Completion Time Frame: 3 – 4 days
Completion Costs: no cost
Points to Note:
Parties should conduct a search of the title at the Service des Domaines to check the ownership and any encumbrances or liens.

Step 2: Buyer and his topographer visit the property to survey and see that the title description matches the property

Completion Time Frame: 15 days
Completion Costs: approx. 40,000 FC
Points to Note:
This is not a mandatory procedure, but it is standard practice for buyers. Topographers are in high demand, which accounts for the delay. They are often hired from the Service des Domaines. During the survey, the topographer and buyer may also consult with the neighbors of the property to verify the owner and limits.

Step 3: Contract a lawyer or notary to draft the sale purchase agreement

Completion Time Frame: 1 – 2 days
Completion Costs: 5 – 10% of the actual property value (legal fees)
Points to Note:
This is not a mandatory procedure but it is standard practice. The contract can be written by anyone. The parties can write it themselves if they want but companies normally contract a lawyer to draft it. Normally the buyer pays a deposit of 10% to 20% of the price value when signing this contract.

Step 4: Notarize the sale purchase agreement at the notary

Completion Time Frame: 2 days
Completion Costs: 0.5 – 1% property value
Points to Note:
The agreement must be notarized by a notary.

Step 5: Register the sale purchase agreement with the Service des Domaines

Completion Time Frame: 1 day
Completion Costs: 12% transfer tax on the declared price + 32,000F registration fees + 500F per page stamp duty (4 pages)
Points to Note:
The Service des Domaines will record the transfer in their books and officially change the name on the existing title to that of the buyer.