Buying property in France: common questions

Is Adresse.ai a Zestimate for France?

Closer to that than anything else available. We use the actual government sale data the Zestimate-equivalent would need (DVF), apply the kind of adjustments a careful local agent would (condition, energy rating, pool, stone character, view), and show the math. The Zestimate has a published median error of around 7% in the US, and we don't claim a single accuracy number on rural French property because doing so would be misleading. We aim for honest accuracy with visible uncertainty. Full reasoning at Is there a Zestimate for France?

How accurate is the estimate?

On properties with a healthy comp pool (twenty or more good comparables in five years), the adjusted range agrees with what an experienced local agent would tell you. On thin pools or unusual properties, the range widens, and we surface the lower confidence. We don't publish a single accuracy number because the answer varies meaningfully by property type, region, and comp-pool depth.

What data do you use?

DVF (the French government's record of every property transaction since 2014), ADEME (the official energy-rating register), and a few public sources for context (Notaires de France market reports, INSEE demographics, IGEDD long-run price index). Full sources at How Adresse.ai works.

How long does it take to run an estimate?

About 45 seconds end-to-end: extraction, comp search, adjustments, AI qualitative review.

What types of property does it cover?

Houses (maisons) and apartments (appartements). Commercial property, building plots, and viager sales aren't supported. The MVP launches with adjustment-factor coverage tuned for the South of France; other regions land progressively.

What if my property doesn't fit your model?

The qualitative review will say so. If the comp pool is thin, the confidence band widens, and you'll see a low-confidence indicator. If the property has features the model can't price (a substantial dependance, an unusual view, a heritage classification), the review names them. You'll know whether to trust the number for your specific case.

Can I run multiple estimates?

Yes. The product supports running multiple estimates against different listings.

Pricing details for Adresse.ai will be published before launch. See the pricing page for the latest. What holds regardless of model: no agent or seller will ever pay us to influence your estimate, and the full methodology is visible on every report.

Can I buy property in France as a foreigner?

Yes. There are no nationality restrictions on French residential property ownership. American, British, and Northern European buyers have the same legal standing as French citizens. Visa rules govern how long you can live in the property, not whether you can own it. Detail at Buying property in France as a foreigner.

Do I need to speak French?

No, but you need at least one French-speaking person on your side of the table. Your notaire, a chasseur immobilier, or a French-speaking lawyer. Don't rely on the seller's French-speaking agent.

How long does the process take?

From accepted offer to keys, 8 to 12 weeks is normal. From starting your search to keys, 6 to 18 months depending on how decisive you are.

What's the all-in cost on top of the asking price?

7 to 8% for an existing property, 2 to 3% for new-build, both before any renovation costs. Calculator at Notaire fees in France.

How much can I negotiate off the asking price?

National-average discount on non-new-build runs in the 6 to 9% range depending on the data source (major agency networks cite 6 to 8% as the 2024 average). Outside Paris and the Cote d'Azur prime markets, opening offers 5 to 10% below asking are normal. Paris specifically is much tighter (around 3% in early 2025 data). Properties needing renovation or sitting more than three months tolerate more (10 to 15%). Critical: never offer the full asking price unless you mean to buy at that price; the seller is legally compelled to accept. Detail at How to negotiate French property.

What's a compromis de vente?

The binding preliminary sale contract. Buyer has a 10-day cooling-off period after signing. After that, conditions suspensives govern when you can still withdraw. Detail at Compromis de vente: what you're signing.

Can I back out after signing?

Within 10 days of receiving the certified copy of the compromis, yes, without giving a reason. After that, only if a condition suspensive (mortgage clause, survey clause, etc.) triggers. Otherwise, withdrawing forfeits the deposit.

Do I need my own notaire as the buyer?

You don't have to; both parties can use the same notaire. For a transaction across a language barrier, having your own notaire is often worth it. The fee doesn't increase; the two notaires share the emoluments.

What's the difference between FAI and net vendeur?

FAI (Frais d'Agence Inclus) means the agency commission is included in the listed price. Net vendeur means the seller's take, with commission added on top. Affects total transaction cost slightly. Detail at Notaire fees in France.

Can Americans get a French mortgage?

Yes, with caveats. Major banks like BNP Paribas International Buyers, Credit Agricole, and Societe Generale's international arm have established processes for US-citizen applicants under FATCA reporting. Some smaller regional banks decline US applicants because the FATCA compliance overhead doesn't justify a small client volume. Expect stricter terms than a French resident gets: typically 50 to 70% LTV, slightly higher rates, and more documentation, including US tax returns. Detail at Getting a mortgage in France as a foreigner.

Have things changed for British buyers since Brexit?

Yes. UK citizens are now non-EU non-residents for mortgage and tax purposes. LTV caps tend to be lower (typically 70%), the 90/180 visa rule limits stays without a long-stay visa, and post-Brexit social charges (now 18.6% on rental income and capital gains as of January 2026, up from 17.2%) apply where pre-Brexit S1 exemptions previously kept some UK pensioners out.

What deposit will I need?

For non-resident buyers in 2026: typically 20 to 30% as the apport personnel, plus the 7 to 8% frais d'acquisition. So for a €500,000 property, expect €135,000 to €175,000 in cash plus the loan amount.

What rate can I expect?

In May 2026, non-resident mortgages run 3.5 to 4.5% on 20-year fixed terms, slightly above domestic rates. Variable rates exist but are uncommon.

