Selling your home : simplebooklet.com

We move on average every 10 years! All sorts of reasons prompt a change ofhome: job relocation, a shift in maritalstatus, a growing family, or just a desire tolive somewhere different, perhaps a movefrom a town into a rural setting seeking alittle more of a quiet life. Of course, itmight be that you are just getting olderand don’t need the same size of property.Whatever the reason, most would agreethat changing the home we live in can bea stressful process loaded with detail andlots of paperwork.This easy-to-read eBook provides a guideto what it takes to get your house on themarket and achieve a sale. It covers thingslike how to decide on a selling price andthe role of negotiation; it covers selling iton your own or using a professional salesagent; preparing the house for visits; thepaperwork surrounding conveyancing, andmuch more.This is a useful guide on how to maximisethe benefits while keeping the effort to aminimum.Interested? Then read on…INTRODUCTION301

Page 4

02NOW IS THE SEASON OFOUR INTENT4200720082009201020112012201320142015201620172018201920202021202220232024020040060080010001200Number of properties sold in France (x1000)Selling your home can be determined to some extent by the time ofyear. Obviously, you will probably want to miss big calendar events like Reasons for selling/changinga property:43% for change of maritalstatus40 % for professionalchange33% for birth of a childAfter the post pandemic rise in demand, the market has cooleddown. The peak was more than a million sales per year. Now we aremore at the level of sales in the early 2010’s. We expect that demandwill restart again as interest rates come down. This will lead to a newincrease of prices as there are not enough new build houses comingon the market. Property along the coastline of France has remainedin high demand by the baby boomers retiring there. Vendors in ruralcentral areas need to be extra astute and patient to get the bestprices.Selling your home is usually best doneduring the Spring. The weather hasimproved; and people tend to be more Christmas and the New Year andperhaps your annual vacation too,although this is not always possible.

Page 5

Spring Summer Fall Winter01020304050605In the summer, there is lesscompetition. A good number ofsales are in their closing stagesand consequently, there arefewer properties on offer. Now,this can work to the seller’sadvantage, as there is a higherchance a prospective buyer willconsider your home since theyhave less choice. It is logical when you think of it this way, considering thecircumstances of the prospective buyer rather than what isconvenient for you!In Autumn, fewer people are looking to purchase; shorter and coolerdays are not always an incentive to go out looking for a new home…and, as we all know, France is at its best when the sun is shining!However, do not discount this season if your circumstances make itimperative for you to sell quickly -there are still buyers out there!sunnier climates... But there are still somepotential buyers out there, and they do tend to beserious prospects and with completion taking 3 months, a move in early Spring can beappealing for those buyers who do not have ayoung family to consider.Sales per seasonIn France ahouse is ownedin average 9,5 years1007550Winter might not seem to be a suitable time to sell your property asthere are not many people thinking of purchasing; they are busyorganising Christmas, or their winter holidays or going to warmerFor a family, finding a new home in the Spring means they can moveduring the summer holidays and the children can start school at thebeginning of the new academic year. optimistic and inclined to take on a new project, and this is certainlyreflected in the volume of calls to estate agencies from propertysellers and buyers alike.

Page 6

03SELLING IS A LOT OF WORK6We all know that bureaucracy reigns supreme in France; what wasonce a simple 15-page house sales contract can now reach up to 150pages! More and more gruelling obligations are placed upon boththe seller and the buyer by the State, which is a good reason to haveprofessional advice from a registered estate agent (agenceimmobilier), who can assist you in navigating this admin minefield.The most important documentyou will need to have to handis the deeds to your home,known as ‘l’acte de vente.’ Itcan be a tediously longdocument to read but if youare using an estate agent, itis an invaluable tool indetermining the selling pricefor your home. It will identifyeasements that might existsuch as a right of access toyour land by foot or vehicle.These rights of way can becomplicated and includepassing utilities on, over oreven under your property, andeach of these may have animpact on the expectedselling price, and it’s youragent who will be able toadvise you about this.

