In 2026, the new real estate market is reaching a new balance with reinforced financial assistance and attractive opportunities for first-time buyers and investors. Whether you are looking for a primary residence or a high-potential new development, these 5 tips will help you secure and successfully complete your purchase project.

1. Define your real estate project and budget

Before getting started, clarify your objective: primary residence, secondary residence, or rental investment. Assess your borrowing capacity while respecting the maximum debt ratio of 35%. Prepare your personal contribution, ideally between 10 and 20% of the purchase price.

Checklist before getting started:

• Define the purpose of the project (primary residence, secondary residence, rental investment)
• Calculate your borrowing capacity and maximum monthly payments
• Build your personal contribution (savings, donation, resale)
• Identify your target location and the type of property you are looking for

2. Choose the right real estate development and the right developer

Check the developer’s reputation, previous projects, and guarantees offered: ten-year warranty, completion guarantee, and financial guarantee are essential. Location remains a key factor: proximity to transportation, shops, and schools directly impacts the value of your property. New real estate developments in France offer energy performance that complies with the latest standards.

3. Compare prices and anticipate notary fees

Notary fees are one of the major advantages of buying new property: they remain limited to 2 to 3% of the purchase price, compared to 7 to 8% for existing properties. This saving can represent several thousand euros.
Compare prices per square meter between developments and locations. New homes benefit from high energy performance standards and builder warranties that secure your investment.

Financial advantages of new properties:

• Reduced notary fees: 2 to 3% instead of 7 to 8%
• Optimal energy performance: controlled energy bills
• Builder warranties: ten-year warranty, completion guarantee, perfect completion guarantee

4. Take advantage of financing assistance for your investment

In 2026, the PTZ (interest-free loan) is available throughout the entire French territory. This interest-free loan facilitates home ownership and reduces your monthly payments.
For investors, new properties offer attractive rental yields, generally between 3% and 4.5%. The Jeanbrun scheme provides a tax reduction through depreciation that can reach up to 80% of the acquisition price.

5. Get support from an advisor for a stress-free purchase

The support of a Capifrance advisor who is an expert in the local market is a major advantage. With nearly 3,000 advisors throughout the country, Capifrance offers personalized support at every stage: accurate valuation, immersive visits, financing assistance, and transaction security.
To discover available new homes, contact a Capifrance advisor today who can guide you toward the new property best suited to your project.

Frequently asked questions about buying a new apartment

Is buying a new apartment profitable in 2026?

Yes, buying a new apartment remains profitable in 2026. You benefit from reduced notary fees, better long-term property appreciation, and attractive tax incentives. For rental investments, these advantages significantly improve your overall profitability.

What are the steps to buy a new apartment?

The process of buying a new property follows several steps: define your project and budget, search for the right new development, secure financing, sign the reservation contract and then the final deed with the notary, monitor construction progress, and finally receive your property upon delivery.

Is it a good idea to buy a new home?

Buying a new home is an excellent choice in 2026. You benefit from builder warranties (perfect completion, two-year warranty, ten-year warranty), optimal energy performance that reduces your expenses, and the comfort of a home that complies with the latest construction standards.

Financial assistance for buying new real estate in 2026: complete overview

In 2026, the new real estate market benefits from reinforced government support through assistance schemes designed to facilitate home ownership. Whether you are a first-time buyer or carrying out a real estate project, several financing solutions are available to help you complete your purchase of a new property. This detailed guide presents all the available assistance and the conditions required to benefit from them. Your Capifrance advisor personally supports you at every stage to identify the schemes suited to your situation and optimize your financing.

The interest-free loan: the main assistance for a first purchase of a new property

The PTZ is an interest-free loan granted by financial institutions that have signed an agreement with the French State. It can finance up to 50% of the acquisition of a new property, depending on your situation. This scheme significantly reduces the amount of mortgage repayments and facilitates access to home ownership for first-time buyers.

Conditions and amount of the PTZ in 2026

To benefit from the PTZ, you must not have owned your primary residence during the previous two years. Your eligibility then depends on compliance with an income ceiling calculated based on your N-2 reference tax income (2024 for an application in 2026). This ceiling varies according to the size of your household and the geographical area of the property.
The PTZ amount is calculated by applying a percentage to part of the transaction cost, within a limit set according to the area and the number of occupants. For example, a couple with one child buying in zone B1 can benefit from a PTZ based on a maximum amount of €210,000, with a percentage that can reach 40% depending on income.
PTZ repayment includes a deferred repayment period adapted to household income, with a total duration of up to 25 years.

