Buy a House in France - Process Revealed

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How do you buy French property? Buying French real estate is not as complicated as you might think. We walk through what we discovered during our own home purchase process in France and compare buying a house in France to purchasing property in the United States.
About Us:
We are an American family of 3 who moved to France for an extended stay adventure in 2022.
We wanted to experience Europe as more than rushed tourists on a 10-day vacation. To dive into the culture, learn a new language, experience daily life, and truly know what it was like to work and live somewhere other than the US.
In France, we set up a business, enrolled in a middle school, found housing, and even got our cat a European passport!
While in the US preparing to leave, the information we found about staying in France for longer than a short vacation was directed at college students, young & single digital nomads, or retirees. Where was the useful information for families like us?
With a year under our belts in France, we created Baguette Bound to pass on what we have learned. We hope to make it easier and inspire other families who are interested in experiencing a long stay in France with their families. Stay tuned for more information on French culture, local travel ideas, and the logistics of moving across the world.
Contact us or follow our journey @ baguettebound.com/
#frenchproperty #frenchrealestate #movetofrance #france #schengenvisa #americansinfrance #buyahouse #acheterunemaison #homebuyingprocess #francechannel #internationalbuyers #expatlife #expatinfrance #househunting #francevisa

[@neohuman4602]

As a French I am proud and happy to know that amazing people like you decided to stay here. Thanks for your channel and experience sharing. Bless you.

[@mikehend6076]

Very professional explanations on all the process to buy a property in France. You missed nothing. It should help lots of Americans.

[@user-rp8io9vy4v]

Honestly, as a french person looking to maybe one day getting my own house, this explanation was wayyyy easier to understand than anything my parents have been trying to get into my brain xD

[@paulschrader7420]

Congrats! Our process was indeed a “fast” 21 weeks from accepted offer to keys! What I will say - we were forewarned as our process started in a September and they were already alerting us that things would grind to a standstill at Christmas Hahaha we thought “ Xmas? That’s months away - why are you telling us this? We’ll be done long before then -- right?” And they laughed -- We got the keys on Feb 14!

[@BaguetteBound]

Lol, this rings true!! Congrats!

[@countryman569]

Where are you in France ? Region ? I drove from Lille to Narbonne( from the north to the Mediterranean sea ). I saw the most beautiful landscapes in France . Thumbs up 👍 from northern California. Profitez bien de la beaute de France .

[@gsbeak]

Congrats for you purchase ! I do agree that our French inheritance law is idiotic because it leads to a lot of "indivision" (co-tenancy) and is a major reason for family "wars". I used to own 2.5 % of the big family house that my great-grand-mother bought in 1895. We were 15 owners including me, my sisters, my mother and numerous cousins and uncles and aunts. The maintenance cost was high. The house was deteriorating. Each year, I had to pay 2.5% of the property taxes. Everybody wanted to sell except one cousin ("It is a sacred duty to keep it in the family..."). It lasted 15 years before we could sell and some family people don't talk anymore to each others...

[@BaguetteBound]

Oh my gosh! What a difficult and frustrating situation. Its hard to imagine how think kinds of things ever wouldn't be with so many people involved and an asset that needs maintenance and money for upkeep, yet it's really hard for everyone involved to benefit from unless its sold. Thanks for sharing your story!

[@taralynnhoffmann5831]

You could have just given up your 2.5% portion, which was probably of negligable worth anyway. The same things happen in Quebec. I bought a house that had been inheritged by 4 siblings., They were all wealthy - architecht, doctors, historian. They left the house deteriorate for 35 years because they didn't want to ''spend more money on it than the others''. But they also didn't sell it to spite each other. It was a beautiful house and their grandfather had taken such care of it. When I first bought it, I wanted to get to know the family because it was one of the oldest homes in our town, and I and was interested in collecting some information. The people in that family were evil! One of them even knocked down a retaining wall and thankfully one of the villagers interevened to save the house from crumbling. My husband and I - ''simple workers'' (macon and electrician) took 10 solid years to restore the house and turn it back to it's glory. We turned it into a beautiful home. We sold 2 years ago and it still hurts, I loved that house so much.

[@gsbeak]

@@taralynnhoffmann5831 In France, you can't give property, you have to sell it (it's called "licitation " ) even if it is a much reduced price because of co-tenancy. You cannot sell it for a too low price because the Fisc (French fiscal administration) will object because they would get a reduced sell tax. And the problem was that nobody wanted to get a bigger share of the property to get a bigger share of the taxes and upkeep costs, even the ones objecting for a 100 % sale outside of the family. And you need unanimity of all the co-tenants to sell, the only other way is to go to the tribunal. This explains "family wars"... It took 15 years to solve the problem. That is why I've already told my siblings than when, unfortunately, my very old mother will decease, I will insist to sell immediately her apartment to avoid co-tenancy and keep a good a relationship among us.

