People decide to buy land for all kinds of reasons but it is usually because it can be a cheaper option than buying a resale house, even when the price of the land is combined with the construction costs. Of course the other major advantage is that you can design a property exactly how you want, to meet your needs, desires and budget. At FrenchEntree we have a whole site dedicated to land for sale in France - here are our top ten tips to purchasing a plot of land:

1. Before you begin to spend any money on land, or employ any contractors, find out as much information as you can about all aspects of self building by carrying out research.

2. Locate an area in which you would like to buy land and then contact agents or notaires marketing building land locally. You could also contact developers and ask whether they have any individual plots of land they would be willing to sell.

Provide as much information to those assisting you as possible. With land, the main things to define would be approximate area (land is always advertised in m² in France 4000m² = 1 acre); type of location (rural, town, etc...); and any specific requirements.

3. Look at a number of plots before making a decision. Don't dismiss plots with an existing low-quality building which could be demolished. It may mean that it is already connected to utility services.

4. Choose land with planning permission as trying to obtain it yourself is a long process. Check what the planning permission covers so that you will know whether the type of house you want will be allowed.

5. Work with an Architect prior to purchasing your chosen plot because they will be able to see whether the type of property that you want will be possible, and whether it will be accepted by local authorities.

6. Research the plot of land you intend to buy and find out if there are any plans for the surrounding land (if it is not in use), after all you do not want your view ruined by bricks and mortar a few months after moving in.

7. Check what rights others have over the land e.g. is it on a public foot path? Have the boundaries of the land been clearly defined and registered with the relevant local authorities? If not, the Compromis de Vente should indicate whether the vendor or you will be responsible for paying the registration charges. Time spent checking all these factors will stop you from being caught out further down the line.

8. You will also need to confirm that your chosen plot can be easily connected to utility services, such as the power grid, water board, local sewage works and the telephone line.

9. Ask the agent if the sale price is a fixed figure based on a cost/m² or whether the price can be reduced. Unlike with house prices, land prices are generally fairly firm.

10. Choose artisans wisely. Be aware that, although rare, in some developments with multiple plots the buyer must have the property built by a designated company. Companies that deal with the whole building process from start to finish do exist.

It is worth consulting at least 3 companies to find out how they work and what they guarantee in exchange for you commitment to build through them.

There are plots of land available all over France from Poitou Charentes to the Midi Pyrenees. In less densely populated areas such as Auvergne and Limousin even cheaper and more available plots can be found. Whichever part of France you choose to build a house, buying land is both a feasible and rewarding way of obtaining your dream property.

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