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Every one of us working in the Artaxa Perpignan office has specifically chosen to live not just in France, but in this particular corner of France. Our reasons are varied but here's a list of ten great things about living in the Pyrénées-Orientales.

300 days of sunshine per year - The weather is wonderful here with four clearly defined seasons, all characterised by plenty of sun. Winters are short and mild, summers are hot and sunny and the transitional seasons in between are the most beautiful.
Amazing skies - The sky is a constant source of delight in the P-O. The area is well-known for its amazing light, one reason it has long attracted artists, among them Picasso and Dalí. It makes for some stunning sunsets and sunrises.
Ski slopes are close by - Day trips skiing on days off and weekends? Don’t mind if I do.
Stunning coastline - Take your pick from expansive, sandy beaches or intimate, rocky covers. The area has both covered.
Catalan influence - History, tradition and culture are a big part of what makes the area unique and the Catalan identity has played a major role in shaping the region and its people.
Highly affordable property prices - Prices in the region compare favourably both to other parts of the French Mediterranean and to Northern Europe. You get a lot for your money here whatever your budget.
Work/life balance - According to a 2016 survey by L’Institut Great Place to Work, Perpignan was voted 9^th best city in France to work. We at Artaxa Perpignan all feel our quality of life has improved since moving here with the mantra being work to live, definitely not the other way around.
Uncrowded - The space here is a real luxury and particularly appreciated by those of us from crowded Britain. Driving around the region to view houses and seeing the grand vistas, fields of vineyards and fruit orchards and wide open spaces is a great pleasure.
A less materialistic outlook – we find the area less commercialised than many parts of Europe with people more focused on enjoying life than stockpiling material wealth.
Good transport links – for expats, being able to get back ‘home’ to visit family and friends is important. Direct flights operate from Perpignan airport to the UK from spring to autumn but we always have several options within striking distance including Carcassonne, Gerona, Béziers, Toulouse, Montpellier and Barcelona.

If you are househunting in France and are trying to determine whether the area suits your requirements, why not have a no-obligation chat with one of our agents? We have all made the more to the region and will be able to answer all your questions. You can contact us by phone on 00 33 (0) 4 68 56 54 22 or by email at admin66@artaxa.com. We hope to hear from you soon.

Buying a property in France - choosing where to buy

France is big! A lot bigger than many people think. It is the second largest country in Europe, the largest country in Western Europe and well over twice the size of the UK. The French mainland is now made up of 13 different regions that vary wildly in history, landscape, culture and climate which is why it pays to do your homework before you jump in and buy a property. Even within a region there are vast differences in areas. Here are five factors to consider before you start your property search in France:

1. Weather
Contrary to popular belief, not all of France is hot! Broadly speaking, France has three climates - Mediterranean, oceanic and continental - but with a huge range of different sub-climates. If you aren’t good with high temperatures, avoid the Mediterranean but if largely blue skies, short winters and not much rain is your bag, this would be the area for you!

2. Accessibility
Is where you are considering buying easily reachable by car or will you be relying on air travel to get here? How many airports are within easy striking distance? Routes are constantly changing so the more options you have for getting to your home in France, the better. In some regions, like the Pyrénées-Orientales, nearby airports may be over the border, in Spain for us, where Gerona and Barcelona are good options, particularly for long haul.

3. Budget
I’d love to live in Saint Tropez but I could probably afford a garage there if I was lucky! House prices vary wildly from one area to the next. You really need to do your homework to see if it is possible to purchase the property that you want in the area that you want it.

4. Town or country
Many people have fallen for the rural France ‘idyll’ only to find that being isolated and unable to reach a shop within 15 minutes is not so idyllic after all. This is a very subjective decision but one which you should really think about hard before you embark on your house hunt.

5. Landscape
The kind of landscape you are attracted to will to a large extent direct your search for a region to buy in and a determining factor may well be what you enjoy doing in your spare time. If you want proximity to skiing and snow then you will be heading towards the Alps or the Pyrenees and watersports lovers will concentrate on the Atlantic or Mediterranean coasts, each with their own distinct appeal.

