Important Information – Buyer Beware!
The very first step is ensuring that you are dealing with somebody legally registered!
When you start house-hunting in France the first thing to be certain of is that the Estate Agent that you are dealing with is completely legal – things are very different to other countries and in France not just anybody may take part in the house sale process.
Firstly, everybody operating a business in France must by law be registered and have an identification number known as a SIRET number.
In addition immobiliers (estate agents) must additionally be registered with the local préfecture. To gain registered status a certain level of qualification and experience is required as well as professional insurance and financial guarantees. These rules provide you, the client, with protection against fraud and dishonesty.
Evidence of registration with the prefecture is demonstrated by the Carte Professionelle (practising certificate). Any person working for, or purporting to work for the agency, subcontracted or self employed, must also be registered with the préfecture – no exceptions!
Most agents will also be a member of a professional body - FNAIM is the largest – this is additional evidence of honesty and good practice.
Anybody assisting in the house buying process for monetary gain is in fact acting as an agent regardless of the title they bestow upon themselves. If they can’t demonstrate that they have the required registrations and financial guarantees, (don’t accept their say-so, always look for certificates showing their own name) for your own safety, walk away and find somebody who will be operating legally that does have them. A house purchase can be a complicated business and not checking that you are dealing with somebody professionally and legally insured and qualified to help you is a little like jumping from an aircraft without a parachute.