Common Mistakes to Avoid When Investing an Inheritance
An inheritance is often a surprise. Sometimes a stroke of luck. Always a responsibility.
However, the majority of French people who receive an inheritance make the same mistakes and watch their capital dwindle in just a few years, without even realizing it.
Here are the 3 most common pitfalls and how to avoid them.
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Mistake #1: Letting Money Sit Idle in a Checking Account
It's the most natural and most costly reflex.
After a death, formalities take time. Heirs often find themselves with a significant amount in a checking account, « while deciding. » This « decision time » sometimes lasts months or even years.
Yet, a checking account offers no returns. With inflation exceeding 2 to 3%, each month of inaction represents a real loss of purchasing power.
For €80,000 left without yield for two years, that's between €3,000 and €5,000 of purchasing power silently evaporating.
Mistake #2: Rushing into savings accounts
Another common approach: placing the inheritance in a Livret A or LDDS. It's better than nothing, sure. But is it truly sufficient?
Since February 1, 2026, the Livret A offers an interest rate of 1.5% net. For €20,000, this amounts to €300 per year, or €25 per month. This isn't enough to turn an inheritance into a significant financial lever.
Moreover, the Livret A is capped at €22,950. Beyond that, savers need to look for alternatives, often euro-denominated funds in a life insurance policy, whose average yield often hovers around 2% net after social contributions.
Security comes at a cost. And that cost often translates to several hundred euros of missed income each month.
Error #3: Buying Real Estate Directly Without Thinking
"I've received an inheritance, I'm going to buy an apartment to rent out. » The intention is good. But the reality is more complex than it appears. A direct real estate investment involves: — time-consuming property management, — unforeseen repairs, — sometimes difficult tenants, — and increased taxes on rental income. Many heirs who have chosen this path regret it a few years later, worn out by the constraints and disappointed by a net return well below their expectations.
How to Wisely Invest an Inheritance?
Each week, dozens of heirs ask this question to the advisors at La Centrale des SCPI (www.centraledesscpi.com — 01 44 56 00 23).
The answer is never the same; it depends on age, tax situation, available amount, and objectives. However, one solution is experiencing tremendous success with savers: SCPI, Real Estate Investment Companies.
SCPIs allow individuals to invest in real estate without buying property, without managing tenants, and with amounts accessible from just a few thousand euros.
In 2025, the best SCPIs recorded returns exceeding 7%, and some even surpassed a total performance of 10%. These figures are incomparable with what traditional bank savings offer.
I Should Have Done It Much Sooner": Sophie's Testimony
Sophie, 58, received an inheritance of €95,000 following her father's passing.
“For almost a year, this money sat idly in my checking account. I didn't know what to do with it, and I was afraid of making a mistake. I contacted an advisor from La Centrale des SCPI and was offered a distribution across three different SCPI. Today, I receive a little over €520 per month. It's become my early retirement supplement. I should have done it much sooner.”
— Sophie, 58, executive in Lyon.
How to Wisely Invest an Inheritance in a SCPI?
For specialists at La Centrale des SCPI (www.centraledescpi.com), three principles guide every recommendation:
- Diversify: never concentrate an entire inheritance in a single SCPI. Diversifying across multiple SCPIs, and even multiple European countries, reduces risks.
- Tailor to your tax situation: European SCPIs are exempt from French social levies (17.2%). This is a considerable tax advantage, especially for the highest taxpayers.
“Many heirs come to us in total confusion. Our role is to help them see clearly, without rushing them. Inheritance should be allocated methodically and take the necessary time.”
— Laurent Fages, senior consultant at La Centrale des SCPI.
French Fintech to Revolutionize Wealth Management
An inheritance is an opportunity that comes only once. Not seizing it means missing out on years of additional income.
Avoiding the three classic mistakes—inaction, sticking to overly cautious savings accounts, and investing directly in real estate without proper consideration—means you're already halfway there.
The other half is choosing the right REITs with the right advice.
👉 Get a free simulation of your inheritance potential on www.centraledesscpi.com or call a consultant directly at 01 44 56 00 23.
In just a few minutes, you'll know how much your inheritance could earn you each month and how to avoid the pitfalls that too many heirs fall into.
Warning
Investing in a REIT is not guaranteed, neither in terms of dividends received nor in capital preservation. REITs are indeed subject to fluctuations in real estate markets.
Before making any decision to purchase REIT shares, seek advice from a professional to ensure that this investment aligns with your financial profile.
Finally, like any real estate investment, consider that REITs are long-term investments with a minimum holding period that should not be less than eight years.
Contenu conçu et proposé par Brisbane Media. La rédaction n'a pas participé à la réalisation de cet article.
This content has been automatically translated using artificial intelligence. While we strive for accuracy, some nuances may differ from the original French version.
