Are you considering selling your house and the first question comes quickly: how much is it worth? Even before publishing a listing, you need to set a price that is consistent with the local real estate market. The choice between a free estimate and a paid appraisal depends less on the budget than on the intended use of this evaluation.
Patrim and DVF: check yourself before consulting a professional
Before contacting an agency or an expert, you can cross-check your own data. The public service Patrim, accessible from impots.gouv.fr, allows you to consult real estate transactions recorded in your area for free. The DVF (Demandes de Valeurs Foncières) database offers additional freely accessible information.
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These tools do not replace a professional, but they provide a first numerical benchmark. You will know, for example, at what price houses comparable to yours have recently sold in your municipality. This starting point changes the course of the process: you arrive in front of an agent or an expert with a comparison base, not empty-handed.
Cross-referencing the estimated amount on Verita Press with the public DVF data allows you to quickly spot an abnormal discrepancy between two evaluations.
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Free estimate by a real estate agency: what you really get
The vast majority of real estate agencies offer a free, no-obligation estimate. No obligation to sell or sign a mandate arises from this process. The Hoguet law has governed this principle since 1970: a real estate agent cannot charge for an estimate separate from the sales process.
In practice, an agent comes to your home. They observe the surface area, general condition, exposure, neighborhood, proximity to transport or schools. They then compare it with recent sales in their area. The result takes the form of a value opinion, a document that proposes a price range.
Why is this service free? Because the agency hopes to secure the sales mandate. The estimate serves as a commercial hook. This does not make it any less reliable. A local agent knows the micro-price variations from one neighborhood to another, which no online algorithm captures with the same finesse.
Limitations of the free value opinion
A value opinion has no legally enforceable value. It cannot be used in court, before a notary in the context of a contentious succession, nor against the tax administration in case of an audit. It is a commercial document, not an expert report.
If you are selling your house in a simple context (classic sale between individuals, no family dispute), this opinion is more than sufficient to set a coherent asking price.
Online estimation: quick but to be handled with caution
Online real estate estimation simulators have multiplied. You enter the address, surface area, number of rooms, and an algorithm returns a price range in a few seconds.
- The main advantage is speed: you get a rough estimate without waiting for an appointment or having a professional at your home.
- The major limitation lies in the data used. These tools are based on statistical averages and do not take into account the actual condition of the property, brightness, recent renovations, or an obstructive view.
- The displayed range can vary significantly from one site to another for the same property, which necessitates consulting multiple sources to obtain a reliable benchmark.
An online simulator is a good starting point, provided you combine it with an on-site visit by a professional.
Paid appraisal: situations that make it necessary
A paid real estate appraisal is carried out by a certified land expert or real estate expert. It produces a detailed, reasoned report that has legally enforceable value in court or before the tax administration.
Why pay for this service? Because certain situations require it:
- A contentious succession among heirs, where each party disputes the value of the property.
- A contentious divorce with the division of real estate assets.
- A tax audit on the declared value of a property transferred or sold.
- A dispute with an insurer after a claim, where compensation depends on the proven market value.
The cost of an appraisal varies depending on the complexity of the property and the chosen professional. Fees are not regulated, making it necessary to compare experts before committing.
Real estate expert or notary: who to consult?
The notary can also provide an estimate, often in the context of a succession. Their access to notarial databases allows them to rely on actual sale prices. This service is sometimes included in succession fees, sometimes billed separately.
An independent real estate expert, on the other hand, produces a more detailed report on the technical condition of the property. For a legal file, independent expertise carries more weight than a simple notarial opinion.
Free or paid: the decisive choice criterion
The question is not about the quality of the estimate, but its use. If you are selling your house without conflict or legal stakes, the free estimate from a local agency, cross-referenced with the public DVF data and an online simulator, provides a realistic selling price.
If a document needs to withstand legal or tax scrutiny, only the paid appraisal provides the necessary enforceable proof. The majority of sellers do not need a paid appraisal to successfully sell under good conditions.
Estimating your house for free before committing, then reserving the paid appraisal for cases where the law or a dispute requires it: this is the most rational approach to set a fair price without unnecessary spending.