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Your step-by-step guide to buying a property in this hidden corner of France.

1. Start Your Search Online

Most buyers begin by browsing property websites and estate agents’ (immobiliers) listings. You’ll soon see the range:

Renovated character cottages
Spacious farmhouses with barns and land
Townhouses with shops and cafés nearby
Village homes needing some TLC but full of potential

👉 Tip: Create a shortlist of homes that balance your dream wish list with your practical budget.

2. Arrange an In-Person Visit

Nothing replaces actually being here. Viewings help you understand the feel of each home and the life around it.

Estate agents and notaires can arrange several visits in a day.
Explore the village: Is there a boulangerie, school, or market?
Sit in the café and see how it feels to be part of the community.

3. Making an Offer & Negotiating

When you find the one, you’ll make your offer through the agent or notaire.

Polite offers are expected; most successful negotiations are within 5–10%.
Sellers usually prefer a smooth process over endless bargaining.
Don’t forget currency exchange rates if you’re buying from abroad — they can shift your budget dramatically.

4. The “Compromis de Vente” & Diagnostic Reports

Once your offer is accepted, you’ll sign the compromis de vente (preliminary contract). This reserves the property for you.

You’ll also receive diagnostic reports covering:

Energy efficiency (DPE)
Asbestos and lead checks (for older homes)
Septic tank conformity
Electrical safety
Termite/pest inspections where relevant

👉 Tip: Read these reports carefully. They highlight important costs you may face later.

5. The Waiting Period

Buying in France typically takes 2–3 months. During this time:

You have a 10-day cooling-off period.
The notaire checks ownership, boundaries, planning permissions, and legalities.

The notaire is your legal anchor — they act for both buyer and seller, ensuring the transaction is fair and binding.

6. Completion & Getting the Keys

On completion day, you’ll sign the acte de vente (final deed of sale) at the notaire’s office.

Then comes the best part — the keys are yours! The house is officially your French home.

7. After the Sale

A few practical steps:

Transfer utilities into your name (water, electricity, internet).
Arrange house insurance (mandatory in France).
Consider a keyholder or caretaker if it’s a holiday home.

After that? Time to uncork a bottle of cider and celebrate your new life in France.

What to Look for When Viewing Homes

Buying in the countryside is exciting, but it pays to check a few essentials carefully:

🔌 Mains Services

Electricity & water – Check connections and age of systems.
Sewage – Rural homes often rely on septic tanks instead of mains drains.

🚽 Septic Tanks (Fosse Septique)

Most countryside properties use them.
The diagnostic report will tell you if it’s up to standard.
If not, budget for upgrades (a new system can cost several thousand euros).

⚡ Electrics

Many older homes still have outdated wiring.
Look for modern protections like circuit breakers and earthing.
Rewiring is doable but disruptive in thick stone walls.

🏠 Roofs & Insulation

A structurally sound roof is essential — repairs are costly.
Many traditional homes weren’t insulated until recently. Good insulation makes winter far more comfortable.

🔥 Heating

Common systems: log burners, oil or gas boilers, electric radiators, or modern heat pumps.
Ask about the age of boilers and annual running costs.

📑 Reports & Paperwork

The Dossier de Diagnostic Technique is your friend.
Read it carefully before you commit.

FAQs: Buying a Home in the Mayenne

💶 How much are notaire’s fees and other costs?

Notaire’s fees: Around 7–8% of the purchase price (slightly less for new builds). This includes taxes, registration, and administrative costs.
Deposit: Typically 5–10% of the purchase price, paid when signing the compromis de vente.
Estate agent fees: Usually included in the asking price, but always confirm whether they are paid by the seller or buyer.
Diagnostics & surveys: Some reports may be included in the sale; others (optional surveys, specialist inspections) are paid by the buyer.
Mortgage fees: If taking a French mortgage, banks may charge arrangement fees, valuation fees, and insurance.

Who pays what:

Most of the fees (notaire, registration, taxes) are paid by the buyer.
Estate agent fees are often included in the price and typically borne by the seller in France, but this can vary.

🏡 Can foreigners buy property in France?

Yes. There are no restrictions — UK, US, and international buyers are welcome.

🏦 Can I get a mortgage in France as a non-resident?

Yes, but banks often ask for a larger deposit (20–30%) and extra paperwork.

⏳ How long does the process take?

Usually 2–3 months from offer to keys.

🤝 How much can I negotiate?

About 5–10% is common, depending on the property and seller’s situation.

📑 What surveys are compulsory?

Energy, asbestos, lead, termites (if applicable), electrics, and septic tanks.

🗣️ Do I need to speak French?

Not necessarily — many notaires and agents speak English. But learning some basics will make your life easier. If you are not fluent in French it is required that you have a translator present at the final signing to ensure you fully understand the contents of the final deed before signing.

📉 Are property taxes high?

In fact, rural property taxes are often lower than in the UK or US. But be sure to check, as property tax rates can vary between regions.

Ways to Buy Property in France

There are a few structures for ownership worth knowing about:

Indivision (Joint Ownership) – Default option, similar to “tenants in common.”
Tontine Clause – Protects surviving partners; the survivor becomes sole owner.
SCI (Société Civile Immobilière) – A company structure. Useful for family ownership and inheritance planning.

Key French Terms

Notaire 👨‍⚖️ – Public official overseeing the sale.
Compromis de Vente – Preliminary contract.
Acte de Vente – Final deed of sale.
DPE – Energy efficiency report.
Maison Secondaire – Holiday home.
Longère – Traditional farmhouse.

Stay with Us During Your Property Purchasing Journey

Finding your French home is easier when you have the right base. Our holiday gîtes are perfectly located for exploring the Mayenne, meeting agents, and visiting properties — without long drives.

After a day of house-hunting, relax in comfort, enjoy local food and cider, and get a real feel for the lifestyle you could soon be living.

👉 Book your stay with Mayenne Holidays while you search for and buy your dream home

Stay With Us

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