The concept of viagers is nearly as old as property; rules laying out its modalities go back over a thousand years.

“终身房产”的概念几乎和房地产一样古老，制定其模式的规则可以追溯到一千多年前。

Even then, the estimated 5,000 viager deals signed in France every year represent less than 1% of all property sales.

即便如此，估计每年在法国签署的5000份终身房产交易还不到所有房产销售的1%。

Fans of viagers point out that betting on death is hardly unusual in finance: just look at the life-insurance industry.

终身房产的粉丝们指出，金融业中把赌注押在死亡上在并不罕见：看看人寿保险行业就知道了。

Buyers of viager properties have to guess how long the kindly old grandfather on the other side of the deal has left.

购买终身房产的人必须猜测交易另一方那位慈祥的老爷爷还能活多久。

All parties are aware of the industry's freak event. In 1965 a 47-year-old notary bought a home en viager from a frail 90-year-old lady.

各方都意识到了这一行业的反常事件。1965年，一位47岁的公证人从一位虚弱的90岁老妇人手里买下一套终身房产。

For sellers not afraid of tempting fate, viagers offer the chance to cash in on their homes yet stay in them, with an income to boot.

对于不害怕冒险的卖家来说，终身房产提供了一个机会，他们可以在住在里面的同时将房子变现，获得收入。