*INSIDER’S GUIDE* What real estate agents in France won't tell you (even the English-speaking agents!) - The full, comprehensive insider’s guide!
Ever wonder if real estate agents in France are telling you everything you need to know about purchasing property in France? Spoiler alert… NO!! Even the English speaking realtors, brokers and estate agents won’t freely reveal everything! And it’s not because they are “bad”!…
Liked the highlights? Then read OUR the FULL AND COMPREHENSIVE INSIDER’S GUIDE BELOW!
We’ve been slightly overwhelmed by the response to our key highlights post a few days ago revealing some of the reasons why in France, you may not get the answers you’re looking for from real estate agents - whether they’re French or English speaking!
We’ve had buyers contacting us direct asking for more explanation, clarity and advice!
So… here is our full, comprehensive, TRULY INSIDER’S GUIDE to this key topic!
And believe us, this is something that nobody else will tell you!! We know!
When you're searching for your dream property in France, it's tempting to rely just on English-speaking real estate agents to guide you through the process. After all, they speak your language and understand the French real estate system and it’s their job to make sure that seller and buyer understand the process and details and are happy with everything... right?
As a team with substantial experience in both the American and French real estate markets, we can tell you there's a lot more to the story! And more often than not, it is a BIG MISTAKE to not do your own homework and invest in your education, and instead to put too much reliance on your real estate agent, broker, or realtor in France, whether they speak your language or not! Yes, you might be used to working with real estate agent this way in the USA, but... this is France... it’s different!
“It’s BIG MISTAKE to not do your own homework and instead to solely rely on your real estate agent in France, whether they speak your language or not! Yes, this might be your normal approach in the USA when purchasing property, but... this is France... it’s different! It’s critical to not only inform, but truly educate yourself on this important decision! ”
Are these your buyer frustrations searching for property in France?!
Many of our clients for our online courses, expert guides and personalized calls find us after facing some common frustrations. They are frustrated that they have contacted some real estate agents in France and never had a response!
They’re frustrated that they’ve asked some quite basic questions and not had a reliable or fully comprehensive answer! They’re frustrated that they may not get the real estate agent’s full attention even though they are serious buyers who genuinely want to do their homework and get knowledgeable on purchasing property in France as part of... you guessed it.... purchasing property in France!
And, they sometimes feel that the answers they get from some real estate agents in France are incomplete, general, generic, and just not good enough to evaluate and make such an important and big financial decision.
And so, they decide what you may have also seen online – that “all French real estate agents are bad”. Or “all real estate agents in France are lazy” or “incompetent” or “dishonest” or worse!
Do any of these frustrations sound familiar?
Well, we want to debunk some myths, clarify some key points and answer the one fundamental question that many American buyers in France have:
TOP AMERICAN BUYER / INTERNATIONAL INVESTOR QUESTION: “WHY WILL THE REAL ESTATE AGENT IN FRANCE I’M WORKING WITH NOT GIVE ME THE FULL, COMPLETE AND ACCURATE INFORMATION?!?!”
“The way the real estate market works is fundamentally different in France versus the USA! These often misunderstood differences can have a real impact on your French property search and how you work with real estate agents, brokers and realtors in France! Want to know more? Let’s dig in! ”
First things first – good apples and bad apples – Real estate agents in France! Any profession, any country!
Like most professions in most countries, there are good apples and bad apples! Within the real estate agency profession in France, there is a range is experience, education, competence, motivation, client-orientation, communication skills and ambition. Real estate agents, brokers and realtors in France are no different! Just like any other profession in any other country, there are ones who are less skilled, less hardworking, less experienced and less honest. But there are plenty of real estate agents in France who are motivated, hard-working, honest, experienced and competent professionals in their own field!
It can be tempting to label a whole profession in a certain way if you’ve had one bad experience with one specific person. We get it! But we strongly disagree with this approach! The real estate profession in France is just like any profession in any country! Yes, there are sometimes agents who are not “good” and that is just a fact of life, but on average, most estate agents in France genuinely want to do a good job and provide a standard of service that is commensurate with their personal aspirations and professional standards.
