The Buying Agents France have been operating in France for over 20 years in various forms. In this time, we have built an extensive network of contacts along The French Riviera. Our experience, network and reputation ensure we are not only trusted with the most exclusive new listings but also top of the call list the moment they are available.
The Buying Agents have assembled a team of trusted service providers for every stage of the purchase from notaries and solicitors to surveyors and contractors. We provide a full end-to-end service from consultation to closing and beyond.
Our experience and expertise will guide you through the entire process of finding, acquiring, and managing your home in France.
Henry was behind one of the Cote d’Azur’s most successful real estate operations transacting over €1bn in 3 years. Having lived in Cannes, he has an in-depth knowledge of the coast and has built trusted relationships that have lasted over 20 years.
Henry personally manages all searches over €10m.
A buying agent in France will save you time and money when buying from overseas.
The Cote d’Azur from Monaco to St Tropez covers over 100km of coastline. There are an estimated 500 real estate agents but due to the exclusive nature of the market, only around 50% of agents advertise property online. Without a buying agent’s representation, you will miss all the best options.
Using The Buying Agents France, you will have first refusal on the best new listings and access to off-market property not openly available. You can leverage our experience and resources to make the buying process as efficient as possible. Your buyer’s agent will guide you through the complexities of finding and acquiring luxury property on the Cote d’Azur.
Retaining a buyers agent in France offers numerous benefits, here are the top five:
Market Knowledge: The Buying Agents France have a deep understanding of the local real estate market. It is essential you have detailed knowledge of price trends, property values, and neighbourhood dynamics before buying in France. Buyers can leverage our expertise, so together, we can help you identify areas and properties that match your criteria.
Negotiation Skills: A good buying agent will have many years’ experience of negotiating real estate transactions. They will understand the sellers’ motivations and the various elements of an offer that can be leveraged against the price. Our service can generate significant savings that more than cover our fee.
First Choice – Most new super prime listings are first available off-market. These off-market transactions are conducted by a small number of property professionals, so the public tend to miss out. However, one of the downsides of being first through the door is that you are negotiating from the starting price. Retaining a buyers agent with good local market price knowledge is essential. They will help you avoid overpaying and negotiate the best deal.
Discreet Listings – The Cote d’Azur attracts the “rich and famous” from all over the world and many purchase homes in the region for privacy and security reasons. Discretion is also a top priority when they come to sell so these homes are never openly advertised. Instead, the selling agent or sellers representative will only disclose the opportunity to a handful of trusted contacts.
Access to Knowledge – A good buyers agent in France will have detailed knowledge of the local market. This will seriously reduce the research phase of your purchase in France. They will advise on;
Representation on the ground – The best properties always sell quickly. Unless you have someone on the ground you will not hear of new opportunities. In addition, you will need a buying agent ready to preview for you at short notice. Your buying agent in France will ensure you receive the right advice when you need it. This will enable you to make informed decisions quickly. Remember, the selling agent is not on your side no matter how personable they appear.
Upfront Due Diligence – In France, the legal checks and survey are conducted after the cooling off period once the sale is agreed. Buying agents conduct many of these checks prior to the buyer inspecting the property so there are no wasted viewings or aborted sales.
More Information – The French property market is different to other countries and information on the property listings is scarce. Many listings do not show the exact location, and floorplans are not routinely available. Buyers must decide on whether to plan an inspection trip based on a few photos and a description. This ultimately leads to many wasted visits and viewings. The Buying Agents France will preview and video all suitable property for you. The buyer can see exactly what they are going to view before they plan their trip.
No wasted viewing trips – We personally visit, inspect, and assess any property that fits the requirement to check its suitability. We also arrange virtual viewings prior to the clients visit, so the client knows exactly what they are going to view when they fly in.
No aborted Sales – Most aborted sales are avoidable if you know what to look for upfront. Transactions in France can take months to complete depending on the terms negotiated. Starting the property search again after an aborted purchase is very frustrating and time consuming.
Streamlined Process: Searching for a property, scheduling viewings, and conducting due diligence is very time consuming. Furthermore, managing the transaction can be extremely laborious. A buying agent does all this for you, allowing you to focus on the important aspects of your life.
Property prices on the Cote d’Azur range from around €5,000 – 100,000psm. Some locations have a variation of up to 50% depending on the factors effecting the value. Having an experienced buyer’s agent represent you will help you avoid expensive mistakes.
Overvalued Property: Paying too much is by far the biggest mistake most buyers make in France. Information on pricing can be limited and the guide price is rarely a true reflection of market value, especially when buying off-market. Most agents and sellers know the property is over valued but consider it worth trying to achieve the best price. Once they know they are dealing with an experienced buying agent representing a motivated buyer, they drop the pretence and enter into serious negotiation.
