how to buy privately?

[rouergate]

We're thinking of exchanging (not literally!) our village house for a pied-à-terre in Paris. On the PàP website there are apartments at lower prices than those on sale through immobiliers. Are there any enormous pitfalls in buying privately and not using an immobilier and how do we go about it?

[joidevie]

I've just bought privately - no real pitfalls as such and many benefits as you will save the %%% commission of the agent's fee (can be thousands). Indeed, no one even knew that the house was even on the market which had other plus points.. (although competition for buying was almost non-existant where I am and even with the agents I felt like tumbleweed in the desert).

- Possible pitfalls - dithering sellers, lack of understanding of the process (do your research here), less contacts with usual notaires etc. However, in saying that, even the agents might well get the price down as many sellers still have 2007 prices in their heads - these guys need to sell to make a living..

- Possible benefits - no pushy sales people, no commission (if the price is right & not pie in the sky), being in control of the process..

Probably many more, but in truth it's the same process whether buying private or through the agent. However agents will have the 'car showroom' full of cars ready to sell (no warranty!) at usually over optimistic asking prices (due to either them or the sellers themselves..), and so too will private adverts often be over priced. research, research, research..

Hope this helps.

[Patf]

We've thought of trying to sell privately. Obviously that would mean advertising first.

The main problem I would envisage is negotiating the price, if it has to be done in french. Also asking(if buying) and answering(if selling) all the questions that come up, also probably in french.

I would think the first thing to do would be to get a notaire lined up and ask their advice how to proceed. They will have to draw up the Compromis and the Acte, and you will need to know what conditions you want putting in.