Page 7

7Equally important is an onerous obligation that rests with the seller...That of knowingly withholding information that may be considered tonegatively impact the safety of the home (a latent defect) or itsenjoyable occupation is a big ‘no’ in the eyes of French property law.This is known as ‘vices caché’ and it’s another reason why it isimportant to get all the diagnostic testing done as soon as possibleto ensure full disclosure to any prospective buyer.But it doesn’t stop there, as the sales process begins, so too does theneed for further inspections. From termites and dry rot to natural(and pollution) risks; from lead to asbestos, from swimming poolsafety to septic tank conformity, and a whole lot more. They all needto be done before a sale can complete!There’s a whole lot more and here’s where the bureaucracy hits hard.It is compulsory to have an inspection of your electrical (and gas)supply before any sales publicity begins. Known as the ‘Diagnostic dePerformance Energétique (DPE)’ the results of this test must bedisplayed within property sales information. The DPE test providesinformation on energy consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, levelsof insulation and any other factors that may affect your heating bills.

Page 8

Type of testPertaining toLead in paintHouse older than 1949Presence of asbestosHouse older than 1997Internal electricityinstallationElectricity installation > 15 yearsInternal gas installationGas installation > 15 yearsEnergy consumption (DPE)All property that is heatedPresence of termitesOnly some departments (mostly south)Presence of dry rotOnly some departments (mostly wet north)Natural and industrial risksAll propertiesDrainage conformitycertificateAll individual systems (septic), mostdepartments also mains drainageMaintenance of heatingsystemAll heating systemsPool safety systemInground, non-enclosed poolChimneyAll working chimneys8Diagnostics needs and their relevance

Page 9

9EXAMPLE: OWNING A POOL COMES WITHOBLIGATIONSEvery property with a swimming pool, whether as a rental or as afamily home must have an NF certified safety system. Even if aburglar drowns because there is no safety system, you remainresponsible!If you want to rent your property (with a swimming pool), you mustcheck regularly that the safety systems are working properly andmeet the current regulations. You are also responsible for the qualityof the water, for example, saltwater systems are not allowed forrental properties. If there is an accident, the owner remains responsible for thesafety of the pool even if he is not present. The owner will beheld liable, and if a safety defect is found, a maximum fine andfinancial compensation will be applied. 1. If you sell your house with a swimming pool, you must prove tothe purchaser that your pool is equipped with a safety systemthat meets the current standards. A certificate from the seller ofthe system, the installer, or the company in charge of themaintenance of the pool will be required.2.There are several types of safety systems available: A protective barrier with a child safety lock (NF P.90-306) An alarm system (NF P.90-307). This system is less reliable.A pool cover or safety tarpaulin (NF P.90-308)A lockable cover (NF P.90-309)

Page 10

04THE SELLING PRICE10Let’s start with a statement of the obvious: “We all want the bestprice we can get for our home!”However, sometimes there isa discrepancy betweenexpectation and valuation!Those special touches thatyou have made to yourhouse and cost a fewthousand euros may notnecessarily be reflected inthe sales price – they wereyour choice to turn a houseinto a home. There are, ofcourse, a few exceptions,adding a bathroom orupgrading to a modernkitchen are likely to addvalue, but again perhapsnot as much as you spent ontheir installation. Let’s also dispel the rumour that certain buyers (for example theBritish) are prepared to pay more than a French buyer – this is not thecase and the same can be said for the Dutch and Belgians – all areequally astute, and they will have done their research before makingthe purchase decision.Housing prices and values vary by location, with some departmentscommanding higher prices, a situation that happens across thewhole of Western Europe.