We believe that real estate agents in France are not “bad”, they are not “lazy”, they are not “incompetent” and they are not “dishonest”. What they are is human!!
Real estate agents in France are real people operating within a French real estate market that operates very differently than that of the US! And once you understand some of these differences, you will see the role of the typical estate agent in France much more clearly! Even the English-speaking ones!
So while some of our analysis below may seem harsh or unfair, it is far from it! We speak from personal experience! It is simply painting the picture of the French real estate market and how it impacts the profession of real estate agents in France.
This, combined with the unique challenges of you as a non-French native speaker who is looking to purchase property for the first time in France (often for reasons that are unrelated to work opportunities or family connections locally) means one key thing!
It means that your interaction with estate agents in France may not always be what you would expect!
Some key French real estate market statistics that might surprise you!
The ever increasing importance of the internet and social media have been transforming the French real estate landscape and certainly real estate agents are not immune! Just like in the USA, where there are key differences between the type of “real estate agent” – with key differences between a real estate agent, broker and realtor, France has a similar idea.
There are different classifications of real estate agents in France and there are differences in terms of their classification, registration and training. Some are salaried members of staff of traditional real estate agencies, others are affiliated with a specific network or estate agency, or franchise, and others are classified as “independent”, “independent property agents” or “independent property consultants”, but that is certainly a misnomer! More on that important point later!
In France, there are an estimated 30,000 – 40,000 real estate agencies across the country. This includes single individual ventures (one-man or one-woman bands), to local franchises of a national or regional chain, and also large companies that work with a network of “independent” real estate agents. Estimates on the number of real estate agents in France vary and are about 150 000 people across all of France.
“Many real estate agents you’ll meet during your French property search are remunerated as commission only at property closing, some are salaried and some are a mix. As a rule though, even the real estate agents who do have some sort of minimum salary still have a majority of their commission tied to the successful closing of the transaction of the property they are mandated to sell by the sellers. No surprise there! ”
Some French Real Estate Market Characteristics for buyers to know as they impact your interaction with most real estate agents in France:
1. Rate of housing turnover in France
Due to various cultural and market context reasons (not least of all a smaller geography, cultural differences, more restricted access to financing, a more difficult rental market to name a few), the rate of housing turnover in France is substantially lower than that of the USA.
Why does this matter and what does this mean for you as a buyer?
This means that in France, properties change hands much less frequently than in the U.S. It also means that on average, each real estate agent has far fewer listings than their American counterpart at any one time. This can also mean that some real estate agents in France cover a wider geographic area (and travel more) for their properties on mandate, which of course impacts their available time.
2. Cultural norms for working with a real estate agent for sellers
This may seem like a small irrelevant point for you as a buyer, but it is fundamental to understanding why you will not get the personalized advice and attention you think you should from your French estate agent. In France, unlike the USA, it’s quite standard for the contract between the seller of a property and the real estate agent to be non-exclusive. It’s very normal!
Why does this matter and what does this mean for you as a buyer?
It means that often, the seller of a property works with more than one real estate agent at the same time! It also means that even more frequently, the seller is absolutely free to sell directly to any private party as long it’s not a buyer that the real estate agency has introduced! Why do we belabour this point? It’s to explain that in reality, the number of properties that the typical property for sale with a certain real estate agent is not exclusive to them!
3. No MLS System in France
France has no MLS (or Multiple Listing Service) like you’re used to in the USA. If you’ve done even the most basic research on the French real estate market, you probably already know this! But it does come as a surprise!
Why does this matter and what does this mean for you as a buyer?
This means of course that therefore with very few rare exceptions, most real estate agencies work with their own property listings and those of immediate partner agencies and that’s it! Importantly, what this also means is that it is very rare in France to sign a “buyer’s representation” agreement with an estate agency. It just doesn’t really work that way! The vast majority of real estate agents sign the legal agreement with the sellers. Therefore, their loyalties, priorities and focus is on the sellers – not YOU!
