To Buy or not to Buy – that is the question – but from whom?
By Graham Dooley – Marketing Director
BRETON HOMES S.A.R.L. Agence
Immobilière, Brittany.
I have been in Brittany, France for 13 years and in that time I have
seen the property market change several times. There are literally
hundreds of property agents in one form or another advertising their
wares predominantly on the web and also in the many other journals
and property exhibitions available around the globe today.
We have clients from all over the world and have sold to citizens
from as far a field as Hong Kong, the USA and Australia.
So when you see an advert for you dream home who are you buying
from? The French property market and “Agence Immobilière” remained a
mystery for many years to the general public and during the 80,s
contact was made via an intermediate usually in the country where
the prospective purchaser resides. Then followed a letter of
introduction or fax and of you went in search of your property.
With the advent of the web it is now possible to view a vast array
of French properties all over the web and go direct to the agency.
You probably will not save a great deal of money as the agency
normally pays the commission to the introductory agent however in
this case the agency will not normally negotiate on the agency fee
if they are paying out large commissions.
The problem is that over the past few years agents offering to sell
you a French house have appeared on every street corner and often
hundreds of tempting properties are shown on the web. You see them,
make a reservation and find that when you arrive to visit the
property of your dreams was sold long ago.
You have to get real in the French Property Market and go and see
for yourself. An idyllic stone cottage with potted geraniums, shady
terrace and within walking distance of your croissant and baguette
will rarely have time to be loaded on the web page before it is
sold.
So who do you buy from?
Agence Immobilière
This is a professional estate agency and has to have a Carte
Professionnelle issued by the Prefecture. In order to obtain the CP
the owner, principal or Gerant of the agency must have professional
qualifications! It is possible to mix and match for example several
years experience in an estate agency or other administrative
position (normally 10) can be combined with qualifications however
the formal qualifications that are necessary have to be obtained by
a diploma or professional experience or both.
For members of the European Union, in general, one has to have proof
of a three year university education with a degree and two years of
experience. The professional title can also be obtained two years
after the baccalaureate with a diploma in law, economics and
commerce.
Suitability
In order to meet certain ethical criteria. The following people can
not become French estate agents:
• People who have imprisoned by the French court.
• People who are undischarged bankrupts.
• Public officials who have been dismissed, or others that have been
dismissed by their professional association.
• People who have been convicted guilty by a foreign court under the
same conditions as above.
Commercial Agents
They sell, negotiate and usually work under the umbrella of an
Agence Immobilière or Notaire. They can have an office but cannot
display properties in the window as they are not estate agents.
Notaire
The Notaire is principally a government tax collector not just
estate agent. Buying directly through a Notaire will not necessarily
save you money as he/she will put their own negotiation fees on the
sale. If you buy through an Agence Immobilière, if they have a
mandate or authorization to sell the property the Notaire should not
normally put negociation fees on top. This is for the agency. If
however you engage the agency to search for a property on your
behalf i.e.” Mandat de Recherche” then it is quite possible your
final fees will include some negotiation fees.
Advertising Agency
Always ensure they send you to an Agence Immobilière or commercial
agent. Always ask whether or not their fees are included in the
Agency Fees or on top. The long established reputable agencies
provide a good service to connect you with the network of
professionals in France and will never ask you for their commission
directly.
Private Sale
This is ok but remember you will have to do all of the paperwork and
ask the right questions. Do not forget to ask the private buyer to
provide you with a valuation from a notaire or agent. I have known
some cases where a property has been advertised privately for almost
twice the market value.
Del Boy
If you wish to go down this route then good luck. When you meet the
guy or girl outside the bar always ask for identification and if
they have a commercial agents card. Never pay cash up front or at
all and always pay the deposit and balance to the notaire.
At the end of the day good luck and from
BRETON HOMES we hope you
find your dream however and wherever your search takes you.
Breton Homes is a registered estate agent in Brittany, France
and has a wide range of
properties for sale in Brittany France.
Advertisement for French House Insurance
Once you have chosen your house you need to start thinking
about house insurance please contact
www.french-insurance.com your bi-lingual insurance company
based in France. House insurance must be in place at the
time of purchase. |
Ads by
Holiday-Gites |
Property Management
Property management, Gite handovers and keyholding.
brittany-rental.com |
|
Property Insurance
English speaking Property insurance health insurance
agent in France.
french-insurance.com |
|
Builders in Brittany
Planning permits, Building and renovations in Brittany
brittany-builders.com |
|
Gite Management in Brittany
Gite handovers and property management service in
Brittany France.
gite-management.com |
|