Buying Property in France
As someone who emigrated from the UK to France myself, I know first-hand the processes and problems of moving here. loirevalleyhomes.com can help guide you through each stage of purchasing a property here in the Loire Valley and hopefully make it an enjoyable experience. So if you do have any questions and you can't find all the answers from our site, get in touch and we'll be happy to help.
Glossary of French Estate Agency Terms
Often one of the main barriers that people encounter when buying property in France is the terminology used by the seller or agent. In our own property pages we always try to avoid using confusing local terms, but on other sites or when talking direct to sellers, this may not be case.
If you're looking for a particular word, use your browsers to search the list below by typing Ctrl-F.
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
| A Rénover | In Need Of Renovation |
| Acheteur | Purchaser/Buyer |
| Acompte | Deposit |
| Acquérir | To Buy |
| Acte Authentique De Vente | Deed Of Sale |
| Action | Share |
| Actuellement | Actually |
| ADI (Assurance Décès Invalidité) | Term And Invalidity Insurance |
| Affaire | Bargain |
| Agence | Agency/Branch |
| Agent Immobilier | Estate Agent |
| Aménagé | Converted |
| Ancien | Old |
| Annuité | Periodic Payment, Usually Annually |
| Are | 100sq. Meters |
| Argent Liquide | Cash |
| Armoire | Cupboard |
| Ascenseur | Lift |
| Assurance Décès | Life Assurance (For Loan) |
| Atelier | Workshop |
| Attenant | Contiguous |
| Attestation De Propriété | Proof Of Ownership Of A Property |
| Avec | With |
| Avec Tout Le Confort | With All Mod. Cons. |
| Avis À Tiers Détenteur | Notice To Third Party Holder |
| Avocat | Solicitor |
| Baignoire | Bath |
| Ballon A l’Eau Chaude | Hot Water Tank |
| Ballon Électrique | Electric Boiler |
| Banlieue | Suburb |
| Bâtiment | Building |
| Bénéficiaire | Beneficiary |
| Bergerie | Sheepfold/Sheep Pen |
| Bibliothèque | Library |
| Boiseries | Woodwork |
| Bord De Mer | Seaside |
| Bourg | Small Town / Village Centre |
| Bricolage | DIY / Repairs |
| Buanderie | Laundry/Utility Room |
| Bureau | Office |
| Cabinet/WC | Toilets |
| Cadastre | Land Registry |
| Calme | Quiet |
| Campagne | Country |
| Carrelage | Tiled Floor |
| Caution | Guarantee |
| Cave | Cellar |
| Cave Voûtée | Vaulted Cellar |
| Centre Commercial | Shopping Centre |
| Cession | Conveyance |
| Chambre | Bedroom |
| Charges Comprises | Service Charges Included |
| Charpente | Structure |
| Chaud | Hot |
| Chaudière | Boiler |
| Chauffage | Heating |
| Chauffage Central | Central Heating |
| Chaume | Thatch |
| Chaumière | Thatched Cottage |
| Cheminée | Fireplace |
| Chèque | Cheque |
| Chèque De Banque | Bankers Draft |
| Climatisation | Air-Conditioning |
| Code Confidentiel | Pin Number |
| Colombier | Pigeon House |
| Comble | Loft |
| Commerces | Shops |
| Commodités | Lavatory |
| Commune | Town/Village/District |
| Compromis/Promesse De Vente | Preliminary Sales Agreement |
| Comptable | Accountant |
| Compteur | Meter |
| Condition Suspensive | Let-Out Clause |
| Contrat De Réservation | Reservation Contract |
| Convention | Agreement |
| Couloir | Corridor |
| Cour | Yard/Courtyard |
| Cour De Ferme | Farmyard |
| Couvert | Covered |
| Crédit | Credit |
| Crédit Hypothécaire | Mortgage |
| Cuisine | Kitchen |
| Cuisine Aménagée | Fitted Kitchen |
| Cuisine Américaine | Open Plan Kitchen |
| Cuisine Équipée | Equipped Kitchen |
| Date D'expiration | Expiry Date |
| Débarras | Box Room |
| Débattre | To Be Discussed |
| Débit | Debit |
| Découvert | Overdraft |
| Demandé | Required |
| Dépendance | Outbuilding |
| Dépôt | Deposit |
| Dernier | Last |
| Dernier Étage | Top Floor |
| Devise | (Foreign) Currency |
| Divers (-es) | Various |
| Double Vitrage | Double Glazing |
| Douche | Shower |
| Droit De Passage | Right Of Way |
| Ecuries | Stables |
| En Bon État | In Good Condition |
| Ensoleillement | Sunshine |
| Entrée | Hallway |
| Entretien | Maintenance |
| Environ | Approximately |
| Escalier | Stairs |
| Espèces | Cash |
| Est | East |
| Etage | Storey |
