French real estate may someday adopt some of the fantastic and scary designs that have been created by architects.
Imagine the beautiful cliffs of Bonifacio above with one of the homes in the articles below.
We say no, what about you?
How French Real Estate Agents can help you Part Two
Here are five more benefits you can receive as a French property buyer or seller from working with a French real estate agent.
Six
Seller Support
If you are selling on your own and a buyer or a buyer with their agent approaches you with an offer how do you know if it is fair to you since you have no professional representation?
When you work with an agent who you have hired to help you then you can ask him or her for professional advice and guidance.
Seven
Negotiating Skills
One of the most important skills of a real estate agent is their ability to work on your behalf in negotiating a favorable result for you. You can save thousands or lose thousands of euros (or valuable inclusions) depending on how a deal is negotiated and having a professional negotiator can be the key to success for a buyer and for a seller.
Eight
Professional Technology
Modern Professional French real estate agents use technology that helps you gain access to information and service that can help you as a buyer and seller. Be cautious of working with an agent who is not using modern technology that can enhance your ability to find the right property or sell your property.
Nine
Safety
When you work with a French real estate agent he or she helps you with the visits to your home or he or she goes with you on visits to properties. This professional assistance can give you an extra sense of safety and security. Otherwise you are going to a stranger’s home alone or you are letting strangers into your home.
Ten
Network
Your French real estate agent will be able to offer you access to a network of individuals who can help you with solutions to financing, tax, renovation and many more challenges.
If you are planning on buying or selling French real state and you would like to interview an English speaking French real estate agent please contact us today for access to our network.
How French Real Estate Agents can help you Part One
As a French property owner or buyer you may be wondering why should you work with an English speaking French real estate agent.
Here are 5 of 10 benefits you can obtain from the right professional agent, 5 more will arrive in our next article.
One
Access
As a buyer, the access to properties on the market in France is complicated. If you only view properties that are for sale directly with an owner you will miss out on properties that are only for sale with agents. So at a minimum you need to be connected to an agent who is familiar with all properties for sale both with and without an agency. You are unlikely to get a home owner directing you to all comparable homes on the market with agents.
As a seller, if you only try to sell directly without an agent you miss out on all the buyers that are actively shopping only with agents. Plus you may miss out on all the buyers who do not speak French.
Two
Guidance
The real estate selling and buying process in France is complex like in many parts of the world. In addition the rules keep changing. Do you want to risk not knowing about a new law that can impact the sale or purchase of property in a negative way? You can be up to date and learn about what to expect as you move through the process by working with a professional French real estate agent.
Three
Marketing
With modern technology we can all place an advertisement online, however, professional real estate agents know what is effective at attracting buyers. As a starting point, compare the photos by a professional agent in an advertisement to a private owner’s advertisement and you should see a difference in focus.
Four
Multiple Neighborhood Knowledge
As a seller you will know your own neighbourhood but buyer’s want to know how your area compares to other areas this is another time where an agent’s help is valuable.
As a buyer, you need to know the good and bad about every neighbourhood you visit and this is why the knowledge of an experienced professional is valuable.
Five
Buyer Support
When you work with a French real estate agent to help you find a property you have a professional who is working to get you the best property at the best price. If you simply go to the owner or the owner’s agent you are meeting with someone who is not looking to get you the best price possible.
NEXT five in our next article
If you are planning on buying or selling French real state and you would like to interview an English speaking French real estate agent please contact us today for access to our network.
Know the 2 Ms of French Property Ownership
When you own French real estate there are a number of actions you need to take to protect the value of your French property investment.
Here are two. Let us call them the 2 M’s of French Property Ownership
One
Maintenance
Maintenance is like preventive medicine. If you change the filter in the furnace you can help prevent toxic air, if you check the roof for potential damage after a wind storm you can prevent a major roof leak, if you repair leaking taps you can prevent a potential flood when you are away from home.
Tip: Make a schedule of twice yearly or annual maintenance work to make sure all is working as it should in your home.
Two
Make Changes
If you have a older French property they are perhaps many ways you can save on your energy costs, water costs and electricity costs by investing in modern equipment. Make sure you have an annual budget to allow for you to make these upgrades that in the long term can save you money.
Tip: Make a habit to plan ahead your French property renovations and keep track of special government sponsored tax credits and support that can help reduce the cost of your renovation.
If you would like to connect with an English speaking agent in your town of Choice in France please contact us here.
French Real Estate Cooling off Period May Change with Loi Macron
French Real Estate Law seems always to be changing.
Case in point: proposed changes that impact real estate are included in the Loi Macron (this is the law – loi – proposed by the French minister Emmanuel Macron).
Changes to the Cooling off Period (le délai de rétractation):
Currently when you buy pre-owned French residential real estate as an individual (not as a professional) you have a 7 day cooling off period. See the explanation here
One of the new ideas in the Loi Macron is to extend this cooling period / le délai de rétractation to be now 10 days.
The reason we are not sure perhaps it will give buyers more time to have their notary review documentation.
Perhaps, it will make more sellers more hesitant to accept offers since sellers at this time do not have a cooling off period. There home is essentially off the market while the buyer decides if he or she wishes to proceed with their purchase.
Just be sure than when the time comes for you to buy or sell French real estate you know if this new rule has become law so you know how it impacts you.