France apartment Move-in ready

Price Reduced / Shop Excellently Located for Commerce. Possible Accommodation over. Requires Complete Internal Upgradin…

France

€12,900

Price Reduced / Shop Excellently Located for Commerce. Possible Accommodation over. Requires Complete Internal Upgradin…

Key facts

Bedrooms
1
Interior
66 m²
Land
65 m²
Type
apartment

Features

  • Move-in ready

About this property

Key Info Advert Reference: cj 826 Type: Residential (Apartment, Town House), Business (Shop), Building , Terraced Bedrooms: 1 Habitable Size: 66 m² Land Size: 65 m² Features Attic(s) / Loft(s) Basement Cellar(s) / Wine Cellar(s) Double Glazing Fibre Internet Mains Drainage Mains Electricity Mains Water Renovation / Development Potential Revenue Generating Property Description Price Reduced / Shop Excellently Located for Commerce. Possible Accommodation over. Requires Complete Internal Upgrading cj  826  Property offers :  c66sqm internal space Total Plot Size :  65sqm Electric connected Bottle gas only Water connected Telephone connected Fibre optic internet available for connection Mains drains  Ground floor : : Entering via fully clear glass door to : 47.2sqm shop with linoleum flooring and fully glazed shop front. Staircase to first floor. 3.6sqm utility room with linoleum flooring, sink, plumbing for washing machine and opaque double-glazed window to rear. PCV door to small lobby area and steps to back cave.   1st Floor :  5sqm landing/office with wood floor and separate WC.  Staircase to attic 10.5sqm room with wood floor, built in cupboard, original single glazed window with shutters to front.   Attic :   c21sqm with part wood and part original earth floor.  This space could convert to create further rooms if required. There is a former room in the attic with wood floor   Cave : c39.5 accessed from outside with concrete floor and electric supply.   Outside : On a side road just off the town centre and just a few short steps to restaurants, bars, bakeries, hair dressers, florists, banks, Post Office, schools etc.  Modern supermarket, garden centre and builders’ merchants in the town.  Uniquely Helianthus Charity Shop offering excellent value pre loved items for sale.   Location :  In the town of Pré-en-Pail-Saint-Samson 53140, in the department of the Mayenne in the region of the Pas-de-la-Loire and bordering the National Park of Normandy

How to buy this property

Typical process in France — 3–4 months from accepted offer to keys. Tell us where you're buying from:

What's different for you

  • You can usually reuse your French bank for the mortgage — expect up to 100% loan-to-value for a main home if your income allows (HCSF debt cap: 35% of income).
  • If this will be your main home, it is exempt from capital gains tax when you sell.

What's different for you

  • No ownership restrictions and no visa needed to live here — you can move in whenever you like.
  • French banks lend to EU non-residents, but usually only up to 70–80% of the price and they want French or EU income evidence.
  • When you sell, capital gains are taxed at 19% plus a 7.5% solidarity levy (26.5%), not the full 17.2% social charges.
  • Sign by power of attorney (procuration) if you can’t attend completion in person.

What's different for you

  • Anyone can buy in France — there are no nationality restrictions on ownership.
  • Owning property does not give you residency: without a long-stay visa you are limited to 90 days in any 180 (this applies to UK buyers since Brexit).
  • Mortgages are harder: typically 50–70% loan-to-value, and many banks decline US citizens because of FATCA reporting.
  • Opening a French bank account remotely can take weeks — start early, the notaire will want funds from an identifiable account.
  • When you sell, gains are taxed at 19% + 17.2% social charges (36.2%), and sales above €150,000 need an accredited tax representative.

Next steps

  1. 1

    Viewing and written offer (offre d’achat)

    1–2 weeks

    Make a written offer through the agent. Once the seller accepts in writing the price is agreed, but nothing is binding on you until the compromis.

  2. 2

    Compromis de vente

    2–4 weeks after the offer

    The preliminary contract, drawn up by a notaire or the agent. It includes the mandatory diagnostic reports (DDT) and any conditions such as getting a mortgage. You pay a 5–10% deposit into escrow.

    For you: You can sign electronically or by power of attorney — you don’t need to fly over for this step.

  3. 3

    10-day cooling-off period

    10 days

    Private buyers of homes can withdraw for any reason within 10 days of receiving the signed compromis, and get the deposit back in full.

  4. 4

    Mortgage and notaire searches

    6–10 weeks

    You have about 45–60 days to get a mortgage offer (if the compromis includes a loan condition). Meanwhile the notaire checks title and planning, and whether the town or SAFER (for rural land) wants to use its pre-emption right.

    For you: Non-resident mortgages often take the full 60 days, so ask for a longer loan condition in the compromis.

  5. 5

    Acte de vente and keys

    1 day

    You sign the final deed at the notaire’s office (or by power of attorney), transfer the balance plus fees beforehand, and get the keys the same day.

Buying costs on €12,900

Notaire fees and transfer tax (“frais de notaire”)

7–8.5% for older homes (2–3% for new builds)

Mostly transfer duties: about 5.8–6.3% depending on the département. The notaire’s own fee is under 1%.

 €903–€1,097

Estate agent fee

Usually already in the asking price

“FAI” (frais d’agence inclus) means the advertised price includes the agent’s 4–8%. If it says “net vendeur”, add it on top.

 —

Independent survey (optional)

€500–€1,500

A structural survey isn’t standard in France, but it’s worth it for older stone houses.

 €500–€1,500

Mortgage costs (if borrowing)

~1–2% of the loan

Arrangement fee, loan guarantee or charge on the property, and broker fee.

 €0–€258
Estimated total on top of the price €1,403–€2,855

Pitfalls to watch

  • Septic tanks (fosse septique): a non-compliant SPANC report means you have to upgrade within 1 year, often €8,000–€15,000.
  • Unpermitted extensions, pools or barn conversions: check the plans and permits against what you see. The notaire only checks what’s on paper.
  • Energy rating (DPE) F or G: G-rated homes can no longer be let on new leases, and F-rated homes follow from 2028. That matters if you plan to rent it out.
  • Second homes pay taxe d’habitation, and some towns with housing pressure add up to 60% on top. Ask the seller for the latest bill.
  • French inheritance rules reserve part of the estate for children. Non-French buyers can choose their own nationality’s law in a will (EU Succession Regulation), so take advice before you sign.
  • Short-term letting now needs registration with the town hall, and many towns cap or ban it. Check before you rely on Airbnb income.

General guidance, last reviewed October 2026 — not legal or tax advice. Rules change and every purchase is different, so confirm with an independent local lawyer or notary before you sign anything.

Buying property in France

Read our complete guide — fees, visas, taxes, and everything overseas buyers should know before making an offer in France.

Read the France buying guide