Buying a house in France is an exciting adventure: whether it's to fulfill the dream of a primary residence, enjoy a vacation home, or invest in an attractive market, this project offers wonderful opportunities.
Wealth Partners France stands exclusively by your side to defend your interests and secure your investment from the search to the final signature, and even beyond.
But for a foreign buyer, it can also seem complex: legal procedures, documents in French, local specificities...
This guide has been designed to give you a clear vision of the property purchase process in France.
As with any real estate project, everything starts with the budget. Determining your financial capacity from the start - through equity or a bank loan - will avoid any unpleasant surprises and allow you to effectively target properties suited to your project.
Once your budget is established, it's time to search! This is where WealthPartnersFrance accompanies you.
Thanks to our expertise, we select the best opportunities for you and mobilize our exclusive network to find the ideal property, whether it's on the public market or not.
Found your dream property? Then comes the time to make an offer.
Your dedicated WealthPartnersFrance consultant will help you understand the property's history, the seller's situation and the market context to determine the best negotiation strategy.
If necessary, you can request a local expert or craftsman to assess the property's condition and estimate potential work. And to secure your approach, certain special conditions can be included in the offer through suspensive clauses (for example, an inspection or obtaining a loan).
The preliminary sales agreement is the first major contractual step. It formalizes the agreement with the seller and provides for the payment of a deposit (generally 10% of the price).
From this signature, you benefit from a legal 10-day withdrawal period without penalty.
In France, every real estate transaction must be validated by a notary. They ensure the legality and security of the sale, and officially register the property transfer.
Unlike other countries, a single notary can represent both the seller and the buyer. But in practice, it's often recommended that each party has their own notary. This doesn't generate additional costs, as the two notaries share the fees (generally between 6 and 8% of the net purchase price).
Having your own notary guarantees you 100% dedicated support for your interests. In case of difficulty or dispute, your notary can defend your rights.
For example, if the seller is unable to vacate the property by the scheduled signing date, your notary can negotiate or apply delay penalties to protect you.
In summary: a single notary is possible, but two notaries provide enhanced security for the buyer.
The signing of the Authentic Deed generally occurs 3 to 4 months after the initial offer. This is the final step where the property officially becomes yours, once the funds are transferred.
It's strongly recommended to revisit the property on the day of signing, since the deed will state "sold as seen on the date of signing."
Thus, visiting the property one last time before signing will ensure it's completely compliant and identical to the property for which you made an offer several months earlier.
Once the deed is signed, you're finally the owner of your house in France.
This is the beginning of a new life stage, and we're proud to have been by your side to secure your purchase and defend your interests from start to finish.
With WealthPartnersFrance, you're never alone facing the complexity of the French market: you're accompanied, protected and advised at every step.
Welcome to your new life in France – and congratulations on this beautiful investment!
