FULL TESTIMONIALS
Christian Saint Barthelemy
"My wife and I had a hard time finding a house in the inland area of the Alpes Maritimes, which we knew very little about. Fortunately, we met Alistair, whose knowledge of the area and extensive real estate experience helped us a great deal. He quickly understood what kind of house and environment we were looking for, and quickly selected the houses that were likely to match our requirements. Thanks to him, we saved precious time and avoided a series of unnecessary visits. His assistance in negotiating the purchase was also very effective, and we were able to proceed with peace of mind. We would not hesitate to recommend him to anyone looking for a property."
Nicholas Poynder Shanghai, China
"Alistair skilfully navigated us through the whole process of buying and renting out a house in the South of France. From selecting properties for us to view, negotiating sale terms, dealing with notarisation and payment to finding a company to arrange holiday rentals, the service he provided us with was first class and excellent value for money. We would not hesitate to recommend him to anyone attempting the same thing."
Marnie US California
"Alistair worked tirelessly to help me navigate the mysterious world of French residential real estate. I was slightly nervous about buying a house as a newcomer to France but couldn't be happier now that I'm staring out my window at a sunny, peaceful view. I really love my house!
Alistair translated what I wanted into where I've ended up. Not only was he fluent in French and in the unusual process) but he dealt with everyone from sellers, agents, the notaire, my bank, insurance agents, and even potential resources for work I planned for after the purchase. We explored many homes and neighborhoods in and around Lorgues (after a long discussion to be sure that was where I wanted to be) and I ended up 2 km from downtown but in a super peaceful, pastoral, country setting. I would never have survived the bureaucratic (and emotional) process without Alistair's help.
I have some friends who are contemplating a similar purchase and I've already introduced them to Alistair. I wouldn't hesitate to do the same for anyone.
Misleading advertising and a somewhat arcane system mean purchasing French real estate can leave foreign buyers at a big disadvantage. Smartfinder is a very good solution for the problem."
Alistair translated what I wanted into where I've ended up. Not only was he fluent in French and in the unusual process) but he dealt with everyone from sellers, agents, the notaire, my bank, insurance agents, and even potential resources for work I planned for after the purchase. We explored many homes and neighborhoods in and around Lorgues (after a long discussion to be sure that was where I wanted to be) and I ended up 2 km from downtown but in a super peaceful, pastoral, country setting. I would never have survived the bureaucratic (and emotional) process without Alistair's help.
I have some friends who are contemplating a similar purchase and I've already introduced them to Alistair. I wouldn't hesitate to do the same for anyone.
Misleading advertising and a somewhat arcane system mean purchasing French real estate can leave foreign buyers at a big disadvantage. Smartfinder is a very good solution for the problem."
Chris and Alison UK
"Absolutely delighted with Alistair. He listened to us and produced a number of possibilities (even then, we must have looked at around 20 with him). He finally tipped us off about one which hadn’t even yet been advertised. It has turned out to be absolutely marvellous and just what we were looking for. He knows the area, he knows the culture, he knows what’s what and is a pleasure to deal with. After a total of five years in the area we have heard a large number of horror stories about buying houses, and the help of someone like Alistair is highly recommended. He also helped with the legal complexities of purchasing. Highly recommended!."
Claire Randall UK
"I was extremely daunted at the prospect of buying a property in France but from start to finish Alistair made the process understandable and simple. I had been going directly to estate agents but found this confusing, time consuming and difficult.
I decided to use Alistair to simplify the process. I gave him my requirements and he then did all the hard work of finding suitable properties. Within a short space of time he found my dream home and I moved to France !
- He was always available when I needed to ask questions and for his advice.
- He dealt with the property agents and notaire for me throughout the buying process, alleviating much of the stress !
- He has also supported me after the sales process, answering queries, and contacting agents or notaires if required. Alistair has given me advice and help on so much more than buying properties in France and I am eternally grateful for that.
I have now used Alistair for 3 property purchases in the Var and in Cannes and would use him again in a heartbeat.
I thoroughly recommend him for his expertise and knowledge of the property market. He is personable and professional and has always gone above and beyond what is expected of him"
I decided to use Alistair to simplify the process. I gave him my requirements and he then did all the hard work of finding suitable properties. Within a short space of time he found my dream home and I moved to France !
- He was always available when I needed to ask questions and for his advice.
- He dealt with the property agents and notaire for me throughout the buying process, alleviating much of the stress !
- He has also supported me after the sales process, answering queries, and contacting agents or notaires if required. Alistair has given me advice and help on so much more than buying properties in France and I am eternally grateful for that.
I have now used Alistair for 3 property purchases in the Var and in Cannes and would use him again in a heartbeat.
