Buying Guides
Buying a home in France can feel like navigating legal jargon and cultural quirks. Our guides help decode the compromis and acte de vente, with expert advice. From the notaire’s role to the pitfalls to avoid, our articles help you sign confidently.
Estimate the Value of your French Property Online
Here at My-French-House.com, we often receive requests from property owners in France asking whether we provide a valuation service, advertise on our website , or can recommend a local estate agent to come around and "have…
Optimise your Tax Situation with a Mortgage
Acquiring a French property with a mortgage offers several tax benefits, including income tax and succession tax. This article outlines the main advantages of financing the purchase of your dream house in France .…
Guide to Buying a Property Using Power of Attorney
In France, you can grant power of attorney ( procuration ) to a Notaire , allowing someone to act on your behalf in property transactions or legal matters if you are not physically present. You can also sign a power…
Beginners Guide to French Property and Real Estate
When clients contact us for advice on buying a home in France , we always start by asking about their primary goal. Are they looking to move permanently or retire , find a second home for family holidays and occasional…
What is a Compromis de Vente in French Real Estate?
Once your offer is accepted and you’re ready to commit to buying your dream property , several steps remain, including signing the " compromis de vente " and the " acte authentique " on the completion date, before…
Learn Why House Hunting in France in Spring is Pure Bliss
This blog article provides tips and information about the benefits of house hunting in France in spring. Buying activity is traditionally higher in spring as buyers look to take advantage of the warmer weather and plan to…
Understanding SCI Taxes
A Société Civile Immobilière ( SCI ) is a French company created by at least two individuals acquiring one or more real estate assets together. Its purpose is to hold and administer real estate assets…
Making Sense of House and Liability Insurance in France
Welcome to our comprehensive guide to home insurance in France. If you're a homeowner or renting in France, protecting your property and liability with the right multirisque habitation insurance policy is essential. Owning…
Buying Property and Real Estate in France this Year
Here's your comprehensive guide to buying your dream property in France this year, designed to help second-home buyers. As you begin your journey, staying informed about the French property market, local news, trends…
Guide to Buying a French Gîte
For many, the idea of running a gîte in France evokes visions of idyllic countryside, trips to local markets to cater for paying guests, and a peaceful new life with the possibility of pursuing other activities…
Do I Need to Have a DPE to Sell a Home or Property in France?
If you plan to sell your French house, you must fulfil certain legal obligations before listing the property for potential buyers. One of these obligations is to organise and conduct various Diagnostic Tests and surveys…
Buying New-Build Property, Off-Plan or a French VEFA?
New-built villas, off-plan properties, and developments have always been popular in France. Here are some key numbers to understand the new property market . In France, buying an Off-plan property is called a VEFA, which…
Are you Looking for a Property Renovation Project in France?
Are you looking for a property renovation project in beautiful France ? If it's a recent idea, there will be hundreds of questions, especially if you have a young family. As a starting point for those just dipping their…
Best Resorts to Buy Ski Property in the French Alps
France is the leading ski destination for Brits, with around 10 million British tourists visiting the French Alps each year. The Alps are renowned for their breathtaking beauty, world-class ski resorts, and a wide…
Paris à la Carte Service
Paris à la Carte is a property-finding service for professionals and families looking to purchase real estate in one of the world's most iconic capital cities. In 2025, Paris retained the title of the world's favourite…
Top-Class Currency Transfer Service for France
At MFH, we believe in teamwork and transparency; we enjoy keeping our clients happy and protecting their privacy. We fully appreciate that we are in business thanks to them and to our valued partners. Long Term Partnerships…
Guide for Australian Citizens Buying Property in France
This is our essential Guide for Australian buyers looking to purchase property or invest in real estate in France's major cities. We have witnessed increased interest from Australians looking to buy property in beautiful…
Brexit Guide for British Buyers
With the UK out of the European Union, retiring, working, studying and travelling to France has become more complicated, and the same applies to buying property . To help you understand the main points post-Brexit and guide…
Guide to the French Tax Foncieres and Taxe d'Habitation
Here are a few Q&As to learn about how Taxes Foncières and Taxes d'Habitation work for owners of property and real estate in France . If you own, rent, or have the right to occupy a property in France, you…
Invest in a Villa in France or Spain, which is Best?
