Sell my house as is in France

Selling a house that needs work in France

A house that needs major work puts private buyers off. Their bank turns down the mortgage, or they pull out once they see the builder’s quote.

We buy houses in poor condition across France. Tell us what’s wrong, and you’ll have our offer within 48 hours.

What “as is” means when you sell to us

You sell the property in its current state. No painting, no repairs, no work to bring it up to standard. You can leave furniture and belongings behind: clearing the house is our job once we’ve bought it.

The price takes the condition into account from the start. If the house matches your description, the offer stands as it is after the visit.

The diagnostics still apply

Every seller in France must provide technical reports, called diagnostics. They’re attached to the sale agreement or, failing that, the deed. Which ones you need depends on the property.

• Energy performance (DPE). Flats, and houses of 50 m² or more. Valid for 10 years if issued from 1 July 2021.
• Energy audit. Houses rated E, F or G, on top of the DPE.
• Electricity and gas. Installations over 15 years old. Valid for 3 years.
• Lead and asbestos. Lead if the house was built before 1949. Asbestos if the building permit predates July 1997.
• Termites, dry rot, natural and technological risks. Depending on the area.
• Septic system. If the house isn’t on mains drainage.
• Safety or unfitness orders. Any order issued on the building is part of the file.

A poor result doesn’t stop the sale: the reports inform the buyer. We read them and factor the findings into our offer.

Hidden defects: tell us what you know

A private seller acting in good faith can exclude the guarantee against hidden defects in the deed. The exclusion doesn’t apply if the seller knew about the defect.

Some reports must be valid on the day of the deed: lead, asbestos, termites, gas, electricity, septic system. If one is missing, the clause won’t cover that issue.

So tell us about any defect you know of, and we price it into our offer.

Houses we buy as they stand

• Damp and mould. Rising damp, leaks, salt deposits on the walls.
• Dry rot or termites. We work with specialists and treat the building once we’ve bought it.
• Old roof or structural problems. Cracks, subsidence, a roof that needs replacing.
• Fire or flood damage. Smoke, soot, water in the walls, damaged pipes.
• Houses declared unfit or dangerous. The order is part of the diagnostics file, and the house can’t be let while it applies. Private buyers rarely take it on. We do.
• Abandoned or cluttered houses. Empty for years, or full of belongings.

Renovate first, or sell as is?

Renovating before a sale rarely pays for itself. You pay full price for the work and cover the running costs in the meantime. Buyers still haggle.

Selling as is to a professional buyer means a lower price. In return, there’s nothing to pay up front, no renovation to wait for and no buyer whose bank says no.

Our price, in plain terms

Our price is below market value. We start from the resale value after renovation. We then deduct the renovation, selling and financing costs, and our margin.

If you have the time and the budget, you may get a higher price by renovating first. If you simply want it sold, talk to us.

Questions about selling as is in France

Do I need to clear the house?

No. Leave behind anything you don’t want.

I live in the UK. Can I still sell?

Yes. Someone you trust can let us in for the visit, and you can sign by power of attorney. Read our guide for UK owners.

Is the offer free?

Yes. The offer is free. Once countersigned, it binds both parties.