Buying Your Dream Property in France Just Got Easier

Originally posted on 17th July, 2010 & updated on 11th October, 2024

Top ten property website My-French-House.com has developed a step by step guide for anyone wanting to purchase a house or invest in real estate in France.

According to Patrick Joseph, owner of My-French-House, the buying process in France is straightforward compared to the UK system but knowing what to expect can ensure everything runs as smoothly as possible when you’re making your dream purchase.

Here’s Patrick’s French property purchase checklist:

Once your offer has been accepted the notaire (or a one of our partners) will complete a Compromis de Vente (preliminary sales agreement). This is a binding document between buyer and seller but you have a 10 day cooling off period.
It’s usual to pay a deposit of between 5 and 10% of the property price. The money is yours but is kept by the notaire in a special account as a guarantee until the purchase is complete.
At this point the property is taken off the market and you need to find and start arranging your French mortgage should you need one.
The Acte de Vente (Deed of Sale) takes between 6 to 12 weeks to complete and will then need to be signed by all parties. It is the notaire who drafts the Acte de Vente, carries out searches and enquiries with the local authorities and acts on behalf of the lender if a loan is needed to buy the property.
Once all the paperwork is complete the documents are signed and the buyer pays the balance of the property cost, legal fees and taxes to the notaire.

For more information on the legal and financial implications of buying French property contact us.

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