{"id":12412,"date":"2025-04-11T11:12:38","date_gmt":"2025-04-11T11:12:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/staging.consultants-immobilier.com\/?page_id=12412"},"modified":"2025-04-11T11:12:38","modified_gmt":"2025-04-11T11:12:38","slug":"preliminary-sales-agreement-definition-steps-and-obligations","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/staging.consultants-immobilier.com\/en\/sellers-guides\/the-stages-of-the-sale\/preliminary-sales-agreement-definition-steps-and-obligations\/","title":{"rendered":"Preliminary Sales Agreement: Definition, Steps, and Obligations"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wpb-content-wrapper\"><p>[vc_row full_width=&#8221;stretch_row_content&#8221; content_placement=&#8221;top&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1670852810251{background-position: center !important;background-repeat: no-repeat !important;background-size: cover !important;}&#8221; el_class=&#8221;back_div&#8221;][vc_column css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1657728499249{padding-right: 15px !important;padding-left: 15px !important;}&#8221;][vc_raw_html css=&#8221;&#8221;]JTNDZGl2JTIwY2xhc3MlM0QlMjJteV9iYWNrX2J1dHRvbiUyMiUzRSUwQSUwOSUwOSUwOSUwOSUwOSUwOSUzQ2ElMjBocmVmJTNEJTIyaHR0cHMlM0ElMkYlMkZ3d3cuY29uc3VsdGFudHMtaW1tb2JpbGllci5jb20lMkZlbiUyRnByb3BlcnR5LWd1aWRlcyUyRiUyMiUzRSUzQyUyMEJhY2slMjB0byUyMHByb3BlcnR5JTIwZ3VpZGVzJTNDJTJGYSUzRSUwQSUwOSUwOSUwOSUwOSUwOSUzQyUyRmRpdiUzRQ==[\/vc_raw_html][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1744366561136{background-image: url(https:\/\/staging.consultants-immobilier.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/avant_contrat.jpg?id=12413) !important;background-position: center !important;background-repeat: no-repeat !important;background-size: cover !important;}&#8221; el_class=&#8221;override_left&#8221;][vc_column css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1657728499249{padding-right: 15px !important;padding-left: 15px !important;}&#8221;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row el_class=&#8221;override_pos&#8221;][vc_column][vc_row_inner css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1662026446228{background-color: #e4e4e4 !important;}&#8221;][vc_column_inner][vc_custom_heading text=&#8221;Preliminary Sales Agreement: Definition, Steps, and Obligations&#8221; font_container=&#8221;tag:h1|font_size:37|text_align:center|color:%23040e31&#8243; use_theme_fonts=&#8221;yes&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1744366801116{padding-right: 20px !important;padding-bottom: 30px !important;padding-left: 20px !important;}&#8221; el_class=&#8221;relative_pos&#8221;][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner equal_height=&#8221;yes&#8221; el_class=&#8221;firstblock guide-wrapper-row vc_row-o-equal-height vc_row-flex&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1765897502487{background-color: #ffffff !important;}&#8221;][vc_column_inner width=&#8221;4\/5&#8243;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221; el_class=&#8221;resume_block&#8221;][\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221; el_class=&#8221;content_block&#8221;]<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When it comes to buying property, we often think of the critical 2 to 3-month period between the initial handshake and the final signature at the notary&#8217;s office. A period prone to problems when nothing is formalized: the seller changing their mind or accepting a higher offer, the buyer backing out, a disagreement over the condition of the property upon delivery, what happens to fixtures, easements, etc. The preliminary agreement is therefore much more than bureaucratic paperwork \u2014 it gives legal value to what was previously just an intention. But which type of preliminary agreement should you choose: sales agreement, unilateral promise, or right of first refusal? What precautions should be taken during drafting? Here&#8217;s everything you need to know.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>The Different Types of Preliminary Real Estate Contracts<\/b><\/h2>\n<h3><b>The Sales Agreement<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This is the most common preparatory contract. <\/span><b>Both seller and buyer are mutually bound as soon as it is signed<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (Article 1589 of the French Civil Code). Only the official transfer of ownership is postponed until the signing of the final notarial deed. However, this commitment is not truly &#8220;final&#8221; in the strict sense, as a few mechanisms allow the parties to withdraw.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Its key advantages:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Locks in key elements such as the firm and final price, payment terms, and a deadline to sign the final deed.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Protects the buyer from events that could make the purchase impossible or too costly. Common suspensive conditions include obtaining a mortgage (the sale only goes through if the buyer secures financing) or the absence of easements (the buyer can withdraw if a construction ban is discovered).<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Protects the seller through the security deposit (5\u201310% of the sale price), which will be retained if the buyer backs out without a serious reason.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><b>The Unilateral Promise to Sell<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In a<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/staging.consultants-immobilier.com\/en\/sellers-guides\/the-stages-of-the-sale\/promise-to-sell\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">unilateral promise to sell<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, it is <\/span><b>the seller alone who commits to selling, at the agreed price and conditions<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. The buyer is given an option (usually 2 to 3 months) to confirm the purchase, but is not obligated to do so (Article 1124 of the Civil Code).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Its key advantages:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Secures the property and the price without a firm commitment from the buyer \u2014 ideal in case of doubt or further verifications (soil studies, zoning changes, major renovations)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Gives time to set up financial arrangements (tax optimization, real estate holding companies, bridge loan) or to sell the current home<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Includes a holding indemnity (5\u201310% of the price) paid to the seller, who keeps it if the option is not exercised \u2014 balancing the agreement<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><b>The Right of First Refusal (Pacte de Pr\u00e9f\u00e9rence)<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The owner grants a &#8220;right of first refusal&#8221; to the beneficiary. If they decide to sell, they must <\/span><b>first offer the property to the beneficiary<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> under the same conditions as to any other potential buyer (Article 1123 of the Civil Code). Caution is advised: while useful, the pact is complex to manage. The scope must be clearly defined from the start \u2014 does it cover all or part of the property? What changes are anticipated? All of this needs to be carefully reviewed.