The Essential Guide to Successfully Buying Your First Property

Unlock all the insider tips to find, buy, and move into your dream property with ease. A complete step-by-step guide that takes you from house hunting to settling in—stress-free!

Watch the explanatory videos Arrow

Step 1 Find the Ideal Property!

How to choose your first apartment, land, or house wisely through effective visits and practical advice.

Identify your key criteria

  • check Property type: apartment, villa, land
  • check Surface area, condition (new, old, to renovate)
  • check Neighborhood, safety, accessibility
  • check Proximity to amenities, schools, public transport
Identify your key criteria
Visit and choose the right property

Visit and choose the right property

  • check Check the details: insulation, balcony, orientation
  • check Off-plan purchase (VEFA): building permit, plans, partners
  • check Co-ownership: understand the rules and fees
  • check Buying land: urban planning documents, legislation

Inspect the property and documents

  • check Ensure the seller’s identity
  • check Verify the land file (title, history)
  • check Estimate the price using the ANCFCC reference
Inspect the property and documents

Step 2 Prepare for the Purchase

Assess your purchasing capacity, get a mortgage loan, and prepare the required documents to secure your acquisition.

Assess your
property budget

  • check Funding sources: personal contribution, mortgage loan
  • check Special offer: “Code 35” from CIH Bank for people under 35
  • check Expected costs: notary fees, registration, land registry

Get a personalized mortgage loan

  • check Determine your borrowing capacity
  • check Potential tax benefits (income tax)
  • check Submit the application to a bank

Sign the preliminary sales agreement

  • check Binding contract between buyer and seller
  • check Clauses, conditions precedent, timeline
  • check For off-plan purchases (VEFA): specific contracts, staged payments based on construction progress

Step 3 Finalize the Purchase

Finalize the acquisition of your property with full legal supervision and clear administrative validation.

Finalize the purchase

Role of the notary

  • check Draft the official deed of sale
  • check Verify legal compliance
  • check Register the transaction and manage land registry procedures

Signing the final deed

  • check Mandatory information: identity, price, clauses
  • check Official registration and ownership certificate

Step 4 Final Steps and Moving In

Settle into your new home with peace of mind by completing all the necessary administrative and logistical tasks.

Post-purchase administrative formalities

After signing the sales contract, the notary is responsible for completing the following legal procedures:

  • check Registration of the contract with the DGI
  • check Registration of the contract with the land registry
  • check Receipt of the certificate of ownership stating the name of the new owner.

Taxes to expect

  • check Annual municipal services tax
  • check Residence tax
  • check Tax on undeveloped urban land

Prepare your move

  • check Hire a specialized company or handle it yourself.
  • check Make sure your furniture is covered by insurance.
  • check If the property is new: take out a water and electricity contract.
  • check If the property is old: check the presence and condition of the meters.
Final Steps and Moving In

Explanatory Videos: Real Estate Buying Made Simple

Watch videos that explain how to buy a house and get a loan, with expert advice.

The First Home Buying Guide

The First Home Buying Guide

Read this guide for practical answers to the key questions you may have before making your first real estate purchase.

Read the guide
Code Sakane
Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.