A New Increase Quietly Affects The Real Estate Sector, But It Could Heavily Impact Future Buyers. If you are considering purchasing a property in one of the 36 affected departments, be prepared to open your wallet.
📈 A Silent But Very Real Increase
Behind the fluctuations in interest rates and rising prices, another factor is increasing the burden on households: the rise in property transfer taxes, also known as “notary fees.” While this increase might seem marginal at first glance, its cumulative effects are worrying professionals in the sector.
Loïc Cantin, president of FNAIM, sounds the alarm: “This increase is anything but trivial: it represents an additional 1,500 euros for a purchase of 300,000 euros.” He adds: “One might argue that it is not too high, but when it is combined with the regular rise in property tax, the burden on prospective buyers becomes even heavier.”
📍 The 36 Affected Departments
This is a local decision: departments can choose to increase the share they receive from transfer taxes. 36 of them have taken this step, representing a majority of the territory. The result? The tax rate increases from 4.5% to 4.7%, a rise of 0.2 points applied to every real estate transaction.
While it may seem trivial, this change adds approximately 1,500 euros to a property worth 300,000 euros. This amount, combined with processing fees, agency fees, and property taxes, heavily impacts the overall budget of a real estate purchase.
Here’s the complete list of the 36 affected departments:
Ain, Aisne, Ardèche, Aube, Aveyron, Calvados, Charente, Charente-Maritime, Cher, Corrèze, Creuse, Dordogne, Doubs, Drôme, Eure, Eure-et-Loir, Gers, Haute-Marne, Haute-Saône, Hautes-Alpes, Hautes-Pyrénées, Indre, Indre-et-Loire, Jura, Lot, Lot-et-Garonne, Lozère, Meuse, Nièvre, Orne, Saône-et-Loire, Tarn, Tarn-et-Garonne, Vienne, Vosges, Yonne.
🏡 Concrete Consequences For Buyers
For future homeowners, particularly first-time buyers, this increase further complicates access to property. In an already tense economic context, every euro counts, and this rise might deter some from realizing their project.
Experts agree that this measure, while legal, could slow down transactions and impact the local market. For buyers, the advice is clear: thoroughly research local taxation before signing.
🔍 Local Taxation Under Scrutiny
This decision reignites the debate over local taxation in France. Departments, faced with increasing funding needs, are seeking new resources. However, for taxpayers, these adjustments often go unnoticed… until payment time.
The FNAIM advocates for greater transparency and calls for stricter regulation of departmental increases, which could, in the long term, deepen inequalities between territories.
🧭 How To Anticipate This Increase?
Before signing a sales agreement, it is essential to be informed about additional fees. Notaries can provide a precise estimate of the transfer taxes due in the relevant department. Comparing rates applied according to geographic areas can also help make a more informed choice, especially for those hesitating between multiple cities or departments.
Finally, consider negotiating with the seller or looking for a property at a slightly lower price to offset this increase. Every leeway can make a difference in the feasibility of a real estate project.
