Our advice on how to sell French property
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Be selective. Do not place your property with every agent and pseudo-agent in the market-place – there is nothing more unimpressive to a buyer than finding the same property on 12 different sites (some at different prices!) –their immediate reaction is, “How long has this been on the market? What is wrong with it?”
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Catch peoples’ eyes! There are many vendors out there – make sure your property is the one that catches the eye (make sure it is not the one that makes the client want to turn on his heel, immediately he walks in!).
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Tidy the house! Make sure you show the house as you would wish to find it as a buyer. This includes the visit we will make to take the publicity photographs, as we can’t keep coming back for more photo sessions. Consider how the property will feel to prospective buyers – tidy up and pretty up the outside, too – bin bags are a big, ‘NO’! Realise that when you sell you will be needing to pack much away – start now! The more open shelves and empty wardrobes there are – the better impression of space your property will convey
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Let the light and fresh air in. Old French properties were built for protection and can seem dark rather than cosy – keep the curtains open and the windows clean – present as much as possible in clear natural light. The smell of coffee and baking bread may also help, but fresh air will work every time!
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Keep your pets scarce. Pets and the evidence of pets should be kept to a minimum – they may be your best friends, but not everyone likes them.
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Don’t over-invest to sell. Do not invest in a new bathroom or kitchen in the hope that it will sell the property – leave it to the new owners to decide what suits them. You are unlikely to get it right for all buyers or to ever get your investment back.
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Keep it simple. On their arrival, say ‘hello’ to the client, but then move into the background – we will have been speaking to the clients for some hours prior to arrival, so we will know what is important to them for their first visit.
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Don’t despair. A quick viewing can often be good news. It may indicate a serious buyer who will return for a more focused second look – and often the decision-maker has sent their ‘scout’ out to simply whittle the contenders down!
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If you’re not going to be on hand at the viewing, make sure the property is being looked after while you are away – mountains of dead flies make it difficult to fall for a property.
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Leave the keys at our office or with a neighbour who is easily contactable – we have ‘walk-in’ clients every day, particularly in the summer!
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Property is sold as seen. Don’t be alarmed if a potential buyer instructs a building survey – it usually shows serious intent.
How Maisons Rurales can help and support you.
We pride ourselves on our ability to be true advisors to anyone selling their property. We will :
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Give you a dedicated contact who will guide you through the whole process
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Value the property according to our knowledge of current market trends and your timescales, giving you the best opportunity to sell at a fair price
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Market your property to a world-wide clientele via our website, the most effective property portals and window displays
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Prepare full details with good quality photographs and make them freely available on our website.
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Ensure your property is promoted strongly in our office for those clients who are here in person
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Use our powerful database to match your property to the precise requirements of our extensive client list
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Send weekly email updates to clients whose requirements match your property’s features.
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Negotiate a mutually satisfactory price for your property
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Liaise with notaires and statutory authorities
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Get quotes for and book the necessary expert inspections
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Accompany you to the notaire’s office for the signing of the compromis de vente
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Offer a dedicated office-based bi-lingual point of contact
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Assist you with currency exchange and transfer of utilities
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Accompany you to the notaire’s office for the signing of the acte de vente
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Help you find your next property if you are staying in France.
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