We can offer you many types of properties, from the small country house to the prestigious residence, in a geographic area covering the Languedoc Roussillon to Provence.

We will do all the administrative steps needed in contacting the water, electricity and insurance companies.

For the financing of your project, we can help you to find a loan, and can also put you in touch with building contractors when necessary.

Our aim is to offer to our clients a complete service so that they will be free to appreciate the benefits of their purchase as soon as possible, and to enjoy the pleasure of discovering a charming area of France.

Buying conditions

When a suitable property has been found and the price agreed, the estate agent will ask the purchaser to sign a contract called a COMPROMIS DE VENTE ; OR OFFRE D'ACHAT and to pay a deposit which is around ten per cent of the purchase price.Under a recent law (S.R.U) the purchaser has a seven day period, after the signing of the contract, in which he can withdraw from the transaction by sending a registered letter to the notaire.

In most cases the deposit is non-refundable if the purchaser withdraws from the transaction, but there are conditions called CLAUSES SUSPENSIVES which may be included in the contract and which would permit a refund of the deposit if not met, such as the failure to obtain a loan for the purchase of the property. If the vendor should withdraw from the transaction, the purchaser is entitled to a refund of his initial deposit and may begin legal proceedings to obtain compensation of an equal amount.
If you are considering a French Franc mortgage from a French source it will be necessary to open a French bank account to service the loan. This can be done whilst you are in France visiting the properties or can be arranged by us.

After the contract has been signed various formalities will then be attended to by the NOTAIRE, in the same way as a solicitor conducts a search in the UK. The Notaire is a government employee who acts for both parties, he is appointed by the vendor and paid by the purchaser.

After a period of usually six to ten weeks the balance of the purchase price plus the legal expenses are called for by the Notaire, so that the transaction can be completed. It is usual for both the purchaser and vendor to attend the Notaire's office for completion and the signing of the final ACTE DE VENTE. However a power of attorney can be provided allowing either or both parties to be represented by a clerk or other named person. The power of attorney (PROCURATION) would have to be signed in front of a solicitor and returned to the Notaire's office in advance of the agreed date. In the case of a property being bought off plan with stage payments, the ACTE DE VENTE, is signed at the Notaire's office prior to the first of the stage payments being paid.

The sale prices quoted for the properties are inclusive of agents fees. For new property, purchased off plan, prices are not negotiable but it is worth trying a lower offer on other property as they are occasionally acceptable.

Notaire's Fees and Taxes :

A) When a buying a property off plan the amount charged will be about two to three per cent and should you decide to sell within the first five years your purchasers will pay approximately two to three per cent.

B) When buying a property under five years old from the first purchaser who originally bought off plan the amount charged will be approximately two to three per cent.

C) When buying a property over five years old the amount charged is approximately seven to eight per cent.

Other costs

You will be responsible for paying annual rates on the property you purchase. They are split in to those collected by the local council and those collected by the government : Taxe d'Habitation and Impôt Foncier . They are collected annually in arrears and are usually lower than comparable properties in the UK. Insurance of buildings and contents is normally very reasonable as the occurrence of burglaries and property defects appear to be rare. Once again we can help in the arranging of insurance. Inform yourself about the mortgage and very interesting French rates.