Buying a property is not easy, purchasing property abroad is even less so. You really must know what you are doing to avoid risk, and to transform your adventure into an odyssey. Assess what it is personally can do before then seeking support from other sources. If you speak French fluently, as perhaps you have had the fortune to have spent every summer in France since childhood, and your parents may have bought a house in France, then you might just be able to do it yourself. Otherwise ask for support and guidance.
By recommendation or references
Have you got friends who have bought a house in France? Can you get some references for an estate agent in France? You must take care as to the source of the information, as the interests of the estate agent interest are o persuade you to buy a house which they have to offer, or to purchase the one you have visited. Maybe the recommendation of your friend as to a good solicitor or estate agent is made with the incentive of them earning a monetary reward for the giving of your name. Solicitors may have property to sell, although certainly less property than an estate agent. They will of course have the advantage of legal knowledge but, once again their interests will be for you to buy one of the properties in their possession. Always remember that the estate agent or solicitor will be working for the seller, not the buyer.
With experienced and specialised agents
Ideally you should choose an agent with the necessary understanding of French culture and way of thinking, whilst also appreciating your needs and desires. The most important factor is the agents? level of local knowledge, and an extensive network of relations throughout France would be of further benefit. The perfect solution would be to use a French agent, based in the U.K. This is, however, often hard to find as the majority of agents operating in the U.K are English with some knowledge of France. The advantage of using an agent is that we will be protecting your interests. Unlike an estate agent or solicitor, we will be working for you and not the seller, dealing with them on your behalf. An agent that can view the entire, bigger picture, supporting and guiding you through the sale and after, is rare to find yet invaluable, as although they will require some fees, the time and effort they can save you throughout the buying process will be priceless.
