FAQS
Here is a list of questions and answers you may have about the services offered by a property finder or real estate researcher.
This FAQ explains how the profession works and why using a property finder, real estate hunter or real estate coach can help you find your apartment or house in Nice and on the French Riviera.
Is a Property Finder Also a Real Estate Coach ?
Yes. A property finder works exclusively for the buyer, unlike a traditional real estate agency whose primary mission is to sell.
A property finder analyses the entire market on your behalf, sorts through all available listings, and selects only the properties that match your criteria.
This requires constant monitoring of the market and the ability to react quickly when an opportunity appears.
That is why the role is often compared to that of a professional hunter.
But a property finder is also a real estate coach.
Everyone dreams of finding the perfect property, but choices must always be made according to budget, lifestyle and priorities.
A waterfront villa at the foot of a mountain simply does not exist; the goal is to identify the best possible match for your needs.
Choosing between an open or closed kitchen, a large living room or bigger bedrooms, high ceilings or a modern residence with a large terrace — these decisions define the type of property that will truly suit you.
Once your criteria are clear, I help you identify the neighbourhoods where you have the highest chance of finding the right property within your budget.
This guidance is an essential part of the process, and it is why a property finder is not only a hunter, but also a real estate coach.
Our search can begin only when we have clearly defined the property you are looking for.
Is a Property Finder Service Really Useful Today ?
Today, information comes from many different sources:
paid online listings, real estate platforms, newspapers, specialist magazines, private websites, “For Sale” signs, building guardians, local traders, insurers, asset managers, developers, renovation companies, and many informal networks.
The number of potential information channels is extremely large.
For someone who is not organised, who cannot accurately read the market, or who is unaware of these networks, identifying the right property at the right time becomes very difficult.
A property finder has the time, experience and market knowledge required to monitor all these sources continuously.
By following the market in real time and filtering the information for you, a property finder ensures that you do not miss opportunities — especially those that never appear on public websites.
This is why using a professional remains highly valuable today.
Who Should Consider Using a Property Finder ?
A property finder is ideal for anyone who values a personalised, efficient and structured service.
It is particularly suited for:
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people who want to maximise their chances of finding a property that truly meets their expectations
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anyone who prefers not to waste time visiting unsuitable properties
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buyers who do not want to revisit the same apartment twice because information was unclear or incomplete
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people living outside Nice or abroad, who cannot spend hours on the phone organising visits or travelling unnecessarily
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buyers who are tired of calling listings only to discover that the property has already been sold
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anyone who understands that, in a market where good properties are scarce, having a dedicated professional at their side significantly increases the chances of success
In short, a property finder is for anyone who wants a structured, efficient and well-guided approach to securing the right property in Nice.
How Much Does a Property Finder Service Actually Cost ?
My fees follow the legal and regulatory framework set by Propriétés Privées, as well as my own pricing as an independent property finder.
Fees are payable only upon success, on the day the final deed is signed with the notary.
There is no payment upfront, and all search work, visits and negotiations are fully included.
There are three possible situations:
If the property is found through an estate agency that agrees to share its commission
In this case, you pay no additional fee.
I am paid directly by the agency through a sharing agreement included in their sales mandate.
The advertised agency price remains exactly the same for you.
This is the situation in the majority of cases.
If the property is found directly through a private seller (no agency involved)
My fees follow the minimum legal scale defined by Propriétés Privées.
Depending on the price range, they can be a fixed amount or a percentage (for example: 3.6 % from €400,001, 3.99 % from €250,001 to €400,000, etc.).
This ensures full transparency and compliance with French regulations.
If the property is listed with an agency that refuses to share its commission
This usually happens with rare, well-priced or exclusive properties.
In such cases, my fee is added to the agency price:
3 % including tax,
with a minimum flat fee of € 5,900 for properties below €120,000.
Whenever possible, I always try to negotiate a sharing agreement to avoid any additional cost for you.
In all cases
Working with a property finder does not cost more than searching alone.
The final price you pay is often lower thanks to accurate market analysis, negotiation expertise and access to the right opportunities.
You only pay if the mission is successfully completed.
What Is an Exclusive Search Mandate ?
An exclusive search mandate means that, for the duration of the contract (a minimum of three months), I am the only professional authorised to search for properties on your behalf.
During this period, the buyer agrees not to purchase a property without going through my services.
