On May 10, 2023, in a cozy room of a Parisian notary’s office, two strangers shake hands. A few minutes later, they seal the sale of a lifetime. So who gets to open the bottle of champagne?
Real Estate Sale: How Does the Transaction Really Work?
The real estate sale in France is not just a simple handshake: each phase follows specific codes, sometimes opaque to the uninitiated. It all starts with the sales mandate, a true contract between the owner and a real estate professional. Then comes the time for the agreement: the compromise or promise of sale sets the framework, the price, the conditions, and the obligations. From that moment, the countdown begins, particularly for the right of withdrawal reserved for the buyer.
See also : Discover the online solution that simplifies all your home construction projects
The administrative process then begins. The notary examines each document, consults property registers, checks for the presence of a mortgage on the buyer’s side, and then drafts the authentic deed. This document, once signed, definitively formalizes the transfer of ownership and triggers the payment of the price.
In this well-oiled machine, one detail sometimes brings a smile: who offers the champagne during a house sale? According to studies, some notaries are keen on this ritual; elsewhere, the real estate agent or seller takes the initiative. This gesture, never imposed, navigates between tradition, politeness, and commercial strategy. The signing of the authentic deed then transforms into a shared scene, where emotion invites itself amidst the notarial rigor.
Read also : Discover how the Youpi La Maison platform is revolutionizing your home services
Who Pays What When Selling a House: Fees, Notary, and Responsibilities
Selling a house also means distributing costs, according to a logic that mixes legal texts and local practices. The displayed price is just a starting point: the transaction comes with a series of fees that affect the seller and buyer differently.
Here are the main expenses shared between the parties:
- The seller generally covers the real estate agent’s fees, if their mandate allows it. This commission, freely set, depends on the agency and the market. It can be included or added to the displayed price, depending on the agreement made.
- The buyer, on the other hand, bears most of the costs: those of the notary, which mainly include taxes paid to the state, and the actual remuneration of the notary. Sometimes, additional fees related to a mortgage or guarantees required by the bank are included.
The key to distribution is revealed during the signing of the authentic deed. The notary collects the funds, distributes each payment, and ensures compliance with deadlines. The sales agreement also provides for a deposit, usually 5 to 10% of the price, which remains blocked until the final signature. The seller then receives the balance, after deducting the agency commission and any withholdings specified in the contract.
From the first signature to the handover of keys, this flow of funds shapes the rights and duties of each party involved. The transaction is not limited to a verbal agreement: it rests on a meticulous financial balance, where every euro finds its place.
Champagne at the Signing: Simple Tradition or Expected Gesture?
The same scene is often found at the notary’s office: flutes lined up, a chilled bottle, a relaxed atmosphere. But offering champagne during the signing of an authentic deed is not written anywhere. It is neither a rule nor an obligation. Rather, it is a habit born from the desire to mark the occasion. The real estate sale reaches its peak: keys exchanged, signatures placed, a new chapter opens.
So who should take the initiative? In reality, it all depends on local customs and personalities. Some buyers prefer to offer this moment of conviviality, happy to celebrate their project finally realized. Sometimes, it is the seller who wishes to thank or bid farewell elegantly. In other offices, the notary himself proposes this gesture to highlight the success of the transaction.
The signing of the deed brings together the buyer, the seller, and sometimes the real estate agent. This sharing, purely symbolic, has no impact on the contract or the distribution of costs: it is primarily about weaving a bond, humanizing a moment in the sales process. Nothing is obligatory, everything is suggested. This champagne custom, far from fading, reminds us that even in a world governed by law, humanity always retains a special place.
In the hushed silence of the notarial office, a bottle opens, glasses clink. The deal is closed, but the memory continues to sparkle.