A viager is a specific type of French property sale: the seller (crédirentier) transfers ownership to a buyer (débirentier) in exchange for an upfront cash payment (the bouquet) and a lifetime monthly annuity. In Paris, it is a preferred solution for senior property owners.
The seller keeps a right of use and habitation (DUH) on the property and continues to live there. The price is mechanically discounted compared to the vacant market value. This is the most common form in Paris.
The seller transfers immediate possession of the property. The buyer can move in or rent it out from the day of signature. Less frequent in Paris, closer to a classic sale with staggered payment.
In Paris, the value of the main residence often represents the bulk of a retiree's wealth. Without moving out — which most seniors refuse — it becomes difficult to unlock this capital. Occupied viager answers this constraint exactly: you stay at home, you receive a bouquet and a monthly annuity, and you keep your living environment.
For the investor, the entry ticket to acquire a Paris property at market value remains very high. Viager corrects this by offering a structural discount, justified by the seller staying in the property.
The parent firm offers an encyclopedic guide to life annuity, together with a seller and investor FAQ.
The full guide on capital-viagers.com