Is mortgage interest tax-deductible?

For investment properties (rental income), yes. For primary or second-home use, no.

What annual French taxes will I pay?

Taxe fonciere every year (around €1,200 to €3,500 for typical second homes). Taxe d'habitation on second homes (similar amount, often with a majoration in tourist areas). IFI if your French real-estate assets exceed €1.3M. Detail at French taxes for non-resident property owners.

Wasn't taxe d'habitation abolished?

For primary residences only. Second-home owners still pay it, often at increased rates in zones tendues (housing-pressure areas).

Will I owe US tax on rental income?

If you're a US citizen, yes. US citizens are taxed on worldwide income, with French rental income reportable on Schedule E. Treaty relief credits the French tax against the US liability, preventing most double taxation.

What about capital gains when I sell?

19% income tax plus social charges on the gain. As of January 2026, the social-charges rate increased from 17.2% to 18.6% (CSG rose from 9.2% to 10.6%). The 2026 Finance Law also accelerated the income-tax taper: full income-tax exemption now arrives at 17 years of ownership instead of 22. Social charges still phase to zero only at 30 years. Detail at French taxes for non-resident property owners.

Do I need a French tax accountant?

For pure ownership without rental income, no. For rental income, capital gains on sale, or IFI exposure, yes; a French accountant familiar with non-resident filings is worth the modest cost.

What is a DPE and why does it matter?

The mandatory French energy rating, A (best) to G (worst). Affects sale price (Notaires de France 2025 data: house A/B premiums of 6-14% over D, apartment A premium up to 16%, G properties up to ~25% discount on houses), affects rentability (G banned for new lets from 2025, F from 2028), and increasingly affects mortgage terms. Detail at DPE energy ratings in France.

Has the DPE calculation changed?

Yes, in January 2026. The electricity coefficient was lowered from 2.3 to 1.9, lifting roughly 850,000 properties up a band without any change in their actual efficiency. If you're looking at a property with an older certificate, the rating may be more favourable now under the new method.

Can I trust the DPE on the listing?

Mostly. The certificate is issued by a state-certified diagnostiqueur with legal liability for accuracy. That said, certificates have been criticised for variability. For a major purchase, commissioning your own audit energetique (more thorough than the DPE) is a reasonable spend.

What if the property is rated F or G?

Three questions: (1) was the certificate issued before January 2026 and might re-rate higher under the new method? (2) what would renovation cost to lift the rating? (3) does the asking price already reflect the renovation cost? Detail at DPE energy ratings in France.

What's a realistic renovation budget?

Cosmetic refresh: €300 to €600 per m². Full interior renovation: €1,000 to €1,800 per m². Complete renovation including structure: €1,800 to €3,500 per m². Regional variation: 20 to 30% premium in Cote d'Azur and Luberon, 5 to 15% discount in rural west and centre. Detail at Renovation costs in France.

What does "a rafraichir" actually mean in a listing?

In practice, usually a full cosmetic renovation (kitchen, bathrooms, flooring, electrics). Budget €15,000 to €60,000 depending on size. Buyers consistently underestimate this term. Detail at Renovation costs in France.

What is MaPrimeRenov?

The French state energy-renovation subsidy with substantial financial support for DPE-improving works. Eligibility requires the property to be the owner's principal residence occupied at least 8 months per year; second homes are not eligible. Foreign buyers using a French property as a second home should investigate the Eco-pret a taux zero (zero-interest renovation loan) instead.

What's the biggest scam risk in 2026?

Wire-transfer redirect. You receive what looks like updated bank details from the notaire's office shortly before closing, and the wire goes to a fraud-controlled account instead. Defence: always confirm wire instructions by phone using a number you obtained independently. Never use the number in the suspicious email. Detail at Property scams in France.

Should I get a private survey?

For any property over 100 years old or showing visible defects, yes. The mandatory Dossier de Diagnostic Technique doesn't substitute for a UK-style structural survey. Cost €700 to €2,500.

Are foreign buyers really overcharged?

In some specific markets, yes. Properties marketed primarily to international buyers (English-language listings, English-speaking specialist agencies) sometimes carry 5 to 15% premiums over equivalent properties on standard French portals. Defence: always evaluate against public DVF data.

Where is my data stored?

In the EU. We use Fly.io's Paris region for the API server and Neon's EU region for the database.

Do you use my data to train AI models?

No. Your inputs and outputs are stored to provide the service and to let you re-run estimates, but not used as AI training data.

Can I export or delete my data?

Yes. Both export and deletion are available from your account, on demand. We're GDPR-compliant.

Who can see my saved reports?

Only you, by default. Reports become public only when you explicitly create a share link and send it to someone. Share links contain no personal information about who ran the estimate; they describe the property and the analysis only.

Will my agent or the seller see what I valued?

Only if you share the link with them. We never reveal users' search history, saved listings, or estimates to anyone.

Who built Adresse.ai?

A small team that bought French property and walked into exactly the data gap the product addresses. Detail at About Adresse.ai.

Is Adresse.ai funded?

Self-funded as of 2026. We may raise external capital later if the agency tier requires it; we have no immediate plans.

How can I contact you?

Email and a contact form at /contact. Response time typically within one business day.

Are you hiring?

Not actively. We may add a French-speaking customer-success person and a French-speaking content writer when growth justifies it.