Just like selling a property, selling land involves several steps to be aware of. Here's a closer look at the steps to take for a successful sale.
The steps to sell your land
Assessing the feasibility of the project
The first step in selling your land is to approach your city hall or real estate agent to consult the Local Urban Plan or the Land Use Plan, to determine the feasibility of the project: is it buildable? What should be its minimum area to allow the construction of a house? Is the owner entitled to sell a part of it?
Consulting a surveyor-expert
If you are selling a part of a land, using a surveyor-expert is essential. Their role is to clearly define the boundaries of the land, especially if the owner wishes to sell only a part of it. If you are selling an independent plot, demarcation is not mandatory but advised. Generally, the cost of demarcation falls on the seller and varies depending on the land's area, the number of neighboring properties, and the rates charged by the expert whose fees are free.
Estimating the land and offering it for sale
Once the land is demarcated, it is appropriate to determine its value. For this, it is necessary to study the characteristics of the land (area, access to the public road, etc.) and those of its environment (slope, nature of the subsoil, view, exposure, etc.). Before offering the land for sale, it is sometimes meticulous to enhance it: clean, clear bushes, remove rubble and wrecks of all kinds.
Sometimes, carrying out minor work can be a plus, such as bringing in fill on a dirt road to make it more accessible. The primary factor for enhancing land remains its viability: lands that have access to water, electricity, and telephone generally sell more quickly and easily.
Estimating, enhancing, disseminating, and negotiating land for sale can be complex and tedious. The expertise of a professional specialized in the real estate market of the resort can be invaluable. With experience since 1979, the family agency ACM Immobilier will guide you in selling your land.
What documents are needed to sell land?
To conclude the sale of your land, you must provide the notary with:
- the property title (sale deed, succession, donation, etc.),
- documents proving your identity: passport, ID card, family record book, and depending on your situation, marriage contract, divorce, denunciation of the PACS.
Other documents related to the land, made by the surveyor, should be added to the sale file:
- Documents made by the surveyor, who will measure the surface of the land and demarcate it.
- The land survey document: this document defines the boundaries of the property. Once the land is sold, this document will update the municipal cadastral map and the list of landowners.
- Contradictory boundary plans: if the land is surrounded by other properties, the surveyor will define the boundaries between each plot. Each neighbor must sign the boundary record.
Since January 1, 2020, it is mandatory to conduct a soil study (geotechnical study) before the sale of buildable land if it is located in an area exposed to the risk of "drought and rehydration of clay soils". The state of technological, natural, or seismic risks is also mandatory if the land is in a risk area.
Finally, if the land is located in a subdivision, the owner must then provide:
- the subdivision regulations and its specifications,
- the completion guarantee for works if the connection and road works are carried out after the sale.
Suspensive conditions of the sales agreement for land
The sale is first formalized by the signing of a preliminary contract. This document notably sets the suspensive conditions which, if not met, will cancel the sale. These conditions are determined by mutual agreement between both parties.
Generally, when selling buildable land, the suspensive conditions are:
- Obtaining a bank loan. If the buyer resorts to a banking institution to finance the purchase, they will be assured of obtaining financing between the signing of the sales agreement and the signing of the official deed. The purchase is thus conditioned on obtaining the loan.
- Obtaining a building permit, cleared of any appeals.
Other conditions can be added if both parties have agreed.
