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For thousands of homeowners across France, property represents their largest store of wealth — yet also their least accessible. From Paris apartments to countryside estates and Riviera villas, real estate often accounts for a substantial portion of personal net worth. But when liquidity is needed, many owners face a frustrating reality: their wealth is tied up in bricks and mortar. Selling is the obvious route, but it is not always desirable — nor strategically sound. Owners may wish to wait for better market conditions, preserve a family asset, or avoid disrupting long-term estate planning. Fortunately, selling is no longer the only option. Today, several sophisticated financial structures allow property owners to access significant capital without immediately parting with their home.
Broadly speaking, three primary solutions exist in France, each designed for different financial profiles and life stages:
- traditional mortgage lending
- lifetime mortgage structures
- property sale advances with deferred completion
Understanding how these mechanisms work - and more importantly, which one aligns with your situation - is essential before making any decision involving your property. Because when structured intelligently, unlocking equity is not a sign of financial weakness. It is often a mark of strategic financial management.
Why Property Owners Seek Liquidity
The motivations behind equity extraction are rarely impulsive. More often, they reflect deliberate financial planning. Some owners wish to support their retirement without liquidating investments. Others need to anticipate tax obligations, assist family members, or finance new ventures. In many cases, the objective is not survival - but flexibility. Property wealth can provide that flexibility, provided it is approached with the same rigor as any other component of a broader financial strategy.
The 3 Main Ways to Get Cash From Property in France
Each solution addresses a distinct borrower profile. Choosing correctly is less about maximizing the amount available and more about ensuring long-term coherence.
1. Mortgage Lending (Crédit Hypothécaire)
For financially stable residents, mortgage-backed borrowing remains one of the most effective ways to unlock property wealth. This structure allows homeowners to borrow against the value of a property they already own, while retaining full ownership.
Who is it designed for?
Mortgage lending is typically suitable for borrowers who:
- are both tax residents and physically resident in France
- generate sufficient income to comfortably cover monthly repayments
- own property either personally or through a SCI (Société Civile Immobilière)
- seek structured, predictable financing
How much can you borrow?
Most lenders will consider loans starting from approximately €100,000, with borrowing capacity generally reaching up to 60% of the property's market value, depending on the strength of the borrower’s financial profile.
Why many owners choose this route
Mortgage lending offers several advantages: It preserves ownership, maintains exposure to future property appreciation, and provides immediate liquidity without forcing a sale. For disciplined borrowers, it is often the most cost-efficient structure available. However, it does require repayment capacity — making financial stability a key prerequisite.
2. Lifetime Mortgage (Prêt Viager Hypothécaire)
For older homeowners, the equation is often different. Income may decline after retirement, yet property wealth remains significant. In such cases, requiring monthly repayments can feel unnecessarily restrictive. The lifetime mortgage was designed precisely for this stage of life.
How does it work?
This structure allows eligible homeowners to obtain a loan secured against their property without making repayments during their lifetime.
Both capital and interest are settled only when:
- the property is sold, or
- the estate is transferred following death.
Key eligibility criteria
Typically, borrowers must:
- be tax residents and physically resident in France
- be aged 60 or older
- own the property in their personal name
Loan amounts usually begin around €80,000 and may reach approximately 40% of the property’s value, depending largely on age and property characteristics.
Why it is often misunderstood
Contrary to common perception, lifetime mortgages are not emergency tools. They are increasingly used by financially comfortable retirees who prefer enhancing their quality of life rather than leaving substantial unused equity. It transforms property into a financial resource - without requiring departure from the home.
3. Property Sale Advance (Vente avec Complément de Prix)
Some homeowners require liquidity but also want time — time to sell under the right conditions rather than under pressure. The property sale advance offers precisely that balance.
The underlying concept
The owner temporarily transfers the property to an investor and immediately receives a substantial portion of its value - typically between 40% and 60%. The property is then marketed for resale. Once sold, the original owner receives the full remaining price supplement, hence the name “sale with additional price.”
Why sophisticated owners consider this option
This structure is particularly relevant when:
- a property is taking longer than expected to sell
- liquidity is needed quickly
- waiting for the right buyer could significantly improve the final sale price
Rather than accepting a discount in a rushed transaction, owners preserve value while solving short-term financial constraints.
It is not a distressed sale — it is a structured timing strategy.
Which Solution Is Right for You?
There is no universal answer.
The right structure depends on several interdependent factors:
- residency status
- age
- income profile
- time horizon
- estate planning objectives
- risk tolerance
What matters is alignment — not simply access to funds. Well-advised borrowers evaluate how a liquidity strategy fits within their broader wealth architecture.
Borrowing vs Selling: A Strategic Perspective
Selling remains irreversible. Once a property is gone, so too is its potential for future appreciation, emotional value, and intergenerational transmission. Leveraging property, by contrast, preserves optionality. Increasingly, sophisticated homeowners approach liquidity not as a reaction, but as a strategic lever — balancing access to capital with long-term asset control.
The Importance of Structuring
Accessing cash from property is not merely a financial transaction. It is a structural decision with lasting implications. Poorly designed borrowing can create fragility.
Thoughtfully engineered solutions create resilience. The difference often lies in the quality of the analysis preceding the decision.
CONCLUSION
For property owners in France, substantial wealth often lies hidden in plain sight. Unlocking that wealth is no longer limited to selling - nor should it be. Whether through mortgage lending, lifetime borrowing, or structured sale advances, modern financial tools allow homeowners to transform dormant equity into active financial flexibility. The key is not simply accessing capital. It is doing so intelligently - in a way that strengthens, rather than compromises, long-term financial stability.
FAQ
Can I get cash from my property without selling it?
Yes. Several financing structures allow homeowners to unlock equity while retaining ownership, depending on eligibility.
What is the minimum amount I can borrow?
Mortgage loans often start around €100,000, while lifetime mortgages may begin near €80,000.
Do I need to be a French resident?
Certain structures require tax and physical residency, while others depend primarily on the property itself.
Is a lifetime mortgage risky?
When properly structured, it can be a powerful retirement tool — but it should always be assessed within a broader wealth strategy.
What if my property is not selling?
A sale advance may allow you to access liquidity immediately while preserving the opportunity to sell at the right price.
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