[@matthieuchollat-namy4885]

Never hear of this napoleonic law.

[@alaind276]

Thank you for explaining the process. Just one clarification, while the current law may have been written by napoleon that has historically been how French inheritance works. That is famously why the empire of Charlemagne fractured after his death.

[@bikesfrench8524]

Partager pour ces 3 fils de Charlemagne chaque a eu sa par

[@traveltirement]

I’ve officially made it! 🙏🤩 We need to do a live webinar together. Let’s make it happen! 😎

[@davidhaley8542]

One major difference with the U.S. is that all parties receive all the documents BEFORE closing day. Further, there are usually fewer documents. We read ALL the documents well before our signing session with the notaire, and we had marked all the sections we did not understand clearly. The notaire illuminated everything that was unclear for us. One note: many properties, particularly in rural areas, have older septic systems. A number of years ago, the French government passed legislation requiring these systems to be brought up to "norm" within two years of transfer if a property changed hands. This usually costs 8 to 15 thousand euros, depending upon the attributes of the property.

[@nicolavetter9071]

Wow, who needs to pay for that?

[@vardemis4200]

@@nicolavetter9071 depends, an agreement can be done between buyer and salers, what can be done is if you have to "legalize" the sceptic system as a buyer, you can have a quote made by a local company and substract the amount of the quotes of the sale price (in france a company can bill you more than the qotes they made at the exception of very specific case), thhe buyer is to pay for the update of the sceptic system but as said that price can be substract from the price, it is a usual habit that won't be negotiate much or argue about. It is the same for exemple if you buy a flat and that there is huge work (elevator change, boiler change, renovating facade : every 10 to 15 years). More importly you will be inform prior (mandatory by law) to the signing of the sale agreement that you will have those legal obligations or things to pay on top of the prices as it can be a major defect that can invalidate the sales. Another thing that can be done is that the salers pay for it (so you won"t have, but can't substract any amount from the price) and engage humself for the work to be done, either before if it is possible the sale or after when you are the owner. It will be put to discussion and all parties will agree and sign agreement in front of the notaire that have the possibility to enforce the decision made.

[@MrGearoid65]

Brilliant video. Congratulations 🎉 on your purchase and your life in France. Your video was excellent. Bonne chance en France!!😊🇫🇷🇫🇷🇫🇷

[@gillestrudeau836]

It is a barrister in English. I live in Québec and we have the Civil Code too. And qe do have notaires.

[@FrenchEstateAgent]

Someone had a nice paid holiday in Tahiti, when they could of just contacted a local notary there, or even done an electronic signature!

[@pbrightbill]

Reena and Jason, congrats on making the move. I’m trying to make this happen for me. I fell in love with the southwest of France decades ago when I first visited in 1996 and took a train down from Paris to meet the owners of a lovely home in a small village outside of Nimes. I had met them through my French teacher in New York and we arranged an exchange they taking my one bedroom apartment in the Chelsea section of Manhattan and me their 260 sq meter three level medieval home. They showed me around Languedoc and near Provence and over the course of three weeks I absolutely fell in love with that part of SE France. From your interstitial directions, you must live in the SE part of what is now the region of Nouvelle Acquitaine, either in the Dordogne or the Correze Department. Do you know of the 2014 film “The Hundred Foot Journey”? It was filmed in the village (commune) of Saint-Antonin-Noble-Val in the Tarn-et-Garonne department of the region just to the south and east of you, Occitanie.

[@JD987abc]

Hello. I recently subscribed to your channel and purchased the French Channel using your code. Great savings. Iv been in Paris for over 30 times including 3 months stays in apartment rentals and more recently airbnbs. Last September and October I “back packed” through 6 towns staying in prearranged airbnbs taking scnf from town to town, local buses and uber but most on foot. I’m returning to Angers this October for 2 weeks renting a car and exploring the Loire river valley for potential long term stays once I get my long term visa. Im enjoying your channel. Thank you. Joe Retired in Cape May.

[@jeromegastan2887]

Congratulations on buying a house! I hope you guys will be very happy there.