Page 11

11Cheapest:under 1 200 €/m²Creuse Indre Haute-Marne NièvreMost expensive:5 000 to 10 000 €/m²Île-de-FranceProvence-Alpes Credit: Bien dans ma villeProperty prices vary by region, and these are determinedby market dynamics, the more popular the area, thehigher the price.However, there are disparities within these departments.Cities and key towns tend to command a higher valuationthan rural areas.These are the cheapest and most expensive departments:There are three critical questions to be answered in determining theselling of your home:#1 DO I NEED A PROFESSIONAL PROPERTY SALESAGENT?The short answer is yes! As we have shown, the latest regulations,market dynamics, financing trends, and other parts of evaluating ahouse for sale can be overwhelming for many sellers.

Page 12

Several websites carry statistical data surrounding propertyvaluations, sites such as meilleurs-agents, se-loger, particulier-a-particulier feature historical data, i.e., those sales that have beenreported to the fiscal authorities at least 6 months ago. The salesagent is dealing with ‘now’ pricing… so a much better use of yourtime and energy is finding an agent who you would like to work withand who knows the local area and region.12Property sales agents do this daily… they know first-hand what isgoing on!The calculators that you find onlineare a first approach based on squaremetres and location. However, anestate agent will also take intoaccount the quality of the propertyand other factors that will positivelyimpact the price, things that thevendor may not have considered.#2 HOW DO I PREPARE FOR THE VALUATION OF MYPROPERTY?Presentation is all! Make sure you prepare the house for the valuation visit – yesterday’sdinner party dishes in the sink, washing hanging in the bathroom andgeneral clutter around the house, do not give a good first impression,and estate agents are no different than prospective buyers – firstimpressions are lasting impressions. Anyway, the agent is likely towant to take internal photographs, so you should think about how youwant your home to be seen in future marketing materials.Beyond this cosmetic touch-up, the agent will want to see yourdeeds (l’acte de vente), which will confirm the land registryboundaries, any rights of way, ownership of the land etc.

Page 13

13As we have already mentioned, the list of diagnostics that need tobe done is long, and the more that you have already commissionedand had done will go to assist the agent in determining a realisticvaluation. And ‘no’ you don’t have to discuss what you paid for thehouse when you bought it if you are worried about revealing theprice at this early stage. However, the more information the agenthas then the more accurate the valuation. What is important is that ifyou have made renovations to the property, you should collect all theinvoices together and share them with the agent, who will be able todetermine what might contribute to an enhanced estimate of sellingprice.Yes, you are handing over a lot of information to theagent, and that is why it is important to commit toeach other by signing a confidentiality agreement(‘document d’informations précontractuelles’). Hereall the conditions of doing business with the estateagency are outlined but, at this early stage, it doesnot commit you to a sale, or using that agent. Forthat to happen a contract needs to be signed,known as a ‘mandat de vente’ (the mandate to sell). #3 HOW HIGH OR LOW SHOULD I GO?There’s only one true answer to this… the right price from the start!Some sellers take the view that the property should be overpriced toallow for negotiation! However, with so much comparison dataavailable online for prospective buyers, it’s easy for them to form aview on whether the selling price is realistic or not. Equally, aproperty that is on offer for too long will create doubts about thereal value of the house. This long exposure of the property on manyInternet sites will degrade its selling price over time.

Page 14

14The Internet is a wonderful thing, but it also means that prospectivebuyers know every listing and will see what works and what doesn’t.They are online every day looking for the right property, they see allthe offers and have a good idea of what is going on.So, it’s best to price your property at the price that the market isprepared to pay from the start. The estate agent will base his/hervaluation on this dynamic… so take their advice! Adapt quickly if itdoes not work. Even think about taking it off the market for a while (ifthis is possible) and then remarketing it with new pictures and arevised price.And, if you are challenged with a low offer, the true value of theestate agent representing the sale will come into play. Armed withthe price valuation he/she will have all the right arguments to defendthe asking price, hence there is no need to leave a large margin fornegotiation. In the past year, post pandemic, the market has seenmany properties go at the asking price within a few days… but themarket is gradually changing with a Europe-wide economicrecession looming, so it is even more important to price right from thestart!