I thoroughly recommend him for his expertise and knowledge of the property market. He is personable and professional and has always gone above and beyond what is expected of him"
Michael Germany
"The services provided by SmartFinder Home were as great as one can only imagine.
Right at the beginning I was asked to give my ideal desired property in every detail.
Then over time I received a "long list" of around 40 proposals to my key specifications.
From that I selected the "short list" of the top 10 properties and the visits were planned with Mr. Alistair Phillips assisting in person to the visits on site. All appointments were well organized and competent agents of the sellers were available for queries of any kind.
Having decided for one of those properties, SmartFinder Home actively supported the negotiations with the seller, working in my interest and an acceptable discount was negotiated and practical advice given on the purchase process. I was accompanied by Mr. Alistair Phillips personally to all meetings with the notaire and I was pleased to get again his advice in that process.
Most appreciable was the after sales services, obtaining the right contacts to register for water, electricity, and Internet subscriptions. Highly recommended, in particular for a foreigner in France, who's knowledge of the local circumstances and language are minor."
Right at the beginning I was asked to give my ideal desired property in every detail.
Then over time I received a "long list" of around 40 proposals to my key specifications.
From that I selected the "short list" of the top 10 properties and the visits were planned with Mr. Alistair Phillips assisting in person to the visits on site. All appointments were well organized and competent agents of the sellers were available for queries of any kind.
Having decided for one of those properties, SmartFinder Home actively supported the negotiations with the seller, working in my interest and an acceptable discount was negotiated and practical advice given on the purchase process. I was accompanied by Mr. Alistair Phillips personally to all meetings with the notaire and I was pleased to get again his advice in that process.
Most appreciable was the after sales services, obtaining the right contacts to register for water, electricity, and Internet subscriptions. Highly recommended, in particular for a foreigner in France, who's knowledge of the local circumstances and language are minor."
Fiona Jones Scotland
"I can’t thank Alistair enough for helping me to find a house to buy in Provence! He calmly guided me through every stage of the process, but did so much more. I knew roughly what area I was looking at, and had some essential requirements in terms of size, location and amenities. Based on those, Alistair assembled a long list of properties, and pre-visited quite a few. In discussion with him, we whittled the list down to a short list of 8, and he arranged for me to see all 8 over a period of 2 days. He accompanied me to each property, helping with questions to the sellers and their agents, and pointing out features I would not have picked up on myself. The process from then on seemed at first somewhat daunting, but I need not have worried. Again, Alistair helped with each stage. I am now the delighted owner of a house in Provence, just as I had wished. Friends who did not use the services of a housefinder like Alistair when they bought in Provence were amazed at the speed and ease with which I found and acquired a house. Their comment was that it took them 4 years to do what I had done in the space of 4 months. Alistair’s expertise and assistance were vital to me, and it has been a great pleasure dealing with him."
Francine and Jean-Michel Switzerland
"After going through several agencies, made several visits but never conclusive, we ended up working with Mr. Phillips.
After the first set of visits, he quickly identified our needs, our desires. He accompanied us in all the administrative procedures. Not being there, he made it easy for us and he found our "HOME SWEET HOME" very quickly. I can only thank him for all the work he has done with his team, his hours spent with us, emails, phone contacts and always listening to our doubts, our concerns. He deserves the medal of kindness and helpfulness among real estate agents."
After the first set of visits, he quickly identified our needs, our desires. He accompanied us in all the administrative procedures. Not being there, he made it easy for us and he found our "HOME SWEET HOME" very quickly. I can only thank him for all the work he has done with his team, his hours spent with us, emails, phone contacts and always listening to our doubts, our concerns. He deserves the medal of kindness and helpfulness among real estate agents."
Colleen Hamilton UK
"I would just like to say how pleased we were that we used Smartfinder to help us find our home. Alistair did everything possible to make things go smoothly from negotiating the price to translations. It would have been very difficult for us to arrange all the viewings from the other side of France.
Even after the sale was completed he has continued to assist with builders etc.
We would thoroughly recommend people to use this service even if, like us, they have previous experience in buying French property. Once again, many thanks to Alistair and Smartfinder."
Even after the sale was completed he has continued to assist with builders etc.
We would thoroughly recommend people to use this service even if, like us, they have previous experience in buying French property. Once again, many thanks to Alistair and Smartfinder."
Pierre Sauser Switzerland
"I contacted Smartfinder Home to find an apartment in the Gulf of St Tropez, being myself in real estate in Switzerland, I did not want to run after agencies.
So I gave my criteria to Mr. Phillips, we made several visits and he found the right home for us.
Mr. Phillips took care of everything - he advised us, accompanied to the notary and sacrificed his time to finalize the sale.
I can only recommend Mr. Phillips' services for his professionalism, availability and kindness."
So I gave my criteria to Mr. Phillips, we made several visits and he found the right home for us.