[@vardemis4200]

In sale agreement, there is conditions in the contract in case for exemple the bank refuse your loan for any reason if you have to take one, there is also some articles if the city wants to take over the property for the buyer to get back its deposit, and if you buy a piece of land to build a house, the city agreement to build, as you need a building permit :) etc. The deposit is not paid to the owner but to the notaire or to the Caisse des dépot en consignation (a state banking organism, that block the money free of fees, it is to be fair for all parties and not steal the money or any unfair practices), also the full payment is not given directly to the saler, the money is passing throw the Notaire, to validate the sale, to take the amount of taxes needed, his fees and redistribute the money if needed to the owner, the real estate agent etc. The notaire is the guaranted that all the money is channel where it should be and that eveything is made in due form

[@bluewaterstudio]

Thank you so much for taking the time to share all that you have learned. Your channel is a real benefit (and blessing) to all. I am concerned with the exchange rates. My USD just doesn't faire well migrating to Euros! On a large purchase this could be a substantial awakening. Wishing you immense happiness in France. -Daniel (Paris)

[@BaguetteBound]

Thank you Daniel! It is true about the exchange rate, but even with paying that "penalty" we felt our money went further here in France. But then we're not in Paris! 😉

[@olivierdelatouche9453]

Welcome here dan ! (Don't buy in paris anyway, and its a parisian living there who tells you that) unless you're investing to gamble on the uprise of the housing market value (which o)is always getting up, so safe bet). If its to live here at longterm you have better near paris

[@JoelBraun-wf7iv]

How do you think us Canadians feel! Our dollar is like coming with monopoly money :(

[@bluewaterstudio]

I am a lucky man. I bought an apartment across from Jardin du Luxembourg. I paid thru the proverbial nose. I have lunch at my favorite pub most every day. 23 Euros. A burger, frites, and a beer. I pay with a Visa debit card that charges me an extra 3% and my USD is only worth 93 cents (.93 Euro). It adds up, in a bad way, and I’m a mathematician! Big but .. I am here where my true heart lies .. and that, is priceless 🇱🇺

[@francois3475]

@@JoelBraun-wf7iv Well, the Governor of the Bank of Canada said a few days ago that if Canada lowers interest rates, as it is poised to do, which will end up being lower than the Federal Reserve's interest rates in the US, that will tend to depreciate the Canadian dollar. Brace yourself for a still lower Cdn dollar. Since the OECD predicts that Canada's growth rate will be the lowest amount all 37 OECD countries until 2060 (not a typo), you can see what Canada's future looks like. The country's in free fall now. Exit if you have options. I bought in Paris 6 months ago.

[@michaelblack7714]

Congratulations on buying your home in France 🇫🇷. Hope it will be your forever home! I bought mine in the Sarthe Valley last September. Glad you mentioned the "right of first refusal" of the local mairie and farmers' association to buy the property during the period after the compromis de vente. That was a big worry for me.

[@lollygee172]

Congratulations on your new house! Coincidentally i spent over an hour on SeLoger this morning perusing houses for sale even though I’m 2 yrs away from buying or renting. And i already have a subscription ro France TV so i guess I’m a real francophile😂. Can’t wait to see your new home! ❤

[@danielalexandre4008]

Try "moteur immo" which is an aggregator.

[@petebartlett2229]

Congratulations We are in the process of buying at the moment. Compris de vente signed,deposit paid…. Just need to view the property!!! But that’s this weekend!! (Don’t worry 2 surveyors viewed it)

[@XkannsenX]

I think your friend asked what kind of mushroom is it because in France a lot of old houses have "dry rot fungus" (mérule). And when you have that, it's a disaster.

[@Claire-ks5yi]

Is it something not treatable? We are in the process of looking and definitely have seen it showing up in some of the diagnostic reports. That and Asbestos.

[@XkannsenX]

@@Claire-ks5yi I'm not a specialist. I just know it can be an expensive and complicated process. If not treated in time, the structure of the house can be compromised. And for the asbestos, it was one of the main components of old buildings until 1997 (i think) in France, used in concrete, roofs, window joints, floor covering, etc... If you do some renovation work, you must protect workers, and have a special process for the wastes. Asbestos can be a money pit if you have to touch it.

[@vardemis4200]

@@Claire-ks5yi it treatable but you will need a professional to do it, there is legal stuff also for you can have a lot of troubles if the mushroom spread because of you. If there is merule in the house, better avoid to buy it, but if you really want, you'll need to treat it and to make all the necessary work to get rid of any moisture :)

[@italyinme9748]

Thanks for sharing!

[@remybossert6605]

At 13:47-regarding signing the Compromis de vente. The buyer can step down, but NOT the seller unless the buyer agrees. The buyer can be sued if he refuses to sell after having signed the Compromis de vente.

