| Criterion | Selling to a fund (direct purchase) | Selling through an agency |
|---|---|---|
| Commission for the seller | None — the amount agreed is the amount received | Typically 3% to 5% + VAT on the sale price |
| First response | 24 to 48 hours | Depends on the market — weeks to months before a buyer appears |
| Dependence on bank financing | None — the purchase is made with own capital | Yes — the sale can fall through if the buyer's loan is refused |
| Viewings and public exposure | No portal listings and no viewings by strangers | Public listings, photographs and viewings by multiple interested parties |
| Confidentiality | Total — a private, discreet process | Limited — the property is advertised publicly |
| Final price | Reflects speed, certainty and the absence of costs | Potentially higher, but with more time, costs and uncertainty |
Who pays the commission?
With an agency, the intermediation is paid for through a commission, normally a percentage of the sale price, borne by the seller. When you sell directly to a fund, there is no intermediary and therefore no commission for the owner: the amount agreed is the amount you receive.
How long does each option take?
With an agency, the timeline depends on the market: it can take weeks or months for a buyer to appear, followed by the time needed for that buyer's loan approval. With a direct buyer, the initial response comes within 24 to 48 hours and, because the purchase is made with own capital, there is no waiting for bank financing.
And the certainty of the sale?
One of the most common reasons sales fall through is the refusal of the buyer's loan. Selling to a fund removes that risk, because there is no dependence on a bank. From the moment the promissory contract (CPCV) is signed, the commitment to buy is legally secured.
Viewings, exposure and confidentiality
A traditional sale involves portal listings, public photographs and viewings by strangers. A direct sale dispenses with all of that: the property is not advertised publicly and the process is handled discreetly — which matters in sensitive situations such as inheritance, divorce or financial difficulties.
So what is the trade-off?
Being honest is part of earning trust: a direct purchase offer reflects the speed, the certainty and the absence of costs and effort. Someone seeking to extract the highest possible price, with the time and availability for a long process, may prefer the traditional route. Someone who values speed, certainty and discretion will find the advantage in a direct purchase.