Finding the right estate agent in France

Spotting a reputable agent

The first step before any other considerations is professional accreditation. It’s of paramount importance to use an agent who’s legally and professionally certified. This means they must possess a Carte Professionelle (‘professional card’) and the number must be displayed on their website.

Buyers should be aware that many agents operate on a freelance basis in France. As a result, they don’t necessarily have the professional qualifications, contacts or understanding of the marketplace.

Choosing an estate agent in France who works with a reputable firm makes it much more likely that you’ll get a professional service. Their experience means they’ll be able quickly to take on board all your exact requirements and won’t show you unsuitable or expensive properties. Choosing a French estate agent who is not backed by this accreditation could result in you paying over the odds in legal fees and falling in love with a property that you may not legally be able to buy.

You’ll also want to check they’re members of either the FNAIM, the SNPI or the UNPI.

Don’t get caught out – research any agents you plan to work with carefully, seek recommendations from people you trust, and anyone you know who has made the move before.

Finding the right estate agent in France

The FNAIM, SNPI and UNPI websites may also list members, which is a good way of finding an estate agent to begin with.

If you have a specific location in mind, popular search engines like Google or Bing can help you with finding an agent in that area.

Use searches such as “estate agents in“ and your desired location, e.g. “estate agents in Toulouse”, and you’ll be presented with a selection. You may also be presented with some directories that will help you quickly see a list of French estate agents.

If you’re looking for a local estate agent, then remember that their website is likely written in French first, perhaps with an option to translate to English. Using the search phrase “agence immobiliere“ and then the location, e.g. “agence immobiliere Toulouse” will return estate agencies in that location.

If you have contacts in France then you can also ask them for recommendations.

Choosing an agent to work with

If you don’t speak French, you need to consider hiring an estate agent you can converse with. After all, a language barrier when discussing the intricacies of an already challenging process will make everything more difficult. They should also be able to speak French! Ideally, they should have a C1 or C2 level on the European Common Framework if they’re not a native French speaker.

Once you’ve found a few estate agents, we recommend contacting them with a brief introduction to you, your requirements and budget. A good estate agent will take the time to get to know your needs and should not be fazed by spending time getting to know you.

Your agent should listen to your requirements carefully and make suggestions according to your specific needs. They will take time to accompany you on various viewings and should also give advice on all sorts of matters relating not only to the actual property but the area, local attractions, nearest airports, train stations, where the local doctor and school is and many others.

The commission rates are higher in France but in return, estate agents should be willing to offer a complete service and take time to educate you about everything to do with buying property and life in France.

Working with your estate agent

When instructing any agent, it’s important to try to give them as clear a brief as possible in terms of your requirements, at the same time be open to ideas. They may ask you what, if anything, you are happy to compromise on. For example, can you manage with one less bedroom so as to find a place which needs no renovation work or has a larger garden for the same budget? Think about what is vital to you and what you can perhaps do without if necessary and let them know.

Remember that France is a big country and even though you might have earmarked a certain area to find your dream property, you may need to travel a fair way between suggested properties to see them in person. Again, a good agent will be happy to assist with this and afford you as much time as it takes for you to find what you are looking for.

You may well wish to take advantage of the aftersales service that estate agents in France offer. Known as service après-vente, most estate agents offer a lifestyle package, which includes helping you with other things like finding and opening a bank account, explaining property taxes and transferring utilities into your name. This is where a local estate agent really comes into their own: having someone who speaks the language and knows the system makes integrating so much easier.

Commission fees

The fees due to the estate agent may fall on either the buyer or the seller. Increasingly, it is the seller’s obligation to pay the fees, but this varies. Check to see who is responsible very early on to avoid nasty surprises. Be very sure whether you or the seller are obliged to pay the agent fees, or if they are to be shared.

On average, the fees amount to between 3-8% of the sale price. On most property portals, the commission rate will be listed and it will note whether these fees are included in the advertised price, and should also indicate who is responsible for them.

Questions to ask your estate agent in France

When buying a property in France, there are some key questions to ask your estate agent that will help you make informed decisions before making an offer. They include:

• Why is the owner selling the property?
• How long has the owner lived in the property?
• Has the property been rented out?
• How long has it been on the market and have there been any offers?
• Has the price been reduced?
• What does property tax (and other ongoing fees) cost annually?
• Are there any restrictions on renting?
• What are the local amenities like?
• Are there any furnishings included in the sale?
• Who will be paying the agency fees?

A good agent should be open to discussing your budget, preferred location and property requirements.