[@leftypd5363]

Super helpful, thanks!,,

[@matissebrement1938]

Hey, i'm a french hischooler (terminale) and when i watched your ad about french series and film i thinked that it is finally our time to launch a cultural offensive. And enven tought french aren't good at action movies and series, you will love our humor

[@joanrojas9084]

Always the best content. Thank you!

[@Pigjes]

Great info! Thanks! And congratz!

[@rddavies]

Just went through this myself. Very accurately described. The system *is* different from the US but at the same time it's not *that* different or at least not so different that you can't adapt. But the process is stressful I think especially if you're managing it from across the ocean. You definitely get the feeling that you're in uncharted waters.

[@brodocassel]

Can’t wait to see the house! Bon courage.

[@jowalk80]

Congratulations 🎉 Thank you for sharing this process.

[@manoul71]

great! :) bonne chance pour la suite, ça s'annonce bien! :)

[@Claire-ks5yi]

Congratulations on your new house! It is really nice to hear your house purchasing experience.

[@jean-marieg.6456]

Thanks for sharing your experience, very nice and refresching 👍😀

[@londonwest12]

Excellent, clear and intelligent advice as always and helps take a little of the fear out of the process - thank you both

[@nicolavetter9071]

Thank you for all the valuable content you’re sharing! So happy for you that you can settle in finally - after 18 months…wow! And congrats on the first sponsor!

[@karlazytzeen]

Binge-watching your videos ahah :) such great energy coming from you guys :) Vous ne vivez pas loin de ma grand-mère, j'adore la région !

[@pjalexandra]

Congratulations on the house purchase and on your first channel sponsor! This was very helpful info. I am fairly conversant with French culture but the legal processes are a whole 'nother ballgame.

[@laurac7289]

Firstly, congratulations! This is a huge step and I wish you all the best. Secondly, thank you. I've watched other videos on buying a house in France, but this was the most comprehensive and well-explained. Can't wait to see the new place!

[@coconeedham24]

Looking forward to your new video on how to organize a move to France.. I’m retired next year so can’t wait.. Thanks Again for sharing your info..

[@marthamihaly5125]

Love you guys and your young energy! I'm learning so much from you, as well as from the well-informed Comments of your subscribers. Now, to track down that link for the French TV channel...

[@ariannewdnotbe]

Congratulations! I am aware of the Napoleonic inheritance laws & it can be difficult! I hope the three of you are very happy there.

[@DeanRamser]

Congratulations! Excellent news!

[@BaguetteBound]

Thank you!

[@emetens]

Congratulations on your purchase! Might be worth mentioning that, in certain areas, the right of first refusal can be used by the mairie to purchase houses/condos that will be converted into social housing.

[@OpenViewsToWorld]

Congrats ! Amusez vous bien ! Good to hear that it went smoothly ! I hope you get some tax advice regarding inheritance tax and such as it is relatively complicated and you can plan way ahead ! You can ask your notaire...(France being a pro tax country which has its ups and downside).

[@ginamarmottanbardullas4715]

Vos vidéos sont si agréables à regarder. Merci de partager votre enthousiasme et votre joie d’avoir choisi notre beau pays. Soyez les bienvenus. Nous vous souhaitons tout le bonheur du monde ici en France avec nous tous. 🙂

[@lohphat]

Perhaps a video on how large monetary transfers happen internationally would be good. We’ve all seen the $10,000 amount in the customs declaration form, but there must be a standard way to move large amounts of money across borders - and extra fees and taxes - which must be accounted for. Also, can a home purchase fast track a residency permit or is one required pre-purchase?

[@marthamihaly5125]

Good idea, I'd like to know these details as well.

[@danielalexandre4008]

Renting first will allow you to sort this out, and innumerable other issues. Just come and see !😊

[@Claire-ks5yi]

Yes this would be helpful to know! Would love to know about your house insurance purchase/shopping process too!

[@Cookie-ye5dq]

Congrats on your home.

[@annawoods5184]

Hi this is only my 2nd video to watch this lovely couple explaining buying a house in France & Health Care in France, so lovely & so easy to follow & easy to watch. Where did u buy your house & keep doing what your doing, found you on Tommy travels, good luck & keep your adorability. Watch Francois Truffaut movies…just the best💜🤗

[@WeTopia_]

I had no idea about French Channel so I paused the video to sign up. I was so excited I forgot to use your discount code but I don’t care because it has Le Meilleure Patissier with English subtitles!!!!! Love your channel even more now than before. Now back to your video. 😂

[@beauthestdane]

It's not both parties, it is only the buyers that have the 10 day cooling off period.

[@BaguetteBound]

Thanks for this clarification!

[@danielalexandre4008]

No it's both if you sign a promesse unilatérale. And that's the most common way to go.

