Between 1995 and 2010 there was a distinct boom in the number of families buying houses in France. Subsequent changes in French legislation (relating to capital gains tax on second properties), movements in the rate of exchange and concerns over consumer credit in the UK have seen shifts in the flow of money across the channel, but, the process and the specifics of the procedure remain unchanged.
We look at how to do it, what are the stages to 'the buying process' and how do currency payments and exchange rates affect buyers and sellers alike?
On the face of it the process is quite similar to that of the UK.
You view a property and move to make an offer. The offer is agreed and then the format for buying comes into effect.
Unlike in the UK though, selling properties in France is a licensed activity which usually means a more hands-on, formulaic and clear experience for all concerned.
An agent receives a 'mandate' to sell a property and it is through them and the local Notaire that the process...proceeds.
For what it is worth, if you are actively looking at the time you read this post, we would be quite happy to connect you to some extremely competent agents operating in Paris, the Dordogne, Provence and on the Cote D'Azur. Just ask.
So, you've seen the house you want and you make an offer.
If we suppose this offer is accepted, the agent then presents you with the paperwork.
Within 7 days of the signing of the paperwork - the 'compromis de vente - you will be required to pay a 10% deposit.
This deposit is redeemable if your buyer pulls out.
If you pull out, provided there is no 'clause suspensive' (or reason undermining the sale), the deposit is forfeit.
So, as the buyer, your first concern is the readying of money to pay this 10% deposit.
This amount is paid directly to the notiare for the locale in which your a buying.
The notaire is the local state representative.
They are charged with conducting the UK equivalent of searches. They are both the collector of payment and the signer and settler of the transaction.
The first rate of exchange you will have to consider, assuming you have not already availed yourself of a preferred company through which you might conduct an exchange, is the one you face for converting your sterling into euros in compliance with the 'compromis de vente'.
Your notaire and the agent in France will inform you directly of the date on which the deposit needs to be paid.
Delaying this payment for whatever reason may leave you liable to penalty, although this rarely happens.
After your seven day 'cooling off' period after the acceptance of the offer, money needs to be in the notaire's account for the process to continue.
You can use a company like Prime Cap to send your sterling to France.
We can either deposit money in to your french bank account, one which we can advise and guide you on setting up by way of our relationships with third party domestic facilitators, or, you can ask us to credit the appropriate euro amount into the notaire's account directly.
Specific referencing of the payment - so, what the notaire would see as the identifying marks of your incoming payment - can be included on the transmission.
Furthermore, we can provide you with a direct and immediate confirmation showing where your money is going and when it will arrive.
You will not know the GBP cost of the euros you want to buy until you actually explicitly instruct for the exchange to go ahead.
