Prestige Property Group

French Properties with Lakes and Ponds

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Over 20 years experience in the area.

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We offer access to 99.9% of the local property market including off-market options

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Free advice and property finding service for buyers

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Organisation of visits, legal advice, currency guidance, continued support after purchase, and more

Area Guide Contact Us

1. Signing the Agreement (Compris)

On finding a property you wish to purchase you will need to negotiate the terms, price and conditions of the sale with the owner.

The next step, once you are in agreement, is to sign the preliminary contract (Compromis de Vente). This is a legal document and after ten days will be binding on both parties. Rules change frequently in France and it is best to consult with your notary about when this period starts. Generally the compris will be signed in France with the Agent.

Variants can be included in the compris, for example an Acte (clause) can be added if the name or names to go on the title deed have not been finalised. If a mortgage will be required to purchase the property, the details for this, including the name of the mortgage company, must be on the compris.

2. Paying the Deposit

Generally the deposit will be 10% of the agreed purchase price. This will normally be paid to the notaire. There are exceptions to this, if the agent holds a carte professionelle, is bonded and fully registered then you may pay them, but do not hand over the deposit to anyone else. If for some reason the purchase does not go through, for example, if you write to the notaire and the agent that you do not wish to go continue with the purchase before the contract is binding (within seven days of signing the compris), then your deposit would be repaid. This would also apply if a condition had not been met, or the mayor or S.A.F.E.R. (a government agency that has the right of first purchase on most rural property that comes onto the market in France) could oblige the purchaser to give way. If you decide after the seven days 'cooling off' period that you do not wish to complete the purchase and pull out of the sale you would lose your deposit. If however the vendor pulls out of the sale then you will receive your deposit back plus the same amount from the vendor.

3. On Completion

Generally it will take around two or three months to complete the purchase.

During this time the balance of the purchase money must be paid into the account of the notaire, this must be done well ahead of the completion date. The notaire will prepare the documents, check that the deed of sale (Acte de Vente) is in order and have the legal title ready to be signed over. It is possible to have someone sign on your behalf if you give them power of attorney. An interpreter may be of use at this point if your French is not very good and many Notaires will suggest (or insist) that an interpreter is with you.

IMPORTANT - Disclaimer :
All information provided is believed to be current and provided free of charge. No liability can be accepted for the reliability of the information and statements made as this is obtained from 3rd parties. We always recommend you take legal advice from a fully qualified Lawyer or Notary before buying a property overseas.

49 properties

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Ideally located in the Chartrons district of Bordeaux and along the quays, this elegant 2 bedroom apartment offers a pleasant living environment and has a living area of around 177m2, which compris......

1,050,000 EURREF: 246203

Unique and superb French castle of the 12th and 15th centuries, classified an historic monument. Surrounded by 198 hectares of grounds, it has been renovated carefully during the last 10 years and ......

21,000,000 EURREF: 246101

Great opportunity to own a well maintained manor house, plus a separate house that can also be used as 5 self-contained gites, if required and subject to necessary permissions, set within a vast pl......

1,588,000 EURREF: 246070

Unique opportunity to acquire a beautiful 35 bedroom former hotel nestling in 6 hectares of glorious land with gardens, lake, woodland and swimming pool, ideally located by the river in the heart ......

3,900,000 EURREF: 246027

A great opportunity to purchase a turnkey business with scope to increase turnover with this delightful rural property that comprises two homes and 2 fishing lakes, all set within 10 acres of beaut......

404,255 EURREF: 245917

Income Potential 6 bedroom Farmhouse for sale with countryside view in Valence, Rhone-Alpes

Attractive stone farmhouse, gite and outbuildings in a pretty situation in the Drome Valley, 20 minutes from Valence and 30 minutes from the TGV station, set in almost 3 acres of land with lovely c......

640,000 EURREF: 245707

Character 11 bedroom Complex for sale with lake or river view and countryside view views in Verteuil sur Charente, Poitou-Charentes

Ideally situated close to the thriving village of Verteuil sur Charente, this charming and magnificent rural riverside complex includes a 15th Century mill and 2 guest houses, all of which have bee......

1,495,000 EURREF: 245410

Character 9 bedroom House for sale with lake or river view and panoramic view views in Duravel, Midi-Pyrenees

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French Properties with Lakes and Ponds

Full Personal Service

Entire Market

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Included Extras

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1. Signing the Agreement (Compris)

2. Paying the Deposit

3. On Completion

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