[@beauthestdane]

@@danielalexandre4008 That is odd, most everywhere I see comments on it, it is just the buyer that has the 10 day cooling off period.

[@danielalexandre4008]

@@beauthestdane you're right and I was wrong

[@MarianneInmarsilia]

Félicitations et bon courage pour le déménagement ! 🥂

[@BaguetteBound]

Merci beaucoup!

[@angelahopton7697]

Thank you for great information. Please share how you move household goods also. Love your videos!

[@BaguetteBound]

Thanks for watching!! Moving our stuff is ongoing drama right now. 🙄 We're filming as it develops and we'll put together a video when we finally get through it!

[@nicolavetter9071]

Can’t wait for that video as this is a part that’s keeping us up at night. We’ll be selling our house in Denver this summer, but we don’t have a clear understanding yet where to store the stuff we want to ship - a 20 ft container. One moving company did a video walk through of our house but then never sent a proposal. Please let us know what moving company you use and where you stored your stuff - we have to have a climate controlled storage space due to valuable musical instruments and antiques. I’d really appreciate your advise since we are from the same state ;)

[@wilgipp4653]

Bought a house in the Lot et Garonne 18 months ago. The “ Diagnostic” is not equivalent to a US home inspection. It’s difficult to find, but get a home inspection done. Especially on electrics, chimney, insulation, heating systems. Also on the initial contract, specify exactly what stays and leaves the property with the sellers. Entire kitchens and every light fixture may not be there when you do the final walk through. Our ‘ closing ‘ took 9 months because permits for a roof terrace repaving were not obtained by the seller. And then August the entire country is on vacation. It’s tricky stuff. This video was great. It was as clear as can be for such a different process. Thanks!

[@nulnestcenseignorerlaloi3025]

yes, the whole world is jealous of our "vacances d'été" (summer vacation).

[@vaudou74]

my family (my father live there 6monthes/year) own a 13th century bastide ( fortified farm aka castle for foreigners) in the 47 for centuries, we will sell it in a close future ( middle of nowhere/closest village is at 20km,slow internet (too far for dsl, optic fiber in deployment tho) ,too far for short holidays (from a european point of view),ratio habited/free is low(sister in belgium, me near switerland), 1800m² habitable + 24.000m² field/forests) before our father die ( he said he prefer to do it while he can than leaving the burden to us) , state taxes are a killer as a second house ( 6k € fonciere +6k € habitation)=> that s the main problem, fucking yearly state taxes ...i would keep it but the taxes would bleed me to death..

[@wilgipp4653]

The property sounds very nice. But for all the reasons you mention, it’s a difficult property to keep for €12,000/ combined property taxes. And then you have inheritance tax. Sorry to hear this.

[@riazdoby1445]

Toutes mes félicitations...

[@Nubianette]

Congratulations! I’m a single person, and I don’t think I’ll buy a home in France, but it’s interesting to watch your process.

[@BaguetteBound]

Thanks for watching! If you can get a traditional long term rental here, it's much better for renters than in the states! If we had been able to do that, I definitely think we would have gone that route. But no French job to show a landlord and few house rentals with yards in our area made it tough. And I love, love, love this house. Can't wait to show y'all!! 😊

[@Nubianette]

@@BaguetteBound I’ll probably rent a house somewhere between Marseille and Cassis, with my extended family. We love the that area, even my nephews. Close access to a beach, and they’re happy. Happy kids, happy adults. Hehe!

[@ghislainedrie7667]

Soyez les bienvenus et profitez de la vie

[@vincentvegeta6172]

Félicitations 👌

[@shaunah.8605]

Thanks for this video! Does FranceTV have the show Un village français? We're watching it via Prime Video MHZ add-on and we're completely hooked. Maybe we'll switch after we finish it!

[@kurohebie3161]

Multiple owners is only for properties that are in "indivision" which is a special status for when a family wants to keep a share in a family estate. My father bought out his sister's and cousin's shares so now he is the sole owner of a family piece of land. Now that you own the house, if you sell it, it will be only you.

[@remybossert6605]

I agree

[@caromurray6152]

Congratulations on your new home. Ps seen all those shows on Netflix that you mentioned-must be a Francophile.☺️

[@Rachel-rs7jn]

Congratulations! Now, watch how long it takes you to get the deed to your house once you own it. We bought ours in December 2021 and we just got the deed. (We probably could have pushed and gotten it sooner, but it would have been at least a year.) I actually like the right of first refusal. I feel like it must mitigate eminent domain issues. Have fun unpacking! 🙃

[@Alex-mp1zb]

Unfortunately you took the wrong "notaire". It normally takes a few weeks. You should have insisted more for them to do their job properly. Next time you need a notary ask people around you about their notaire to see how serious they are.

