating alfresco is such a big part of the French lifestyle. So in this episode I’m talking you through what you need to factor in when you are planning an outside cooking and eating space.Enjoy!

    17 min

  4. 20 MAR

    5 Reasons To Leave The UK

    Having spent a week ranting about living in France and having then spent a week in the UK(!), in this episode I’m sharing my thoughts on why you SHOULD move to France. If you want a clue, it’s because it is basically just quite a lot nicer here…Do you agree? Give it a listen and let me know what you think!

    18 min

  5. 16 MAR

    5 Reasons To Come To France

    Having spent the last week posting on social media about all the things that wind me up on France (believe it or not there are a few…), I thought I’d better counterbalance that with a bit of positivity. Plus, the sun is shining, I have planted my raspberry and gooseberry bushes and the bulbs are popping up. So all is good with the world here in deepest darkest La Manche. I hope you enjoy this and I’d love you to comment with your five top reasons to come on holiday here. Or even move here permanently. That way you too can experience the exhilaration of trying to get to Lidl before the cut-price raspberry bushes are sold out… Enjoy! Cat x

    18 min

  6. 13 MAR

    How To Get The Most Out Of A Property Show

    Every year thousands of people make the decision to move abroad and start a new life - hopefully in the sun! Although if you are actively looking to move somewhere wet and windy, that’s cool too😉And nine times out of ten that move involves a property purchase too.So how do you go about buying abroad?There are numerous ways to do this but one of the easiest and best is to visit an overseas property exhibition. You won’t just be looking at houses for sale. There’ll be a plethora of expert advice available from everything to currency transfer, legal requirements and removal firms.In this episode I’m explaining why you should consider attending one and chatting you through how to go about getting the most out of the visit.Enjoy!

    20 min

  7. 12 MAR

    Working In France - Another option…

    Finding a job in France is never simple. You can have qualifications up the ying yang, speak fluent French and still get passed over time and time again. Even the French find it tricky so chuck in being an “étrangère” and you’ve got a perfect storm. As a result huge numbers of expats decide to start their own business. But this isn’t for everyone. There’s another option though. How about if you could continue to work for your existing employer but be based in France? Sounds good right?! And of course, this is France so there will be numerous bits of paperwork to be completed but it is doable. If you know how… Listen in to this episode and find out if this might be an option for you. Enjoy! Cat x

    17 min

  8. 10 MAR

    How To Have A Great Relationship With Your Property Agent!

    One of the things that comes up over and over again is people sharing their experiences of working with agents or realtors when they are buying a property in France. And as you can imagine, there’s no general consensus… People seem to either have really great or really bad experiences! In this episode I’m running through all the stuff you can do to ensure that you have a really good working relationship with your agent. Working on the premise that if you put some effort in they will too, I explain what you can do to help them to help you! I hope this is useful and please let me know how you got on, whether good or bad?!

    20 min
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About

France Made Simple explains everything you need to know to create a new life there for you and your family. Host Catharine Higginson draws on her personal experience gained from over 20 years of living and working in France and shares insight from specialist guests tackling subjects such as inheritance planning, property purchase and renovation, visas and insurance. And if you appreciated what we do, please feel free to head over to my Buy Me A Coffee page - buymeacoffee.com/francemadesimple - lots of free resources there too!

Information

  • Creator
    Catharine Sceats
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    122
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Catharine Sceats
  • Show Website
    France Made Simple

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