| Expert De Bâtiment | Surveyor |
| Expert Géomètre | Land Surveyor |
| Expertise | Valuation Appraisal |
| Exposé Nord | North Facing |
| Exposition | Exposure |
| Facture | Bill/Invoice |
| Fenêtre | Window |
| Ferme | Farm |
| Feuille De Paie | Payslip |
| Finitions | Finishing |
| Fosse Septique | Septic Tank |
| Four | Oven |
| Frais | Fees |
| Frais De Dossier | Mortgage Arrangement Fee |
| Frais De Notaire | Notary's Fees |
| Gardien | Caretaker |
| Gare | Train Station |
| Gare Routière | Bus Station |
| Grand | Large |
| Grange | Barn |
| Grenier | Attic |
| Honoraires | Notary's Fee |
| Hypothèque | Legal Charge (Mortgage Deed) |
| Immeuble | Block Of Flats |
| Impôt | Tax |
| Jardin | Garden |
| Juriste | Lawyer |
| Lavabo | Sink |
| Laverie | Laundry |
| Lingerie | Linen Room |
| Local | Premises |
| Location | Rental/Tenancy |
| Logement | Accommodation |
| Longère | Farmhouse typical of Loire Valley region |
| Lotissement | Housing Estate |
| Lumineux/euse | Light and airy |
| Maçon | Builder (Bricklayer) |
| Mairie | Town hall |
| Maison 4 Pièces | 4 Room House (excl. Kitchen & Bathroom) |
| Maison De Campagne | Country House |
| Maison Mitoyenne | Semi Detached House |
| Maison Paysanne | Farm House |
| Mandat De Vente | Contract To Sell |
| Mas | Farmhouse in The Provence Area |
| Menuiseries | Woodwork |
| Menuisier | Carpenter |
| Monnaie | Currency |
| Moquette | Carpet |
| Moulin | Mill/Watermill |
| Multirisques Habitation | Buildings & Contents Insurance Policy |
| Mur | Wall |
| Mur Mitoyen | Separating Wall |
| Neuf | New |
| Niveau | Level |
| Nombreux | Many |
| Nord | North |
| Notaire | French Notary |
| Opposition | Cancellation Of Payment |
| Ouest | West |
| Parfait | Perfect |
| Parking | Car Park |
| Parquet | Wooden Floor |
| Particulier | Individual |
| Pavillon | Detached House, usually recent construction |
| Pelouse | Lawn |
| Penderie | Wardrobe |
| Période D'anticipation | Pre-Completion Period |
| Perron | Flight Of Stairs In Front Of A Property |
| Pièce | Room |
| Pierre De Taille | Freestone |
| Piscine | Swimming Pool |
| Placard | Cupboard |
| Placement | Investment |
| Plafond | Ceiling |
| Plain Pied | Single Storey House |
| Plan D'eau | Water Feature/Pond |
| Plomberie | Plumbing |
| Plombier | Plumber |
| Plus Values | Capital Gains |
| Portail | Gate |
| Porte | Door |
| Potager | Kitchen Garden |
| Poubelles | Garbage Can |
| Pour | For |
| Poutre | Wooden Beam |
| Prélèvement Automatique | Direct Debit |
| Prêt | Loan |
| Prêt Garanti | Secured Loan |
| Prêteur | Lender |
| Principal | Main |
| Prise Électrique | Electric Socket |
| Procuration | Power Of Attorney |
| Propriétaire | Owner |
| Propriété | Property |
| Puits | Well |
| Rangements | Storage Space |
| Refait | Restored |
| Relevé De Compte | Bank Statement |
| Relevé D'identité Bancaire (RIB) | Bank Identity Record |
| Remboursement | Reimbursement/Repayment |
| Rénové | Renovated |
| Renseignements | Information/Enquiries |
| Rentabilité | Profitability |
| Réservoir | Water Tank |
| Revêtement | Covering (Wall Or Floors) |
| Salle De Bains | Bathroom |
| Salle De Séjour | Living Room |
| Salon | Sitting/Living Room |
| Sans | Without |
| Sol | Ground |
| Solde | Balance |
| Sous-sol | Basement (Garage/Storage) |
| Standing | High Quality |
| Sur Deux (2) Niveaux | Two Storey |
| Tableau D'amortissement | Monthly Repayment Schedule |
| Taux De Change | Exchange Rate |
| TEG | APR |
| Terrain | Grounds/Land |
| Terrasse | Terrace |
| Testament | Will |
| Toit / Toiture | Roof |
| Tout | All |
| Tout A L'égout | Main Drainage System |
| Travaux | Building Works |
| Très Bon État | Very Good Condition |
| TVA | VAT |
| Urbanisme | Town Planning |
| Valable | Valid |
| Vendeur | Vendor |
| Vente En L'état Futur D'achèvement (Vefa) | Purchase Of Property Not Yet Completed |
| Verger | Orchard |
| Vestibule | Entrance Hall |
| Viabilisé | Pre-Equipped With Main Services |
| Virement | Transfer, Standing Order |
| Volets | Window Shutters |
| Vue | View |
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Glossary of French Estate Agency Terms