French Market: Finding that cottage in France with a vine growing over the door has become a lot easier with the opening last week of VEF's new Dublin branch. The offices at 33 Upper Merrion Street were virtually inundated with Irish buyers looking for second homes in France when word got around, writes Kate McMorrow

"The reaction was huge, just massive - we were delighted and surprised how many Irish people want to get a foothold in France," says new manager Heather Gleeson, who is originally from Cork and was working in PR and marketing in Dublin when contacted by VEF.

The decision to open an Irish office - the first outside London apart from local French agencies - was made because the company recognised that Ireland was a totally different market, says VEF's managing director Trisha Mason.

"Why should Irish people have to go through London to buy in France? We felt it was important to meet buyers on their own ground," she says. And while everyone believes the Irish market is into new-build, VEF is determined to bring character French properties to this country, she adds.

Up to 70 per cent of enquiries so far at the Dublin office have been for leaseback properties, a relatively new topic in Ireland but long established in the French property market, says Heather. Most don't know what it entails, she says, and her main concern was putting them right on the rules and regulations.

"People believe that the VAT concession only lasts for nine years when, in fact, it's spread over 20 years. In France, leaseback is a safe, good system sponsored by the government."

Ski properties were a firm favourite with buyers. Coastal properties were also in demand, particularly the company's Green Village leaseback scheme at St. Giles Croix de Ville in the Vendée region, where two-bedroom units are selling for €130,000. While properties with guaranteed income were the most sought-after, a percentage of visitors were looking for tumbledown barn conversions and rural cottages to do up and VEF has no shortage of these.

These people tend to be not so short of money and usually are in an older age group, says Heather. "I'm loving hearing people saying they've waited so long to buy in France and now find it's really so easy."

With more than 25 local offices in France, VEF is looking for people to open new branches in 2004/2005, to fulfil its aim of 100 French regional offices in the next couple of years.

Prospective agents pay £11,000 Stg for a one-month course, part of which takes place in France.

Once a new branch is open, VEF supplies local back-up, IT skills and access to the VEF website. Applications can be sourced on the company website at www.vefuk.com