Completion Time Frame: 1 day
Completion Costs: 2% + 10% (for second transfer or thereafter) property value, + (40,000 F to 180,000 F (notary fees)) + 500 F per page (x 6, stamp duties)
Points to Note:
The title file contains the following, and will already be in the possession of the seller: the title, the cadastral plan, the sale value, the names of the proprietors, and the surface area. It is obligatory that the notary draft the sale-purchase agreement. The transfer cost for a first time transfer of the property would be 2% + 7% property value.

Step 2: Notary checks for mortgages or liens on the property

Completion Time Frame: 1 day
Completion Costs: DJF 1,500
Points to Note:
This is conducted at the Service des Domaines.

Step 3: Notary proceeds to tax authorities to check status of the property and capital gains

Completion Time Frame: 2 – 3 days
Completion Costs: no cost, but if there are capital gains to be paid, notary will collect them from the seller
Points to Note:

Step 4: Parties return to the notary to sign the sale-purchase agreement

Completion Time Frame: 1 day
Completion Costs: 2% property value (already paid in procedure 1)
Points to Note:
At this point the buyer pays the seller a deposit. If there are capital gains to be paid the seller will pay them at a rate of 5%.

Step 5: Notary proceeds to the registry for registration and to attach stamps to the title

Completion Time Frame: 2-3 days, or up to 1 month
Completion Costs: 10% property value (already paid in procedure 1) + 500 F per page (x 6, stamp duties already paid in procedure 1)
Points to Note:
Sometimes this procedure can take up to 2 or 3 months.

Step 6: Notary goes to the Service des Domaines to change the name of the proprietor

Completion Time Frame: 7 – 10 days
Completion Costs: Already paid in procedure 1
Points to Note:
This procedure is a mere conversion, not a new act of registration and it will take place approximately 10 months after provisional registration. The procedure involves checking all records, which are paper-based, and all history of transactions relevant to the property.

Step 7: Notary returns to the Service des Domaines to pick up new title file

Completion Time Frame: 1 day
Completion Costs: no cost
Points to Note:
The new title file contains the name change. The buyer remains holds the new title file from here forward.