4. The Geographic question: National License ≠ National Expertise - Hyperlocal Knowledge
Here is something many American buyers misunderstand: While French estate agents are licensed nationally and can legally operate anywhere in France (unlike the state-by-state licensing in the U.S.), this creates a dangerous illusion of comprehensive market knowledge. You might think, "France could fit inside Texas, so surely a French agent can help me with property anywhere in the country!" The reality is starkly different and worth understanding as it impacts most real estate agent’s willingness to help you if you are looking across several areas!
Why does this matter and what does this mean for you as a buyer?
This means that most real estate agents in France operate in extremely limited geographic areas, sometimes focusing on just a handful of villages or neighbourhoods. Furthermore, as real estate agents are licensed nationally, there are also not state to state real estate agency referral networks or expectations – so if a real estate agent focusing on Nice spends time and effort working with you and helping you get to terms with what purchasing property in France would mean, and then you ultimately buy property in Bordeaux with most likely another agent, the original estate agent gets nothing for their time and effort – no referral fee, no nothing.
Even in the case of national chains (sometimes global names that you might have even heard of in the USA), they are often operated as local franchises, which again impacts the financial considerations of real estate agents. So this means that despite their national license, most French agents have neither the resources nor the motivation to help buyers who are still exploring different regions or considering options outside their immediate area of expertise. And it means that you will not be a priority buyer for most real estate agents if you are searching in a wide area and they will not invest the time to educate you!
5. The elephant in the room! What is the elephant in the room you ask?
What will nobody else openly tell you, but we will!! The elephant in the room is a simple fact, but an important reminder as it certainly impacts how much attention and time you will get from most real estate agents in France for your property search.
The reality is there are other buyers who are French and therefore have more experience with purchasing property in France and require less time investment and work to get from initial property interest to completion! And, rightly or wrongly, there is sometimes an assumption that because French buyers might be more used to the French system and French property purchases than you as a foreign and American buyer, that therefore they are less likely to change their mind if they face a surprise!
Why does this matter and what does this mean for you as a buyer?
The elephant is the room is that there are other buyers! Other buyers who require less work, less time investment and less “hand-holding” with their purchase... And while foreign investors in the French property market are a strong presence, and American buyers in France are certainly a growing market, the vast majority of properties in France are sold to French buyers.
6. Surprise!! There is a second elephant in the room! What is the second elephant in the room you ask?
It’s an important one as it represents about 40% of all property purchases in France! What nobody else will tell you but we will!! The second elephant is critical! It’s... FSBO purchases – in France! Yes! FSBO in France exists and it’s actually quite popular!
Why does this matter and what does this mean for you as a buyer?
So, you’ve learned that most properties for sale in France that are marketed and promoted by a real estate agent in France are not actually exclusive to that real estate agent!! Not only does this mean that a property for sale can be sold with multiple agencies at the same time, BUT and this is the critical bit, it can be sold privately!! Even properties that are marked as an “exclusive listing” are often in reality “semi-exclusive” listings as per the legal contracts – meaning that the sellers are STILL able to sell directly to a private buyer without the involvement of the real estate agent at all! And this is all perfectly legal and normal in France!
So the second elephant in the room is that more often than not, the sellers are free to sell directly to any private buyer! So certainly the level of information you will get from a real estate agent will therefore almost always be limited to protect the real estate agent’s interests! It’s also certainly not in the perfectly legitimate business interests of real estate agents in France to spent time and effort working with and educating buyers just to then have those buyers purchase properties direct. FSBO in France? It happens all the time! In fact, it represents about 40% of all property sales in France!
THE CONCLUSION: THE FRENCH REAL ESTATE MARKET CHARACTERISTICS THAT IMPACT YOUR INTERACTION WITH REAL ESTATE AGENTS: THIS IS THE PUNCH LINE - Why you won’t get the attention, time, answers to your questions, and buyer education as you might expect!
