Buying a property remotely while on vacation: how to
On vacation at the other end of France, abroad... or simply busy elsewhere: many buyers think they should put their real estate project on hold during the summer. However, this is often the time when opportunities present themselves — and those who remain responsive can take advantage of them.
Thanks to digital tools and high-quality support, it is now entirely possible to buy property in Paris without being there. Video viewings, electronic signatures, protective French law: everything is in place to buy safely, even from afar.
In this article, we explain why buying during the holidays can be a good strategy, how to organize your approach, and above all, how Parlez-moi de Paris can effectively support you... even from your deckchair.
Why can buying remotely be a good strategy?
In the summer, many buyers take a break. They postpone their search until the fall, thinking it will be easier to move forward in September. As a result, the market is less competitive and some properties—especially the rarest or highest quality ones—may remain available a little longer. For those who remain attentive, this is a strategic period.
Buying remotely during the holidays allows you to be responsive while others wait. By remaining available, even remotely, you give yourself the opportunity to seize a great opportunity... instead of letting it slip away. It also saves time: why wait until you get back to make progress, when digital tools now allow you to go a long way in the purchasing process without being physically present?
It's also a question of pace: in summer, schedules are more flexible and diaries are less full. You sometimes have more time to focus on your project, think things through, consult documents, and organize meetings with your property hunter or notary.
Finally, for people living abroad or in the provinces, remote buying is not just a summer solution: it is a way of buying in its own right. And buyers who embrace it fully—with method and support—move faster than others.
Digital tools for remote buying
Buying a property without being physically there was unthinkable just a few years ago. Today, digital tools have completely changed the game. Used properly, they not only allow you to visit, but also to compare, analyze, and move forward with confidence in the buying process.
Video viewings have become common practice. Whether via WhatsApp, FaceTime, or Zoom, your apartment hunter will show you around the property live, showing you the layout, details of the general condition, the view, the entrance to the building, the common areas... everything they would see for you on site.
You can ask the real estate agent showing you the apartment questions in real time and even ask to revisit certain points during the tour.
Detailed floor plans, high-definition photos, videos, and Google Street View or Google Earth images allow you to accurately assess the property's surroundings, including its orientation, visibility, nearby shops, traffic, and neighborhood atmosphere.
Electronic signatures simplify the process: whether you need to sign a visit form, a purchase offer, or a preliminary agreement, everything can be done remotely via secure platforms such as DocuSign or MyNotary.
Finally, official documents—diagnostic reports, minutes of general meetings, co-ownership regulations, etc.—are sent in digital format. You can read them at your leisure, wherever you are, and ask your notary or apartment hunter any questions you may have without having to be in Paris.
None of these tools can replace human judgment... but they do allow you to buy with clarity, even from a distance.
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The legal framework: what French law allows
Buying property remotely can seem risky, especially when you are not familiar with the legal rules. However, French law offers a very protective framework for buyers, making remote purchases not only possible but also completely secure.
It all starts with the purchase offer, which is not legally binding until a preliminary agreement has been signed. This means that a buyer (an individual purchasing residential property) can make an offer remotely and then visit the property a few days later to confirm their decision. This step allows buyers to quickly decide whether or not to proceed, without taking any risks.
The promise to sell is binding on both parties, but it can be signed remotely. There are two options:
– secure electronic signature, offered by an increasing number of notaries and agencies,
– signature by proxy, if the buyer wishes to be represented without traveling.
Feel free to read our article on the differences between a promise to sell and a preliminary sales agreement if you are interested.
Once the preliminary agreement has been signed, the SRU/Scrivener law provides for a 10-day withdrawal period for all non-professional buyers. This period starts from the date of receipt of the promise to sell (by registered mail or electronic signature) and allows the buyer to withdraw from the purchase without justification or penalty.
Finally, the authentic deed (the final sale) can also be signed remotely in certain notary offices. Thanks to videoconferencing, the entire transaction can be carried out without physical presence, which is particularly useful for buyers abroad or who live far away.
In other words, French law makes remote purchasing possible, smooth, and secure, provided you have the right support.
