How to Find and Buy Your French Property

Buying your French Property is Simple with Our Step by Step Help

Before You Leap

Step 1: Simply view all the information displayed on our website and use our search engine to see if we have the type of property that you are looking for. When you see something that you like, contact us or just give us a call or email us saying what you are looking for and which particular properties you like.

If you use our ‘Select’ facility, your properties will be added automatically to the contact form – you can even keep them in your own personal record for later reference if you register as a Leapfrog user.

Step 2: Fill in a client questionnaire and we will do an active, in-depth search on your behalf to prepare a shortlist of the most suitable properties available for viewings.

Step 2 (alternative): Come and visit us at our London office and have a free, friendly and informative consultation on your property needs in France. Fill in a client questionnaire, view a selection of the many French properties we have to buy and see if they match your needs.

Step 3: Give us some dates during which you can take the time off to actually view your French properties. We shall arrange all of the viewings through our partner estate agent network in France so that you can drive to the different areas confident that the local French estate agent will be ready to show you around as soon as you get there.

You can also make great savings by booking your hotel accomodation online with Active Hotels

At the Estate Agent in France

Step 4: On arrival at the estate agent or “immobilier” in France you will be asked to sign a “bon pour visite” form which simply protects the agent’s commission preventing you from dealing directly with the vendor or buying the property you have seen through another agency (this is common practice in France).

Buying Your New French Property

Step 5: Once you have seen a property which you are interested in buying, we recommend that you hire either a technical expert, builder or if you prefer a British chartered surveyor based in France (all of which we can help you with) to thoroughly inspect the property before you sign the “compromis de vente” (similar to the exchange of contract in England).

Step 6: The “compromis de vente” is the legally binding contract that stipulates your intention to buy the French property and will normally require you to put down a 10% deposit, payable via the notary (5% for off-plan property). There is a seven day “cooling off” period during which you can pull out of the agreement without forfeiting your deposit.

Step 7: Now the notary carries out the searches on your behalf: public works that may affect the property, land boundaries, rights of way and ownership.

Step 8: Once the sale is agreed you ought to change your money so that you know exactly how much it will cost you in pounds sterling. A depreciation in the value of the pound could otherwise prove to be costly. For the best exchange rates backed up by excellent service please call the currency experts HIFX on 0845 3705214.

Step 9: The notary will have given you a date for completion (Acte de vente) and all money, including any loans must be in the notary’s account prior to this date including the stamp duty and his fees. The fees are 7-8% for property over 5 years old and 2-3% if new build, off-plan or under 5 years old and never previously sold.

Step 10: The final signing is called the “Acte de vente” and is held in the notary’s office and is the final stage in this process. If you cannot be there then you may give the notary power of attorney to sign on your behalf.

The keys to your new French house or apartment are yours so start enjoying it!

See our What You Need to Know for a reality check on how much you know about buying a French property

Search for your ideal French property now