Summary table of income ceilings and percentages by area for 2026

To find full details of the scales and check your eligibility, consult the new PTZ rules for 2026.

PTZ for a new house or a new apartment in zone A

In 2026, the PTZ is extended to new detached houses throughout the French territory, including zone A. This development represents a major step forward for future owners wishing to build or buy a new home.
In zone A, which includes Paris and major urban areas where property prices are the highest, the PTZ offers particularly favorable transaction ceilings and percentages. A household of three people can therefore finance up to 40% of its acquisition within a limit of €315,000, meaning a PTZ that can reach €126,000.
This assistance significantly reduces the borrowing effort required and improves your ability to complete your real estate project in these high-demand areas.

Other loans to finance the purchase of a new home

In addition to the PTZ, several complementary schemes can strengthen your financing plan and reduce your monthly effort. These assisted loans can be combined with each other and with the PTZ, making them particularly attractive for future homeowners.

The Action Logement accession loan

The Action Logement accession loan is intended for employees of private sector companies with more than 10 employees. This complementary loan offers a maximum amount of €30,000 at a reduced interest rate of 1% excluding insurance, and can finance the purchase of a new primary residence, construction, or the acquisition of an existing property sold by a social housing organization.
Applications are made directly online through the Action Logement platform, subject to approval by the organization and sometimes the employer.
The social lease-accession loan (PSLA) is another attractive option. This scheme allows you to first become a tenant of the property by paying a fee composed of a rental share and an acquisition share before exercising the purchase option under financial conditions determined from the start. The PSLA offers a 1% reduction in the sale price for each year of rental and a 15-year property tax exemption for new properties.

The social accession loan and the conventional loan

The social accession loan (PAS) is granted under income conditions by financial institutions that have signed an agreement with the French State. Its main advantage is that it can finance the entire real estate transaction and may entitle borrowers to housing assistance in certain situations. The PAS interest rate is capped and varies depending on the institution, but it generally remains competitive.
The conventional loan operates similarly to the PAS, with one major difference: it is not subject to income conditions. Anyone can apply, provided they go through a bank approved by the State.
Like the PAS, it can finance the entire project and its interest rate is also capped. These two loans combine perfectly with the PTZ and the Action Logement loan to optimize your overall financing.

Government tax assistance for buying new property

Buying a new property in 2026 can benefit from significant tax advantages that considerably reduce the overall cost of the transaction. These schemes, which can be combined with assisted loans, reinforce the attractiveness of new real estate for buyers.

Reduced VAT and the real solidarity lease

In certain situations, you can benefit from reduced VAT at 5.5% instead of the standard 20% rate. This reduction applies when purchasing a new property in an ANRU zone (National Agency for Urban Renewal) or in a priority urban district (QPV), provided the property becomes your primary residence.
You must also comply with income ceilings and capped purchase prices. This reduced VAT rate allows substantial savings on the acquisition price.
The real solidarity lease (BRS) is another major opportunity for accessing home ownership at a lower cost. This scheme allows you to purchase only the building, while a solidarity land organization (OFS) retains ownership of the land.
You pay a modest monthly fee to the OFS and benefit from a sale price reduced by 30 to 50% compared to the traditional market. The BRS is available subject to income conditions and requires the property to be your primary residence. This scheme can also be combined with the PTZ.

Property tax exemption and reduced notary fees

You may benefit from a property tax exemption during the two years following the completion of construction, provided you submit your property declaration within 90 days. Some local authorities extend this exemption beyond two years. Check with your local town hall to learn about the schemes available in your municipality.
Notary fees amount to approximately 2 to 3% of the acquisition price for new properties, compared to 7 to 8% for existing homes. This difference is explained by much lower transfer taxes (0.715% land registration tax instead of around 5%).
This reduction in acquisition costs facilitates access to home ownership and reduces your initial budget, which is a significant advantage for financing your real estate project.

What is a first-time buyer and what advantages are available in 2026?

Definition and conditions of first-time buyer status

A first-time buyer refers to a person who has not owned their primary residence during the previous two years.
You may still be considered a first-time buyer even if you own a secondary residence or a rental investment property, provided you have not owned your primary residence during that period.
If you buy as a couple, both borrowers must meet this condition to benefit from the assistance schemes.
Eligibility criteria are based on several factors: compliance with income ceilings calculated using N-2 reference tax income, household composition, and the geographical area of the property. These ceilings vary according to zones A, B1, B2, and C, and increase depending on the number of people in the household.

