Wednesday, August 27, 2008

How do I know if my money is safe with the Notaire?
Buyers Answers

The Notaire is a quasi government official and part of his role in house buying transactions is to collect tax for the government.  Notaires have a severe training with high standards expected, and usually they are most respected members of the community.  Any notaire caught mishandling  funds would find himself in dire trouble, and in France that means TROUBLE! 

Transfers made direct to a notaire''s account should be perfectly safe. The notaire receives no interest on these funds and he is not empowered to dispose of them in any way except as prearranged by the first sale contract.  These days payments should always be made direct to the notaire and not to the agent or to anyone else who may pretend to be an intermediary.  Should the sale fall through you will receive any refunds due as soon as the documentation is complete.