We asked some of the estate agents participating in our French Village, A Place in the Sun Live, for their take on the housing market in 2012.

Trevor Leggett of Legget Immobilier based in La Rochebeaucourt in the Dordogne, and offices in many areas of France, says that he had the busiest January in the last three years, with clear signs that there is renewed British interest in property in France, both for permanent and for holiday homes. ‘There is strong activity across all price brackets up to €500,000, with stone farmhouses, in particular, in strong demand’, he says. With prices having fallen over the past few years he considers there is little appetite for major restoration projects as good value can be obtained on a restored property. One key factor he believes is contributing to the renewed interest is that low interest rate tracker mortgages in the UK have enabled British buyers to re-mortgage or pay off more quickly and so buy in France. On prices, Trevor says that, 'I see no major reduction in prices occurring for traditionally popular areas and properties, with even the prospect that prices may rise for stock that could well soon be in short supply.'

In the Aude department of Languedoc Roussillon, Alan Redhouse of Aude Consulting Immobilier says that there is a lot of property on the market, but with prices having been driven down over the past few years he considers they are unlikely to fall any further. ‘The past few months have been particularly busy, with a large number of 'fire sales' having taken place as sellers have sought to quickly dispose of their property before the new capital gains tax rules kick in', he says. He also shares the view that British buyers are slowing re-entering the market to buy their future in France. ‘The price differential between the UK and France still remains good, so it is strong incentive for those thinking of relocating to take the plunge. The refrain I am hearing more and more at the moment is ‘why not enjoy it now’, Alan says.

Julie Savill, Head of Marketing at Beaux Villages based in Monségur in the Gironde says the number of enquiries from prospective British buyers has 'rocketed' since last August. 'It is still a tough market, and so a buyer's market, but this means there is fantastic value to be had, with prices unlikely to go much lower, if at all.' Asked to say why there was such a resurgence in interest with so much economic pain about Julie said that a key factor was the improvement in the Sterling/Euro exchange rate, but that there were also longer term generational factors at work. 'We have to remember that our parents were probably the first generation of home owners, and as they pass on, their children are being left with substantial inheritances, which many are deciding to use to start a new life for themselves and their family.'

Edward Landau of Le Bonheur Immobilier, based in the Midi-Pyrenees, reports a similarly strong start to the year from both French and British buyers. ‘In the past few years international buyers have sat on their hands, but a growing number seem to have come to the conclusion that there is really no point in hanging on, and so are re-entering the market; however grim the economic outlook some buyers are coming to the view that unless they take the plunge, they may never be able to enjoy their retirement or holiday home in France', he says. Edward does not anticipate a fall in prices in 2012 for popular rural properties and considers that the transaction value of sales will also move up in the year. ‘The bottom end of the market recovered quickly after the 2008/09 crash, and we are now beginning to build on that level. Above €500,000 the market remains sticky’, he says.

Up in the Charente, Charles Miller at Charente Immobilier says that he has noted a marked increase in interest from British buyers, although he considers many still have unrealistic expectations about what they can get for their money. ‘This is a lovely area of country in which to live or have a holiday home, and prices inevitably reflect the level of that popularity’, he says. As a result the return of British buyers is at a relatively slow pace ‘although they now account for 40% of our buyers, whereas in 2009 it was a low as 32%. On prices, Charles sees no major movement in the department this year, either up or down.

Richard Khoury of Richard Immobilier in Lauzun (border Dordogne/Lot-et-Garonne) considers that prospective British buyers have had the shock of the financial and economic crisis of the past three years and that many have now got over it, or have simply decided that things are not going to get any better. As a result they have decided they might as well make the move. He has seen a significant fall in prices over the past three years which has not been fully picked up in press reports. 'In my own area prices have fallen by around 20%, with the result that many restored properties previously not affordable are now within reach of a greater number of households.' Like others above he consider that prices for good properties will not fall this year, due to the increased demand from both French and international buyers and the growing shortage of supply.