Frame the project
Define how you will use the property
Pied-à-terre, future home or investment: usage drives the budget, the area and everything after.
Top priorityBuying in France from abroad, step by step.
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0 / 82 steps doneFrame the project
Set the overall budget and a works envelope
Price, fees, works, furnishing, financing: the budget covers total spend, not the asking price alone.
Top priorityFrame the project
Build a realistic timetable
Search, pre-contract, loan, deed, works: a remote purchase plays out over six to twelve months, around your trips.
Frame the project
Clarify your non-resident status
Tax residence, nationality, right to stay: your status determines financing, taxation and your filing duties.
Top priorityDifficultFrame the project
Take stock of your tax and wealth position
Marital regime, existing assets, succession plans: the full picture before choosing the structure.
Top priorityDifficultFrame the project
Choose how you will own the property
Direct ownership, joint ownership, an SCI, bare ownership: the holding structure is decided before the purchase, not after.
DifficultFrame the project
Define your target areas
Reachability from abroad, character, amenities, price levels: two or three target areas are enough to start.
Frame the project
Write your criteria grid
Must-haves, nice-to-haves, deal-breakers: a written grid lets you decide fast, even from abroad.
Prepare the financing
Estimate your borrowing capacity
Income, outgoings, down payment, debt ratio: a realistic range before looking at the first property.
Top priorityDifficultPrepare the financing
Open a French bank account
Escrow, calls for funds, direct debits, rents: a French account simplifies the whole life of the property.
Top priorityDifficultPrepare the financing
Assemble the financing file
Identity, income, statements, assets: the complete file, ready to send the moment an offer is accepted.
Top priorityPrepare the financing
Evidence the origin of your funds
International transfers and banking checks: the origin of your funds is documented before the first transfer.
DifficultPrepare the financing
Choose your currency strategy
Buying in euros with income in another currency: FX is planned, not improvised at the signing.
DifficultPrepare the financing
Compare financing routes
A French bank, a bank in your country, a cash purchase: each route has its timelines, costs and constraints.
Top priorityDifficultPrepare the financing
Solve borrower insurance
Loan insurance is often the sticking point of a non-resident file: deal with it from the start.
Top priorityDifficultPrepare the financing
Secure an agreement in principle
A bank pre-approval strengthens your offer and reassures the seller from the negotiation onwards.
Search for the property
Set up multi-source alerts
Portals, agencies, notaries, networks: interesting properties do not all appear on the same sites.
Top prioritySearch for the property
Engage a partner buying agent
A partner buying agent searches under mandate, defends your interest and opens access to off-market homes.
Top prioritySearch for the property
Explore the off-market
A share of sales is never listed: notaries, networks and buying agents reach them.
DifficultSearch for the property
Benchmark the price per square metre
Comparable sales, floor, condition, location: a well-grounded price per square metre before any offer.
Top priorityDifficultSearch for the property
Screen out unsuitable listings fast
Fast, documented screening: every rejected property has a noted reason, every lead stays tracked.
Search for the property
Assess the area and building remotely
Maps, street views, public data: the surroundings are checked before booking a flight.
Search for the property
Assess the property's potential
Reconfiguration, light, rental use: the property as it could become, not only as it is.
DifficultSearch for the property
Settle on a prioritised shortlist
Fit, potential, urgency: three to five properties ranked, ready for viewings.
Top priorityView the properties
Group viewings around one trip
One trip, a schedule that holds: viewings grouped by area, slots confirmed in writing.
View the properties
Prepare the viewing grid
Noise, light, layout, condition, common areas: the same list for every property, comparable from afar.
View the properties
View in person or by live video
On site or by live video: every room walked, tested and filmed.
Top priorityView the properties
Record strengths and weaknesses
Objective observations and impressions kept apart, likely works noted, a summary verdict.
View the properties
Request surveys and co-ownership documents
Energy rating, surveys, rules, AGM minutes, charges, voted works: requested and gathered before the offer.
Top priorityDifficultView the properties
Check the legal and planning position
Easements, voted works, sitting tenant, planning rules: checked before the offer.
Top priorityDifficultView the properties
Gather expert opinions
Notary, broker, tax adviser, architect: each expert view before the final decision.
DifficultView the properties
Refresh the shortlist after viewings
Drop, watch, keep: the ranking updated after each round of viewings.
Offer and negotiate
Set the target price
Refined valuation, identified works, market context: a target range before proposing.
Top priorityDifficultOffer and negotiate
Plan the negotiation strategy
Opening price, target, walk-away point: the strategy written down before the first call.
Top priorityDifficultOffer and negotiate
Draft the written offer
Price, financing, timing, conditions: a written offer in line with practice, sent to the right contact.
Top priorityOffer and negotiate
Support the offer with facts
References, works, context: an argued offer beats a bare number in an email.
Offer and negotiate
Handle counter-offers
Every counter-offer weighed against the set limits, a fast, deliberate response.
Top priorityDifficultOffer and negotiate
Record the agreement in principle
Price, conditions, timetable: the agreement confirmed in writing before engaging the notary.
Top priorityOffer and negotiate
Hold the property until the pre-contract
Listings withdrawn, viewings paused, deadlines held: the property stays locked until signing.
Sign the pre-contract
Choose your notary
A notary for the buyer, bilingual where possible, chosen before the pre-contract is drafted.