Expert Negotiation Skills: A good buyer’s agents will be a skilled negotiator who can often secure a lower purchase price than you might be able to achieve on your own. Negotiating real estate deals requires a deep understanding of all elements that can be leveraged against the price.
Pricing Insight: Buying agents have access to information on recent sales and property valuations, allowing them to assess whether the asking price is fair. This prevents you from overpaying and making costly mistakes.
Market Comparisons: Also known as “Comparables” or “Comps”. Providing detailed market analysis and comparable property data, your buying agent will ensure you are not overpaying. The “comps” will demonstrate their opinion on the price based on the location, condition, recent sales in the area, and current market conditions.
Market Knowledge: A buyer’s agent in France will have an in-depth understanding of the local real estate market, including which areas represent the best value. They help you prioritise your requirements and assess whether size or location is more important to you.
Connections: The Buying Agents France has a network of tried and tested professional service providers. This includes notaries, solicitors, mortgage brokers, tax advisers and contractors.
Seamless Coordination: These services can be incorporated into your existing team or we can assemble the various partners for you. The Buying Agents France will coordinate these services and manage the entire process for you.
A buying agent in France will take care of the entire buying process for you from initial consultation right through to closing and often beyond.
They will search for property on your behalf and preview any suitable options. During and after the preview a buying agent will conduct all due diligence to ensure there are no issues with the property or seller that would prevent a successful purchase.
They will produce a shortlist of suitable property that is available to view on your viewing day. This is particularly useful if you are based overseas and flying in purely to view property. A buying agent will prevent wasted visits to view property that does not live up to expectations.
Buying agents work solely on behalf of the buyer and do not sell property. They are more trusted than real estate agents who also handle acquisitions, as there is no fear of the buying agent trying to co-list the selling agent’s property.
As a result, an exclusive buyers agent will be able to open more doors for buyers than a real estate agent.
There is no Multi Listing Service on the French Riviera. Additionally, no single property portal has every property for sale listed and there are over 60 portals. To navigate the French property market you need an experienced buying agent in France to know where to look and who to call.
We discuss your requirements and objectives to establish a detailed brief of what is essential and desirable. We can also advise on how your budget performs in the various locations, and the merits of each area. Property prices in the South of France range from €5,000 to €100,000 per square metre. If you are not focused on a specific location, there are plenty of options.
Determine your budget and allow for the purchase costs (typically 7–8% for existing properties and around 2–3% for new builds). Do not forget a contingency for repairs or renovation costs if buying an older property.
If financing your purchase in France, either speak with a bank directly or a mortgage broker. If you are taking a French mortgage you will also need a French bank account. Whoever arranges your mortgage will assist in opening a bank account.
Our database has over 400 real estate agents and contacts covering the French Riviera. We leave no stone unturned in the search for your perfect property. After speaking with all the relevant contacts, we will produce a short list of suitable properties that match your criteria. All shortlisted properties are pre-vetted to ensure there are no issues preventing a purchase.
Once you have identified which properties are of interest, The Buying Agents France will preview all properties on your behalf. We will conduct a detailed inspection of each property and a video tour of the interior, exterior and surrounding area. For any property of particular interest we can arrange a virtual viewing via FaceTime, Zoom or WhatsApp video while we are on site.
After you have seen all the shortlisted property videos, together we then discuss each option and decide which ones you would like to view. The Buying Agents France will organise a viewing tour and arrange all the associated logistics and pick ups from hotel or airport.
When we find a suitable property The Buying Agents France will handle the negotiations, consulting you at every stages. We will then put forward an offer in writing called an Offre d’Achat. This is non-binding until the contract stage.
If you are not familiar with French property law or fluent in French, you should appoint a solicitor licensed to practice in France. They will review all reservation agreements and contracts on your behalf. All sales in France go through a public official called a Notaire, their job is purely to ensure the sale is legal and to collect the relevant taxes. A Notaire does not provide legal advice to the either side. The Buying Agents France can recommend trusted solicitors in any language.
This preliminary contract outlines the terms of the sale, including the price, any conditions, and timings.
Once the Compromis de Vente is signed, the buyer has a 10 day cooling-off period during which they can withdraw from the sale without penalty. At the same time, the buyer pays a 10% deposit, and both buyer and seller are obligated to complete the transaction.
When the cooling-off period expires, you can submit your mortgage application to the lender.
The Notaire conducts legal checks, including verifying ownership, title deeds, and planning permissions.
At the same time your solicitor will also undertake all their checks.
The balance of the purchase price, taxes and costs are transferred the Notaire prior to signing. The Acte de Vente is then signed at the Notaire’s office.
