here are many so called easier to be based in the UK,
French property away from the beady eyes of the
“consultants” based in the French tax, social security and
UK who are more than happy to regulatory authorities and try
help you achieve your dream of and make it work for them that
property ownership in France, way.
however many of them are also
very happy to lighten your wallet After four years of substantial
along the way. growth in the French property
market we now see many British
French property sales to the based businesses in the market
British is now seriously big place. Some claim to be French
business and as with all estate agents (Illegal unless
industries that see a substantial they are a French business
growth in a short period of time, registered at the Prefecture as
more players are tempted in to an immobilier); some want to
that market place to try get a charge you a huge consultancy fee
“slice of the action”. (Not illegal, unless they ask for
it after the seven days cooling
Unfortunately for the opportunist off period has finished), and
player, getting established in some even charge you to show you
France as an estate agent (Agent properties – which is completely
Immobilier) is a long and illegal in France – but all the
complicated process, as the these players have one thing in
industry is heavily regulated. common - they have some or all of
Not just anyone is allowed to their business based in the UK.
rent a shop, stick pictures of And why is this? Because if they
houses in the window and call were based in France they would
themselves an estate agent. So more than likely be closed down.
for these players it is much
So what can you, the French protect yourself is to deal
property hunter do to protect directly with a French registered
yourself from a lot of sharp Immobilier and best of all one
practises within the industry? who is a member of one of the two
main trade bodies in France for
The following occurrences should estate agents, either FNAIM or
set off alarm bells:- SNPI. Only by dealing with a
local registered immobilier are
Being asked to pay to register to guaranteed to get a professional
receive property details service for a fair fee.
Being asked to pay to view
properties
Being asked to pay any money to type="text/javascript">
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About the Author:
Mark Russell is founder of Limousin Homes - the specialists in French real estate and property sales in the Limousin region of France. More information can be found at http://www.limousinhomes.com
