PROPERTY PURCHASE CONSULTANCY SERVICE





WHY USE OUR SERVICE

Using our Property Purchase Consultancy service means that once you have found your property, which can be anywhere in France, we do the work involved in the purchase transaction and guide you through the whole process so that you have as trouble-free and enjoyable a buying experience as possible.

The idea is that you deal with us. We deal with everyone and everything else.

The property buying process in France is complicated, time-consuming, administratively very heavy …… and done in French, but it does work well so long as you follow the rules and you know where and how to avoid all the pitfalls. Changes post-purchase are very expensive. Errors even more so.

The Notaire, whose use is mandatory under French law, does not act in the interests of the buyer or seller, but as an official of the state.

Our service, however, is there just for you. We lead the purchaser through the process, from initial interest in a property through to purchase completion and, if required, beyond.


WHAT DOES OUR SERVICE INCLUDE?

  • Dealing with all legal exchange and completion documentation, liaising with the Notaire and taking you through all documentation and procedures…. in English!
  • Advising whether to use a joint or individual Notaire and appointing and liaising with the Notaire on your behalf
  • Assessing the required seller's obligations
  • Scrutinising and approving all the buyer's obligations
  • Arranging and advising on the various mandatory surveys, ensuring they are commissioned at the seller’s cost
  • Dealing with communal and prefecture requirements
  • Advising on the critical suspensive clauses in the legal documentation – critical in the initial exchange contract
  • Agreeing a full inventory of all items to be included in the sale or otherwise agreed between seller and buyer
  • Advising on any mortgage provisions and rules
  • Reviewing third party pre-emptive rights of purchase
  • Assessing any rights of way over the property and any third-party use of the property
  • Providing guidance on Inheritance and future sale issues (e.g. Capital Gains Tax)
  • Providing guidance on ‘surviving spouse’ inheritance structuring within the purchase documentation.
  • Providing guidance in the drawing up of appropriate wills and mirroring any existing arrangements where necessary
  • Introduction as required to good bi-lingual Accountants for assistance with tax set-up, income tax returns, etc. (e.g. rental of the property)
  • Opening a mandatory French Bank Account and related services
  • Reviewing Property Buildings and Contents Insurance and arranging assessment visits and quotations
  • Overseeing Utilities transfers and reassignments (Water, Electricity, fuel, etc.)
  • Reviewing local Tax obligations and transfers - Tax D'habitation and Tax Fonciere – and appropriate apportionment between buyer and Seller where applicable
  • Setting up a foreign exchange trading account for purchase funds and thereafter, and overseeing all the required secure currency transfers at highly competitive commercial rates.


WHAT IS THE COST?

The flat-fee cost of the consultancy service is 1.50% plus vat of the property purchase price (subject to a minimum fee of €3750 plus vat), with 50% payable on signature of our service agreement and 50% on successful completion of the property purchase.


WHAT HAPPENS IF MY FIRST PROPERTY PURCHASE FALLS THROUGH?

The consultancy agreement is valid for one year from the date of signature.

In the event that the purchase of the initial property selected does not complete for reasons other than the client’s decision to withdraw from the purchase for reasons unrelated property itself, Pioneer France will provide its purchase process service for one other property so long as completion of the purchase is within one year of date of this agreement and subject to a roll-over administration fee of €685 plus vat.


A SERVICE WORTH TAKING

Clients who have used our service are invariably satisfied and usually very relieved to have had us ‘take the strain’.

Client references are available, and you are more than welcome to speak to these clients directly.

Contact us