Doing all of the research so that you can buy your next property is a huge job, especially if this is something you’re trying to do in your spare time. Add to this the fact that you’re searching in a different country that has its own unique rules and regulations you’re not familiar with and the level of complexity increases dramatically. Additionally, what if all the research isn’t even in English?! An international buyer’s agent (some people call them buyer’s advocates) could be exactly the type of professional expertise that you need to fill in all the gaps for you and guide you through a very complicated process.
In other words, if you are looking for someone who is an expert in purchasing property in your country of choice, in this case France, then an international buyer’s agent is a licensed professional who can walk you through the entire process. They can help you with all aspects of the purchase process and will add value to your experience in the following ways:
- As you don’t live in France, you need someone on the ground there to represent you; a Buyer’s Agents will achieve this for you
Whilst France is a fabulous choice for your next property choice, it’s necessary to accept that one of the major limitations for buying internationally is that you can’t be there to visit properties personally. You also won’t know if you’re missing out on great properties as it’s simply too difficult to be up to speed on everything that’s happening in an international property market. A buyer’s agent addresses both of these issues, representing you as your “eyes and ears” in France.
- Time is precious – engage a professional buyer’s agent to do the work for you
In order to thoroughly research your next property purchase, the hours required to do this properly would take up ALL of your free time and still not be enough. This would be the case even if the property was in your home country. Add in the fact that you are trying to research a foreign market (France) and you’ll soon realise that to do this thoroughly is simply not feasible. Remove all of these barriers by briefing an international buyer’s agent with all of your requirements and simply let them do all the hard work for you. How easy does that sound?!
- Buyer’s agents have access to properties that are “off-market” and not searchable online.
With all of the best intentions, you could try to do all the research yourself by trawling the internet for properties. This can work to a point, but so many properties that are transacted these days don’t even make it onto the internet. They’re sold “off market” through relationships between buyer’s agents and selling agents and property lawyers. So perhaps the property of your dreams is out there, but it’s simply not searchable online. The “address book” and connections of a buyer’s agent is how you get exclusive access to off market properties that the average “desktop researcher” will never be able to find.\
- Buyer’s agents bring experience and have had time in the property market
When you’ve been going to several inspections per week for years, you know exactly what you’re looking for. You also know exactly the right questions to ask so that you get the full picture of the state of the property. When was the last time the roof was looked at? Does the council have any plans for the area that could positively or negatively impact this property? How about construction coming up in the area? There are myriad things that a buyer needs to be aware of and a buyer’s agent will be able to solicit this information from all relevant parties including the selling agent, local council, the lawyer and others.
- When it come to negotiating, leave it to the experts
Think about it this way – how many times in your life would you, as an individual property investor, negotiate on a property? Once, twice, perhaps five or six times for more experienced investors. A buyer’s agent negotiates on purchasing properties anywhere from twenty to fifty times per year. When there’s this much money involved, doesn’t it make sense to have an expert carry out this crucial task for you? The practice and training that buyer’s agents do will ensure you get the property for the absolute best price possible.
- Buyer’s agents have an intimate understanding of the French property market and are fluent in both French and English
One of the biggest barriers to entering a foreign property market, in this case France, is the language. Not being fully across the details can lead to disastrous outcomes including delays or possibly even the purchase not going ahead. The best remedy for this is of course to have a team of experts in place who are fluent in both French and English.
- Buyer’s agents are your single point of contact throughout the entire purchase process and represent only YOU
Especially given that you are based in another country, the benefit of having a single point of contact means that you aren’t constantly trying to reach the bank, the sales agent, the lawyer, the broker and everyone else who pops up along the way. Furthermore, you will have the peace of mind that your buyer’s agent is only representing you and not the seller. Sadly, there are agents out there who “wear two hats”, taking commission from both the sale and also the purchase. A trusted buyer’s agent works only for YOU and your best interests.
- A good buyer’s agent can set up with the team you need for the entire purchase
Having a team of experts around you when purchasing a property is indispensable, especially when you are buying overseas. A good buyer’s agent will be able to connect you to a notaire (French property lawyer), a mortgage broker and other professionals such as asset management advisors, architects and builders. Additionally, unless you speak French to a high enough level to understand all the real estate jargon, you will need your team to all be English speakers.
The list above could seem like trying to find a needle in a haystack. But actually there are companies out there who specialise in this field. If you need assistance with purchasing a property in France, one of our trusted partners that we recommend is the team at Milieux Property. They are international buyer’s agents who specialise in buying property in France for English speakers.
While you’re here, check out some of our other blog posts:
Trusted Partners of Buy Property in France:
If you need assistance with purchasing a property in France, we suggest the team at Milieux Property. They are international buyer’s agents who specialise in buying property in France for English speakers.