[@Rachel-rs7jn]

@@Alex-mp1zb Ah, darn. My partner (French) did suspect they didn't care about us because our purchase was so small, and barely worth their time (they're in Paris, we're in Niort).

[@Alex-mp1zb]

@@Rachel-rs7jn Some notaires are more serious than others unfortunately. I had a good one but when I needed him for an inheritance settlement I discovered he had sold his office to a young notaire who was much less efficient than him. A notaire is supposed to advise you for any legal affair (sale, marriage, inheritance) for free but I realised the new notary was not very helpful and I had to change my testament 3 times! They get their money from the deeds they establish (a percentage controlled by the State) but not from the advice they can provide. Consequently, you might be right; yours may have had bigger business to deal with...

[@slicksalmon6948]

Very interesting, including the casual mention that you paid cash. What are your professions (or former professions)?

[@houghi3826]

Notaire fees most likely are set. So there is no negotiation with them on prices with them. The issue with inheritance is a separate thing that is also handled by the notaire. If you would have bought from a single owner, things would have been faster. Count yourself lucky. Inheritance problems can sometimes go on for years, depending the situation and if all parties agree or even are legally allowed to sell. And you said you pad cash. I assume that was with a bank-cheque? That brings perhaps an other difference between the US and Europe: Banking. e.g. in Europe we have the IBAN banking system. And how to do payments to companies and getting paid your salary. And perhaps fees and banks and saving accounts and what not.

[@jodiehebert8285]

Where did you buy your house? How did you choose a region and narrow down to a town? Let me know if that is another video!

[@StartBusFrance]

Yeah, félicitations pour la maison! The French probably asked about the mushroom, because of the dreaded "merule" (which thankfully is also covered in the diagnostic immobilier).

[@BaguetteBound]

Thank you!!

[@superpieton]

If your friends asked about the type of fungi, it's probably because of the Merule, which is a disaster for wooden parts of a house, and a pain in the a** to get rid of... (and the picture of the infected ceiling could very much be a Merule... you dodged a bullet, for sure) By the way, congrats for your buying!

[@superpieton]

When there are multiple owners (often due to an inheritance), it's called "indivision" (= "not divided"). If one of the descendant wants to be the sole owner of the house, he/she has to buy others inheritants parts.

[@agalie7139]

I bought my house by offering exactly the price... but depends of the mandate that seller has. In the case of representation mandate , I knew the rule , the price and the property were very interesting. 2 other persons made offers before me but initially they bargained so I was immediately chosen even if one of them wanted to increase the price afterwards. In the case of a regular mandate the agency only searches for a buyer , the owner is free to accept or not.

[@user-lu1zv1sn9w]

Thank you for the very informative video. I would like to ask who does the diagnostic and how much it costs? Why would I do a diagnostic before seeing the house? Maybe I will not like it?

[@johannerenaudie]

I was very happy, being french & living in this beautiful Southwest of France region, to find your channel. It's really interesting and so positive ! I'm wondering about one thing : would you consider, one day, helping your friends and clients to find their house in the region ? We (husband and I) live in a really nice village ( near Bergerac, 10mn from Gardonne train station) with all amenities. We love our house, a beautiful longère with a swimming pool, but, due to health condition (ALD for me too, Jason...), we may consider selling it. We haven't made up our mind yet, as we are not ready to go through this hectic process of finding an agent, dealing with countless visits... As you said in an other video, buying is easy in France, but finding/selling your house isn't always. Why wouldn't you come over and visit us one day so as to see the house (and have a nice pâtisserie)? I know British people in Eymet who started a successful real estate business, and even if it's not your primary goal, it may be worth considering. And as you already are an advisor for your clients, maybe you could just charge advising fees for this help? 😊 (I first put this comment under a video which was about an other topic, sorry for the mistake)

[@TheModo]

Nice video. Congrats! How long is the driving time to take your daughter to school?

[@SusanHaver-yf6xj]

Agent immobilier = estate agent. Congratulations on taking the leap. Sounds like there's no going back... 😉

[@DeanRamser]

Bonjour Raina and Jason! We are now thinking that we will travel to France after we sell our Portland condo, to purchase a cozy two-bedroom home in the Novelle Aquitane or Pays de la Loire area. I wonder how we can find a Noitaire in this area? Merci!! Dean & Cindy

[@Lawman212]

Although the process is different in France, it sounds very sensible. Oh wow, the offer price can't be bid up? That's amazing. Everyone in the US is getting houses snatched out of their hands by a higher offer lately.

