For the increasing number of Brits tempted by the idea of buying a business in a sunny climate, such as France we offer the following advice:

Buying a property in France has become much easier with the arrival of lower interest rates, transfer duties and the introduction of the Euro. However, buyers need to be aware of the difference between property sales in France compared with the UK.

Purchasing a property in France is similar to buying in Scotland. Once an agreement has been reached on the price, an initial contract, the 'Promesse de vente' is signed, binding both parties for a certain period of time. Subject to the fulfilment of certain conditions. Ten per cent of the total sale price is taken as a deposit. This is the equivalent of exchanging contracts in the UK and it effectively means that gazumping is not possible. Following the signature, searches are carried out by the notaries and the various legal certificates obtained. This also allows the purchaser the time to sort out his or her finance. Completion takes place approximately three months after the 'Promesse de vente' and finalises the legal transfer of the title.

Lucida UK specialise in the sale of French businesses, as diverse as, small cafe/bars to large leisure and commercial properties. Primarily we cover south west France as this is where many English people already live and work, as well as being an area of outstanding natural beauty, it is also readily accessible from the UK with daily flights in to Bergerac and Limoges, with excellent rail links to Paris.

Lucida UK is based in the UK and has two associate offices in France, with further access to a network of offices covering the whole of France so if you can not find anything to tempt you then please tell us where you would like to be based and we will endeavour to find it for you. Associate offices in France are a fully registered French company and my colleagues are bi-lingual.

Last year alone over 150,000 English people bought properties/businesses in France, and it is fast becoming more and more popular as many English people want to leave behind the high taxes, crowded roads, and poor weather in search of a more relaxed, quality lifestyle with more favourable weather and empty roads.

We aim to be able to provide as much information on the property/business as possible, you will notice that French property/business particulars are far less full of "jargon" and tend to cover the specifics i.e. price, location, types of business etc including accounts (where available) and when you have made a shortlist of those properties/businesses that you wish to visit then again my colleagues in France will look after all your needs as they own there own chambre dotes, and B+B's so you will actually stay with the agent who will then take you around the properties/businesses that you wish to see, the only thing you need to organise is your flight and car hire.