Securing your purchase

We have helped you find your new home, we have organised a survey and a quote for any renovation work, we have provided you with legal advice on important inheritance issues and we have helped steer you through signing the initial purchase contract. We stay at your side throughout the rest of the purchase process, until you are happily installed in your new home. 
 

Support Throughout The Purchase Process

Once you have signed the initial contract, the notaire carries out the searches. He ascertains information on, among other things, any rights of pre-emption which can enable the local authority, a tenant, or SAFER, (an association representing the rights of farmers) to have first call on the sale. 

• We will ensure that you are kept informed of any developments and that your wishes are heard. We will liaise with the agency, notaire and any other authority which may be involved on your behalf. 
• We provide e-mail/telephone support from signing the initial contract through to completion.

 Arranging Your Mortgage

If you plan to arrange a mortgage this needs to be done well in advance of signing the final purchase contract ( acte authentique or acte de vente ). The money needs to be in cleared funds in the notaire’s account before the day the acte is signed. When thinking about timing you should bear in mind that in France you will have to wait, by law, at least 10 days before signing and accepting a mortgage offer. Many French lenders will normally allow you to borrow 70% and more of the value of the property. Lenders will also usually organise life assurance cover. 

• If you are not already in contact with our financial expert we can facilitate an introduction.

Currency Transfer

If your national currency is not Euros you should protect your funds for buying your property against currency fluctuations.

• We will introduce you to our currency brokers.  

Signing The Acte Authentique

Once the searches have been completed, which usually takes about 3 months, the notaire will ask you and the vendor to come to his office to sign the acte authentique . This is usually quite a lengthy document and it is very important that you fully understand it. In addition to ensuring that the balance of the purchase price for the property is with the notaire you will also be required to pay the notaire’s fees, about 6-8% of the purchase price plus about an additional 1% if a mortgage was arranged.

 

We will be there, at the notaire’s office, when the acte authentique is signed, to interpret the acte and provide assistance. Our legal department will answer any questions.

We can also arrange for the acte authentique to be translated and/or carefully studied before you sign.

Our financial expert can organise your buildings and third party civil liability insurance. This needs to be in place at the time of completion. 

 

Power of Attorney

If you can not come to France to sign the acte authentique the notaire can prepare a power of attorney for signature.  This document can appoint ourselves, a friend living in France, or a member of the notaire’s staff, to sign the acte authentique on your behalf.

• We will send you a copy of the acte authentique .
• We will liaise with the notaire to prepare the power of attorney.
• We can sign the acte authentique on your behalf. 

 Contacts for House Renovation, Maintenance and Other Things

It is likely that once you have bought your house you will require the services of a builder or other professionals in the building trade. You may also require help to install a swimming pool or a TV satellite, or the help of other specialist providers.
If the house is your second home you may also require someone to maintain the property and garden for you whilst you are away. Or, you may prefer to let your property out for the months you are not there. 

 

• We know a number of reputable English speaking builders, site-managers and other people involved in the building trade and we can provide you with an introduction.
• We know suppliers who regularly install pools, pool safety equipment and TV satellites for English speaking clients and a range of other English speaking craftspeople who you might like to meet.
• We know people who undertake the maintenance of properties for absent owners and agencies which organise letting, and can put you in contact.  

Your Stay In France During The Purchase Process 

• We can recommend accommodation.
• We have access to competitive Eurotunnel and ferry rates and can obtain a quote for you.

And If You Bought A Property Without Our Help And It All Goes Wrong……

• Our legal department will provide advice on how to proceed.