Save time by narrowing down where you want to be before viewing properties. Decide on your area first and then start seriously speaking to agents. An initial conversation with someone who knows your region of choice well can save you a lot of time viewing properties in unsuitable locations. If you’ve considered all of the above and decided that the Pyrénées-Orientales or Hérault are the departments for you, why not contact us for a chat? We’d be happy to give you a steer on exactly where to concentrate your property search.

Interested in property and looking to develop a career in France?

Artaxa Immo SARL is seeking to expand its network of sales associates in the Herault (34), the Aude (11) and the Pyrénées-Orientales (66)!

Artaxa is a successful international real estate agency. Despite the difficult economic environment of the last few years we have managed consistently to increase our sales and turnover. Our success has come from a blend of quality marketing, close teamwork, technical expertise in property transaction and a professional sales process. The team is lead by Paddy Gibbins who has over 10 years experience in French real estate and prior to this worked in high level commercial positions in the UK for Pearson Plc and Deutsche Telekom. The main office has dedicated French staff with real estate qualifications supporting the commercial operations.

Teamwork and collaboration has been key to the success of our sales associates; as well as market leading commissions!

Artaxa is committed to providing a platform that enables our sales associates to earn a good and sustainable income in France. We are looking for people who want to be part of a team and who genuinely like real estate and property. We provide a comprehensive package to enable our people to work efficiently independently and there is a management commitment to support everyone to succeed. Integral to this package are the following:

* Initial and ongoing training.

* Software for transaction immobilière.

* Cloud system for template documents; mandates, estimates etc.

* Sales tools; presentation packs, for sale signs, stationery, email etc.

* Legal and technical support.

* Mentoring and coaching from team members / head office.

We have seen a strong recent increase in demand particularly from our International Market; notably the UK, Sweden and Norway. There is great opportunity throughout the Languedoc Roussillon to realise property sales to these target segments; typically second homes to the Nothern European market.

Artaxa has been operating within this market for over a decade and has over the years managed to consistently increase sales in spite of the general global economic difficulties.

Artaxa IMMO is recruiting independent commercial agents to take advantage of these opportunities. We are team orientated, there will be full training as well as very competitive commissions. Our existing team will confirm that our policy is to really support our colleagues and create a platform whereby you can earn a solid, secure and sustainable income.

Call us on 00 33 (0) 4 67 28 20 35 for a confidential discussion or email on info@artaxa.com

Who pays taxe d’habitation?

Taxe d’habitation is paid by whoever occupies a residential property on the 1st January of any given year. If you occupy the house yourself (full or part-time), this is you. If you have long-term tenants living in the house then it is them. By this token, if you bought your property on 31st December 2015, you will be liable in 2016 however if you bought on 2nd January 2016, you won’t. This tax is not usually split pro rata between buyer and seller when a property is sold.

Is there a reduction for a second home?

No, if your property is a second home you are still liable for this tax.

What if my house is uninhabitable?

If your house is uninhabitable you may be exonerated but you need to be able to prove it. Uninhabitable means unfurnished and not connected to utilities. Don’t wait until the bill arrives before you claim exemption, contact the tax office in January of the year concerned as they may want to send the gendarmes round to check your claim.

What is the contribution à l’audiovisuel publique?

This is the TV licence fee and is automatically added to your bill. The amount for 2016 is 137 euros. If you don’t have a TV and you declare taxes in France there is a box to tick on the income tax declaration form so you don’t get charged this part of the taxe d’habitation bill. If you don’t declare taxes in France you should write a registered letter to your local tax office requesting exemption from the licence fee.

How is my taxe d’habitation calculated?

As with all things tax in France, it’s complicated. Essentially, taxe d’habitation is based on a notional rental value set way back in the 1970s called the valeur locative brute. The local commune who set the tax will take this figure, apply a formula (seemingly randomly picked out of the air but which must make sense to someone somewhere) take into account the habitable surface area of your property and calculate how much you owe. Generally speaking, this tax is higher in towns and cities than it is in rural areas or small villages although the amount varies hugely from one commune to the next and it is impossible to give an average.

Click on the PDF for more information on the following:

Why is my taxe d’habitation much more than the previous owners?

What can I do if I think I am being overcharged?

Could I be exempt from taxe d’habitation?

How do I pay?