The Notaire will regsiter the transaction with French Land Regisrty and you recived the Titre de Propriete (title deed).
Cannes is renowned for its style and elegance, and is perfect for anyone that enjoys a luxury lifestyle. Centrally located on the stunning French Riviera, this iconic city boasts chic boutiques, world-class dining, lavish hotels, and pristine beaches. Whether searching for a sea view apartment on La Croisette or a secluded villa in Super Cannes, The Buying Agents France can help.
Nice offers an exquisite fusion of cultural heritage and contemporary flair with the convenience of a major airport. Known for its vibrant art scene, historic architecture, and upscale amenities, Nice is a captivating destination where traditional charm seamlessly meets modern sophistication. Nice is an excellent base to explore the French and Italian Rivieras.
Saint Tropez is famous for its sun-soaked beaches, glamorous nightlife and quaint harbour. It has been a magnet for the Jet Set since the 1960s. Its allure lies in the perfect blend of Mediterranean charm, high-end boutiques, and private luxury estates. 75% of all villas are in the range of €15,000 – 50,000/sqm.
Cap Ferrat was once a sleepy fishing village but it is now home to more billionaires per capita than Monaco. Sea view villas are in short supply and often passed down through generations. The super prime market is very discreet, and the best opportunities in Saint Jean Cap Ferrat are rarely advertised. The average price of apartments is €17,000/sqm and villas double that.
Antibes and Cap d’Antibes captivate visitors with their historical charm and natural beauty. The town offers the functionality of a modern urban centre in contrast to the vibrant Old Town known for its excellent restaurants and 16th-century ramparts. Cap d’Antibes is home to some of the coast’s most desirable villas and the ultra-exclusive Hotel du Cap Eden Roc.
Monaco is the epitome of glamour and sophistication, attracting visitors and residents from all over the world. The Principality is well known for its luxurious casinos, mega-yacht-filled harbour, and prestigious events like the Grand Prix and Yacht Show. Monaco is also home to some of the world’s most prized and expensive real estate. Expect to pay anywhere from €20,000 to 100,000 per sqm. With space at the premium 96% of all real estate is apartments.
Property in the resale market usually takes around 2 – 3 months to complete from Offre d’Achat to Acte de Vente.
You can start your property search in France anytime. However, you need to be aware that many properties are in constant use or rented out during the spring and summer months. As a result, access for viewing may require more notice than in the quieter seasons. If you are using a buying agent in France, they will co-ordinate the viewings for you.
The mandate is a simple document that authorises the French buying agent to search for property on behalf of the buyer. It will state the terms of the agreement and details of the property required. The mandat de recherche is essential when collaborating with other agents so the buying agent can prove they are retained and not trying to steal the selling agent’s listing.
Yes, it always recommended that you have a french speaking solicitor in addition to the notaire. The solicitor does not need to be based in France.
The Notaire’s fee for buying a resale property is 7 – 8% of the purchase price or 2 – 3% if buying a new build.
Estate agents fees in France are paid by the seller and included in the sale price. If the buyer is represented by a buying agent, the selling agent can share the sales fee with the buying agent if they are not retained (see below).
However the sales fee can be part of the negotiation so always check who pays for what.
In France you only pay VAT or TVA on new build property. This can be included in the sale price so always check with the agent or developer if it is included.
Taxe sur la valeur ajoutée is the French equivalent of VAT or Value Added Tax. TVA is charged at 20%.
Taxe d’Habitation is paid by the owner or tenant of the property.
Taxe Fonciere is tax on the property or land and is paid by the owner even if not not a primary residence. The tax pays for local services similar to Council Tax in the UK.
A Société Civile Immobilière is a non-trading company for holding real estate. An SCI can be useful to purchase a property in several names or transfer the property on disposal. The company must be set up in France and produce annual accounts.
There are two ways to work with a Buying Agent in France.
RETAINED – 2% +VAT
The most effective way to find and secure the best properties on the Cote d’Azur
ADVANTAGES
DISADVANTAGES
NON RETAINED – FREE
A more cost effective solution for buyers as the buying and selling agent share the sakes fee. However not every sales agent will share their fee.
Free to the buyer. This is how most real estate agents work if representing the buyer. The buying agent will share the selling agent’s fee.
ADVANTAGES
DISADVANTAGES
In some cases the fees can be part of the negotiation but the most the buyer will is 2%+TVA (20%).
In any situation, all fees will be identified separately to the purchase price by the notaire so there is always total transparency for the buyer.
Please contact us directly to discuss your requirements and which service is right for you.
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If you are considering buying a property in France please contact us to discuss your search.
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