A typical France purchase follows:
(1) offer accepted,
(2) sign the preliminary contract (often compromis de vente or promesse de vente) with key conditions (e.g., mortgage approval),
(3) buyer cooling-off period (commonly 10 days for non-professional buyers),
(4) notary due diligence (title, charges, planning, pre-emption rights),
(5) arrange finance/insurance and transfer funds,
(6) sign the final deed (acte authentique) at the notary and receive keys,
(7) registration is completed by the notary. Avoid paying large deposits before the notary confirms terms and protections.
Most estate agents in France will be equipped to assist you with this process. We strongly recommend seeking an independent legal assistance such as a lawyer who specialises in French property purchases.