Top prioritySign the pre-contract
Send the file documents
Identity, financing, property documents: everything reaches the notary complete, from the first send.
Sign the pre-contract
Review the draft pre-contract
Description, price, conditions precedent, easements, annexes: reviewed point by point.
Top priorityDifficultSign the pre-contract
Negotiate clauses and deadlines
Loan condition, completion date, penalties: clauses calibrated for a buyer abroad.
Top priorityDifficultSign the pre-contract
Prepare to sign from abroad
Attendance or power of attorney: the mandate drafted in time, legalised if required, received by the notary.
Sign the pre-contract
Sign and let the cooling-off period run
A ten-day cooling-off period for the buyer, conditions precedent started: the clock is running.
Top prioritySign the pre-contract
Pay the deposit
Transfer to the escrow account on time, confirmed in writing, FX costs anticipated.
Top prioritySign the pre-contract
Trigger the formal mortgage application
Pre-contract signed, complete file sent: the race to meet the conditions precedent begins.
Top priorityDifficultComplete the financing
Steer the bank file forward
Supplements supplied fast, follow-ups timed: the file moves every week.
Top priorityComplete the financing
Choose the final loan offer
Rate, term, guarantees, fees: offers compared line by line before accepting.
Top priorityDifficultComplete the financing
Finalise borrower insurance
Delegated cover or the bank's policy: insurance issued before the loan offer is produced.
Top priorityDifficultComplete the financing
Accept the offer within the deadline
Offer received, ten days' reflection, dated acceptance: no day is wasted.
Top priorityComplete the financing
Lift the conditions precedent
Loan obtained, documents received, pre-emption cleared: every condition lifted on time.
Top priorityDifficultComplete the financing
Supply the last documents for the deed
Certificates, statements, final evidence: bank and notary complete before the deed is drawn up.
Complete the financing
Schedule the funds
The notary's call for funds, conversion, international transfer: every lead day anticipated.
Top priorityDifficultComplete the financing
Set the completion date
Offer accepted, funds scheduled, proxy ready: the date settled with all parties.
Sign the deed
Take out the required home insurance
With a loan, home insurance is required on deed day: taken out beforehand.
Top prioritySign the deed
Check the property before completion
Fixtures present, condition unchanged, no new damage: checked just before the deed.
Sign the deed
Review the draft deed and settlement
Consistency with the pre-contract, cost split, amount to transfer: everything checked.
Top priorityDifficultSign the deed
Transfer the funds to the notary
Funds arrived on the planned date, to the right account, with the file reference.
Top priorityDifficultSign the deed
Sign the deed, present or by proxy
Signing at the office or a remote power of attorney: the session organised, no improvisation.
Top prioritySign the deed
Collect keys and documents
Keys, fobs, codes, manuals, meter readings: the day-one inventory, written down.
Sign the deed
File your title documents
Ownership certificate, final settlement, registered title: filed, with the follow-ups to plan.
Sign the deed
Debrief after completion
Works, contracts, filings: the plan for the first weeks set down in black and white.
Settle in
Switch on utilities and internet
Electricity, gas, water, internet: contracts taken out and working before the first stay.
Top prioritySettle in
Define the layout project
Room organisation, feel, materials: the layout scenario before the first quote.
Settle in
Cost and schedule the works
Work packages broken down, cost ranges, sequencing: the project costed before committing.
DifficultSettle in
Select contractors and supervision
Quotes compared, insurance checked, references taken: contractors chosen with full knowledge.
Top priorityDifficultSettle in
Manage the works from abroad
Milestones, photos, approvals, payments tied to progress: the site managed without being there.
Top priorityDifficultSettle in
Furnish and equip the home
List drawn up, orders placed, deliveries received: the home ready to use.
Settle in
Insure the property for its real use
Multi-risk, non-occupying owner, unoccupancy, letting: cover aligned with the property's real use.
Top prioritySettle in
Arrange the removal and arrival
International removal, formalities, on-site receipt: the move-in orchestrated.
Settle in
Arrange care during your absences
Check visits, mail, claims, stay preparation: the property lives between your visits.
Top priorityOwn and let
Choose the usage strategy
Personal stays, letting, a mix: the usage scenario settled for the first years.
Own and let
Set up the yearly tax framework
French and foreign filings, a fiscal representative where required, a calendar of deadlines.
Top priorityDifficultOwn and let
Stay on top of local taxes
Council tax on ownership and on second homes, levies: deadlines tracked.
Own and let
Hand over management or concierge care
Letting agent, concierge service or assisted management: the right level of delegation chosen.
Own and let
Prepare the property for letting
Lease, rental surveys, rent level, deposit: ready to let by the book.
Top priorityDifficultOwn and let
Keep the occupancy calendar
Private stays and let periods on a shared calendar: no booking conflicts.
Own and let
Track charges and contracts
Management fees, utilities, internet, insurance: deadlines, amounts and renewals under control.
Own and let
Inspect the property regularly
Periodic visits with a photo report: problems caught early cost less.
Own and let
Track the property's performance
Income, costs, works: the simple dashboard that says where the property stands.
Own and let
Plan succession and, one day, resale
Structure, allowances, non-resident capital gains: the exit is prepared from the entry.
DifficultNo step here
No step here
No step here
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Tell us about your project: we pick the journey up from where you stand and bring in the right partners, step by step.
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