Page 15

Page 16

05DOING IT ALONE OR WITH APROFESSIONAL16As we have already shown, selling your home isno easy task and professional help is neededmore and more to navigate the complex list ofto-dos that help protect both the buyer and theseller. Only about 22% of house sales completewithout an intermediary, the rest by using aprofessional sales partner.75% of saleshappen in theend with anestate agentSo, it would be wrong not to acknowledge one main advantage ofdoing it yourself… you save money by not having to pay the agencyfees, which can be as high as 7% of the sales price. It is down to This brings us to the question of sales fees. Technically, who paysthese depends on what it says in the mandat de vente signed by theseller and agency when the home is put on the market. It is simplerfor the seller to pay these as they are the ones who commission thesales agency. However, if it is the buyer, then marketing materialsmust clearly state the breakdown between the sale price and agencyfees, remembering that it is just the sale price that goes into the actede vente. In this situation, the buyer pays the price for the propertyand is given a separate agency fees invoice to pay on the same dayas the signing.whether you feel you can managethe extensive marketing, enquiryhandling and home visits, or if youwould prefer someone to do this foryou, let alone guiding you throughthe paperwork trail.

Page 17

17Be realistic! Purchasers want more information and appreciate virtual visitsand other digital tools found on the Internet. People expect the agent to organise the visits, and the addedvalue of using the services of an agent is to secure visits fromprospects that are looking for your kind of property but have notpreviously considered it for a worthwhile visit.The agent will also check that the prospective buyer has themeans to finance the purchase.And when it comes to the price of the property, an agent will beable to define the right market price and justify it. Therefore, youcan expect to sell your home at the advertised price or close toit.So far in this eBook, we have used several terms surrounding thecontracting of an estate agent and selling your home. The mostimportant is the ‘mandat de vente.’ This is a legally binding documentthat allows an agent offer your home for sale. This documentidentifies the property for sale, all its owners and the agent who willbe allowed to market the property. It is important to ensure theinformation it contains is accurate and that this can be passed on tothe prospective purchasers. TERMINOLOGY

Page 18

18There are two types of legal mandates. The ordinary sales instruction(mandat de vente simple) and the sole agency sales instruction(mandat de vente exclusif). MANDAT DE VENTE SIMPLE OR EXCLUSIVEThe difference is in the exclusive version where the seller chooses tocontract only one agency to market the property. With the simpleversion, the seller can choose as many agencies as they wish.Although it might sound wise to put your home for sale with severalagencies to multiply the chances of being seen by prospectivebuyers, this might have a negative effect. Prospective purchaserslook at a number of Internet sites, checking-in with differentagencies; seeing a property on several agency sites can imply thatyou are desperate to sell, and we all know what that means… theexpectation of a discounted sales price!Moreover, it is safer and easier to have a single contact person whowill know everyone who visited the house and who will build a valuedtrust relationship with the seller. On top of this, the sole agent will be more motivated to sell yourproperty, as he knows that he is only concentrated on serving youfast.

Page 19

19What needs to be done to sellDone by agentDone by vendorEstimate the selling pricexSupply technical diagnosticsCan assistxSupply "act de propriété"xDocuments related to the copropertyWill assistxPhotosxPreparing advertxPaying for the advertising and eventually'for sale' signxAnswering requests and phone calls formore information or to organise visitsxMaking sure the proprety fits therequirements of the prospective clientsxChecking the prospective client'scapacity to purchasexTidying up/cleaning the property beforevisitsxOrganising and conducting the visitxNegotiating an offerxPreparing a pre-sale contract/writtenoffer binding both partsxTo summarize: why use the service of an estate agent ?

