1 Price watch

Beware of inflated asking prices. Stuart Baldock, director of the buying agency Property Vision France, says: “We commonly see premiums of 20 or even 50 per cent, and have been known to value a property at half the asking price.”

2 Check the paperwork

When buying new, “research the developer and his previous projects”, says Jonathan Mann, of Assetz France, the newbuild and leaseback specialist. “Ensure it has planning consent and is guaranteed to completion through a garantie extrinsèque [bank guarantee] or a garantie intrinsèque [developer has proved it has the necessary funds].”

3 Count the cost

You will have to pay acquisition costs of up to 10 per cent of the value, says Mann. “Be aware of ongoing costs such as taxe foncière [land tax] and taxe d'habitation [council tax].”

4 Culinary conundrum

“Ask if your house comes with a kitchen!” says Mann. “Nearly all newbuild properties don't, because the French tend to take their kitchens from one home to another.”

5 Meet your deadlines

“The French are quite strict on deadines,” says Mann. When buying a newbuild, “your reservation deposit is not enough to hold your property indefinitely. If you do not return documents as soon as possible, the notaire reserves the right to put your house back on the market.”

6 Prepare for a grilling

French banks “are always much stiffer about making sure you can repay what you owe”, says Baldock. Mann advocates finding a French mortgage broker.

7 Tax headache

“The inheritance laws mean you have to leave your house to your family in specific proportions, though a tax adviser can help you get out of this,” says Baldock. “Wealth tax starts at about £600,000.”

8 Have an exit strategy

Some leasebacks offer you full occupation after the lease, some don't. “A leaseback property is a long-term investment,” says Mann. “If you are looking for short term, consider a residential property.”

9 Check the small print

“Beware companies claiming very high-income yields,” says Mann. “How are they calculating this and are there hidden charges?”

10 Avoid cash deals

Finally, adds Baldock, “If anyone ever says 'We need a suitcase full of cash', start running. It does occasionally happen.”

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