FV 096 : (Part 1) Buying Real Estate in France

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Matthieu Lliboutry may be the most friendly, fun and passionate real estate agent you'd ever meet! I've discovered him some time ago on one of my favourite French reality TV programme, "Chasseurs d'Appart' ", where three real estate agents compete to find candidates their dream home or apartment. Matthieu has regular appearances in the show, mainly in episodes based in the Bordeaux area, and had always struck me for his great personality and professionalism. I decided to try my luck and reach out to him to invite him on an episode for French Voices and was so happy he accepted straight away! We ended up talking for a little while, so the conversation will be over 2 episodes.

In today's episode, you'll learn how Matthieu became a real estate agent. We're also talking about the negative image associated to the real estate world: are agents just sharks looking for your money? Matthieu is passionate about certain types of buildings / architecture: which ones and why is that?

You'll find out more about who was "le Baron Haussman" and his legacy regarding the layout of cities like Paris as well as how lifestyle influences the layout of a building's interior. Discover what the traditional houses from Bordeaux are called and what their characteristic features are.

Parisians, foreigners : who is interested in buying a property in the Bordeaux region?  Matthieu will brush up the typical profiles of investors.

Finally, how do you assess the value of a property? What are the different factors influencing the prices in real estate?

Listen to find out!

Vocab List

agglomération (nf) = conurbation, urban area

artère (nf) = artery (road)

avocat, e (n) = lawyer, counsel, solicitor

avoir le vent en poupe = to be riding high, to be on a roll

bordelais,e (n/adj) = from Bordeaux

carreau (nm) = tile, tiling

carrière (nf) = quarry

chambre de bonne (nf) = maid's room, garret room, attic room, shoebox

criminalité (nf) = crime levels, criminality

cursus (nm) = course, curriculum

échoppe (nf) = one-storey house ; small shop, boutique

enduit (nm) = primer ; coating

exposition (nf) = orientation, exposure

fiscal,e (adj) = fiscal, tax-related

hauteur sous plafond (nf) = ceiling height

ilot central (nm) = central island

immeuble (nm) = block of flats

immobilier (nm) = real estate

juridique (adj) = legal; judicial

mandataire (nm) = agent, fiduciary, authorised representative, attorney-in-fact

moulure (nf) = moulding

notaire (nm) = notary, solicitor, attorney

parquet (nm) = floor board

pécuniaire (adj) = financial, monetary ; pecuniary

plain-pied (nm) = single-storey dwelling

point de Hongrie (nm) = herringbone pattern

prestation (nf) = service

prisé,e (adj) = popular, sought

quasiment (adv) = almost, practically

ravalement (nm) = restoration (façade)

requin (nm) = shark

riverain,e (n) = local resident

ruelle (nf) = alleyway, lane, narrow street

Questions:

Why do you really need to be passionate to work in real estate?

About Haussman-style buildings: where was the kitchen usually located? Why was there a second entry door at the back?

Why should "la pierre de Bordeaux" (the stone from Bordeaux) left bare, i.e without painting or coating?

What are the main 2 economic sectors in Bordeaux?

Answers:

Passion leads the best agents: you have to work for countless hours (not always with a result) and have virtually no holiday/break.

The kitchen was located as far as possible from the living area (it was an undesirable room); the back door was an independent entry for the maid not to have to use the main entrance.