The French property buying process – how does it all work and what happens when?

Buying a property in France may seem daunting at first, but once you understand the process, it’s refreshingly logical, well-regulated, and far less stressful than in many other countries. Below is an outline of the key stages to explain how it works and what happens when.

1. Making an offer
Once you have found the property you want to buy, you make an offer (offre d’achat), usually in writing. A written offer shows genuine intent and can help secure the deal quickly. The seller can accept, refuse, or make a counteroffer. The exception being that if you offer the asking price, the seller is obliged to accept, they are bound to sell the property at that price. French Law considers there is an agreement on the price and the object being sold and that is enough to create a contract although, in practice, only signing the Compromis de Vente officially secures the deal.

2. Signing the Compromis de Vente
When both parties agree on a price, the Notaire (a government-appointed property lawyer) prepares the Compromis de Vente, the preliminary contract. This sets out the price, conditions of sale, and any provisional clauses agreed between buyer and seller (for example, if you are waiting on mortgage approval). It also includes all the diagnostic reports for gas, electrics, lead, asbestos, termites, state of septic tank etc so you know exactly what you are buying and what work, if any, you might need to carry out in the future.

3. Cooling-off period
After signing, the buyer benefits from a mandatory 10-day cooling-off period (délai de rétraction). During this time, you can withdraw from the purchase for any reason without penalty. The seller, however, is bound by the agreement from the moment they sign.

4. Paying the deposit
Usually 5–10% of the purchase price, the deposit is paid to the Notaire’s secure escrow account once the Compromis is signed, and the cooling-off period has passed. This allows the legal process to begin.

5. Property searches and due diligence
The Notaire now carries out all the necessary searches; checking ownership, boundaries, rights of way, mortgages, planning permissions and goes through the results of mandatory diagnostic reports (all of this ensures full transparency and protects both parties).

6. Securing finance
If you need a mortgage, this is the stage to finalise it. If the Compromis includes a clause suspensive for mortgage approval, and your application is declined, you can legally withdraw without losing your deposit.

7. Signing the Acte de Vente
Once all the searches are complete and any conditions have been met, the Notaire prepares the Acte de Vente, the final deed of sale. Both parties sign, usually in the Notaire’s office (although you can sign by power of attorney), funds are transferred, and the keys are handed over. Congratulations, the property is officially yours.

8. After the sale
The Notaire registers the sale with the French Land Registry and provides you with an attestation (certificate of proof) that you are now the official owner. Later you will be sent a copy of the actual deed (titre de propriété). You will also receive an itemised breakdown of fees, taxes, and Notaire costs.

A secure and transparent system designed to protect the buyer
What makes the French system stand out is how structured and transparent it is. The Notaire acts for both parties equally, the buyer is well protected at every stage, and once the Compromis is signed, there is very little room for surprises or problems. In most cases, you can expect to move into your new home in France within about four months of your offer being accepted; a refreshingly smooth process by international standards.

Using a property finder
Of course, if you use our property finder services, we will not only do all the research to narrow down to a short-list of properties for you to view that match your criteria, we will also help you negotiate the right price, and hold your hand through the whole buying process right until completion. We do also have a black book of useful contacts we are happy to share with you after completion to ensure that your purchase and setting up of your new house is as easy and stress-free as possible.

If you would like to discuss how we can help you with your property search, please get in touch: nadia@foothillsoffrance.com