Page 20

06PREPARING YOUR HOUSEFOR VISITS20We’ve said it before: “First impressions are the lasting impressions”and never has this been more appropriate than when selling yourhome, as many vendors have found to their cost.Presentation is a critical part of marketing your home, both at thetime of the estate agent's visit to value the property and takephotographs, and then when you welcome prospective buyers intoyour home for a viewing. The first 30 seconds of a buyer’s visit are critical, most people knowwhether they like the property in less than a minute from stepping outof the car, so external presentation is just as important if not more sothan the internal look and feel.Put yourself in their shoes. What would you be looking for andlooking at? The exterior is really important. Tidy the driveway orcourtyard, make sure any lawns are cut, and if you have paint flakingoff the entrance door, repaint it! Think about the strong points andfeatures of your property andhighlight them. A bright house isalways a welcoming home… Youcan do this with lighting but thesun streaming in through openwindows is much better. Makesure blinds and curtains are fullyopen to maximise the light inrooms, and in those dark corners,illuminate them with a subtle sidelamp and so on.

Page 21

21Here’s a quick six-point checklist to help you on the way to ‘wooingthat buyer’:#1 OUTSIDE FIRST! Tidy up, remove kids’ toys scattered aroundthe garden, clean the windows and doors,and remove those cobwebs, these are justsome of the things you should focus on.#2 TAKE YOURSELF OUT OF THEHOUSETry to make the house as neutral aspossible, so remove the personal stuff likefamily photos from shelves and flat topfurniture… prospective buyers want to beable to visualise what the house would looklike if it were their home, and your personalitems are a big distraction.#3 REMOVE THE EXTRA CLUTTERTHAT YOU SEE AT FIRST GLANCEIt’s amazing how much we all accumulateover the years, but clutter is a big no-nofor buyer viewings as it shrinks the livingspace. We know that you don’t see it, butyou can be sure that the prospectivebuyer will. So, be a little ruthless withyourself, throw stuff away or at least hideit in a cupboard.

Page 22

22#4 PETS IN THE HOMEWe love our pets, and so do manyprospective buyers but equally, some don’tand have fears or allergies around dogsand cats. So, try to make the visit pet free –no cat litter tray, no friendly dog ready tojump out on visitors, and no pet food disheson the floor. It’s difficult but do your best toremove pet odours from the home - ascented candle can go a long way to maskthe presence of our four-legged friends.#5 STAGE SET YOUR HOMESome sellers hire a professional, or, and thisis more likely, you can do it yourself. Stageset your living areas in a way that shows offyour home, so think of the lounge, themaster bedroom, and the kitchen as thethree key rooms to focus on.#6 LET THE AGENT DO THEIR JOBNo one knows your home like you, butequally, no one knows better how to sell ahouse than your property agent, so lethim/her do their job. Yes, be on hand toanswer specific questions but don’t get inthe way and don’t interrupt the visit. Often,it’s best to say you will be in the garden orkitchen to answer any specific questionsthe prospective buyers may have once theyhave toured your home.

Page 23

07GETTING AN OFFER WELLDEFINED23At the end of the day, it all comes down to the offer… Criticalquestions surround this important stage, including ‘am I obliged toaccept the first offer?’ This is where your estate agent can help bringthe sale to conclusion and you should let him/her guide you throughthe process.The culture surrounding buyingand selling is interesting. As abuyer, we expect to make adiscounted offer, but as aseller, we expect to receivean offer at the marketedprice. Let’s be clear, the sellermay receive several offersclose to the selling price, andthese are just as they sound,Remember the mandat de vente? That’s a contract between theseller and the selling agent, and if the agent finds a buyer who offersthe asking price, then his/her role within the contract has beenfulfilled and remuneration is due for their services.It can appear complicated, but really it is quite straightforward andfair.Elements to define in anoffer: Timing The price Conditional financing Work to be finishedoffers that can be considered. However, if an asking price offer ismade then there are certain obligations placed on the seller toproceed with the sale.

Page 24

24Once an interested purchaser is found and an asking price offermade, the property agent will discuss with the prospective buyertheir intentions and advise them that they should only ever make anoffer on one property at a time and that they should stop viewingother properties as soon as the offer is made. In the same way, theseller is advised that the property is under offer and as such, all othervisits should stop including any from competing sales agents.Your estate agent will handle the negotiation and will keep both theseller and the buyer informed as the process progresses. But at thisstage, there is no contract and therefore the sale is not yet legallybinding on either party. It’s important to get to this stage as soon aspossible.It is not uncommon that a prospective purchaser may want to includesome conditions, such as needing a mortgage to finance thepurchase or applying for planning permission to put in a swimmingpool. This is quite a normal part of the offer process and conditionscan be written into the initial sales document, known as theCompromis de Vente, which is the first stage of getting to the finalcontract of sale, known as the l’acte de vente.