There are plenty more characteristics of the French real estate market that are worth discussing and certainly many aspects of the real estate industry In France and how it operates in contrast to the USA. But we’ve tried to highlight just a few of the key differences that help explain that for most real estate agents in France, they have a very limited incentive to invest time, energy and effort helping international and American buyers in France. This is particularly true if you are exploring a wide geographic area in France, or even considering several European destinations for you property purchase!
If you're considering properties in Paris, Nice, AND Bordeaux, OR even contemplating Spain or Portugal as alternatives to France, you're a high-risk, low-reward client for most real estate agents / brokers / realtors. This means that you won’t be at the top of their priority list. If you’re based outside of France and your trip to France to visit properties isn’t scheduled yet or isn’t for another few months, you are quite simply not a good investment of time for most real estate agents – there is no guarantee that ultimately, their investment of time educating you will result in anything!
All of the reasons we’ve highlighted above have nothing to do with the personal or professional approach or experience of the real estate agents – they are simply humans operating within the framework of a real estate industry and market that is very different than what you might be used to in the USA!
“Most real estate agents in France are not “bad”, “lazy”, “incompetent”, “inexperienced”, or “dishonest”. They’re just operating within a system that has different rules than you’re used to! ”
LET’S RECAP WHAT WE’VE REVEALED SO FAR: THE FRENCH REAL ESTATE MARKET CHARACTERISTICS THAT IMPACT YOUR INTERACTION WITH REAL ESTATE AGENTS
1. Rate of housing turnover in France
2. Cultural norms for working with a real estate agent for sellers
3. No MLS System in France
4. The Geographic question: National License ≠ National Expertise - Hyperlocal Knowledge
5. The first elephant in the room! French buyers!
6. The second * surprise * elephant in the room! FSBO property listings and sales in France!
Who are typical real estate agents in France – the reality
The other key reason why you may not be getting the full answers to your questions that you think you should (and that from our experience, you DO NEED TO AVOID COSTLY MISTAKES, NASTY SURPRISES AND WASTED TIME), is... the real estate agents themselves and dare we say it your unrealistic expectations!
“We confess... we get it because we’ve been there! And many of our clients have been there! No judgment! Looking back now at our own French property search many years ago, we now realize just now naive and uninformed we really were! And how this led to us having completely unrealistic expectations and facing unnecessary frustrations! And we recognize this is many of our clients! It’s one of the many reasons why we founded French Property Focus! ”
Cultural norms being what they are in France, including not changing location as frequently for higher education or work, more restricted bank lending and a much more difficult real estate market all mean that often, some of the younger real estate agents in France may not even have their own direct experience purchasing property in France! While of course, there are various training requirements that they’ve had to meet, there is no substitute for the personal experience of going through the purchase process yourself!
Some real estate agents have no or very limited experience working with international buyers, and don’t speak English, and are really focused on the French buyers and French market, so it’s unrealistic to assume they will be able to advise you properly!
Some of the real estate agents in France (even the English speaking ones!) don’t have experience working with American clients and often work with British buyers or buyers from other parts of Europe including Dutch buyers and Scandinavian buyers who are particularly important for French property purchases. Therefore, even if they speak English, they certainly don’t have a deep understanding of the real estate market in the USA and the purchase process in America and therefore they are not well placed to advise you on the differences and things to watch out for!
“It’s not just a language issue - it’s a cultural insight and context issue!! We’ve heard many frustrations highlighted by some of our clients who mistakenly believed that working with an estate agent who works in France and who speaks English fluently would then also mean that they can get the accurate information they need! But the reality is that cultural translation goes deeper than language – it’s often an issue of context!”
We’ve heard these issues highlighted by some of our clients who mistakenly believed that working with an estate agent who works in France and who speaks English fluently would then also mean that they can get the accurate information they need! But the reality is that cultural translation goes deeper than language – it’s often an issue of context! No translation app can truly provide the cultural context that a real human can!
