So You’ve Found Your French Dream House… What Next?
From Offer to Keys – A Practical Guide from the Front Line
After months of browsing glossy listings, tearing out magazine clippings, and researching your dream regions across France, you’ve found the one. The house. The one that’s whispered “home” to you.
But what now? What happens after you fall in love with a French property?
This guide is here to walk you through the real steps, the real etiquette, and the real rhythm of buying a house in France — based on firsthand experience from someone who plays ham in the negotiation sandwich more times than she can count.
Step One: Understand the Power of the Offer
In France, even a verbal offer carries legal and emotional weight. So if you're just floating numbers, make that crystal clear to your agent.
- Do not casually say “we’d offer 200k” unless you mean it.
- Ask your agent to treat it as non-binding discussion unless formally confirmed.
A “cheeky offer” isn’t always seen as cheeky in France — it’s often seen as offensive.
Why?
Because here, a house is a home, not a commodity. When you offer far below asking, you're not just negotiating — you're potentially insulting the seller’s memories, pride, and identity attached to that home.
Lowballing can have ripple effects:
- It sets the tone for a strained relationship with local neighbours.
- It risks damaging future resale value (price per m² is king in rural France).
- It suggests you're treating the house like a flip — not a future home.
So unless it’s a true ruin, be respectful. And always, always ask your agent:
- What was the price advice you gave the vendors at mandate?
- What do you honestly think is a fair market value?
A good agent should be trying to bridge the gap — not just play messenger. And yes, it’s okay to ask if agency fees could be adjusted to help close the deal.
Step Two: Float Before You Formalise
Start with a verbal offer. Your agent can feel out the vendors informally.
➡️ By law, agents must pass on all serious offer discussions to vendors — even if they think it’s too low.
If the verbal offer is accepted in principle, you'll be asked for:
- Valid ID
- Proof of funds
- Proof of fiscal address
Then, depending on the agency:
- A simple email confirmation may be enough
OR - You may be asked to sign a “Lettre d’intention d’achat” (Letter of Intent to Buy) — standard practice at Leggett International.
✍️ Make sure to include any conditions in your offer letter:
- Is the offer conditional on a mortgage?
- Are specific items of furniture included or excluded?
Once all parties sign the letter, it’s full steam ahead.
Step Three: The Compromis de Vente Stage
This is the draft sales contract (or projet de vente) prepared by the notaire.
- Leggett buyers receive a bilingual version prepared by our in-house legal team.
- Each buyer must provide a unique email for receiving the draft.
- All terms are confirmed at this stage — no surprises later.
If you can’t be in France to sign in person, mention this early so a Power of Attorney (procuration) can be arranged.
⚠️ If the notaire doesn’t speak English, you’ll need a French-speaking contact to translate — unless Leggett is handling everything, in which case remote signature and full translation are included.
Once all parties have signed the compromis, the notaire begins the legal checks and local searches.
Step Four: Hurry Up and Wait...
The wait begins. 🐌
It can take anywhere from 4 weeks to 4 months, depending on:
- Whether you're a cash buyer or using a mortgage
- Whether there are any inheritance, boundary, or diagnostic complications
No news is good news during this part. Notaires won’t provide weekly updates — but trust that the wheels are turning behind the scenes.
Eventually, you'll get the call:
➡️ A completion date (signature de l’acte finale) has been set.
This date is usually set by the notaire, so be sure to communicate any preferences early on.
Step Five: The Big Day – Completion!
This is where the French really shine.
On signing day:
- You’ll first meet at the house with the agent and vendors for a final walkthrough.
Meter readings, boiler instructions, furniture checks — it all happens here. - Then it’s off to the notaire’s office for the formal reading and signing of the Acte de Vente.
- Once all signatures are in…
✨ You’re handed the keys and step into your new life in France
Final Thoughts
This is just a broad overview of the process. Every case is unique, and every buyer’s needs are different.
If you’d like personalised support — whether it’s a walkthrough of your specific buying journey, help understanding French contracts, or a second opinion before you make an offer — I offer 1:1 Zoom consultations and printable guides.
📌 Head to the Printables & Services section of the blog to learn more or drop me an email with your questions. I’m here to help you settle in with confidence.
Bienvenue chez vous 🇫🇷
Your French adventure begins now.