What do I pay when signing the preliminary sale agreement?

At this first signing, the buyer must pay:

• An advance on costs, used to cover the first expenses of the file (generally between 450 and 600 euros).

Any costs relating to the preliminary contract will be taken from this amount (for example, the registration duty of 125 euros for a promesse, or drafting fees).

• The deposit or immobilisation indemnity agreed with the seller.

This sum is held in escrow by the notaire until the sale. If the buyer withdraws within the 10-day cooling-off period, it is refunded in full. If the sale is cancelled later, it is paid to the seller or refunded to the buyer according to the terms of the contract (for example if a loan is refused). If there is a dispute, a judge will decide what happens to this sum.

At David Notaires, no drafting fee is charged for drawing up the preliminary contract.

A tailor-made preliminary sale agreement drafted by our experts therefore costs no more than a standard form without legal backing.

And you, have you called on your notaire's expertise to draft your preliminary sale agreement?

(Infographic below in French.)