Lastly, being a real estate agent in France is not an easy job! It tends to have a rotation of new real estate agents coming and going. Many real estate agents have more than just that one job, or priority, or source of income! For many real estate agents, that is just one source of income and therefore, priority! That is a fact. It’s unrealistic to expect that the real estate agents who work part time are able to provide you their full focus and attention.
Let’s not forget, many real estate agents in France are experienced, competent, have experience working with international buyers, speak English and genuinely motivated to help vendors and buyers. But, they are still human and working within the French real Estate market system. And that system means that more often than not, they are not incentivized to truly educate you and get you confident and fully knowledgeable about purchasing property in France!
LET’S RECAP: WHY NOT EVERY REAL ESTATE AGENT IN FRANCE IS BEST PLACED TO HELP YOU WITH YOUR FRENCH PROPERTY SEARCH
1. Sometimes, no direct and personal experience purchasing property in France
2. Sometimes, no / limited English-language skills
3. Sometimes, no / limited experience working with American buyers, and unique American market insight and cultural context
4. Often, simply no time to provide full education to you as an American / international buyer
5. Often, not incentivized to educate you!
6. In conclusion, real estate agents in France human and working within the French real estate market system, which is different to that of the USA!
What you will often get from most real estate agents in France, even the English speaking ones!
So, what this means is that most often, you will get quite general limited advice on purchasing property in France from most real estate agents. Even the English speaking ones and those who are part of a larger national chain or recognizable name! Often, you’ll be sent a buyer’s guide (many of the websites include an intro buyer’s guide, we know!).
These buyers guides are VERY high level overviews of the purchase process enough to give you the illusion of understanding the purchase process but not enough to actually fully understand how it all works, what mistakes to avoid, what pitfalls to watch out for! They are really meant as a point of first contact to then get you to contact the real estate agencies and see what properties they have for sale rather than educate you and empower you to fully understand the purchase process... and maybe even pursue FSBO opportunities yourself!
“It would be a bad business move for a real estate agency to give you the full roadmap of how to actually pursue an FSBO purchase effectively cutting their role out! Do you know who WILL give you the tools to successfully pursue FSBO opportunities... Spoiler alert! It’s us - your truly independent team of experts from French Property Focus! ”
LET’S SUMMARIZE – THE ** REAL ** REASON WHY REAL ESTATE AGENTS IN FRANCE DON'T PRIORITIZE AMERICAN BUYER / FOREIGN INVESTOR EDUCATION
This is not a criticism of real estate agents in France as a whole. As we’ve already explained, there are plenty of great real estate agents in France. But the reality is that most of them face several key constraints, which means that the reality is that they just don’t have the time, inclination, or sometimes experience to properly focus on buyer education for international investors or American buyers in France.
They may also have had the experience of investing lots of time and effort of working with international and American buyers in the past just to have those buyers ultimately decide to purchase in another area of France, another country in Europe or not at all!
The market constraints and the nature of the common ways that most real estate agents work with buyers in France means that when they don’t give you the full information and reliable advice you think you should get, they are not bad people, lazy, incompetent or dishonest or inexperienced or lack the cultural context! Okay, there are always bad apples in any profession! But for the most part, there are several legitimate reasons the reasons for their lack of interest in educating you and giving you the full knowledge you need to empower yourself to make the best decision for your purchase in France (and potentially to pursue the 40% of the real estate market which is private property purchases)!
THE CONSTRAINTS MOST REAL ESTATE AGENTS IN FRANCE FACE - AND WHY YOU WON’T GET THE FULL KNOWLEDGE, ADVICE AND INSIGHT YOU NEED!! WHY YOU NEED TO EDUCATE YOURSELF!
Time Investment Risk - Why spend hours educating you about French property law if you might buy through another agent?
Longer Timelines - American buyers often have extended timelines (sometimes years), making them less attractive to commission-based agents.
