Early spring consistently brings a wave of international interest, as buyers aim to secure their ideal property before the summer season begins. Sellers, aware of seasonal timing, are increasingly open to negotiating—especially when buyers are prepared.
This shift presents a valuable opportunity: qualified buyers can access better property deals by offering certainty of purchase and a clear timeline.

Fortier Finance strongly encourages real estate professionals to prioritise mortgage qualification for international clients ahead of property visits. French banks maintain high lending standards for non-residents, and preparing early avoids delays or disaster later.

Attestation de Financement 
While not mandatory, a financing attestation demonstrates that your client has the means and preparation to complete a purchase. Issued by a qualified mortgage broker in France, this document outlines the buyer’s borrowing capacity and personal contribution—helping to build trust with the notary, the agent, and the seller’s representative.

Accord de Prêt en France pour Non-Résidents

To secure pre-approval, non-resident buyers should be prepared to provide:

  • Confirmation of global income and employment status (employed, business owner, etc.)
  • Three years of verified income (with accountant certification for UAE/Middle East clients)
  • Tax returns (for UK, EU, and US clients)
  • Personal Financial Statement (assets, liabilities and  expenses)
  • Proof of down payment % (bank statement or liquid investment accounts) – discuss LTV’s with mortgage broker.

French lenders require full transparency into a buyer’s global financial profile—this is the key to unlocking access to the best financing conditions without any delays.

Should Buyers Wait or Act Now?
Many international clients, including existing homeowners, ask whether they should wait for interest rates to fall or act now. The good news is that securing financing today doesn’t mean being locked into current rates forever.

French lenders are increasingly open to renegotiating both fixed and floating rates as market conditions improve. This growing flexibility is part of a broader effort to attract reliable, international borrowers.

By moving forward now, buyers gain access to motivated sellers and stronger negotiating power—while others remain on the sidelines waiting for the “perfect” rate. As the saying goes:

“Be fearful when others are greedy, and greedy when others are fearful”

For those looking to secure euro-denominated mortgages, this period presents a strong window of opportunity to lock in a property at favorable terms, with room to optimise financing later.

Financing Outlook – April 2025
The ECB base rate has declined from its peak of 4.00% in 2023 to 2.5% today, with signs of further easing due to moderating inflation and slowing growth in the Eurozone.

Lower rates are gradually improving financing conditions, supporting a rebound in buyer confidence. Combined with a more negotiable market, this creates an ideal moment for well-qualified buyers to secure property in France.

Fortier is uniquely positioned to support sophisticated borrowers through an unparalleled network of both domestic and international lenders.

They specialise in facilitating deals exclusively for international clients.