For investors thinking about entering the French property market, now may be the ideal time to do so, with mortgage rates reaching the lowest that they have been since the Second World War. Historically, French lenders have been known for their strict lending criteria, however for those who can meet with their requirements, there are some very attractive fixed mortgage rates available. Some of these mortgages even offer 100% loan-to-value (LTV) ratios for those who are eligible.

The worldwide currency exchange may also be a current incentive for those investing in French property. With both the UK Pound and the US Dollar weak against the Euro, currency fluctuations are minimal and potentially offer substantial savings on purchase transactions.

In order to take out a French mortgages, borrowers will have to show the necessary proof that they can afford the repayments. In France, the general rule is that the total of all mortgages and loans held are not in excess of one third of the borrower's income. This means that, if you have debts in the UK or elsewhere, these repayments will also be taken into consideration when you are applying for a mortgage. For investors, the fact that French lenders have these strict rules in place offers security, as the chance of reckless lending that caused the global property bubble to burst is drastically reduced.

While these elements make French property investments attractive, it is still important to consider possible interest rate fluctuations. A fixed mortgage will offer the most stable long term investment. Products such as our 100% LTV fixed mortgage, capped for a total of ten years, provides peace of mind that investor's will always retain an affordable rate despite any increases that may occur in the future.