Buying property In Reunion with a dedicated expert

Purchase prices in Réunion vary significantly by property type, location, and condition. The following ranges are drawn from market data published by professional sources in 2024–2025.

• Studio / 1-bedroom apartment (T1–T2): Entry-level apartments in secondary locations start from approximately 80,000 to 120,000 €. In Saint-Denis or on the west coast, comparable units typically range from 120,000 to 200,000 €.
• 2–3 bedroom apartment (T2–T3): The most traded segment. Prices range broadly from approximately 150,000 to 350,000 € depending on commune, floor, condition, and amenities. The island-wide average price per m² for existing apartments was estimated at approximately 2,740 €/m² (source: efficity, March 2024), with a low of approximately 1,740 €/m² and a high of approximately 4,510 €/m².
• House / villa (maison individuelle): Detached houses represent the most sought-after property type. Prices range from approximately 200,000 € for a modest house requiring renovation in the east or south, to well over 1,000,000 € for a premium villa on the west coast. The overall price range across the island runs from approximately 1,800 to 4,500 €/m² depending on commune (source: Immo Transac Réunion, April 2026).
• Building plot (terrain à bâtir): Buildable land is scarce, particularly on the coast and in the north. Prices vary enormously: from approximately 120,000 € for a plot in the highlands (hauts) to over 2,000,000 € for exceptional coastal plots (source: Immo Transac Réunion, April 2026). The median price per m² for building plots also varies widely between communes.
• New-build apartment (VEFA): New-build prices are generally higher per m² than existing stock, reflecting construction costs and developer margins. The new-build segment has seen a sharp decline in transaction volumes since 2023 (source: Chambre des notaires de La Réunion et de Mayotte, November 2025).

When purchasing property in Réunion, the total acquisition budget must account for the purchase price plus several additional costs. Notary fees (frais de notaire) are the most significant extra expense: for existing (old) properties, they represent approximately 7% to 8% of the purchase price; for new-build properties (VEFA), they are reduced to approximately 2% to 3% (source: immoa.fr, 2024). These fees include transfer taxes (droits de mutation à titre onéreux) at approximately 5.81% of the price, the notary's regulated emoluments, and administrative disbursements.

Estate agency fees, when charged to the buyer, typically range from 4% to 8% of the net sale price depending on the property value and the agency's published scale (source: immonot.com, 2024). Some agencies charge fees to the seller only, so always check the listing carefully.

As an overseas French department, Réunion applies standard French property transfer taxes. VAT at 8.5% applies to new-build sales. Buyers should also budget for mortgage guarantee costs if financing through a bank loan.

• Old property example: for a purchase price of €200,000 EUR, expect approximately €15,000 EUR in notary fees (source: immoa.fr, 2024).
• New-build example: for the same price, notary fees fall to approximately €5,000 EUR (source: immoa.fr, 2024).
• Annual property tax (taxe foncière) is due by the owner each year after purchase; amounts vary by commune and property size.

A prudent buyer should add a minimum of 10% to 12% on top of the agreed purchase price to cover all acquisition costs for an existing property.

Before signing the compromis de vente, buyers in Réunion should carry out thorough legal and technical due diligence. The notary handles the legal title checks, but buyers should actively review all documents provided.

Legal verifications:

• Title deed (titre de propriété): Confirm the seller holds clear, unencumbered title and has the legal right to sell.
• Mortgage and charge search (état hypothécaire): The notary requests an official search to confirm no outstanding mortgages, charges, or legal proceedings affect the property.
• Urban planning certificate (certificat d'urbanisme): Verifies the property's planning status, applicable building rules, easements, and any pre-emption rights held by the commune or the state.
• Land registry extract (extrait cadastral): Confirms the exact boundaries and surface area of the plot.
• Co-ownership documents (for apartments): Review the last 3 general meeting minutes, the co-ownership regulations, the current charges statement (état daté), and any ongoing litigation or major works voted by the co-owners.
• Natural risk exposure: Réunion is exposed to volcanic activity (Piton de la Fournaise), cyclones, flooding, and landslides. The mandatory natural and technological risk disclosure (ERNMT) must be included in the sale file and should be read carefully.

Technical verifications:

• Asbestos survey (diagnostic amiante): Mandatory for buildings with a building permit issued before 1 July 1997.
• Lead paint survey (diagnostic plomb / CREP): Mandatory for buildings built before 1 January 1949.
• Termite survey (état parasitaire): Mandatory in Réunion, which is classified as a termite-risk zone.
• Electrical and gas installation reports: Required for installations over 15 years old.
• Energy Performance Certificate (DPE): Not currently mandatory for sales in Réunion (unlike metropolitan France), but expected to become compulsory from 2028 (source: sunkaz.re, 2024). Buyers of older properties should commission an independent energy assessment.
• Independent structural survey: Not legally required but strongly recommended for older houses, properties showing visible defects, or any purchase where the buyer has doubts about the building's condition.

The Réunion property purchase market has shifted in favour of buyers since 2023. According to the Observatoire de l'Immobilier Réunionnais (immodesiles.fr, H2 2024), approximately 72% of sales in the second half of 2024 were concluded below the asking price — up from 57% in the first half of 2023. Average time on market reached approximately 21 weeks between mandate signature and compromis, giving buyers more leverage than in previous years.

Practical negotiation approach for buyers:

• Research comparable sales: Before making an offer, consult recent transaction data from notarial sources (immobilier.notaires.fr) and local agency price indices to establish a realistic market value for the property and neighbourhood.
• Identify negotiation levers: Properties that have been on the market for more than 3 to 4 months, require significant renovation work, or present technical issues identified in the diagnostics file offer the strongest grounds for a price reduction.
• Make a written offer: Submit a formal written offer (offre d'achat) stating the proposed price, the validity period (typically 5 to 10 days), and any key conditions. A written offer is taken more seriously than a verbal one.
• Demonstrate financial readiness: Buyers who can show a mortgage pre-approval or proof of available funds are in a stronger negotiating position, as sellers value certainty of completion.
• Negotiate ancillary terms: Beyond price, buyers can negotiate the inclusion of fixtures and fittings, the completion timeline, or a contribution to notary fees.
• Avoid over-negotiating on sought-after properties: In prime locations on the west coast or in central Saint-Denis, well-priced properties still attract multiple offers. Excessive discounting attempts risk losing the property to another buyer.