Page 25

08PREPARING THE SALESCONTRACT25The compromis de vente, is an early agreement between the buyerand vendor, normally set up by the estate agent. It is a commitmentby both parties, defensible in law, but unlike the acte de vente, notrecognised in the Land Registry. The l’acte de vente is the actualtransfer of the full title of the property and officially recorded on theland boundaries plan of France, known as the Cadastral Plan.Some bilingual agents will provide an English version of thecompromis de vente but remember that it is the French documentthat is registered as being a contract of sale, the English translationis an approximate in another language version.If a Notaire writes thecompromis de vente, he/shewill do this usually with apromesse de vente. Inessence an option to sell tothe buyer during a definedOnce the compromis or promesse has been signed the buyer gives adeposit guarantee as proof of faith, and this deposit is normallybetween 5%- 10% of the agreed purchase price. A cooling-off periodstarts once the contract has been handed over with all signaturesand attachments.periode enabling the seller to withdraw if the buyer cannot completewithin this reasonable period. This promesse needs to be registeredand carries some extra costs of setting it up (this in addition to thestandard fees). Also allow for translation costs if you do notunderstand French.

Page 26

26Other suspensive conditions include proof of ownership, no pre-emption right by the commune to buy the property/land, anddiscovery of any serious restrictions of use of the property for itsintended purpose as a home are just some of the conditions appliedto this initial contract.A timeline from compromis to sales contract D-dayWeek 3Week 5Week 10Week 14Initial offerSignature of a "compromis de vente"Notification of the 10 days cooling offperiodBank appointment with signed"compromis"End of cooling off periodDeposit showing in the Notaire's escrowaccountNotification of mortgage agreementSignature of the deedsIn either situation (Notaire or estate agent drawing up the salescontract) a number of suspensive conditions will be listed. The mostimportant one is referencing a need to obtain financing (loan ormortgage), this will include the amount and the lending institution.

Page 27

27In general, once a buyer has found their dream house and agreed ona price the process is quite simple: Once the initial offer has been agreed, information is collectedto prepare the sales agreement. If it is the estate agent makingthe sales contract, it can be faster than the promesse preparedby the Notary. But allow on average 3 weeks.The sales contract (compromis de vente) is only valid once allparties have signed, and all obligatory technical and diagnosticreports are available.French laws allow purchasers a 10-day cooling-off periodfollowing signature and a copy delivered to the purchaser byregistered post.At the end of the cooling-off period, the buyer is expected tohave paid the deposit. Usually, a bank money transfer to thenominated Notaire’s escrow account. The Notaire then starts thesearches in preparation for the deed of sale (l’acte de vente).The sales compromis de vente is also the starting point for theofficial demand for a loan. The lending institution will ask for this,along with a lot of other personal documentation from the buyer.French law allows a maximum of 30 days to secure a firm offer ofloan, recorded as a conditional purchase commitment. Butusually 45 days are given to sort out the agreement of a loan.Last step is the signatureof the deeds in thepresence of the Notary,this is some 14 weeksafter the offer has beenmade. This can be fasterif there is no loaninvolved.

