French Property Explained Avis 

I finally felt confident buying a property in France

As a German buyer trying to purchase a property in France, I quickly realised that the process was much more complex than I had expected. Between the agents, the notaire, the documents, the diagnostics, the estimates for works and the differences between the French and German systems, it was very easy to feel lost.

Julien supported me throughout the entire process, from the first property searches to the final stages of the purchase. What made the biggest difference was not only his knowledge of the French property market, but also his ability to explain things clearly and honestly.

He actually helped me avoid buying two properties that, at first sight, seemed very attractive. After reviewing the documents and asking the right questions, he identified serious issues that I would probably not have noticed on my own, or would not have fully understood. In both cases, his advice helped me step back before making a costly mistake.

Once I found the right property, Julien was there at every stage. He helped me communicate with the estate agent, understand the role of the notaire, clarify important points before signing, and assess the potential works and costs with a much more realistic view. Having someone independent on my side made a huge difference.

What I appreciated most was that Julien never pushed me in one direction. He gave me clear, practical information so that I could make my own decision with confidence. He was responsive, precise, and very reassuring throughout the whole process.

Buying in another country can be stressful, especially when you do not fully understand the local system. Thanks to Julien, I felt protected, informed and supported. He helped me avoid the wrong properties and finally move forward with the right one.

I am now able to realise my dream of settling in France with much more peace of mind. I would highly recommend French Property Explained to anyone who wants to buy in France without feeling alone or exposed.

We had already read through the diagnostics and thought we had a reasonably good understanding of the property. But Julien’s analysis made us realise that there is a big difference between having the documents and actually knowing how to interpret them properly.

Julien reviewed the whole file in detail: diagnostics, drainage, potential risks, hidden costs, possible works, legal points and the practical consequences for our purchase. He pointed out several important areas of concern that we had not fully appreciated.

For example, the septic tank was marked as non-compliant, but Julien explained what that could actually mean in terms of works, timescales, negotiation and responsibility after completion. The same applied to the presence of asbestos. We had seen it mentioned in the report, but we had not understood how much more complicated and expensive certain works could become because of the precautions required and the possible need to use specialist contractors.

What we particularly appreciated was that Julien does not simply say, “be careful, there is a risk”. He explains why it is a risk, what the real-life consequences could be, what needs to be clarified before signing, and how these points can be used in discussions with the agent, the seller or the notaire.

Julien was also extremely responsive. We received his analysis quickly, in a clear and well-structured format, which is a real advantage when you need to make a decision on a property without losing too much time.

His work helped us take a step back at a stage where it is very easy to get carried away by the emotional side of buying. We felt much better equipped to decide whether the property still made sense, at what price, and under what conditions.

A very useful service for anyone buying in France who wants to avoid unpleasant surprises after signing. Professional, precise, clear, fast and, above all, very practical.