You Don’t Need to Be Fluent - Just Property-Savvy!

So, you’ve fallen in love with the idea of sipping wine on your own little terrace in the Loire or a stone cottage in Normandy. But as soon as the agent says "compromis de vente", your dream hits a speed bump.

 

Buying property in France is a journey, and one sprinkled with a lot of French words that don’t show up in your high school textbook. Good news? You don’t need to speak perfect French. You just need to know the right words, in the right context.

 

Let’s walk through it together, with the essential vocabulary you’ll want by your side.

 

The Viewing Stage: First Impressions Count

You’ve booked a few viewings with a local agent immobilier (real estate agent), and you’re about to tour your potential dream home.

Key words to know:

• Maison – House
• Appartement – Apartment
• Une maison neuve – A new house
• Une maison en bon état – A house in good condition
• Une maison prête à habiter – A house ready to live in
• En ville – In town
• À la campagne – In the countryside
• Jardin exposé sud – South-facing garden
• Toit en ardoise – Slate roof

Tip: For a town or village house  Ask : “Est-ce que la maison est raccordée au tout-à-l’égout ?” (Is the house connected to mains drainage?) For a house in the countryside ask : “Est-ce que la maison est raccordée à une fosse septique ?” (Is the house connected to a septic tank?) You’ll sound like a professional!

 

Paperwork & Process: The Serious Stuff

You’ve found the one. Time to sign… something. Probably in triplicate. Welcome to the paperwork stage.  Dedpending on whether you’re dealing with an agent or Notaire, documents can also be signed electronically.

Key words to know:

• Compromis de vente – Preliminary sales agreement, where you pay a deposit and have a ten-day cooling-off period
• Acte de vente – Final deed of sale, normally, three months after the compromise de vente
• Acheteur – Buyer
• Vendeur – Seller
• Notaire – Public notary (handles the legal side, not you!)
• Frais de notaire – Notaire fees (usually around 7-8%)
• Diagnostics immobiliers – Property surveys/reports
• Mairie – Mayor’s office (often involved in local property matters)

The notaire is your best friend. They don’t work for the seller or buyer - just the law. They’ll make sure everything’s fair and legal.

 

Money Talk: Let’s Talk Budget

Now let’s look at the financial side. It’s more than just the house price - there are hidden costs you’ll want to factor in.

Key words to know:

• À vendre – For sale
• Acheter – To buy
• Prix de vente – Sale price
• Apport personnel – Personal deposit
• Crédit immobilier – Mortgage
• Taux d’intérêt – Interest rate
• Frais d’agence – Agency fees
• Frais de notaire – Notaire fees

 Always clarify if the asking price is F.A.I. (Frais d’agence inclus – agency fees included). Sometimes, it’s not!

 

The Type of Home: Main Home or Holiday Escape?

Before you buy, consider: is this your forever home or just a summer retreat?

Key words to know:

• Résidence principale – Permanent house
• Résidence secondaire – Holiday home

Taxes and insurance might be different depending on whether it’s your résidence principale or résidence secondaire - always check!

 

Moving In: Your New Life Begins?

Keys in hand, you're now the proud owner of a little slice of France. But wait - what’s that bill?

Key words to know:

• Taxe foncière – Property tax
• Taxe d’habitation – Occupancy tax (often waived for main homes now)
• Compteur – Meter (for water/electric/gas)
• Contrat d’abonnement – Subscription/utility contract
• Assurance habitation – Home insurance
• Fosse septique – Septic tank
• Tout-à-l’égout – Mains drainage

Don’t forget to switch the compteurs to your name right away, or you might be in the dark, literally.

 

Your French Property Dream? Totally Doable.

Yes, there’s a learning curve, but with a little preparation (and the right vocabulary) buying a home in France doesn’t have to feel like an episode of Lost in Translation. So, where are you dreaming of buying - a farmhouse in Brittany, a Parisian pied-à-terre, or a seaside escape on the Côte d’Azur?

 

Ready to start your French property adventure? 

Let’s make sure you’re fluent in what matters most - real estate! Got questions or want help moving forward to purchase your dream, then get in touch! If you are looking for a property to buy in France, at SOS Anglo we offer a personalised property finder service. We find properties that match your specifications and can carry out viewings for you and provide an impartial report about the property, including photos and videos.

 

Download our printable checklist to take with you on your next visit by clicking here.

 

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