French property finding service in Gironde, Aquitaine

What is a property finding service?

We provide a service whereby we liaise with you to determine what type of property you would like. We work with a local estate agent in France to try to put together a selection of properties that they have for sale that match what you are looking for. If any properties seem suitable, we can arrange for you to see them and escort you on any visits to properties with the estate agent.

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Why would you use one?

You may already speak French or have experience in buying a property in France and you may wish to use the service simply to help you find suitable properties to view. Or you may be starting from scratch and feel that you would prefer to have some help with the whole buying process, such as visiting properties, dealing with the immobilier, making an offer, completing paperwork etc.

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When is the best time in your search to contact us?

We would recommend that you contact us early on in your search. That way, we can start looking for properties for you without delay and give you an indication of what prices to expect etc. It may be that you're not ready straight away to visit the region and view properties, but you can give us an idea of what you are looking for and we can start looking for you for when you are ready. We can also try to answer any questions you might have on the region, on the buying process, etc., which can help you with your decisions.

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What do we do for you?

Our main aim is to make sure that the service you get is personal to you. We've been through the house buying process in France ourselves and we know what it's like to be sent off to see properties that bear no resemblance to what you want. We are an Anglo French couple (Mags is English and Franck is French), we both speak English and French fluently, and when we were house hunting here, we asked ourselves how others manage when they don't speak the language or understand how buying a house in France works. So, we've set up a business to help people!

We'll make sure that any properties we arrange for you to see match your criteria, we'll go with you to meet the immobilier and attend viewings with you. We can help you with translating if your French is not too hot, liaise with the agent on your behalf, attend any meetings with the notaire with you, etc. Our approach is fairly informal and friendly but professional and efficient. We'll be involved as much or as little as you want us to be.

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Initial enquiry

We prefer to speak to you, rather than ask you to fill in an impersonal form. That way we can understand exactly what you want and, just as importantly, what you don't want. If you don't want a house near a busy road or a house that needs complete renovation, you can tell us and we won't take you to see one. Because we work closely with the immobilier and in most cases, we know the properties for sale, we can advise you if what you've seen on a photograph matches what you're looking for.

We feel that we can get to know you better if we talk to you, and it helps us to make sure that any properties we arrange for you to view meet your criteria. We can also give you a better idea of property prices in your chosen area, as prices vary somewhat within the region. If we don't have anything appropriate for you at that time, we'll tell you, and we'll keep looking if you want us to.

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Property selections and viewings

Once we know what you're looking for, we will liaise with the immobilier and try to match properties with your requirements. The agent we use covers a wide area and has access to hundreds of properties, with new properties coming on the market regularly. In France, it is usual for the estate agent to take you to see the property, and they rarely have brochures on specific properties for you to take away. We will arrange to meet you when you're ready to come over and visit, and accompany you on any appointments to see properties.

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Your visit to Gironde

We're very aware that most people who come to the region want to combine house hunting with getting out and about and exploring and having a holiday. We're happy to give you information on the area and we can help you with accommodation, recommend restaurants, places to visit etc. We'll take it at your pace and we won't overload you with properties to visit.

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How much does it cost?

For assistance in the house-buying process, there is no fee. We work very closely with the immobilier and share their commission if you choose to buy a house from them. We won't ‘hard sell' to you; it's not in your interests or in ours. Buying a house, particularly in another country, is a big decision and there is no point in us trying to persuade you to buy something if you're not sure it's what you want. It won't do our reputation any good and we wouldn't want it done to us!

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Extras!

You've found your dream house and decided to buy it. So what now? You may feel that the whole process of setting up a home in France is quite daunting and you'd like some extra help. For example, you may not be sure about how to arrange for the electricity or telephone to be connected, how to organise your insurance or open a bank account in France. You may want to know how to arrange health cover in France or enrol your children into a local school. We can help you. As this is additional to the buying process, there would be a fee of 35 Euros per hour for this service. We can discuss what help you would like with you and, in most cases, agree a set fee, depending on what assistance you need. We can provide this service whether or not you use Live Bordeaux to help you to find your property.

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Contact us, we can discuss your requirements and start your search for property for sale in Gironde.

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