The Buying Process

Buying a home in France is a little different from the UK, but it is well established and, with a French notary handling the legal side, straightforward. Here is what happens once you have found a property you want.

1. The compromis de vente

Once you are sure you want to proceed, you sign le compromis de vente, the French preliminary contract. It legally binds both seller and buyer to the sale. You then have a ten-day cooling-off period in which you can withdraw if you change your mind. At the end of it, you transfer your 10% deposit by bank-to-bank transfer.

2. The surveys and reports

You receive a set of standard reports on the property: the state of the electrics, asbestos, the septic tank (where there is one), lead in the paintwork, fungus (depending on the area) and the heating.

3. The notary’s enquiries

The notary then makes enquiries with the local authority to establish whether there is anything you should know about — for example any debts registered against the property, any plan by the commune to purchase it, or any planned roadworks nearby. Where the property comes with agricultural land, the notary also contacts SAFER to check whether a local farmer has a right of pre-emption.

4. Completion

The time between the compromis and completion is roughly two and a half months if you are paying cash, or about three months if you need a mortgage. At the end, the buyer and seller sign the final deed of sale (l’acte de vente) with the notary, and the property is yours.

Buying through us costs you no extra fee. Every price on this website already includes our commercial fees. Notary (legal) fees are set by the French state and are additional.

Any questions? Email jeanbernard@jbfrenchhouses.co.uk or call 07951 542875.