The Reality of Property Searching in France
Many international buyers start their French Riviera property search on familiar portals like Rightmove Overseas, SeLoger, or Idealista. It seems logical — you can browse thousands of properties from your sofa, filter by price and location, and contact agents directly.
But here's what they discover:
After weeks or months of searching, viewing properties that look nothing like the photos, dealing with unresponsive agents, and discovering hidden costs — 70% of our clients come to us having already tried the portal approach.
What Portals Don't Tell You
1. You're Only Seeing Part of the Market
Property portals in France show 60-70% of available properties. The best properties often sell before reaching public listings through:
- Private networks of buyer's agents
- Word-of-mouth among locals
- Sellers who value discretion
- Properties in pre-market stage
On the French Riviera, up to 40% of properties above €2M are sold off-market. You literally cannot find them on portals.
2. No One is Looking Out for You
When you contact an agent through a portal, remember: they work for the seller. Their job is to get the highest price, not the best deal for you.
- They won't point out problems
- They won't tell you the property is overpriced
- They won't reveal the seller's motivation
- They won't negotiate against their client
3. Hidden Complexity
French property transactions involve:
- Notaire fees and calculations
- Co-ownership regulations (copropriété)
- Planning permissions (urbanisme)
- Diagnostic reports (15+ mandatory checks)
- Tax implications
- SCI structures
Navigating this alone as a foreigner is risky and time-consuming.
What a Buyer's Agent Brings
Access to Everything
We search 200+ sources including:
- All major portals
- Local agency networks
- Private seller contacts
- Off-market databases
- Pre-market opportunities
You see a curated selection matching your criteria — not thousands of irrelevant listings.
Expert Negotiation
Our average negotiated saving is 8% below asking price. On a €1M property, that's €80,000 — far more than our 2% fee.
We know:
- Fair market values
- Seller motivations
- Negotiation tactics that work in France
- When to walk away
Complete Protection
We verify:
- Title and ownership
- Building permits
- Co-ownership finances
- Technical condition
- Legal compliance
Problems we've caught for clients: illegal extensions, asbestos issues, bankrupt co-ownerships, planning restrictions, undisclosed neighbors' rights.
Real Cost Comparison
| Scenario | Portal DIY | With Buyer's Agent |
|---|
When Portals Make Sense
Portals are useful for:
- Initial research and market understanding
- Browsing to refine your criteria
- Budget properties under €300K
- Investors with French market experience
When You Need a Buyer's Agent
Consider an agent if you:
- Are buying above €500K
- Want access to off-market properties
- Are an international buyer
- Have limited time for searching
- Want negotiation support
- Need due diligence protection
Our Verdict
Property portals are a good starting point, but they're not enough for a significant French Riviera purchase. The combination of limited access, no representation, and complex legal environment makes professional help valuable.
Our 2% fee typically costs nothing when offset by negotiation savings and problem avoidance. Most clients wish they'd contacted us earlier.