'Should I rent or buy a home? ' is one of the most common questions expats ask upon arrival at their new location. The answer depends on several factors, including how long you plan to stay in your new country of residence, the current property market and the cost of an expat mortgage.

Read one expat's experience about renting first then buying twice in In search of a perfect house in France. An expat view on housing in Europe can help guide you to realising what best suits your needs, while our guide to buying a home in France addresses tricky issues like commissions and contracts.

Once you have made your decision to rent or to buy, you will need to find a suitable house or apartment. Identifying a trustworthy and experienced local estate agent early in the process is advisable. Also, if you are moving within France, be sure to read our article on moving house en Francais.

International mortgages
An expert in international mortgages states that one of the major effects of the credit crunch in Europe has been the willingness of banks to lend affordable mortgages. But property, like other assets, is subject to cycles of growth and decline.

So be sure to research the property market and local interest rates for international mortgages in France. Requirements for international mortgages vary from country to country, and articles such as Expatica’s Buying a house in France and Guide to French mortgages offer clear and helpful advice.

Especially if you don’t speak the local language, it is worth seeking professional advice on your expat mortgage details and building permits. You can search for English-speaking mortgage advisors and estate agents in Expatica’s A-Z listings under the Financial & Banking and Housing categories.

Advantages and disadvantages of buying a home
An Expatica housing survey shows that expats across Europe believe the advantages of home ownership include long-term investment, building up capital and the freedom to renovate one's home.

The survey also showed that expats, when taking out mortgages and buying homes, experienced problems such as complicated administrative procedures, high taxes and legal fees, incompetent real estate agents, high prices and a lack of public records for house-price comparison.

New to buying real estate? Learn the top mistakes made by real estate investors to avoid classic or amateur slip ups.

Holiday homes are a popular purchase in France as well, though don't forget the time and effort that comes with being away from property and keeping things renovated. Se our tips on running a gite in the French countryside or your ideal holiday location.

Utilities
Setting up your house also means wrapping your head around electricity and utility set ups. Read our guide to setting up the right services, or see what one of our expaerts wrote in his book about electricity layouts in French homes.

Selling your house
Last, if you are selling and moving on, articles such as ‘How to prepare your house for sale’ can prove invaluable.

Expatica Housing Search
Use Expatica's Housing Search tool to help you find a place to buy or rent at the right price in the right location.