Property-buying checklist: be sure of your purchase before you sign
How can you be sure of your purchase? By leaving nothing to chance. Here is the buyer's complete checklist — from first scouting to signature at the notary — to visit, compare and commit with a clear mind.
The fear of getting it wrong is every buyer's companion: overpaying, discovering works afterwards, realising the co-ownership is in trouble. Being sure of your property purchase isn't luck: it's a method. Checking, in the right order, the points that truly matter — and knowing which are deal-breakers.
This checklist walks through, step by step, what a savvy buyer checks before signing. You can go through it alone; you can also let Aubaine do the heavy lifting: compare the price to real sales, read the diagnostics and meeting minutes, and surface what should alert you.
The mistakes that cost the most
Trusting the asking price
A listing price is a negotiation starting point, not a value. Without comparison to real sales, there's no telling if it's fair.
Ignoring the co-ownership
A cheap flat in a building with heavy charges and major works voted in isn't a bargain. The minutes say more than the listing.
Overlooking the energy rating
A thermal sieve (F or G) means high bills and upcoming works now framed by law. A price criterion, not a detail.
Signing without reading everything
The file is thick, no one has the time. That's exactly where the bad surprises hide — and where a tool that reads for you changes everything.
The checklist, step by step
Before the visit — price
- Compare the asking price to real DVF sales in the area
- Compute the price per m² and place it in the neighbourhood range
- Check surface / rooms / price consistency
- Spot a “too good” price: often a hidden defect
During the visit — the property
- Floor, aspect, light, facing views, nuisances
- Real condition: damp, cracks, joinery, roof
- Energy class and expected heating cost
- State of common areas and the building
Before the offer — co-ownership
- Charge amount and its evolution over three years
- Major works voted or expected (meeting minutes)
- Works fund, unpaid charges and syndic's financial health
- Co-ownership rules: restrictions and shares
Before signing — the file
- Complete, up-to-date diagnostics
- Mortgage suspensive condition written into the agreement
- Cooling-off period and completion deadlines
- Financing validated and borrowing capacity confirmed
Frequently asked questions
Go further
Tick the checklist automatically
Paste a listing: Aubaine compares the price, reads the documents and tells you what's left to check. Free to start.