This mutual commitment creates a genuine partnership: I work exclusively for you, and you rely on my expertise to identify, evaluate and secure the right property.
Exclusivity is essential because my work involves significant time, research, travel, coordination and negotiation.
If the mission is not completed successfully, I receive no compensation, even though all search costs remain my responsibility.
This agreement ensures a clear, professional framework and allows me to dedicate the necessary resources to your project with full commitment.
Why Do You Work Only With Exclusive Search Mandates ?
In a market where good properties are scarce, the most interesting opportunities sell very quickly.
To remain efficient, a property finder must react immediately and maintain strong cooperation with estate agencies and private sellers.
Agencies or professional sellers who hold rare and well-priced properties often receive many requests. Their objective is simple:
to secure a reliable buyer with confirmed financing and minimal risk of withdrawal during the legal cooling-off period.
For this reason, they generally prefer to work with buyers who are represented by a single, committed professional.
They also want to avoid sharing their commission with several intermediaries.
Because I work exclusively for the buyer, without reducing the agency’s commission, and because I clearly present my client’s budget and criteria, agencies tend to trust and prioritise working with me.
This is especially true for well-located apartments or villas requiring renovation, which are often targeted by professional investors.
An exclusive search mandate is therefore essential:
it clarifies our working relationship, strengthens our credibility with agencies, and allows me to represent you effectively and negotiate under the best conditions.
Why Can a Property Finder Negotiate More Effectively ?
Successful negotiation requires being in a position of strength.
A buyer acting alone often finds themselves at a disadvantage, especially if they have visited only a few properties and lack a clear view of the local market.
Someone who has not compared at least a dozen similar apartments or villas cannot easily judge whether a property is fairly priced.
Without this perspective, it becomes difficult to negotiate confidently or to recognise a good opportunity.
With more than 35 years of experience in the Nice property market, I know the city, its neighbourhoods, the strengths and weaknesses of each sector, and the factors that influence value.
I also understand renovation costs, technical assessments and the financial impact of potential upgrades.
This objective knowledge provides a solid foundation for negotiation.
It allows me to identify when a price should be negotiated — and when it should not.
Because I follow the market daily and work closely with real estate professionals, I can recognise properties that already offer good value for money.
In such cases, pushing the price too low could lead to losing the opportunity altogether.
Many buyers miss out on excellent properties simply because they bid too low on one of the first homes they visit, not realising how rare it is.
A property finder helps avoid these costly mistakes.
Do You Propose Properties Listed by Agencies or Private Individuals ?
I do not limit my search to one category of seller.
I work with both real estate agencies and private individuals, depending on where the most relevant opportunities can be found.
My objective is simple: to identify the best property available within your criteria and to secure it under the right conditions — usually within a three-month timeframe.
Because the Nice market is competitive and good-value properties are rare, I monitor all sources carefully.
This includes agency listings, private advertisements, and off-market opportunities.
I also conduct targeted mailings several times a year to identify properties that may not yet be publicly advertised.
In practice, most of the properties I present come from agencies or co-exclusive mandates.
These are often the most reliable sources for well-priced and well-located homes.
It is uncommon for a property I select to be advertised by more than two or three agencies, as I prioritise listings that are consistent, credible and aligned with the market.
Whether the seller is an individual or an agency, my role remains the same:
to identify the right property and guide you through the purchase with accuracy and efficiency.
A Hunter, a Consultant… or Just a Middleman ?
A property finder is not a middleman.
I work exclusively for the buyer, and my role is to protect your interests — not to promote a particular seller, developer or agency.
I assist many international investors as well as clients looking for a primary residence or a second home.
My short- and long-term interest is not to sell an overpriced property or a home that does not meet expectations. Doing so would compromise both your project and my credibility.
My reputation depends on full transparency.
Nice is a large city but operates very much like a village — information circulates quickly, and trust is essential.
For this reason, I have no interest in hiding potential issues or recommending properties that may cause problems later.
Because I work only under exclusive search mandates, I can remain fully objective.
This allows me to advise clients not to buy when risks are identified, or when waiting a little longer would lead to a better opportunity.
Exclusivity ensures that I never push a client towards a property simply to complete a transaction.
My mission is complete only when you are fully satisfied — not just at the notary’s office, but also during the months that follow, especially if renovation work is required.
I often monitor projects, visit sites and ensure that everything progresses as planned.
A property finder is therefore a trusted advisor, a market expert, and a dedicated representative — not a middleman.