How to benefit from home ownership assistance

First-time buyer status grants access to several major assistance schemes in 2026. The PTZ remains the leading assistance, financing up to 50% of the transaction cost without interest.
The social accession loan (PAS) is another attractive option for modest households, with the possibility of financing the entire purchase subject to income conditions.
First-time buyers may also benefit from the Action Logement loan (for employees of companies with more than 10 employees), local authority assistance, and a temporary property tax exemption when financing is secured by at least 50% through assisted loans. The major advantage lies in the possibility of combining several of these assistance schemes to optimize financing.
To check your eligibility and identify the assistance suited to your situation, contact the ADIL, ANIL, or a Capifrance advisor who will assist you in preparing your application.

Checklist: are you a first-time buyer?

• You have not owned your primary residence during the previous two years
• Your income complies with the ceilings set for your geographical area
• The property you are buying will become your primary residence
• If you are buying as a couple, your partner also meets these conditions

Tips for buying a new house without a down payment through financing

Buying a new house without a personal contribution is entirely possible in 2026, provided you build a strong financing file. The strategy involves combining several assistance schemes: the PTZ, the Action Logement loan (up to €30,000 at a reduced 1% interest rate), and a traditional mortgage loan. These three tools, which can be combined, can cover the entire acquisition cost.
To maximize your chances of obtaining financing without a down payment, pay particular attention to your file. Banks favor profiles with stable employment (preferably permanent contracts), excellent banking management, and sufficient borrowing capacity. A debt ratio below 35% remains the rule for convincing lenders.
Reduced notary fees for new properties, around 2 to 3% of the purchase price compared to 7 to 8% for existing homes, significantly facilitate access to home ownership without initial capital.
To optimize your financial structure and obtain the best financing conditions, seek support from a Capifrance real estate advisor and a partner broker. Their personalized support will help you negotiate rates, structure your file, and secure your new property purchase project.

FAQ about assistance for buying a new property

How can you benefit from the €10,000 assistance for buying a new property?

Some local authorities offer specific subsidies that can reach up to €10,000 for the purchase of a new property, particularly in priority areas. These grants vary depending on your municipality, department, or metropolitan area. To learn about the schemes available in your area, contact your town hall, the ADIL in your department, or the CAF, which may guide you toward local assistance complementary to national schemes.

How can you obtain the €400 municipal grant for buying a new property?

Municipal assistance for buying new real estate varies greatly from one municipality to another. Some local authorities grant fixed subsidies to first-time buyers or families, while others offer subsidized loans or temporary tax exemptions. The €400 amount may correspond to a specific local scheme. Contact your town hall’s housing or urban planning department directly, or consult the ADIL to learn about the schemes available in your city.

Is housing assistance for home ownership still available for buying new property in 2026?

No, housing assistance for home ownership has no longer been available to new buyers since January 1, 2020. Only homeowners who took out a conventional loan or social accession loan before this date continue to benefit from it under income conditions. If you purchase a new property in 2026, you can instead apply for the PTZ, the Action Logement loan, or the social accession loan to finance your project and reduce your monthly payments.

Can the BRS be combined with an interest-free loan for a primary residence?

Yes, it is entirely possible to combine the real solidarity lease (BRS) with the PTZ for the purchase of your primary residence. This combination significantly reduces the overall cost of your acquisition. The BRS lowers the purchase price by separating land ownership from the building, while the PTZ finances part of the transaction without interest. To benefit from this, you must comply with PTZ eligibility conditions and work with an approved solidarity land organization.

What assistance is available for buying and selling a new apartment in 2026?

To buy a new apartment in 2026, you may benefit from the PTZ, the Action Logement loan, the social accession loan, reduced VAT at 5.5% in ANRU zones, the real solidarity lease, a two-year property tax exemption, and reduced notary fees. Some local authorities also offer complementary grants. To optimize your financing and identify all assistance suited to your situation, contact a Capifrance advisor who will assist you in structuring your application.

Author:

Virginie Cottet-Moine – Head of New Build and Life Annuity Division

As a specialist in new real estate and life annuity properties, I provide clear and useful information to help you better understand these unique sectors. My goal is to support your decision-making with reliable, tailored advice for your real estate plans.