COMPASS IMMOBILIER: Purchasing French Property - viewing property

PROCEDURE

Stage 1:

Viewing the property

This will occur with either a representative of the estate agency or the vendor him or herself in the case of a direct purchase. You will normally be required to sign a ‘bon de visite’ at the time of the viewing if you have visited the property via the intermediary of an agent. This document attests to the fact that you viewed the property on that date and is essentially for the purposes of proving this fact if necessary.

When viewing, you may wish to take the opportunity to discuss various matters relating to the property and you may consider it prudent to take notes and photographs. Issues to discuss would include:

• drainage system;
• rights of way or other easements that may affect the property or that the property may benefit from;
• whether particular contents will be included in the purchase price or whether you can buy them separately;
• whether the property is sold with vacant possession. You should pay particular attention should you see that part of the property has livestock on it as rural tenancies (bail rural) can automatically transmit to new owners.

Copyright All Rights Reserved Victoria Headdo, Compass Immobilier