We assist you to fulfil your aspirations
We do not sell property, only our service
We operate in South of France and Monaco. We do not sell property, only our service: helping buyers find what they want, ensuring they pay the right price and protecting their interests throughout the transaction. We developed and nurtured an unrivalled network of the best professionals in the industry. We bring talent, insight, discernment, judgement and good old fashioned ‘common sense’ to property acquisition. That’s what we mean by intelligence.
Independent
Impartial
We are objective and non-judgemental. Our advice is honest and unbiased.
Straightforward
We are candid with our professional opinions and will not overlook inconvenient truths.
Discreet
Nigel Hindle
As co-founder of the company, Nigel has been involved in French property acquisition for more than 20 years. He firmly believes that the buying process should be managed with minimum fuss and maximum expertise as far as clients are concerned. Negotiation, valuation, quiet determination and comprehensive market knowledge are his trademarks. As a longstanding Francophile, Nigel relishes helping clients find their own ‘corner’ of France and he has an uncanny knack of achieving that aim.
Catherine Gondon
As a qualified Expert Immobilier (Valuer) and having over 20 years experience in the real estate business Catherine has exceptional market knowledge and a nose for finding outstanding properties. Catherine’s empathetic approach and her ability to quickly understand clients’ needs by listening to them carefully gives our clients confidence they are in good hands. Catherine does not hang back when advising clients and will be brutally honest in her assessments especially if a property might be detrimental to the client’s best interests.
Stuart Baldock
As co-founder and one of the most experienced property professionals in France, where he has lived most of his life, Stuart is the person you would want at your side when matters get complicated – and they very often do! After graduating from Balliol College, Oxford, Stuart studied French law and économie politique at Nice University. He is a French citizen and holds the qualifications required as a property professional in France. His depth of knowledge and understanding of the system are frankly, quite extraordinary. His skills in matters of French administration are best in class.
First things first
Wherever you consider buying, and consider our involvement in the process, our first priority is to spend time with you discussing the market, the legal, financial and fiscal implications, and understanding your brief. We then start our tried and tested process outlined below.
The Shortlist
We’ll personally select and pre-view every property which might be of interest and which you need to be aware of. We prepare short-lists with commentaries and the first itinerary is put together after further consultations with you. You’ll have details of everything before we set off, with descriptions, photographs and location plans – and our comments, positive and negative. Our viewings are planned with military precision and common sense. We try to make them fun, too!
A SUITABLE PROPERTY IDENTIFIED
TRANSACTION AGREED
We draft a written offer to comply with French law and protect your interests. We advise in the choice of Notary and introduce you to tax and legal advisors if required. We monitor progress with the Notary, where necessary requesting modifications in draft contracts, explain contracts and other paperwork to you, including diagnostic reports. We can help you put insurance in place. You may require advice from an architect or a planning advisor; again, we can help. If you decide to buy through a French company structure we can, by arrangement, manage it for you.
Exchange & Completion
We’ll be there to assist at handover and with insurance, utilities and everything else. We do all we can to make your experience positive and pleasant both before, during and after your purchase.
Confidentiality
It should also go without saying that we are extremely attentive to confidentiality. We never discuss our clients, nor the properties they buy. We have acted for Heads of State, CEO’s of some of the world’s most high-profile companies, for individuals and families who are constantly in the public eye, as well as the obsessively discreet.
Market Insights
Various artcicles we publish about the state of the market in general and France & Monaco in particular
Spotlight on Monaco and Geneva
2024 is set to be a year of high stakes elections around the world, continuing warfare and strife, encouraging some UHNW families to consider safe havens for their residency. What are the respective merits of the Geneva and Monaco residential property markets?
To Rub or to Wring?
It seems only moments ago, yet last January, with our usual cautiously optimistic but pragmatic and reasoned approach, we wished and hoped for a "no Catch 22" new year. Well, it turned out there were some catches after all. We failed, along with many, to foresee...
CATCH 22
In "Sheer Terror", our blog published in April 2020, we did not have the confidence of the visionary. It would have been a brave prophet who foretold the future in the midst of the pandemic pandemonium. Yes, we wondered if confinement would last another three weeks,...
Spotlight on Monaco and Geneva
2024 is set to be a year of high stakes elections around the world, continuing warfare and strife, encouraging some UHNW families to consider safe havens for their residency. What are the respective merits of the Geneva and Monaco residential property markets?
To Rub or to Wring?
It seems only moments ago, yet last January, with our usual cautiously optimistic but pragmatic and reasoned approach, we wished and hoped for a "no Catch 22" new year. Well, it turned out there were some catches after all. We failed, along with many, to foresee...
CATCH 22
In "Sheer Terror", our blog published in April 2020, we did not have the confidence of the visionary. It would have been a brave prophet who foretold the future in the midst of the pandemic pandemonium. Yes, we wondered if confinement would last another three weeks,...
Emotional Rescue
The New Year is a traditional moment for businesses to send out a message, to their friends, their clients and to those who, they hope, will become clients in the future. It’s one of those things that has to be done and we are no different. These messages usually...