It may be that you have already chosen your area in which you would like to live either permanently, to buy land to build on, a second residence, a property for renting or for business reasons. In my opinion it is both prudent and vital to take independent advice from a qualified Solicitor specialising in French Property Law as the laws in France are very different to those in England - for specialist info visit www.stanleytee.co.uk. It is so important for you to understand the French system as it quite complex. You can arrange a consultation from which you will receive valuable advice, paperwork and details to digest so that we you are finally ready to view properties you may well still have questions but certainly you will be well equipped and confident with the knowledge that you already have.

Also most importantly are the French inheritance laws which will relate to your new French home. The fact that you will have a Will in England will not necessarily mean that it is appropriate to be translated to relate to French Law. In most cases clients will make a French Will so that should the property need to be sold because of bereavement then there will be no problem relating to inheritance because succession must be dealt with in France.

How Wendy's houses can help you

Once you have contacted Wendy'shouses and discussed your proposed property or land requirements you will then be introduced, via us, to the most suitable agent immobilier who will discuss and guide you through the process and costs of buying in France.

Commission: The buyer will usually not pay any commission to the Agent Immobilier as it is the seller's responsibility. The buyer will, however,
pay the notaire's fees based on the price of the property.

Mortgages: The agent immobilier will be able to organise a French mortgage for you, if needed.

Surveying: It is not a legal requirement to carry out a survey. However, the seller has to provide the buyer with asbestos, termite and lead Certificates and certified area measurements according to the type of property and area in France.

Glossary of French Words

To help you during the process of purchasing property or land in France we have produced a simple glossary below for your use.

un accompte - deposit
l'acquéreur - buyer
le compromis de vente - contract for sale of land or property
le lotissement - housing-estate. Often only a few houses
un notaire - solicitor-for conveyancing, wills, financial advice
un appartement - apartment or flat
un duplex - an apartment or maisonette on two floors
une ferme - farm
une maison jumelle - semi detatched house
une maison mitoyenne - semi detatched house
une parcelle - plot of land
le promoteur - property developer
un studio - one bedroom apartment or bedsit
la vente en l'état de futur d'achèvement - sale of property before it is built
une agence immobilière - estate agency
l'amiante - asbestos
en bon état - in good condition
la chambre à coucher - bedroom
le chauffage - heating
le chauffage collectif - shared heating(in an apartment block)
la cheminée - chimney or fireplace
la cuisine - kitchen
mètre carré - square metre
piscine - swimming pool
le premier étage - first floor
renové/ée - renovated
le rez de chaussée - ground floor
la salle de bains - bathroom
la salle à manger - dining room
la salle de séjour/le séjour - living room/lounge
le salon - sitting room/lounge/drawing room
le sous-sol - basement
la salle d'eau - shower room
un ascenseur - lift or elevator
les charges (comprises) - services charges (included)
un immeuble - block of flats
un abonnement - standing charge
le compteur - meter
EDF-GDF - Electricite de France-Gaz de France
une banque - bank
un emprunt - loan
la plus-value - capital gain
relevé d'identité bancaire (le RIB) - bank account details
la taxe d'habitation - local tax on occupation of the property
la taxe foncière - local tax on ownership of property
T3,F3 - 2 bedroomed appartment
3e ét / troisième étage - third floor
appt / appartment - apartment
cave - cellar
cuis éq-cuisine équipée - fitted kitchen
gge / garage - garage
grd séj / grand séjour - large living room
rdc / rez de chausée - ground floor
SàM / salle à manger - dining room
SdB / salle de bain - bathroom
séj / le séjour - living room/lounge
s/sol / sous sol - basement
sur 2 niv / sur deux niveaux - on two levels