Is there MLS in France? Does the Multiple Listing Service system exist in France?
One of your top first time buyer in France questions just may be the following: Is there MLS in France?
You’re a potential buyer looking exploring the idea of purchasing your dream home in France… Perhaps, you’re starting your property research in France and want to get familiar with the property prices and types. Or, perhaps you’ve been looking online for a while and want to get a handle on what the best website and source is for property listings in France. Maybe, you’re even at the stage of planning your viewing trip to France and want to know what new properties are on market.
*** TOP AMERICAN BUYER QUESTION *** I want to buy my dream home in France! How do I find it? When it comes to buying property in France, is there MLS in France like there is in the US?
DO ANY OF THE BELOW SOUND FAMILIAR? TOP AMERICAN BUYER QUESTIONS TO UNDERSTAND THE FRENCH REAL ESTATE MARKET:
Is there MLS in France?
Does France have the MLS system like we have in the US?
Does Multiple Listing Service exist in France?
Do French brokers have MLS?
Do French real estate agencies have Multiple Listing Service?
Does MLS exist in France
Are any of those questions * YOU * ?
If yes then read on for our * EXPERT ADVICE* !
*** OUR EXPERT ADVICE TO AMERICAN BUYERS LOOKING FOR PROPERTIES IN FRANCE *** France plays by its own rules! The answer... is NO! There is no MLS like there is in the US! This is certainly one of the critical and surprising differences for many of our American clients - to find out that no, France does not have a Multiple Listing Service (MLS) system like we're used to in the US. The reasons for this are numerous and historic.
We can anticipate your next question, possibly, and NO… we certainly don't see this changing any time soon! There have been rumblings in the past in the French real estate market of introducing an MLS style system and previous attempts and discussions have not move forward. While the MLS system in the USA certainly does have its advantages and benefits, it does have its setbacks. And certainly, in France tradition and history are highly regarded and introducing a MLS-type system which would not only change the market dynamics but also the rules of play would be quite controversial. That’s a fact! And we don’t see that happening any time soon!
So rather than focusing on the why of why there is no MLS or wasting energy trying to predict if at some point an MLS system will be introduced in France, let's focus the way the French real estate market works now - there is no MLS. And what does this mean for YOU as a potential buyer looking to purchase property in France.
“France does not have a Multiple Listing Service (MLS) system like we’re used to in the US. And, we certainly don’t see this changing any time soon! ”
France's lack of MLS for property sales creates some significant differences in how properties are listed and sold, especially compared to the US.
This means that:
(1) properties can be listed with multiple agencies simultaneously
(2) often, agencies only shows their own listings and not those of other agencies
(3) there is no centralized database of all available properties
(4) sometimes, the same property might be listed at different prices with different agencies (yes, we've seen this!)
(5) often, French real estate agents don't share commissions or easily cooperate like in the US
This lack of MLS system certainly does make things a bit more complicated and confusing for most American buyers.
It also means that the process of finding a property can seem more time consuming and overwhelming than in the US. All true! It does also underline the fact that it pays to do their own homework and research and get educated on purchasing property in France before taking the plunge!
Want to get more knowledgeable about purchasing property in France? Then connect us for expert advice and tips! Have specific questions? Let us know!
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