[@dscott8799]

I’m surprised you offered the listed price. Unless you’re in Paris, i think it’s quite common to negotiate. My parents offered €40k below the €220k asking price and got it. I was under the impression they weren’t an exception

[@BaguetteBound]

In the situation we offered market price? The house was VERY well priced. It was actually listed for 40,000 euros less with this particular agent than two others it was also on the market with. Which is why I think there was drama between agent and owner when she presented our "full price offer". We could have pursued that, but I'm glad we didn't, sometimes things just work out as they should. I sometime think things are often "overpriced" in France because you can only negotiate down for the seller, so they want to start high. Congrats to your parents, I think Paris is a tough market!

[@Noitacitsamal]

camera cafe and secret d'histoire on france channel I think you can't make more french tv show than that :o

[@DeanRamser]

Excellent videos. We are planning a LSV trip in the fall. Most likely renting. But the French farmhouse is alluring. Are there trains and buses nearby, or is a car required? The upkeep is not, but the idyllic surroundings are attractive. I am curious what the sales tax was. It could be up to 20% in Italy or Spain, I think. Merci!

[@delphzouzou4520]

Generally if you live in the countryside you will need a car, especially if you're searching a farmhouse in a rural area. But you'll never be more then 30-40 minutes away from the train station.

[@DeanRamser]

Thank you for the advice. I think we will visit the rural areas but live near the sea, perhaps Toulon region.

[@LisaMoo54]

Hi! I'm enjoying your videos as I am in the process of getting everything sorted in the US before (mostly likely) moving to Southwestern France. I'm trying to decided whether to rent out my house for a year and then buy a house in France, or sell everything now. It's confusing to know what the tax effects in France would be if I sold my US house after becoming a tax resident of France, especially with regard to the US exemption for capital gains tax on earnings below $250,000. Does France tax you on capital gains from dollar one even if the US doesn't? Did you sell before you moved, or did you sell after you became residents in France?

[@BaguetteBound]

We sold after we became French tax residents...primarily because we didn't expect to stay and that's just how it worked out. This might be worth paying a cpa with international expat experience a flat hourly fee to find out specific to your tax situation. Because I think the flexibility of knowing you have a place as a "back-up" that first year is nice, but also knowing the financial implications of that is important. Just be if you're going to ship your stuff you do it in the first year or they nonlonger count as household goods. You have to pay customs of up to 25% on the value of everythng! .

[@GodslilDestiny]

Congrats! Were you able to get a French mortgage or did you pay cash for your new home?

[@BaguetteBound]

We paid cash using sale proceeds from a house in the US

[@ElMariachi1337]

Even though I'm not some special France fan (happily living in the Netherlands) it's still interesting to see the proces of buying a house in France. I'd say it's about 90% the same for buying a house in NL aside from the have to accept the full asking price offer. But we also use a notoire (or notaris in Dutch) I think they are a common thing in Europe and we don't have the Napoleon rule (for obvious reasons, we fought the French for independence afterall.) But yeah congratz and good luck on the new house and waiting for the house tour ofc.

[@asterixky]

Was it easy to transfer the full cost of the house from the US to France?

[@norwayosterlund8119]

I'm American and buying a house right now in the Mayenne district. I decided on a cheaper home that needs renovating. Eventually, I want to get a more expensive house and go the French mortgage route. Do you two know that process at all? I've researched a bit, but I haven't found a video for that whole process. After my research, I was too intimidated to try for a French mortgage, so I had to buy something cheaper with cash.

[@ds9945]

Is there a custom of gift-giving among seller/buyer/notaire/agent?

[@johannerenaudie]

Certainly not. Never try to do that it could be considered by the Tax Office as an attempt to avoid taxes

[@tatoute1]

There is a specific point you do not experiment: If you expect to take a loan, the refusal of it by the bank is a condition that voids the sell.

[@branlotin]

You meant a loan, credit is a "faux ami" ;-)

[@tatoute1]

@@branlotin merci

[@Francebound2024]

Do you use a VPN since you are in France? I thought about getting a subscription but I see it is only available in the United States. Getting a year subscription wouldn’t make sense if I’m moving in 5 months.

[@BaguetteBound]

Yes, we do use a VPN.

[@Francebound2024]

@@BaguetteBound good to know! Thank you!

[@susanwallis7249]

How are you going to avoid this happening if you need to sell the house on possibly the unfortunate demise of one of you? Under French law, the property doesn't pass automatically to the spouse but instead to the spouse and the children. Have you been able to purchase using a different marriage regime and Wills structure?