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Its key advantages:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Gives the right of first refusal without blocking the sale or setting a price in advance<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Provides options for tenants interested in buying eventually, or for neighbors wanting to consolidate land ownership<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Can be valid indefinitely (unless otherwise specified), but any oversight can weaken the agreement!<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><b>The Offer to Purchase<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Less common, it formalizes the buyer\u2019s firm commitment to purchase at a given price. However, there is no reciprocal commitment from the seller. Typically, prospective buyers set a short validity period (15 days to 1 month) to encourage a prompt response from the seller and avoid being unnecessarily bound.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Its advantages:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Reassure a hesitant seller with a strong commitment<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Test the seller\u2019s actual intentions before incurring any costs<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Avoid bidding wars by displaying a firm stance<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Private or Authentic Preliminary Contract? Criteria for Choosing<\/b><\/h2>\n<h3><b>Private Agreement: Flexibility, Speed, Affordability<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This is the most common and most affordable option. You draft the preliminary contract yourself on plain paper, according to your terms, and sign it directly between parties. Here are three key advantages:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>First, flexibility:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> you control the drafting, timelines, and conditions. Ideal for simple or specific situations that don\u2019t require extensive formalism.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Next, speed:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> no need to wait for a notary appointment\u2014you can finalize in a few days. Valuable in high-demand areas or for highly sought-after properties like those in<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/staging.consultants-immobilier.com\/en\/our-properties\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Paris real estate listings<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Finally, cost:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> apart from possibly hiring a professional (real estate agent, lawyer) to help you draft it, costs are minimal. Only optional tax registration (highly recommended for dating the document) costs about \u20ac125.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, be aware of the limits in terms of legal security. You won&#8217;t benefit from the notary\u2019s expert advice or thorough checks. And be cautious with required legal mentions! This lighter approach carries some risk, which must be weighed against the benefits.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Authentic Act: Legal Security and Guidance<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Contrary to popular belief, using a notary is not limited to the final deed of sale. Many preliminary contracts are signed as authentic deeds due to obvious legal security needs:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>First, personalized advice from a public officer:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">a reminder: a seasoned and impartial legal professional. They help draft a tailored and balanced preliminary agreement, and assist in the following<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/staging.consultants-immobilier.com\/en\/buyers-guides\/the-key-steps-of-a-real-estate-purchase-complete-guide\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">key steps of a real estate purchase<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Next, necessary verifications:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> such as requesting prefectural authorization, verifying the parties\u2019 civil status and capacity, and collecting additional documents (property titles, co-ownership rules, general assembly reports)&#8230; Thorough checks that may highlight issues to address before signing definitively.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Finally, legal formalities:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> guaranteed registration within deadlines, proper publications, mandatory notifications, etc. A follow-up that ensures enforceability against third parties and authorities.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The authentic deed carries stronger evidentiary value than a private agreement: its date, contents, and the identity of signatories are presumed accurate until proven otherwise. The notary also ensures the deed\u2019s preservation in their register and can issue certified copies at any time. Only downside: the additional formalism comes at a cost\u2014expect to pay between \u20ac150 and \u20ac300 for an authentic preliminary agreement.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>When is a notarial preliminary contract required?<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some specific situations make the use of a notary highly recommended, or even mandatory:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sales involving a <\/span><b>vulnerable person<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (minor, protected adult) or where legal capacity is uncertain<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Complex transactions<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: income-producing buildings, multiple lots, SCI setups, joint ownership, life annuity, or presence of easements<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sales requiring specific formalism<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: mortgaged properties, buildable land, lots from recent subdivisions, or pre-emption rights<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Purchases by non-residents<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: requiring special administrative authorizations<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">And more broadly, any transaction involving high financial stakes, where security is paramount!<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>What are the steps to drafting a solid preliminary agreement?