Net seller price
The amount actually received by the seller after deduction of the estate agent's commission. It is the base for calculating transfer taxes and notarial fees. The broker consistently separates the net seller price from the FAI price (fees included) when building the financing plan and calculating exact acquisition costs.
Key points
- Equals the FAI price less the agency fee when the buyer bears that cost.
- Serves as the base for calculating transfer taxes and notarial fees.
- The broker identifies it systematically to avoid overstating acquisition costs.
- Buyer advantage: the lower the PNV relative to the FAI price, the lower the notarial fees.
Frequently asked questions
Why does the broker separate the net seller price from the FAI price in the financing plan?
Transfer taxes and notarial fees are calculated on the net seller price, not the FAI price. If the broker uses the FAI as the base, acquisition costs are overstated and the required deposit is wrongly calculated. Pinpointing the PNV enables an accurate financing plan and the right deposit strategy.
When are agency fees charged to the seller rather than the buyer?
The law imposes no rule: the allocation is freely defined in the agency mandate between the agent and the seller. In practice, seller-borne fees are common in luxury real estate or exclusive mandates. In that case, the FAI price and the net seller price are the same, and transfer taxes apply to that single figure.
How can the net seller price be checked if the listing only shows the FAI price?
Estate agents are required by regulation to display their fees as a percentage of the net seller price and to state who bears them. By requesting the full listing sheet or checking the legal notices on the advertisement, the buyer can easily calculate the PNV: PNV = FAI price ÷ (1 + buyer fee rate).
In practice
A property is listed at €250,000 FAI with a 5% buyer fee. The net seller price is €250,000 ÷ 1.05 = €238,095. Transfer taxes and notarial fees are calculated on €238,095, a notable saving compared with calculating on €250,000.
Official sources
- What must a real estate sale listing indicate? · Service-Public.gouv.fr
- Sale agreement and loan condition precedent · Service-Public.gouv.fr
- Housing and financing information · ANIL