Paying for our New Home

[Gwenhwyfar]

The money for our new home will be with our Solicitor in the UK in the next couple of weeks. We hope by then to have our French Bank Account up and running. Soooooooooooo ....

* how long does it take to transfer the money from the UK to France and best way to do it?

* what format should the payment to the Notaire take? Cheque?

* if our French Bank Account isn't set up what can we do? (other than panic!)

Thanks

[Nick Trollope]

Hello

The easiest method (and the one used by most) is to get your Solicitor to send the money to the notaire's bank account (or do it yourself). The Notaire will have all the account details to hand. Takes about 3-4 days and will cost you between £10 & £35 depending on who you bank with. Some Notaire's will take a cheque, but it isn't guaranteed.

There are cheaper methods (HIFX, Moneybookers, etc), but they take more organising & for a 1-off your bank will be easier/more reliable.

You won't need a French bank account to pay for your house.

[Gwenhwyfar]

Thanks Nick - that's *exactly* what I needed to hear - one less thing to stress about, and as you guessed I'm really past caring how much it costs at this stage