<\/b><\/h2>\n<h3><b>Step 1: Gather all information about the parties and the property<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For the parties, check and update civil status information (name, first name, date and place of birth, occupation, nationality, residence, marital status, applicable regime). In case of a sale by a company, attach a recent KBis extract. For a non-resident foreign buyer, prepare a detailed note on their situation.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For the property, the information required varies depending on whether it&#8217;s a standalone building or part of a co-ownership. Property title, cadastral references, updated plans and<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/staging.consultants-immobilier.com\/en\/value\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">property valuation<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> are always required, as are the valid technical diagnostics and the status of easements and mortgages.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In co-ownership, also include the co-ownership regulations and descriptive division, recent general meeting minutes, information on co-ownership charges and any voted or planned works, etc.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Step 2: Draft the clauses<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your file is complete and the content carefully thought out? Now it\u2019s time to write out the following key clauses, one of the most technical<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/staging.consultants-immobilier.com\/en\/sellers-guides\/the-stages-of-the-sale\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">steps of a property sale<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Full identity and civil status of the parties<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Detailed description of the property (location, cadastral reference, surface area, type, co-ownership designation)<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Price and payment terms (total price, down payment, mortgage if applicable)<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Deadline for signing the final deed<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Suspensive conditions (loan, planning, no easements, preemption rights)<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Security deposit (amount, escrow)<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Entry and exit condition reports<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Penalty clause in case of breach<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Mandatory annexes:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> valid diagnostics, co-ownership rules, list of easements, etc.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Other helpful clauses may be added depending on your case: substitution clause for a family SCI, seller\u2019s specific disclosures (work, damages), area guarantee, extension deadlines\u2026 All to be tailored to your needs, keeping legal security top of mind.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pay special attention to how suspensive conditions are worded. They must be precise, with no ambiguity or vague terms. For instance, specify the loan condition in detail (rate, term, institutions, approval and fund release deadlines, required supporting documents&#8230;).<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Step 3: Sign the preliminary agreement<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">First basic precaution: <\/span><b>verify the identity and legal capacity of the signatories<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Make sure names and civil status are correctly stated, and that all parties are present or properly represented. For legal entities, signature authority must be verified (KBis extract, board minutes, company statutes).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In terms of form, the first requirement is to <\/span><b>have enough original signed copies<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: one for each party, plus one for registration. All must be strictly identical and complete, including annexes. This is important to determine the<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/staging.consultants-immobilier.com\/en\/sellers-guides\/the-stages-of-the-sale\/time-frame-between-the-sales-agreement-and-the-deed-of-sale\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">time between the preliminary agreement and the deed of sale<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Each page must be <\/span><b>initialed<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and the last one must include the handwritten statement <\/span><b>\u201cRead and approved \u2013 Agreed\u201d<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> before signature. These simple formalities help avoid disputes and reinforce the legal strength of the document.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Beyond the technicalities, don\u2019t forget the human aspect of this exchange. It\u2019s arguably the cornerstone of<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/staging.consultants-immobilier.com\/en\/sellers-guides\/the-stages-of-the-sale\/private-sale\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">private sales<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2014a mutual commitment discussed and made with full awareness.<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=&#8221;1\/5&#8243; el_id=&#8221;summary_column&#8221;][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Promise or Preliminary Sale Agreement: What Does a Pre-Contract Include? Everything You Need to Know About This Key Real Estate Document.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":12414,"parent":6982,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"single-guide.php","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-12412","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/staging.consultants-immobilier.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/12412","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/staging.consultants-immobilier.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/staging.consultants-immobilier.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/staging.consultants-immobilier.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/staging.consultants-immobilier.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=12412"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/staging.consultants-immobilier.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/12412\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":12417,"href":"https:\/\/staging.consultants-immobilier.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/12412\/revisions\/12417"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/staging.consultants-immobilier.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/6982"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/staging.consultants-immobilier.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/12414"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/staging.consultants-immobilier.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=12412"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}