Cultural Context Gap - Many agents in France are young professionals who haven't personally navigated property ownership themselves, especially as homeownership typically comes later in life in France compared to the U.S.
No American Reference Point - Even English-speaking agents (often from the UK, Ireland, or Netherlands) rarely have experience with the U.S. real estate system, making them ill-equipped to highlight critical differences for American buyers.
“But the story doesn’t end there! France is after all... “complique” as it’s often said! France is complicated and there are various other players in the real estate market that you might come across with your French property search so it’s worth noting their roles. ”
OTHER REAL ESTATE MARKET PLAYERS - WHAT ARE “INDEPENDENT REAL ESTATE AGENTS”, INDEPENDENT PROPERTY CONSULTANTS, “INDEPENDENT ADVISORS”
This is a tricky concept and a very French experience. It’s also a bit of a lost in translation issue. It’s also an issue that many of our clients have highlighted as a particular source of frustration (and even lack of transparency), so it’s worth highlighting here!
In France, the word “independent” when it comes to a real estate agent can mean something and nothing at all! It can mean exactly what YOU think it means! And it can also mean not at all and really the opposite of what you think it means!
You might believe that when it comes to how a real estate agent, advisor or property consultant represents themselves, that the word “independent” truly means just that – independent – as in fully separate, not tied to any specific network or agency or other company. And, therefore, it would follow, that the advice from this independent expert is also fully independent and not tied to any other agency or network or similar. And yet, this is France and France is complicated but worth understanding fully as it does impact you as a buyer in France!
More often than not, in France, the word “independent” when it comes to real estate actually refers to a company registration / employment status rather than true independence! Many of the real estate agents that work with larger networks, real estate agencies and franchises are classified as “independent” in English but they are anything but!! In this case, the term “independent” just means “not salaried”. It means “self-employed”. They are certainly still very much part of that network, or agency or franchise! It is a classification of employment status rather than a true representation of their independence.
“In France, an “independent” real estate agent or property consultant may not be actually *independent*. Often, it’s a simple registration status (meaning that they are not salaried and instead are actually self employed by French registration standards). Often, “independent” doesn’t actually mean what you think it means! And not what you think it should mean! It’s France! ”
SURPRISED? SO WERE WE MANY YEARS AGO! SO ARE MANY OF OUR CLIENTS!
We've seen this again and again that American buyers mistakenly believe that independent means truly independent and that is rarely the case...
In our case, when we say independent, we truly mean independent! We are a standalone consultancy and advisory business whose focus is giving you the knowledge and education to empower you. It’s as simple as that!
OTHER FRENCH REAL ESTATE MARKET PLAYERS - WHAT ARE “BUYER’S AGENTS”, “PROPERTY HUNTERS”, “BUYER’S CONSULTANTS” IN FRANCE?
But what about "Buyer's Agents" in France? You might be thinking, "I'll just find an agent who represents buyers!"
In the U.S., buyer's agents typically sign exclusive agreements with clients, ensuring they'll be compensated when a purchase eventually occurs. This incentivizes them to invest time in client education, which can be particularly useful for first-time buyers.
In France, buyer-agent exclusivity agreements are rare. Buyers commonly work with multiple traditional real estate agents simultaneously (and not exclusively), may also sometimes work with a property hunter or buyer’s agent (again, often not exclusively), and may even approach sellers directly. For real estate agents, this creates a race to close rather than a partnership to educate buyers!
In France, the concept of a dedicated buyer's agent as American buyers understand it barely exists. It is fundamentally different than the concept of buyer’s agent in the USA! Unfortunately, this doesn't solve the fundamental problems. It also doesn’t resolve some of the fundamental issues that are unique to France! Buyer’s agents, property hunters and buyer’s consultants still operate in a market with no MLS!
“Buyer’s agents, property hunters, property consultants and advisors in France - there is a wide variety of experience, value and level of service and advice! But... they are still operating within the French property market framework that does not focus on EDUCATING AND EMPOWERING YOU AS THE BUYER!”
