There are several ways to purchase a property in France, through, notaires, estate agents or directly from the owner.
Notaires
Notaires often have a department dealing with property sales for their clients. The advantage is that their commissions are lower than those of Estate agents. Their portfolios are usually limited however and rather localized.
For sale by owner
For sale by owner. This route can produce some savings but purchasers should have a good knowledge of market values as some properties sold in this manner have been rejected by agencies due to unrealistic price expectations from sellers or other reasons which may not be advertised.
Estate Agents
Estate agents are tightly regulated within the French system and on the whole offer a professional service. The system is different to that in the UK however and property details they provide are often rather sketchy. This is compensated for by the level of hands on service. The purchase procedure is very different to that of the UK and if you do not speak the language (or even if you do) the process can be daunting and this is definitely the advantage of having an agent to help you through the different steps. Agents can also be a useful source of information about areas, market values, local developments, and basic legal issues.
Choosing a French estate agent
The regulations in France relating to estate agents are heavily regulated and the penalties for not complying are substantial. In accordance with Law an Estate Agent has to be sufficiently professionally qualified, licensed and must carry professional insurance.
Any agent commercial working for the Estate Agent also needs to be registered and have a card covered by the Estate Agency. There are many people working on the fringe of the industry without any registration or insurance. The authorities are clamping down on this category of "agent" by enforcing strict penaties which can include imprisonment.
How to find a reputable Estate Agent
You can start by looking at the following List of Estate Agents who are recognized with and comply with the regulatory bodies such as SOCAF and SNPI or FNAIM. There are also specialist magazines where French Estate Agents advertise and if you are reading this then you will know that the internet is also good place to find one. Any reputable agent will have his credentials advertised on his website. French Property Exhibitions are also useful venues to meet different Estate Agents from different regions and gather information.
Multiple mandats
In France most estate agencies sign non exclusive mandats with sellers. This means that one property can be marketed by several different agencies in the same area or region. This differs from the UK where property is often exclusively marketed by a sole agent. Property details from French agents tend to be basic and often stick to the bare minimum. Agents tend not to reveal the exact lcation of properties.
Contact with an Estate Agent before your visit
Try and contact estate agents well in advance of your proposed visit to France. An estate agent in France very often works by appointment and if you arrive unannounced at the agency there is no guarantee that he will be able to visit property with you as he may already be on the road with other clients or have appointments out of the office.
Maximize your time with your Estate Agent
Allocate at least half a day per agent (a full day if possible). The distances between properties can be substantial. Most agents like to plan a circuit taking in a carefully selected sample of properties. During the trip they try to gather maximum feedback relating to purchasers' preferences. With this information at hand they can then better interpret their clients requirements. Most agencies have access to a few hundred properties and the agent should be able work with the purchaser to select those properties most suited to their needs. Try to give your estate agent as much information about your impressions as is possible.
Visit with an Estate Agent or Agent Commercial
The estate agent will ask you to sign a bon de visit. This is a legal requirement recognising that the agent has introduced you to the properties shown. It binds the client to deal through the agent when purchasing the property.
Making an offer and signing the deal
If on your visit you find a home you wish to purchase make it known to your estate agent as soon as yu are confident that you would like to proceed with the buying process. If you make an offer which is accepted, the agent will arrange for the expertises to be done in order for the contract to be signed. He will ask you for your personal details and he will either instruct the notaire or draw up a contract himself. If you have chosen to have a solicitor in the UK look at the contract this will be sent to him for comment.
Multiple offers
Please do not make multiple offers on different properties in case one does not work- yes this happens and if you do find a property which you purchase on your trip please do telephone or contact any other agents you have visited property with and advise them that you have bought. This is only correct and the estate agent will appreciate greatly that you have taken the trouble to tell him. He will then stop working on your behalf to find you a home to purchase and your dossier will be closed.
Congratulations
Once your have made your offer and it has been accepted and the initial paperwork is signed the notaire and the agent stay in contact and the agent stays in contact with the purchaser. Once all the notarial searches have been completed and the final contract is due to be signed you will be notified usually by the estate agent but sometimes also by the Notaire. The estate agent should accompany you to the signature of the Acte Authentique to help you through the process and you will at the end of this signing procedure be the proud owner of a home in France.
Read more on french estate agents commission.
Read more on purchase costs when buying property in France.
Listings of Estate Agents in France.