Buying property in France while living abroad: the notaire's role
On Wednesday 14 October, Maître Élodie LETOUCHE, partner notaire at the firm, spoke to Artémis Courtage about the notaire's role when a buyer living elsewhere acquires property in France, at the induction seminar for the financing advisers of Artémis International. Artémis Courtage is a French brokerage firm specialising in banking transactions and borrower insurance. Its Artémis International division is dedicated to French nationals living outside France and to foreign investors.
A few key messages
A purchase takes 2 to 4 months on average. From the offer to the final signing, the timetable is set by the preliminary agreement, the cooling-off period, obtaining the loan and then the release of funds. The notaire coordinates each step.
The whole project can usually be handled remotely. Meetings are held by video call, and the purchase, the loan and the documents designating the applicable law can be signed by power of attorney, without travelling to France.
Free choice of notaire. The buyer can always choose their own notaire: the fee is then shared between the firms, not multiplied.
A purchase is an opportunity for a wealth review. Should you buy directly, through a company or with split ownership? How does the couple's matrimonial regime fit with the purchase and the loan? How can the family be protected? These choices are made to measure.
Returning to France is prepared from the moment of purchase. The tax residence of the borrowers and their children opens up possibilities that should be examined case by case, while living abroad and without waiting for the time of return.
Bilingual, with four years of practice in Singapore and a member of the Europe & International Mission of the Conseil supérieur du notariat, Maître LETOUCHE works every day with the firm's international, expatriate and English-speaking clients.