With buyer’s agents and property hunters, there is more a variety of experiences, registrations, legal requirements and so forth! We know as we’ve also provided property hunting services to select buyers on occasion!
All buyer’s agents work in their own way – some have a fixed fee, others take a percentage at closing on top of any other agency fees, others are able to negotiated with the traditional real estate agency if it’s working with a seller already, it really depends! However, there are a few key commonalities:
1. There is still a push towards closing most buyer’s agents fees are heavily focused (or exclusively focused) on getting paid at closing of your purchase – so no purchase, no money for the buyer’s agent / property hunter!
2. They are usually not exclusive agreements with you as a buyer, so there is still the issue that most buyer’s agents / property hunters and so forth are incentivized against full education of buyers – after all, if they educate you too well about the French property market, you might realize you can navigate parts of the process yourself. Or worse (for them), you might decide France isn't the right market for you at all. Either way, they lose their commission.
3. Considering that about 40% of French property purchases are FSBO without the involvement of any real estate agent, buyer agent, property hunter or so forth, then clearly that still represents an opportunity for you as a buyer and a risk for the property hunter / buyer’s agent as an agent. After all, it’s certainly not good business practice for buyer’s agents / property hunters to truly educate you enough to pursue a property purchase without their services! Even agents who market themselves as representing buyers face critical conflicts of interest on this point
It’s clear that for many American buyers looking for properties in France and trying to do their homework on what a French purchase would entail, while maximizing the number of opportunities to pursue including FSBO properties in France, that working with a buyer’s agent or property hunter is just not enough! Not only is a buyer’s agent or property hunter in France not what you might be used to from the USA context, but it still limits your own empowerment and education, which is so critical when making this important decision and protecting your hard-earned investment!
WELL DONE ON GETTING TO THIS POINT – YOU’VE CERTAINLY SHOWN YOUR COMMITMENT TO FINALY GETTING KNOWLEDGEABLE ABOUT PURCHASING PROPERTY IN FRANCE !
WANT TO KNOW OUR RECOMMENDED NEXT STEPS? READ ON!
If you’ve made it to this point, you’ve hopefully learned some surprising facts about how French real estate works!
You’ve also hopefully gained some valuable insight as to why your French property search may be less straightforward than it would be in the US!
You might even have some answers to your frustrations with your initial contact with real estate agents in France – French and English speaking ones!
And hopefully, you have a deeper understanding of why educating and truly empowering yourself to actually learn some of the key strategies to find and purchase property in France is worth the investment!
“Doing your homework on this important decision matters! You cannot and should not just rely on your real estate agent to fully educate you on this important decision! You can get the right tools and advice to truly feel empowered to make the right decision while avoiding common pitfalls, expensive mistakes, and nasty surprises! ”
FRENCH PROPERTY FOCUS - How We're Different: Truly Independent Expertise
This is precisely why we created our independent advisory service. After helping many Americans navigate the French property market, we recognized the need for genuinely unbiased and fully independent expertise that that really focuses on buyer education and empowerment first and foremost! From our online courses, downloadable guides, and personalized calls, our entire mission and focus is on YOU - THE BUYER!
Our approach is different than anybody else! What do we do different: We:
Put YOUR interests first, not driven by commission on a specific purchase
Leverage knowledge of both American and French real estate systems
Provide detailed, honest information—even if it means suggesting you don't buy at all
Explain cultural nuances that impact your purchase and ownership experience
Empower you to make fully informed decisions whether you proceed with a purchase or not
Offer guidance regardless of which region of France interests you—or even if you're deciding between France and other European countries
FRENCH PROPERTY FOCUS - The Value We Provide: Real Empowerment Through Knowledge and Expert Tools!
