Mortgage broker for expatriates and non-residents in France.

In France, real estate brokerage is a regulated profession. A mortgage brokerage agreement is a success-based contract: the broker is paid by the client upon securing financing, at the time of signing with the notary. No fee is due if the transaction does not go through. This principle also applies to borrower insurance brokerage. Fees are set in advance, in writing, and agreed upon before any steps are taken. They vary depending on the complexity of the case: expatriate status, income in foreign currency, non-resident tax status, or rental investment from abroad. No hidden fees, no obligation. A complimentary 30-minute consultation allows you to present your project and understand how I can assist you.

French banks generally require a minimum down payment of 20% of the purchase price for non-residents, compared to an average of 10% for residents. Some institutions require as much as 30%, particularly when income is in foreign currency or the tax situation is complex. This down payment should ideally cover notary fees (between 7% and 8% for existing homes, 2% to 3% for new construction) and a portion of the property’s price. A higher down payment significantly improves your chances of securing a loan and the terms you can negotiate. This is one of the first points I discuss with you to realistically assess your project.

Yes, French banks can take foreign-currency income into account, including U.S. or Canadian dollars, British pounds, Swiss francs, and Australian dollars, among others. However, they generally apply a 15% to 25% cut to this income to cover exchange-rate risk. Not all banks are the same depending on your country of residence and the currency in question: some are significantly more open to this than others. My role is precisely to identify the banks best suited to your profile and to present your application in a way that maximizes your chances of securing financing on favorable terms.

A typical application package generally includes: your last three pay stubs or proof of income (translated if necessary), your last two French and/or foreign tax notices, bank statements for the last three months, proof of residence in your current country, your employment contract, and, if possible, a statement of assets. The translation and legalization of certain documents may take time, depending on your country of residence. That is why I discuss these requirements with you from the outset, to avoid any delays when it comes time to arrange financing.

From the initial contact to signing at the notary’s office, the process takes an average of 3 to 4 months for an international client. The phase of preparing and submitting the application to the bank generally takes 2 to 4 weeks, followed by a bank review period of 2 to 6 weeks, depending on the institution. Once the loan offer is issued, the law requires a 10-day cooling-off period before acceptance. For expatriates or non-residents, preparing the necessary documents in advance is crucial to avoid slowing down the process. That’s why I recommend contacting me as early as possible in your project.