You wish to buy real estate in Paris but you are speculating about at least one of the following questions:
- Do I have enough time to efficiently search for my ideal property?
- How can I carry out a search if I'm not based in Paris ?
- How can I avoid many unsuitable visits?
- How can I visit a varied selection while avoiding the pit falls?
- Will I know how to seize an opportunity in a complex and fast moving market?
- Will my knowledge of the real estate market enable me to orientate and target my search effortlessly?
- Can I delegate my search project to a search expert specialised in the real estate market?
Since 2003 , Home Safari has a proven professional approach that has already satisfied many local and overseas buyers. A team of property experts who devote their experience and dedication to investigating the entire market and selecting only properties that match your criteria as closely as possible. Professionals who defend your interests and assist you throughout the acquisition process.
Home Safari is a founding member of the Fédération Nationale des Chasseurs Immobiliers (FNCI - www.fnci.fr)
Our concept in a few words
Our concept is quite simple. After taking the time to really understand
your needs, Home Safari investigates and visits all the targeted properties
for you.
We inform you regularly during our collaboration. After each visit you
will receive a detailed Visit Report. We exchange opinions and useful
market information as often as needed. Our mission is successful once
we have found the ideal property and you have decided to buy it. If needed,
we can remain at your side during the buying process and provide you with
the assistance of a Notary, a Lawyer, an architect, or any real estate
professional you may need.
To achieve this, we take the necessary time to fully understand your project,
your constraints and your wishes.
Our clients
Home Safari is one of the leading and most experienced Property Search Expert, with a team dedicated to assisting local and overseas buyers looking for a property or a real estate investment in Paris .
Home Safari provides you with the solution.
Delegate your search to one of our experienced personal property experts. Side by side, we will guide you through your acquisition.
Our 3 guarantees
Home Safari offers a high quality service focused on a personalized and dynamic collaboration. Our method is based on 3 key principles: efficiency, reliability and true neutrality.
1.- Efficiency: when searching for a property we do not set limits for ourselves. We offer a very wide market approach. We cover every main channel on the real estate market including private owners, real estate agencies, promotion companies and other professionals. We also favor an active field search method to find potential non-public opportunities. The aim of our approach is to offer you a wide but precise choice of potential properties resulting in your full satisfaction.
2.- Reliability: our professional approach is based on a solid method and an optimal market reactivity. Real estate is a fast moving market where opportunities remain only for a limited time. We understand that our efficiency in obtaining information on new locations and providing feedback on visits is imperative to the success of our mission.
3.- True Neutrality: our unique activity consists in assisting you and being at your side while searching for your property. During our collaboration together, your Explorer will paypersonal attention to each of your requirements. We will share feedback we feel is necessary and useful without the influence of a seller. No specific market channel (private owners or professionals)will be favored.
To ensure success, we will remain close to you at all times during our collaboration.
The legal process of buying a home in France
- Updated information is also available on the official Web site of the French solicitors www.notaires.fr
- Overview provided by our partner EXPATICA www.expatica.com
"Once you have found a home you want, you and the seller must sign a preliminary contract called either a 'promesse de vente' or the increasingly common 'compromis de vente'.
They are not quite the same; the 'promesse' sets the price, a timeframe and any other conditions. Once signed and legally registered within a 10-day period, the seller is committed, whereas the buyer retains the right to walk away, albeit while sacrificing the initial down-payment, generally 10 percent.
The 'compromis' includes the same terms but does not need to be registered; it is, however, a legally binding agreement for both parties.
Once you sign a 'compromis', you have a seven-day buyer's remorse period during which you can change your mind for any reason; you then must also pay a down-payment of at least 10 percent.
Before signing either a 'promesse' or a 'compromis', make sure the contract specifies the exact boundaries of the property, any additional structures ('dépendences'), and any furniture, fixtures, appliances, etcetera to be included in the sale as well as any other conditions, 'conditions suspensives', on the sale such as obtaining a loan or insurance.
You and your agent are required to arrange for, at the buyer's expense, an inspection report that will determine the presence of termites, lead and asbestos. You have the right to also order any structural inspections.
With houses, it's also a good idea to also consult with the local town hall, 'la mairie', as to any development plans for the area, the local property taxes, and the exact property delineation as listed in the property roll, 'cadastre'.
For apartments, the law ('Carrez') requires that the initial agreement must specify the exact living surface. The calculation excludes stairs, terraces,
balconies, seperating walls and floor space with ceiling lower than 1.80 metres; this may not match the advertised square footage.
The 'notaire' is the solicitor that handles property transactions. The seller will almost certainly name a 'notaire'; you have the right to retain your own,
independent 'notaire', in which case the legal fees will be shared equally by the two. The buyer will pay these fees, which are based on a legally mandated fee structure, 'barème de frais', but figure on paying around five to seven percent. You will also pay the current year's real estate taxes, 'taxes foncières', prorated for the amount of time you occupy the house.
Be aware that French inheritance laws, which favour children over spouse, will apply to this property regardless of any wills and even if your primary home is elsewhere; consult with your 'noatire' as to how to deed the property in anticipation of an estate settlement. Once the deposit is paid, the 'notaire' will start researching if there are any legal or financial restrictions on its sale; this can take as long as 12 weeks. In the case of rural homes, this search should also determine if there are any other claims to the property, such as the neighbouring farmer's right, 'droit de passage', to drive his tractor across your land to his field.
You will spend this time securing your mortgage, if need be, and insurance. The conventional mortgage terms is 15 years although 20, 25 and even 30-year mortgage are available.
If you buy the land only and wish to build your own home and plan to significantly renovate an existing structure, you are also responsible for:
- 'Certificat d'urbanisme': a document that details the building codes for your construction, including exactly where you may build and the exterior
appearance.
- 'Permis de construire': you must provide detailed information on your building plans to your 'mairie'.
- Consult with your 'mairie' about any additional fees and taxes to whic you may be subject.
You will then sign the 'final acte de vente'. It is customary for all parties to sign at the same time in the solicitor's office. You will all listen to the reading of the 'acte', sign the documents and the buyer makes out a check for the remaining amount due. You are now a home-owner in France.
It's a good idea to change the locks of your new home when you move in. A locksmith, 'un serrurier', can help you with that."