Search to find real estate terms in France and their American equivalent.
| Annual HOA Meeting | Assemblée Générale | The annual meeting of co-owners in a condominium where decisions about property management, budgets, and maintenance are made. |
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| Apartment | Appartement | A unit in a multi-family building. Common in urban areas in both the US and France. |
| Appraisal | Expertise Immobilière | This is an expert valuation of a property. In the US, it's often needed for mortgages; in France, it's used similarly for loan approvals and sales. |
| Attic | Grenier | A space found directly below the roof, used for storage or sometimes converted into living space. Known as "grenier" in France. |
| Balcony | Balcon | An outdoor platform extending from a building, usually accessible from inside and partially shaded. Known as "balcon" in France. |
| Basement | Sous-sol | A lower level of a building, often used for storage, utilities, or extra living space. Referred to as "sous-sol" in France. |
| Bathroom | Salle de Bains | A room containing a bath or shower, often also a sink and toilet. Similar function in both countries, sometimes referred to as "salle de douche" if only a shower is present. |
| Bedroom | Chambre | A room used for sleeping. The concept is the same in both countries, with similar naming conventions (e.g., "master bedroom" translates to "chambre principale"). |
| Builder Warranty | Garantie Décennale | A ten-year warranty covering structural defects and damages provided by builders. Similar to certain long-term builder warranties in the US. |
| Building Permit | Permis de Construire | A permit required for new constructions or significant modifications, ensuring compliance with local planning regulations. |
| CC&Rs (Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions) | Cahier des Charges | The set of rules and regulations governing the use and management of a condominium or housing development. |
| Closing Costs | Emolument d'acte | These are fees paid at the end of a real estate transaction. In France, notary fees include taxes and the notary's fee, which are higher than in the US. |
| Condominium (Condo) | Copropriété | An individually owned unit within a building or complex with shared common areas. Similar ownership structure in both countries. |
| Condominium Conversion | Mise en Copropriété | The process of converting a building into a co-ownership structure, involving legal and administrative steps to create individual property units. |
| Deed | Les actes de Propriété/les titres de propriété. | The legal document that proves ownership of the property. In both countries, this is recorded with a government authority. |
| Dimensions of the room | Loi Carrez/dimensions de la pièce | This law mandates the accurate measurement of the living area for properties in co-ownership. Ensures transparency and protects buyers. In France, dimensions de la pièce refers to the dimensions of a room. |
| Dining Room | Salle à Manger | A room where meals are eaten. Known as "salle à manger" in France. |
| Down Payment | Dépôt de garantie or acompte | This is the initial upfront portion of the total purchase price that the buyer pays to secure the purchase of the property (the deposit). The required amount is often similar in both countries, usually a percentage of the purchase price. |
| Duplex | Duplex | A building divided into two separate units. Called the same in both countries, often with similar layout features. |
| Energy Performance Certificate | Diagnostic de Performance Énergétique (DPE) | An energy performance diagnosis is legally required before selling or renting a property in France. Ratings of energy efficiency range from A (exceptionally good) to G (very poor). |
| Escrow | Séquestre | A financial arrangement where a third party holds money in trust and regulates payment of the funds required by the two parties involved in a given transaction. |
| Floor (Level) | Étage | The levels of a building. "Ground floor" in the US is "rez-de-chaussée" in France, with subsequent floors numbered similarly in both countries. |
| Foreclosure | Saisie Immobilière | The legal process by which an owner's right to a property is terminated - usually due to default. Similar procedures exist in both countries. |
| Furnished Apartment | Appartement Meublé | A rental unit that includes furniture and white goods. "Appartement meublé" in France, typically requires a shorter lease term and slightly higher rent. |
| Guarantor | Garant | A person who guarantees the tenant's lease obligations. Similar to a cosigner in the US, the "garant" in France often has to meet specific income criteria. |
| HOA Dues | Charges de Copropriété | Fees paid by co-owners for the maintenance and management of common areas. Similar to HOA dues but can cover a wider range of services. |
| Home | Maison Individuelle | A standalone (detached) residential structure for one family. Similar in both countries, with varying architectural styles. In France they can be large, older rural properties with land or more modern compact houses in towns with small, manageable gardens. |
| Homeowners Association (HOA) | Syndicat de Copropriété | An organization - usually of residents - that manages common areas and enforces rules for properties within a condominium or subdivision. Similar roles in both countries. |
| Kitchen | Cuisine | A room where food is prepared and cooked. Similar in both countries, with variations in design and size. |
| Landlord | Propriétaire / Bailleur | The owner of the rental property. Referred to as "propriétaire" or "bailleur" in France, with comparable duties and rights to landlords in the US. |
| Lease Agreement | Contrat de location or contrat de bail | A contract between the tenant and landlord outlining the terms of the rental. In France, "bail" covers similar details as a lease agreement in the US. |
| Life Estate | Viager | A transaction where the buyer makes an initial payment and regular payments to the seller until their death, transferring ownership upon the seller's death. |
| Living Room | Salon | The main room used for daily activities and entertaining guests. Known as "salon" in France. |
| Loft | Loft | A large, open space usually converted in the roof space of commercial buildings. Known for high ceilings and industrial interior design in both countries. |
| Mortgage | Un prêt hypothécaire | A loan (mortgage) used to purchase a property, secured by the property itself. The terms and interest rates may differ, but the concept is the same. |
| Move-In Inspection | État des Lieux d'Entrée | An inspection of the property's condition before the tenant moves in. Known as "état des lieux d'entrée" in France, it's a standard practice in both countries. |
| Move-Out Inspection | État des Lieux de Sortie | An inspection conducted when the tenant moves out. Similar to the US, this "état des lieux de sortie" checks for damages and cleanliness. |
| Notice Period | Préavis | The required time period a tenant must give before terminating the lease. Notice periods vary, but are commonly one to three months in both countries. |
| Option to Purchase | Promesse de Vente | A unilateral promise to sell where the seller commits to selling the property at an agreed price within a specified period. |
| Pied-à-terre | Pied-à-terre | A small living unit typically used as a secondary residence. More commonly referenced in France and located in a town or city but known in the US as well. |