The first episode of a new series.

This podcast helps foreign buyers navigate the French real estate market, offering essential tips on dealing with listing agents, understanding fees, and managing expectations. Key points include choosing the right agent, asking detailed questions due to the lack of MLS, and knowing you can switch agents if needed during your property search. CLICK HERE TO LISTEN

If you're considering purchasing a property in France, especially if you're not fluent in French, it can be tempting to reach out to English-speaking real estate agents and hope for the best.

Here is what might. You come across a beautiful property on an international property portal, fill out a form, and receive a few more photos but never an address. Then you inbox gets flooded with links to more listings that supposedly match your criteria, and you start receiving calls about those properties. Eventually, you call some of the agents to plan a trip to visit some of these properties, already envisioning yourself enjoying your dream property.

While this is how it works out for some, things are often not as smooth.

This podcast series aims to help you learn more about real estate agents in France, as part of the preparation and implementation of  your French real estate project, what I call your “French journey”. In this intro episode about French agents, let me give the most important pointers, there are 6 of them – takeaways so to speak:

Alright, let’s get real—firstly, there’s just no getting around it: you will have to deal with real estate agents in France. That’s just how it is!

Here’s why: as a foreigner navigating the French real estate market, your options are pretty limited. The language barrier, the cultural differences—it all adds up. So, working with French real estate agents isn’t just helpful—it’s essential. And trust me, being prepared for that will make your life so much easier.

Here’s point number two, and seriously, pay attention—this one’s a biggie: the agents you’ll be talking to are always listing agents. And by law, they work for the seller, not you. No matter how helpful they seem, remember this—they’re hired by and loyal to the seller. You’re just the customer. Oh, and another thing: these agents might not have the authority to negotiate fees or handle the seller relationship directly. That’s usually up to their boss—the licensed broker. We’ll dive deeper into that difference a little later, so stick around!

Point number 3. When it comes to buying or selling property in France, here’s my tip: choose agents who get what it’s like to work with foreigners. Look for someone local—like, within a 20-mile radius of where you’re searching—and make sure they’re fluent in English or at least have solid working proficiency. Trust me, having the right agent can make all the difference!

When talking on the phone, be on the lookout for listing agents who really take the time to understand what you want as a buyer. Once you’ve got a good vibe with them, keep building that rapport! Then, encourage them to team up with other local listing agents to widen your search. Because obviously when you make them your go-to person, you’re giving them a reason to prioritize you. It’s all about creating that win-win relationship!

Alright, point 4, and this one’s a game-changer: the structure of the real estate industry in France. Here’s the deal—there’s no MLS, no multiple listing service like you might be used to elsewhere.

Because of that, listings in France tend to be… let’s just say, vague. You’ve got to ask questions—lots of them. French listings are often light on details, heavy on exaggeration, and they usually leave out the property’s exact location. This isn’t a mistake; it’s just how things have evolved without an MLS.

So, what do you do? Come prepared with a solid checklist of questions. Your first goal is to decide whether it’s even worth visiting the property. And don’t be shy—push those listing agents for clear answers. The more you dig, the better your chances of making an informed decision.

Next up, point 5—it’s all about the fees. Now, here’s the thing: it doesn’t really matter technically who pays the agent’s fees, because at the end of the day, those fees come out of the sale proceeds, which are funded by—you guessed it—the buyer.

So, as the buyer, don’t get too hung up on the fees themselves. Your main focus should be on figuring out your budget for the property. That’s your starting point for negotiations. Stick to your number and let the rest shake out during the process.

Alright, last but definitely not least—point number 6. Here’s a little insider tip, and it’s a well-kept secret among foreign buyers—and even a lot of French buyers. If a listing agent tries to tell you that just because you visited a property or showed interest, you’re obligated to close the deal with them—guess what? That’s absolutely not true.

In France, you’ve got the freedom to choose who you want to work with. If you’re not feeling it with one agent, no problem—find another one! It really is that simple. And hey, if you’re unsure or need help navigating all this, just reach out to me. I’ll help you figure it out!

And voilà, that’s a wrap for this intro episode in my series on French real estate agents!

Keep an eye out for more episodes dropping in the weeks ahead.

I hope you found this helpful—and until next time, happy prepping for your big move to France!