A private real estate sale takes place in several well-defined stages. Mandatory documents, price setting, publication of the advertisement, viewings, negotiation, signing at the notary's office — here's how it works in practice.

Private sales: what are we talking about?

A private real estate sale is a transaction in which the seller and buyer deal directly with each other, without going through a real estate agency. No intermediary receives a commission on the sale price. However, a notary is still required to formalize the transaction—the notary drafts the preliminary sales agreement and the final deed of sale.

This approach represents approximately 30% of real estate transactions in France. It is fully regulated by law, provided that the legal obligations applicable to all sellers—with or without an agency—are respected.

The 5 steps of a sale between private individuals

  1. Estimating the selling price is the most crucial step. An overpriced item, even 10% overpriced, can extend the selling process by several months and ultimately lead to more difficult negotiations. Compare properties sold in your area, consult online property value data, and, if necessary, seek independent professional advice.
  2. Preparing the diagnostic report: Before publishing any advertisement, the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is mandatory and must be included in your advertisement. Other diagnostic reports—asbestos, electrical, termite, lead, and natural and technological risks (ERP)—vary depending on the age and location of the property. These must be carried out by a certified professional at your expense.
  3. Write and publish the ad: Include quality photos, a precise and honest description, the energy performance certificate (EPC) displayed, and the price clearly stated. The ad is then published on online classifieds platforms—choosing the right channel determines the quality of the inquiries received.
  4. Organize viewings and qualify buyers. Be available and responsive. During viewings, don't hesitate to ask about the buyer's financing—a buyer without a preliminary bank agreement can cause delays of several months.
  5. Signing the preliminary agreement and then the final deed of sale: Once an agreement is reached, the preliminary sales agreement is signed at the notary's office. The buyer has a 10-day cooling-off period. The final deed of sale then takes place, generally 2 to 3 months later.

Required documents to gather

Before signing anything, you will need to provide the buyer and the notary with a number of documents. Here are the main ones:

  • Title deed
  • Complete technical diagnostic file (DDT)
  • Two final property taxes
  • For a condominium apartment: the last 3 general meeting minutes, the condominium regulations, and the charges for the last two years
  • Building permit and declaration of completion of works (if recent construction)
  • All documents relating to the work carried out and the warranties in effect

Assembling this file in advance avoids roadblocks at the time of signing and reassures potential buyers from the first visits.

Choose carefully where to publish your ad

The major generalist platforms — PAP.fr, LeBonCoin, ParuVendu — are the usual go-to sites for sales between individuals. Free or inexpensive, they offer a broad audience suited to everyday goods.

For a property valued at over €600,000, the choice of advertising channel requires careful consideration. This type of property attracts a specific type of buyer who doesn't search on the same platforms. Publishing on a specialized portal, accessible to a national and international audience, can make a real difference in the quality—and speed—of the inquiries received.

Propriétés De Charme welcomes private owners wishing to sell their properties without an agency, starting from €600,000. The listing is written and optimized by the portal's editorial team, indexed by Google, and distributed to a qualified audience in France and abroad. No commission is charged on the sale.

The question of price: essential above all

The more unusual or valuable your property is, the more approximate the estimate from automated tools will be. These tools work well on standard properties with many comparable properties. They quickly reach their limits with properties where each characteristic is unique.

For a well-reasoned and independent appraisal, Propriétés De Charme offers a valuation service —a documented report produced without any conflict of interest. To delve deeper into the subject, our guide to appraisals for private sales details the available methods depending on the type of property.

Are you preparing a private sale and want to list your property on a specialized portal, without an agency and without commission? Discover the private property packages from Propriétés De Charme.

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Also read: tips for a successful sale between individuals — key steps, mistakes to avoid and essential reflexes before publishing your ad.