Selling a property in France is a clear process when you understand how it works. This guide covers every stage — from your first conversation with us to the day of completion.
All property sales in France pass through a notaire — a state-appointed public official who carries out the legal searches and registers the transfer of ownership. As a seller, your estate agent handles marketing, viewings, and negotiation, while the notaire handles the legal process. You do not need a separate solicitor, though you may appoint one.
Our team is based in France and covers south west France and beyond. We manage the full process on your behalf — from the first verbal valuation to the day of signing — and handle all communication with buyers, notaires, and co-agents throughout.
Seven steps: (1) Get a free verbal valuation from us. (2) Sign a sales mandate (mandat de vente). (3) Arrange mandatory diagnostics (DPE energy rating, asbestos, lead, termites). (4) We market and show your property. (5) Accept an offer. (6) Sign the preliminary contract (Compromis de Vente) with 10% deposit. (7) Complete at the notaire's office (Acte Authentique), sign final deed, receive proceeds minus fees.
Contact us to arrange a visit to your property. We assess the current market, comparable sales in your area, and the condition and presentation of your home. We then give you a frank and realistic verbal valuation — an honest assessment of what your property is likely to achieve in the current market. There is no obligation to proceed and no cost.
If you decide to proceed, you sign a sales mandate with the agency. This document sets out the agreed asking price, the agency commission, and the duration of the mandate. In France, agency commission is legally payable by either the buyer or the seller — the mandate specifies which. We will explain this clearly before you sign.
French law requires sellers to commission a set of property diagnostics before marketing. These are arranged by us and paid by you. The diagnostics include the DPE energy rating, asbestos survey (for properties built before 1997), lead paint check (pre-1949 buildings), termite report (in designated risk zones), and others depending on the property. We will advise you on exactly which apply to your property.
We photograph and list your property on our website, on major French and UK property portals, and through our social media channels. All enquiries are handled by us. We arrange and accompany all viewings, provide feedback after each, and keep you informed throughout.
We present all offers to you and negotiate on your behalf. You are under no obligation to accept any offer. Once you accept an offer, we confirm it in writing to all parties and the buyer's notaire is instructed to begin preparing the compromis de vente.
Both parties sign the preliminary contract, typically within two to four weeks of offer acceptance. The buyer pays a 10% deposit and has a statutory 10-day cooling-off period. As a seller, you have no equivalent withdrawal right once you have signed. After the cooling-off period, both parties are committed to the sale.
The notaire completes all legal searches and prepares the final deed. Both parties sign at the notaire's office — this can be done in person or via a procuration (power of attorney). You receive the sale proceeds, minus the outstanding mortgage (if any), agency commission, and any other agreed deductions. The keys are handed to the buyer.
We will advise you on which diagnostics apply to your property. Costs and requirements vary. All diagnostics are arranged through approved, certified specialists.
Contact us for a free, no-obligation verbal valuation. We'll give you an honest assessment of your property and the current market.