Navigating the French property market: A step-by-step guide to buying a property in France

Purchasing a home in France is an exciting venture, offering a blend of rich culture, scenic landscapes, and a relaxed lifestyle. Whether you're eyeing a chic apartment in a city, an alpine chalet or a villa on the Côte d'Azur, understanding the buying process is crucial.

Consult our guide to buying a property in France, or a range of other resources to help you understand the process and have the essential information to guide your decision.

The process of buying a property in France takes approximately three to four months but delays can happen and should be planned for accordingly.

Property search

Ensuring your have the right resources and trusted team of agents in your corner while looking for a property is essential. Make sure you have detailed your essential requirements, discussed finance and taken enough time to visit the property and ask all questions. Don’t rush this phase, sometimes viewing properties will help determine what you do or don’t want for your future home or investment. Note that when meeting the property agent you will be asked for some identity documents and to detail your search, this helps your agent legally prepare your file in readiness for your offer.

Making an Offer

Once you've found your ideal property, the first step is to make a formal written offer stating the price, terms and validity period of the offer. In France, a written proposal sets the stage for negotiations and potential acceptance.

If your offer is accepted, the legal process of drawing up the terms of purchase/sale is started but two important things have to happen before any documentation is signed.

Legal steps

Once an offer is accepted a French notary, a Notaire is appointed. This is a key step to ensure all documents are handled correctly. You can share the notary with the seller or choose to appoint your own. Read more about the notary process here in our dedicated blog.

Collation of documents and diagnostics

Before proceeding further all documents and diagnostics must be provided. The notaire will use this information to draw up the key legal documents for the sale process.

Want to know about the essential information needed when selling your home? Consult our guides here.

Expect the process of moving from an accepted offer to signing your preliminary agreement to take approximately two to four weeks but larger properties or where there is an unusual structure can result in a longer time period.

Signing the 'Compromis de Vente' or ‘promesse de vente

If your offer is accepted, the legal process of drawing up the preliminary agreement, the terms of purchase/sale, is started.

Expect the process of moving from an accepted offer to signing your preliminary agreement to take approximately two to four weeks but larger properties or where there is an unusual structure can result in a longer time period.

Upon agreement, both parties sign the 'Compromis or promesse de Vente', a preliminary contract outlining the terms of the sale. This document includes details like the sale price, property description, and any conditions precedent. This is a legally binding document and there is a lot of data, so it's essential to take time, ask questions and review it carefully.

Two key actions happen at this stage and are essential to the purchase process.

A.Depositing the 'Dépôt de Garantie'    At this stage, a deposit, typically around 5- 10% of the sale price, is paid into the notary's escrow account. This deposit demonstrates your commitment and is deducted from the final purchase price.

B. Cooling-Off Period   After signing the compromise de vente, there is a 10-day cooling-off period during which you can reconsider the purchase, withdraw your offer and receive a refund of the deposit. After this period the right to rescind an offer are dependent on the terms agreed between the parties in the initial contract.

Due diligence

Following the colling off period, the notary conducts due diligence, obtaining necessary documents, approvals, completing necessary checks, including verifying property titles, and ensuring there are no legal encumbrances. This phase typically takes two to three months and depends on various factors including mortgage processing or municipal confirmation.

Signing the 'Acte de Vente'

The final contract, known as the 'Acte de Vente', is signed at the notary's office. This legally transfers ownership to you. Ensure all funds are in place as the balance of the purchase price plus all fees are due. It is also important to have secured the necessary home insurance before you take ownership as it's a requirement in France.

Registration

Following the signature of the final contract the notaire registers the transaction at the French Land registry, a final legal step to ensure change of ownership.

Taking Possession

Once the 'Acte de Vente' is signed and funds are transferred, you'll receive the keys to your new property. Congratulations, you're now a homeowner in France.

Ready to embark on your French property journey? Explore our selection of homes and let our experts guide you every step of the way. Contact us today to find your dream property.