[@biankakoettlitz6979]

You should also be told which energiclass your house is in! Since EU , France is a part of it, has made /pass a law which reduced energiloss, all housing must have a standart in 2030?. Even if it's a future thing, you must upgrade your new house or you must evaluate the future prize of selling .

[@nicolavetter9071]

Yes, get a Home Energy Management System.

[@user-tz2yi7oy5r]

Petite erreur: Realtor is "agent immobilier" et non pas "immobilier". L'immobilier c'est ce qui ne bouge pas comme les maisons ou les immeubles. Ceci dit, vous êtes un couple charmant et j'espère que mes (anciens) compatriotes vous traitent avec respect et politesse.

[@danielalexandre4008]

Why not rent instead for a few years and then see if you really like our country ? Plus you'll have the time to learn the language and the intricacies of the market and buying process. Im 60, i allready bought and sold several properties and i can tell you that it can be tricky and even risky. And yes there are incompetent notaires, dishonest estate agents, stubborn bureaucrats, bad neighbours etc.

[@bodilyc]

Was disappointed you didn't show your house. What region did you buy?

[@BaguetteBound]

We will in a upcoming video, but it was just too much for this already long one. We're in Southwest France, about 30 minutes from Bergerac.

[@katae32000]

​@@BaguetteBoundwelcome in the south west of France ❤ best place in France 😂 have a great time and if you have time, come in Gers it's near you and it's a lovely countryside ❤ best wishes for everything ❤ Bouzoux xoxo du Gers 😊

[@pinkunicorn3373]

@@BaguetteBound 30 min de Bergerac... Ha oui vous avez choisi là une bien belle région... que beaucoup d'anglophones choisissent d'ailleurs. Si ça continue, il ne va plus y avoir un seul français dans cette région ( je plaisante :p)! En tout cas, Bienvenue en France! J'espère que mon pays vous apportera plein de bonheur et de bonnes choses!

[@isasant6926]

Wow Who pays for the notaré to go to Tahiti? That process must be super expensive having to track all relatives with eight of ownership?? Wow

[@BaguetteBound]

No no, they just find a notaire in Tahiti already to facilitate.

[@jeremydelacoudre7856]

its pretty easy to understand. you own a house, when you died your son and your daughter have 50% of the house each, then you daughter died so now your granson and your grandaughter have 25% of the house each and your son 50%. And he keep going like that

[@nicolavetter9071]

It’s my understanding that also an estranged daughter or a brother could have rights. We are trying to figure out how to deal with it as the spouse in France is last in line - after all siblings and parents and grandparents if still alive. Please correct me if I’m wrong here…

[@jeremydelacoudre7856]

@@nicolavetter9071 if i'm remember your spouse got 50% and your child 50% (divide by number of children)

[@ericshang7744]

Well, it looked like oyster mushroom actually.

[@BaguetteBound]

🤣

[@michellethompson5372]

When you talked about the US government not having a mechanism to purchase property in a growing neighborhood, I immediately thought that you've never heard of eminent domain, which gives the US government the right to buy any land they want to, even when you don't want to sell...doesn't matter, they can take it. This happened to my grandparents whose majestic farmhouse that they built themselves with the help of their nine children, which sat on ten beautiful acres of property, was taken by the government to build an exit off-ramp. They were supposed to be paid "fair market price," but were not. Yeah, even after almost fifty years I'm still angry on behalf of my family.

[@BaguetteBound]

Ugh, I'm so sorry. I have heard of eminent domain, but as your story illustrates I think it works differently so it didn't really feel comparable to mention. What a crappy thing to happen to your family, I can't imagine.

[@jacqueline23788]

tahiti is a french territory then it is france . why they re laughnig?

[@pinkunicorn3373]

Vous savez, même des français ignorent parfois que notre pays a des territoires PARTOUT dans le monde : Par exemple, ST Pierre et Miquelon au large des cotes du Canada, la Martinique St Martin dans les Caraïbes ( Antilles), Guyane en Amérique du sud, Mayotte, Réunion dans l'océan indien, Nouvelle Calédonie, Wallis et Futuna dans le Pacifique, la Polynésie Française entre autres. ( jje ne cite pas des cailloux inhabités comme les TAAF) C'est toujours incroyable de se dire que le soleil ne se couche jamais sur la France et que nous sommes le pays avec le plus de fuseaux horaires du monde.

[@claude_1c74]

Ils ont rigolé parce qu'il a fallu joindre des arrières cousins perdus à l'autre bout du monde, juste pour signer un accord de vente. C'est la situation improbable qui est risible. 😃