Moving abroad can be all sunshine (literally) and rainbows, exciting adventures, and the opening of doors to new possibilities. Still, such a move carries significant implications and a lot of information to take in along…
A to Z to Buying Property and Real Estate in France
Here’s our A to Z guide to buying your dream property in France ; we tried to make it as relevant and informative as possible to help you navigate common terms you will hear during property visits. Our A to Z…
Convert to the Metric System, and Fahrenheit to Celsius
Once you start house hunting in France , you soon realise there's a whole new range of words, property types, legal terms, French terminology and metric-based measurements to get accustomed to. Some people find this a steep…
Apartments and Chalets in the Best Ski Resorts in the Alps
Autumn is well underway, and many families are turning their attention to winter holidays, particularly those who enjoy the cold and ski activities . One of the most popular winter destinations is the French Alps,…
Find the Ideal Paris District
According to Euromonitor, Paris has regained popularity to once again claim the title of the world’s top city in 2022, ahead of Dubai, which retains 2nd place. The rankings confirm the dominance of European destinations,…
Why Buy Property in Paris?
The French capital is a prime location for buyers looking for a dynamic city that combines the advantages of a modern metropolis with the charm of peaceful villages. It is also an ideal place to invest for rental income,…
Why Invest in Luxury Real Estate in Cannes?
A world-renowned seaside resort on the Riviera in southern France, Cannes benefits from an exceptional setting, between the sea and the Mediterranean sun. This amazing city is home to many luxury retail outlets, gourmet…
Is it Difficult to Buy Property or Real Estate in Paris?
The Paris property market is well known to be extremely busy, with most properties snapped up before they even hit the market. French estate agents in Paris have lengthy waiting lists from buyers and investors hoping to…
Advice for American Citizens Buying Real Estate in France
Did you know that each year, many American citizens are amongst the 100,000 or so individuals, professionals, families and seniors from all corners of the world who choose to make France their new home ? This influx…
French Inheritance Laws : What is a Tontine Clause?
Here's some inheritance-related information about buying property and real estate "en tontine", or with a tontine pact. But first, just what is a tontine clause? The tontine clause (also called 'tontine pacte') may be an…
Our Top Seven Property Pitfalls to Avoid in France
Is moving to France a good idea? We think so, not just because of the weather, the fantastic food, culture and history, superb healthcare, but also for a renovation project in the French countryside. A Family-Friendly Destination…
SAFER and Pre-Emption Rights on Estates in France
The laws governing property ownership in France depend on the type of property you buy and how much land it includes. If you are buying a country property with more than one hectare of land (two and a half acres),…
How to Apply for a Building Permit in France
To be allowed to start a new construction site or transformation of your French property and/or ANY of its annexes (outbuilding, barn, garage, pool, veranda, garden shed, etc.), you must first obtain a building permit from…
Property Taxes, Purchase Fees and Stamp Duty in France
Our comprehensive specialist French property website is packed with expert advice and money-saving tips. But one question that keeps coming up is taxes and purchase fees. That’s why the team got together to produce…
How to Find the Perfect Property in France
What's perfection? The concept of perfection varies from person to person and is very subjective. Is there such a thing as a flawless diamond or the perfect car? Au contraire , isn’t it the addition of those imperfections…
Five Reasons Winter House Hunting is a ‘Bonne’ Idea
Autumn and winter are traditionally busy times at My-French-House.com, with buyers and families coming to France to try and seal a property purchase before the end of the year. There are several benefits of visiting…
Advice for Property Buyers - Revisiting our Top Tips
House hunting in France should be an exciting and efficient experience, not a costly and frustrating one. However, many buyers find that the French estate agency system is ‘ tres ’ different to the UK or…