Guides

Buying property in France

Everything we've learned about the French property process, written for buyers who want the detail before they commit.

Is there a Zestimate for France?

What exists, what doesn't, and how Adresse.ai fills the gap using DVF government data.

What the data says about the asking-sale gap, and how to use a comp pool in your offer.

The real all-in cost of buying, including droits de mutation, emoluments, and the FAI vs net vendeur distinction.

What the French government's property transaction database is, how to read it, and why it matters for buyers.

How the mandatory energy rating works, what changed in January 2026, and how it affects price.

Legal standing, visa implications, the full purchase process, and what's different from the UK or US.

Which banks lend to non-residents, what terms to expect, and how FATCA and Brexit changed things.

The binding preliminary contract, the 10-day cooling-off period, and conditions suspensives explained.

Taxe fonciere, taxe d'habitation, capital gains, IFI, and what changed in the 2026 Finance Law.

Wire-transfer fraud, overpricing, fake diagnostics, and how to protect yourself at each stage.

Cost per square metre by renovation type, regional variation, MaPrimeRenov eligibility, and common traps.

Bank vs broker, forward contracts, timing your transfer through the purchase process.

What to check before, during, and after viewing a French property. Structural, legal, and village-level.

How mandates work, what agents will and won't share, and buyer-side alternatives.

The mechanics, the six required elements, conditions suspensives, and a working offer template.

Macro indicators, regional variation, and a three-filter framework for your decision.

If we save you 5% on a half-million-euro dream home, you have come out ahead by an order of magnitude over the cost of using the tool.