Are you considering selling your French house without using an estate agent? There are certain benefits, but there are also some drawbacks. Here are four things to think about before selling your home privately.
1 At what price should you sell your home?
If you do not sell your French home through an estate agency, you must appraise it yourself and establish the asking price. Are you certain you’ll be able to do so objectively? Agents can provide appraisals even if you opt not to employ them. You may also compare your house to others on the market, but this can be difficult with distinctive or historic residences. Furthermore, unless you’re dead set on getting the entire asking price, you’ll need to be able to haggle with purchasers, which may be difficult when you’re emotionally invested. You will not have to pay agent fees, but you will have to perform all of the work they do for you.
2 How are you going to advertise your French property?
If you sell your French home privately, you will not have the benefit of being featured on an agency website, and you will need to find a means to inform potential purchasers that your house is for sale. You must select how you will promote your house and how much you are ready to pay. Will you promote in local newspapers, publications like French Property News, and online property sites like Esales International Property? French property exhibitions such as The France Show in London, or perhaps your own website? The latter may appear to be a good idea, but will your potential purchasers find it if it isn’t on the first page of a Google search?
3 Who will conduct the property inspections?
If you are selling your French home privately, you must be available for potential purchasers to view it. Are your language abilities sufficient to show French purchasers around and maybe negotiate the property price in French? You may believe you are the greatest person to tour househunters around your property – after all, you know all the best characteristics – but be prepared to face any criticism of your prized possession. Make a favourable first impression as well; this may need viewing your property with new eyes, as if you were seeing it for the first time, without the assistance of an agent.
4 You will still require the services of a notaire
Whether you sell privately or via an agent, you will still require the services – and pay the associated costs – of a notaire, who will perform the conveyancing, ensure all taxes are paid, and oversee the sale’s conclusion. You may also want to hire a multilingual lawyer to ensure that the procedure goes as smoothly as possible. Remember that you will also be in charge of organising the mandatory surveys (les diagnostiques).
