EXCLUSIVE
Brittany Higgins, a well-known figure after her legal battle, is facing a significant loss on her taxpayer-funded French property set to be sold.
The three-bedroom mansion in Lunas, a tranquil village 100km east of Bordeaux, has been on the market for six months after its initial listing in September 2023. Despite a price reduction from around €420,000 ($682,000) to €367,500 ($596,500) in December, the property is still unsold.
Higgins, who is about to give birth to her first child in February, bought the chateau at the peak of a French property boom. The property, known locally as La Forge, is a converted old ironmonger’s house with a pool, situated in the picturesque Dordogne region.
Brittany Higgins’ taxpayer-funded French chateau could be headed for a massive loss as it remains unsold after six months and faces a possible further price slash
Market Challenges for La Forge
The property’s current listing price reflects a substantial potential loss for Higgins and her husband, David Sharaz. The average time for selling a house in France is three months, but La Forge’s stagnation highlights the current challenges in the French real estate market.
The Eleonor estate agency in Bergerac has received a couple of offers, but the real estate agent declined to comment on further price cuts or their likelihood. Despite the low activity, the agent acknowledged the possibility of another reduction.
The local real estate market in Lunas is described as ‘okay,’ but a broader assessment of France’s property sector reveals a ‘fragile recovery.’ National trends indicate significant volatility, underscoring the risks Higgins and Sharaz face.
Financial Implications and Future Plans
Reports suggest that Higgins and Sharaz paid between $600,000 and $700,000 for La Forge. The current asking price could drop even further, resulting in a potential loss of up to $100,000. Notary fees, essential for handling the sale under French law, add to the financial pressure.
The couple’s dire financial situation limits their options for purchasing a new home in Melbourne, where they await the birth of their first child. The family is eyeing the family-friendly suburb of Malvern East, known for its high property prices.
Higgins previously received more than $2.4 million from the Albanese government in compensation for her alleged rape by Bruce Lehrmann. The funding was intended to cover her medical expenses, legal costs, and compensation for emotional distress.
The financial strain may require Sharaz to seek employment to support the family’s lifestyle in Melbourne’s suburbs.
Higgins’ Legal Journey and Personal Life
Brittany Higgins’ legal journey began after Federal Court Justice Michael Lee found in her favor in a defamation trial against Bruce Lehrmann in 2023. However, Lehrmann’s criminal prosecution ended in a mistrial in 2022, and the charges were subsequently dropped.
The couple’s personal life has also seen milestones, including their marriage in June 2023 and the announcement of their pregnancy later the same year. They spent Christmas 2023 in their French home, which has basic amenities like a bakery and pizza joint but lacks cafes and restaurants.
Higgins and Sharaz were required to return to Australia in August 2023 to attend the defamation trial of former Liberal senator Linda Reynolds.
Higgins conducted amniocentesis tests in the second trimester of her pregnancy. Recent blood tests confirmed her unborn child is free from genetic disorders, suggesting he is due in late February 2024.
The Lingering Controversy
The controversy surrounding Higgins’ purchase of La Forge with taxpayer funds has drawn widespread attention. The couple’s plans to sell the property reveal the financial implications of their decision to invest in the French countryside amid the peak of the property boom.
The ongoing saga highlights the complexities of navigating both personal and public life in the aftermath of high-profile legal battles. As Higgins prepares for motherhood and the next chapter in her life, the sale of La Forge remains a contentious issue.
The couple married in June last year and announced they were expecting a baby boy which is believed to be due in late February
The future of this fine property in Lunas remains uncertain, with Higgins and Sharaz left to navigate the rocky terrain of the real estate market in the face of an impending major life change.
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