Buying a property with outdoor space: the steps
From the search to the final deed, the steps of a purchase in France, with the points that concern a balcony, a terrace or a garden.
At a glance
A property purchase in France runs in five steps: financing, searching and viewing, making an offer, signing the preliminary contract, then the final deed at the notary’s. Two to three months usually pass between the two signatures. For a property with outdoor space, two checks are added: the status of the outdoor space in the co-ownership rules, and the state of the waterproofing or structure that carries it.
1. Financing the purchase
The budget covers the price, the notary’s fees and the cost of any works. Notary’s fees are about 7 to 8% of the price for an existing property and 2 to 3% for a new one. The listings in the selection state that the agency fees are paid by the buyer; they appear on each property page.
Banks apply the rules of the High Council for Financial Stability: a debt-service ratio of 35% at most, insurance included, and a loan term of 25 years at most, with some flexibility left to each bank. Have the loan priced before the viewings.
2. Searching and viewing
Sort first by outdoor space: type, size, aspect, status. In the selection, each property page keeps the living area apart from the outdoor area. For a property with a garden or terrace, view at two times of day and outside summer if you can, because light and noise change.
Ask at the viewing for the co-ownership rules, the last three sets of general meeting minutes and the amount of the charges. The co-ownership checks guide lists the documents and what they reveal.
3. Making an offer
The offer is made in writing, at the price and on the terms you propose, with a validity period. Once the seller accepts, it leads to the preliminary contract. An offer may include conditions: obtaining the loan, checking the outdoor space, lifting a co-ownership reservation.
4. Signing the preliminary contract
The preliminary contract is either a bilateral sale agreement (compromis de vente) or a unilateral promise to sell. It sets the price, the conditions precedent, the timetable and the diagnostics. For a co-owned lot it states the private surface, under article 46 of the law of 10 July 1965. For a property with outdoor space, check that the right of use is written down.
A non-professional buyer has a ten-day cooling-off period from delivery of the contract, under article L271-1 of the Code de la construction et de l’habitation.
5. Signing the final deed
The signing takes place at the notary’s, once the loan is granted, the documents are gathered and pre-emption rights are cleared. The deed repeats the surface, the diagnostics and the description of the outdoor spaces. You receive the keys on the day of signing or on the agreed date.
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Frequently asked questions
How much are notary’s fees?
About 7 to 8% of the price for an existing property and 2 to 3% for a new one. They include transfer duties, collected for the State and local authorities, the notary’s fee and disbursements. The exact amount depends on the price, the département and the taxes in force at the signing date.
Who pays the agency fees?
For the properties in this selection, the listings state that the fees are paid by the buyer. The amount and its percentage are on each property page.
Can I withdraw after signing the preliminary contract?
A non-professional buyer can withdraw within ten days of receiving the contract, without giving a reason. After that, withdrawal is possible only through the conditions precedent, such as a refused loan, on pain of losing the deposit.
How long does a purchase take?
Usually two to three months between the preliminary contract and the final deed, the time needed to get the loan, the co-ownership documents and replies from the authorities.
What should I check for a property with outdoor space?
The status of the outdoor space, its size measured separately, the state of the waterproofing and railing, works voted or planned and the rules of use. The terrace, balcony and garden pages detail each case.
What does the diagnostics file contain?
The energy performance diagnostic, the risk statement, the Carrez surface for a co-owned lot and, depending on the age of the property, asbestos, lead, gas, electricity and drainage. The list is in article L271-4 of the Code de la construction et de l’habitation.
Updated 14 October 2026. Sources: Légifrance, law of 10 July 1965, Légifrance, article L271-4 of the CCH.
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Other areas
Same group: luxury-real-estate-paris.com (luxury properties in Paris) deferla.com (the agency network, valuations and buying) choisirsonagence14e.com (how to choose an agency in the 14th).