With our education, guidance, and advice, you'll be empowered to:
Access the entire market - Learn how to find and approach FSBO (For Sale By Owner) listings directly, bypassing agent fees completely
Navigate specialized property websites - Discover the best online platforms beyond the typical tourist-focused sites, including where locals actually search
Ask the right questions - Learn precisely what to ask sellers and agents to reveal the information they typically withhold
Identify perfect properties - Develop criteria based on realistic expectations of French property ownership, not idealized visions
Negotiate effectively - Understand French negotiation norms and how they differ from American practices
Prepare for each stage - Know what documentation you'll need, when you'll need it, and how to review it properly
Make confident decisions - Whether that means proceeding with a purchase, walking away from a problematic property, or even deciding that buying in France isn't right for you
FRENCH PROPERTY FOCUS – WHY WE EXIST - Our Unique Approach
As a team who has people who have personally purchased property in France, have substantial experience with the US (and UK) real estate markets, have professional experience in the French real estate market helping countless Americans get educated and move forward with a property purchase in France (both working with FSBOs and estate agencies), we provide:
Truly independent expert advice - Unbiased property evaluations - We have no incentive to push you toward any particular property or even toward buying in France at all
Renovation guidance so you know what to expect - Realistic timelines and budgets based on actual experience
Cultural and practical guidance - Understanding not just the property, but the lifestyle it offers
Complete transparency - We explain ALL the costs and considerations, not just the ones that help close a sale
True education - We empower you with knowledge, even if you ultimately use that knowledge independently to pursue FSBO sales or even decide that purchasing in France is not right for you!
Cross-cultural perspective - Having experienced both systems first-hand, we can highlight the critical differences between France and the US!
Our Mission: Your Education, Confidence and Empowerment!
Unlike traditional real estate agencies, brokers or realtors focused on closing deals, our entire purpose is to empower you through education. We believe informed buyers make better decisions! Whether that means finding the perfect French property, negotiating a better price, or even deciding that now isn't the right time to buy for you and your own personal situation!
With our guidance and expert advice, you won't just be another foreign buyer hoping for the best! You'll approach the French property market with the confidence of an insider, able to navigate complexities that baffle most Americans and even many expats who've lived in France for years.
Our sole focus is your empowerment, education, and confidence! It really is as simple as that!
Take Control of Your French Property Journey with Our Help!
Whether you're dreaming of a pied-à-terre in Paris, a vineyard in Bordeaux, or a stone cottage in Provence, making an informed decision requires more than what a traditional French real estate agent (whether seller's or "buyer's) can provide!
Through our online courses, personalized consultations, and comprehensive guides, we offer the independent expertise you need to navigate the French property market with confidence. And if our advice leads you to decide that France isn't right for your property goals? We consider that a success, not a failure, because our loyalty is to your best interests, not to any commission at closing of a sale!
READY TO FINALLY TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR FRENCH PROPERTY SEARCH AND FIND YOUR DREAM PROPERTY?
If you’re ready to start learning, sign up for one of our online courses today to help you optimize your French property search and understand all the costs and fees involved!
“Your dream French property deserves more than just hope – it deserves informed confidence!”
Want more expert advice?
If you are ready to get serious about your French property search and invest in yourself – your knowledge, your confidence, your understanding of how to find and purchase your dream French property at the best price possible and with the least amount of stress and most joy, then trust us. We’ve worked with hundreds of buyers just like you! We can help!
Contact us at info@frenchpropertyfocus.com or via French mobile / Whatsapp / Signal at give number at +33(0)635906852.
“Our mission is to educate and empower American buyers property hunting in France! Our goal is to help you get the knowledge and confidence to finally move forward with finding and buying your dream French property with more joy and less stress!”
We are a small team of experts in French real estate whose mission it is to educate, assist and EMPOWER Americans looking to buy in France.
Follow us as we share our expertise with you! We will be sharing free advice, behind the scenes insights, real estate secrets, and the ultimate 100% only useful info guides, e-books and online courses / digital courses helping you get the insight, knowledge and confident to purchase in France.