Get organized to buy without being present
Buying real estate remotely, even during the holidays, cannot be improvised. To ensure that everything goes smoothly, good organization is essential.
First step: prepare your financing
Whether you are buying with or without a loan, it is essential to have your supporting documents ready. These may include a financing certificate, a bank simulation, or proof of funds if the purchase is being made in cash. These documents reassure the seller and show that you are a serious buyer, even from a distance.
Second key point: stay available
Even when you're on vacation, keep an eye on your phone and emails: a quick video call, an electronic signature, or a chat with your notary could be all it takes to secure a great opportunity.
Third: surround yourself with the right people
A responsive notary, an efficient broker, and above all an experienced apartment hunter will save you time, help you avoid pitfalls, and keep an objective eye on the property.
But be careful: even if the purchase offer can be made remotely, a physical visit is essential before confirming it. You should not sign a promise to sell without seeing the property with your own eyes. In practice, this means planning a short trip to Paris—often within a few days—to check out the apartment in person, with full knowledge of what you're getting into.
This moment is crucial: it allows you to confirm your impressions from the video, get a feel for the atmosphere of the place, listen to the ambient noise, and test the lighting. Nothing can replace a real visit for such an important commitment.
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The key role of the apartment hunter in this type of purchase
Buying property remotely is possible — but not without a trusted local representative. And that's exactly where the apartment hunter comes in. They don't just search for listings: they secure every step of the process, acting as a true partner on the ground.
Before the visit, they select properties based on your criteria, filter out irrelevant listings, and contact sellers or agencies. They save you time and avoid unpleasant surprises by only showing you serious properties at the right price.
During the visit, they are your eyes and ears. They film, comment, take photos, and ask the seller the right questions. They alert you to any defects, the condition of the building, the actual exposure, and potential nuisances. You don't just get pretty pictures: you receive a professional, factual, and honest analysis.
After the visit, they help you make a quick decision if you like the property. They assist you in drafting the offer, negotiating a strategy, and checking the documents (diagnostic reports, minutes of general meetings, co-ownership regulations, etc.). Above all, they organize the mandatory physical visit with you before confirming the offer, in coordination with the seller.
At Parlez-moi de Paris, we have extensive experience in this type of assignment. We regularly assist remote buyers—expatriates, provincial residents, vacationers—by offering them ultra-responsive follow-up and a reliable local presence, even in the middle of August.
Conclusion
Buying property remotely, even in the middle of summer, is no longer unusual. Thanks to digital tools, the protective French legal framework, and professional support, it is entirely possible to move forward with your project without being physically present in Paris at every stage.
But it's not about buying blind. A physical visit is still essential before confirming an offer: it's common sense and an essential safety measure. The goal is not to rush, but to be ready to act quickly — with the support of a trusted apartment hunter.
At Parlez-moi de Paris, we support buyers, even in the middle of summer, to help them identify the right opportunities, take a methodical approach, and secure each step of the process, right up to the decisive visit and signing. So that buying from afar becomes an asset, not a risk.
We can only recommend and advise Parlez-moi de Paris for your real estate searches. We contacted them in September 2024 and our interlocutor, Olivier, was able to understand our request and refine our search criteria. He has shown patience and commitment to our project and thanks to him we have an apartment that we would not have had access to without his network and his knowledge. Thanks to Olivier and to the Parlez-moi de Paris team.
After having had a very disappointing experience with an apartment hunter for a year, given that we live abroad, in February I contacted “Parlez-moi de Paris” and from the first meeting with Susan we were reassured and comforted! And already in June, we signed the bill of sale! She immediately identified our priorities and needs, she has a gift for listening and feeling the other person. Very responsive, always available, calm and very professional, she accompanied us in all the procedures with the notary and even showed us the neighborhood that we did not know at all! A very nice experience!
I had the opportunity to collaborate with Suzan on two common issues and everything went well. She was very involved, available and efficient from start to finish, resulting in a smooth and timely transaction. It is a real pleasure to work with such a serious professional, whom I highly recommend!