Page 28

09PREPARING FOR THE BIGDAY28Anyone who has moved home will know that it all comes down to thelittle things, that all-important detail that will make your life a loteasier and help avoid stress as you move into your new property!It’s things like, gas, electricity, refuse collection, water supply,broadband and telephone just to name a few. As the seller, youshould collect the latest bill (facture) from each, looking for the PDLreference (point of delivery or point de livraison) and using this incommunication with the utility supplier to ensure that they correcttheir records for the right property.Ensure that the meters are read on the day of the signing of the actede vente so that the readings can be agreed with the buyer andwitnessed by the Notaire.There are key and onerous responsibilities placed on you as the seller.These obligations include:Ensuring the property is left in a reasonable state and that anyitems detailed within the compromis de vente remain at thepropertyEnsure that what has been agreed at the sales contract stage, isexecuted. For example, proof of septic tank cleaning, or proof ofrepair that has been agreed at your cost.

Page 29

29Failure on the part of the seller to do the above where appropriatecan result in either the Notaire delaying the completion of the saleand deeds transfer or, the Notaire making an assessment of the costto do the remedial work and then deducting this from the agreedselling price to pay for the work to be done.Sellers must also ensure that the property is insured up until the dayof signature of the transfer of deeds. On the day of the signature,the Notaire will provide a certificate (attestation) that confirms thatthe seller no longer is responsible for the property – this is used by theinsurance company as confirmation of cancellation of insurancecoverage. It is also a useful document to have available to supply toother organisations such as the local commune in terms of anycouncil taxes due and other charges.You should also ensure that the Notairehas details of the bank account intowhich the monies arising from the saleshould be paid. Remember that thesum deposited will be minus repaymentof any outstanding mortgage and thepayment of any Capital Gains Tax ifthis is due.The buyer also has incumbent responsibilities on and before thesignature, and these include inspecting the property and agreeing toits suitable condition as outlined in the sales contract. In addition, the buyer needs to:Make sure that all funds are deposited within the Notaire’sescrow account ahead of the signature date.Agree to the meter readings, having visited the property, andaccessing these preferably within 24 hours before signing.Have proof of insurance commencing on the day of signature –this is especially important where a mortgage is in place as partof the purchase.

Page 30

30Both vendor and buyer visit the house and do the meter readings.THE BIG DAYOnce the deeds are readand explained by the notary.The notaire transfers themoney from the escrowaccount to your account,and you give the keys to thenew owner.The notaire will then issuethe “attestation de vente” asa proof of sale. This is theonly proof of sale for thevendor, so keep them well.The new owner will get thedeeds sometime later oncethe land registry hasprocessed it.Tips:Book the movers well inadvance, this allowsyou to choose thebest.Set up an addressforwarding system withthe post office.Collect all keys fromall: neighbour,cleaning staff, familyand don't forget tolabel the keys.And that’s it. Deal done… sale completed and keys handed over!WELL DONE!

Page 31

SELLING WITH FRANCE4U10ABOUT FRANCE4U31France4U has a long history ofserving clients across popularregions of France. Our service is bilingual (French &English) which includes alldocumentation, taking away theneed for expensive translationservices.A LEADING, PROFESSIONAL, AND EXPERIENCEDAGENCYWhen you use France4U you are guaranteed a focussed, no time-wasting service. When we come to visit with one of our clients, youwill already know that they are interested. Our goal is to sell, not tovisit!Before a visit, the France4U agent responsible for representing yourproperty will qualify his/her client: Making sure the client has the financial means to buyDiscussing their needs and wishes to ensure that your propertymeets their expectationsEnsuring that the client understands the location of the property You may have fewer visits than you expect, but each one will be aserious contender. And if you are not on-site, our agent will organizethe visit without forgetting to inform you.

Page 32

32During the visit:Our agent will accompany theclient He/she will give the prospectivebuyer all the necessary technicalinformation availableOften it is preferable that theseller is not present, allowing theagent to do his/her job withoutinterruption. After the visit, the France4U agent will report back to you on clientinterest or otherwise. France4U will work hard to sell your property; we have done this fortwo decades and we have sold houses of every size and price fromsmall rural cottages to city homes, and from B&B accommodationthrough to manor houses.Contact us today on +33 3 85 98 96 20 or visit us at:www.france4u.euWe have built our reputation based on delivering a true, honest,and professional approach to both seller and buyer alike… andthis is our guarantee to you.