First, we'll have a non-binding discussion about the key details of your search, and you'll grant us the search mandate. This mandate is exclusive but can be cancelled flexibly on a monthly basis. Naturally, commission is only paid upon successful completion. The mandate merely secures our commission claim against other agencies. We would be happy to send you a sample for review upon request.
We actively search the market for you, contact our partner agencies, create German exposés, and present our suggestions. Through regular communication, this selection is narrowed down until about 3-8 favorites remain.
Tour with multiple viewings, possibly a second viewing, checking all property documents, and obtaining a creditworthiness confirmation from your bank. In most cases, our clients find what they're looking for on the very first tour.
Submission of a verbal purchase offer and price negotiations. Upon agreement: Submission of the written offer with a digital signature. Once the offer is accepted in writing by the seller, the property is reserved for you.
The first notarization takes place approx. 1 - 4 weeks after the offer. We recommend you travel for this appointment. Bring identification documents and a debitcard, as an advance payment for initial registration fees is due directly at the appointment. Apply for birth and marriage certificates in international format now. We work with several German-speaking notaries, but the contract is in French.
You pay the deposit (5-10% of the purchase price) into the notary's escrow account a few days after notarization, and the notary will confirm receipt of the funds.
As a buyer in France, you have the right to withdraw from the sale within 10 days of notarization without stating any reasons. You will not lose your deposit in this case. Should you wish to withdraw after this period, you would lose the 10% deposit to the seller.
Period of approx. 2-3 months for all notarial checks, deadlines, and registrations, e.g., checking for any potential pre-emptive right of the municipality, deletion of encumbrances from the land register, waiting for a potential loan approval from the buyer.
Once the notary informs us that all registrations are complete, the buyer will be requested to pay the purchase price into the notary's escrow account. Only once payment receipt is confirmed will the final notarization take place.
Joint viewing of the property one day before the final notarization, recording of meter readings, clarification of any remaining questions, etc.
Second notary appointment: final deed of sale and handover of keys. No further changes can be made to the contract. Please bring your bank details in paper form (e.g., a bank statement showing your name, address, and IBAN) so the notary can transfer any refund directly to your account. Certain registration fees can only be estimated by the notary (as they partly depend on the complexity and number of pages in the land register), so you will receive a small refund after the final settlement.
Congratulations, you are now the proud owner of a property in France!
In France, the broker's commission is part of the notarized purchase agreement. It is not payed directly to us, but via the notary's escrow account — along with the other ancillary purchase costs at the very end of the purchase process.
In most cases the seller pays the agent commission. This must be noted in the advert.
Because the commission is included in the purchase price, French acquisition taxes are calculated on the total amount, including commission. If, however, the commission is borne by the buyer (instead of the seller), then the land transfer tax on the commission portion is waived. It is a small tax benefit for the buyer.
We'll guide you through your search and put together a tailored tour for you. Free of charge!
At first, it’s fun: browsing online for charming houses on the Côte d'Azur, planning your first viewings while on vacation, and dreaming. But eventually, it becomes clear: the market is vast, the search area is too large, the budget is still undefined — and communicating with French real estate agents isn't always easy.
On top of that, addresses in France are rarely disclosed in advance. And some "dream homes" turn out to be a disappointment right next to a main road once you arrive.
That is exactly where we come in.
In France, the commission is generally 6% of the purchase price. However, this is already included in the advertised price and is paid by the seller. As a buyer, you do not pay any additional commission on top of that. The exception: if the listing states "charge acquéreur," the buyer pays the commission.
With an exclusive search mandate, we split the commission with the seller's agent. There is no financial change for you, but you gain an experienced partner who knows the market, speaks the language, and filters the options for you.
It all starts with a conversation: we will discuss your search criteria, your wishes, and your budget. The exclusive search mandate can then be signed digitally — simple and paperless. From that point on, we take over: we will regularly present suitable properties to you and keep a close eye on the market. Have you spotted a listing yourself that sounds interesting? Just send it to us via WhatsApp — we will gather all the necessary information and coordinate directly with the relevant agency.
While we have our own properties in our portfolio, we are not limited to them. Unlike traditional real estate agents, we search the entire market for you in close cooperation with all local agencies in the region. The result: you have access to every single property that is available, including off-market listings that are never advertised publicly.
Once you have identified your favorites, we will organize a viewing tour for you, usually in collaboration with various local real estate agents. We typically visit two to five properties per day, depending on their location, travel times, and your schedule.
We prepare every tour meticulously — that is what makes the difference. Our clients frequently tell us how surprisingly efficient and focused these days are. And as a bonus, a viewing tour is a wonderful opportunity to get to know the Côte d'Azur and its various neighborhoods in a very tangible way.
France is captivating – but the path to owning your own home is often more complex than expected.
It's a good thing you found us!
We are happy to answer all your questions. Our blog section also contains a lot
of additional information about real estate and life in France.
Our real estate agent commission is 6% TTC (i.e., including French VAT at 20%). The agent's commission is already included in the advertised price! It is usually paid by the seller (advertisement text "charges vendeur").
Here in the region, there are significant price differences between the various municipalities. The region is very price-stable and has not significantly lost value during the recent real estate crisis. Sellers, therefore, often still expect very high prices and overprice their properties. It is more important than ever to view properties with an expert and submit a realistic purchase offer.
In addition to the purchase price, the so-called "frais de notaire" are incurred in France -- primarily land transfer tax, not the notary's fee. For existing properties, they amount to around 7 to 8% of the purchase price; for new builds, 2 to 3%. Payment is made on the day of notarization and should be factored in from the outset.
A buyer's market has developed. It's a good time to buy, as buyers can often negotiate prices significantly. For sellers, it's more important than ever to engage a professional.
Yes, absolutely. An initial, no-obligation consultation costs you nothing. Contact Juliane Cremers directly at +33 06 40 67 09 48 -- we'll take the time to answer your questions.
In addition to the purchase price, the so-called 'frais de notaire' are incurred in France. The term is misleading: the majority of this is land transfer tax for the state, not the notary's fee.
For an existing property, the 'frais de notaire' amount to approximately 7 to 8 percent of the purchase price. For a new build, they are around 2 to 3 percent.
Payment is made on the day of notarization via the notary's escrow account and should be factored into your overall budget from the outset.
Get a French mobile number immediately after the first signature. You'll need this later to register for electricity, water, or insurance, and it's often essential for furniture deliveries from French manufacturers.
Our recommendation: Simply order an eSIM (e.g., from Orange, SFR, or Sosh with a monthly cancellable contract. These contracts are cheaper than in Germany. Sometimes it's easier online than directly in a store.
Interestingly, to order such a French number, you also need an existing French mobile number!
Call us, we'll explain how to solve this.
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Even if you are still hesitant, a consultation will show you what suits you—and where to find it.
