'Americans: Buying real estate in France - what you need to know.'

'French culture and fashion? Do you want the adventure of restoring an old house or something modern or even an apartment under construction? Even if your only concern is better access to the ski slopes, you still have plenty of places in the French Alps to consider! Looking for luxury with a chateau, a vineyard or an exclusive apartment in Paris? Take a look at Leggett Prestige, which features over 500 prestigious properties for sale throughout France, selected by experts from France's leading real estate agency, Leggett International Real Estate. If you are looking for a new career, you may also be interested to know that Leggett International Real Estate is currently recruiting independent sales agents across France. Thinking of buying''your own French home? Find the right property for your needs and budget with Leggett International Real Estate.

2. What kind of visa will you need?

France offers a wide range of visas for non-EU citizens. You may find it difficult to understand the options, so let's take a closer look at them. If you are hired as an employee, your employer will sponsor your work visa (although you may have to fill out the paperwork yourself). If you are self-employed or setting up your own company in France, you can also apply for a work visa with a detailed business plan and proof that you can support yourself initially. What if you are buying a second home and want to stay''in France for more than 90 days out of every 180 days allowed on a Schengen short-term visa? If you're ready to make France your primary residence, you can apply for a long-term visa equivalent to a residence permit (VLS-TS), which lasts up to 12 months, and spend as many days as you wish in your French property. Not ready to take this step yet? You'll need a six-month visitor visa (VLS-T), which gives you fewer rights but also fewer responsibilities. You can also apply for a spouse visa if you are marrying a French citizen.

3. Will you be eligible for health care in France?

For most types of French visas, you will first need to prove that you''You may be able to pay for medical expenses. You will probably need private insurance to cover medical expenses (including repatriation) up to a certain amount, usually around €30,000. But if you are moving to France, you are entitled to register with the French public health system after living in the country for just three months. Once your registration is complete, you will receive a carte vitale (an insured health card) and the French state will reimburse most of your expenses for medicines, treatments and medical appointments. You can then decide to cancel the private insurance you needed to get your visa. However, most people in France buy additional health insurance, known as''mutuelle, which typically provides 100 percent reimbursement of your expenses. Start your search for a French home with Leggett International Real Estate, a family-owned business with over 8,000 properties on the market throughout France.

4. What will your tax liability be?

There are two property taxes: property tax (paid by the owner) and occupancy tax (traditionally paid by the occupant). If you own and live in a French property, you usually pay both taxes. However, the occupancy tax is now abolished for people who are not high earners or second home owners.