Mr. Phillips took care of everything - he advised us, accompanied to the notary and sacrificed his time to finalize the sale.
I can only recommend Mr. Phillips' services for his professionalism, availability and kindness."
Daniel Mannerie Belgium
"When I started to look for a second home in Provence, I quickly realized that it would be difficult, very difficult. I live in Belgium and Provence is located more than 1,000 kilometers. It is not possible to move several times and it is unthinkable "to buy a pig in a poke" ...
The majority of advertisements shown by real estate agencies are not accurate and only show the good side of things. The reality is quite different! When you think you have found the right house, often the property that caught your attention is for sale with other agencies and is sometimes sold already. But more often it does not really correspond to what you want.
I had sent out a a wish list,to a very large number of agencies and dozens of houses were sent to me and did not correspond at all to the idea that I had of my second home,. which was huge a waste of time.
One day I received an email from someone intending to look for me locally, checking on the ground while defending my interests: it was from Alistair Phillips.
Initially wary, I had never heard of "property hunters," I trusted him and now 2 months later, the offer on my second home in Provence is signed.
I can only thank the chance that I had to be in contact with Smart Finder Home represented by Alistair Phillips. He understood my request, sought what I wanted, and found the house I just bought at the desired price, which is also very important.
If you do not believe me, just contact me and I will confirm what I just wrote today."
The majority of advertisements shown by real estate agencies are not accurate and only show the good side of things. The reality is quite different! When you think you have found the right house, often the property that caught your attention is for sale with other agencies and is sometimes sold already. But more often it does not really correspond to what you want.
I had sent out a a wish list,to a very large number of agencies and dozens of houses were sent to me and did not correspond at all to the idea that I had of my second home,. which was huge a waste of time.
One day I received an email from someone intending to look for me locally, checking on the ground while defending my interests: it was from Alistair Phillips.
Initially wary, I had never heard of "property hunters," I trusted him and now 2 months later, the offer on my second home in Provence is signed.
I can only thank the chance that I had to be in contact with Smart Finder Home represented by Alistair Phillips. He understood my request, sought what I wanted, and found the house I just bought at the desired price, which is also very important.
If you do not believe me, just contact me and I will confirm what I just wrote today."
Andreea E. Singapore
"Buying a property in France as a foreigner is not always the easiest thing to do. Luckily, just in time, we discovered Alistair who was able to assist us professionally in various ways through the entire purchasing process.
As a buyer, you would like to have someone reliable on the ground who understands better the local culture and definitely a person you can trust to look after your interests.
At the time we met Alistair we were looking to find the property for over a year. We did a lot of research by ourselves online, but once we were going to visit a place the reality was completely different to the pictures. By working with Alistair we reduced the number of exploratory trips to France and in this way helped us save money and it also speeded up the search.
We started from a list of over 60 properties and then this list was reduced to a few which were visited by Alistair and then the list reduce further again to included only the ones which were worth to be visited by us. We would not get into all the details and difficulties we faced during our purchase, because that did not seem to be the usual process and perhaps we were also a bit unlucky when it comes to the other parties involved in the deal, but now looking back what it was the most important for us was having Alistair who was someone on our side doing a good job, but not just because he was getting paid for doing this, but because it was his way of being and going the extra mile, a person who was trustworthy and acting in our best interest.
There were many times when we wanted to give up buying a property in France due to the difficulties encountered, however we were happy that with Alistair's support we kept our interest in buying and we did manage to get in the end a very nice place we fully enjoy. We consider Alistair now to be more like a friend than an agent, whom we would be happy to recommend to anyone considering buying a property in South of France."
As a buyer, you would like to have someone reliable on the ground who understands better the local culture and definitely a person you can trust to look after your interests.
At the time we met Alistair we were looking to find the property for over a year. We did a lot of research by ourselves online, but once we were going to visit a place the reality was completely different to the pictures. By working with Alistair we reduced the number of exploratory trips to France and in this way helped us save money and it also speeded up the search.
We started from a list of over 60 properties and then this list was reduced to a few which were visited by Alistair and then the list reduce further again to included only the ones which were worth to be visited by us. We would not get into all the details and difficulties we faced during our purchase, because that did not seem to be the usual process and perhaps we were also a bit unlucky when it comes to the other parties involved in the deal, but now looking back what it was the most important for us was having Alistair who was someone on our side doing a good job, but not just because he was getting paid for doing this, but because it was his way of being and going the extra mile, a person who was trustworthy and acting in our best interest.
There were many times when we wanted to give up buying a property in France due to the difficulties encountered, however we were happy that with Alistair's support we kept our interest in buying and we did manage to get in the end a very nice place we fully enjoy. We consider Alistair now to be more like a friend than an agent, whom we would be happy to recommend to anyone considering buying a property in South of France."
