Real Estate Testimonials

Purchasing a property in France is both a daunting and potentially complicated process, even more so when you are not a resident. While it was not mandatory to hire our own lawyer, hiring Indra as our conveyance lawyer proved to be invaluable. Buying a property in France can be a long and arduous process, as it requires engaging with a great deal of French bureaucracy which can be frustratingly convoluted.

Indra guided us through the whole process, advising us through each stage and ensuring that we were always informed about what to expect, what was required of us, and importantly, what was not required. Having her on our side made us feel as though we always had someone working for us who had our interests at heart. For example, as foreigners buying a property in France, we were at a distinct disadvantage, especially since the local notaire was close to the sellers and did not communicate to us in English. But with Indra on our side, the process was much easier. For anyone looking to buy a property, and especially a property in the countryside, I would strongly advise them to hire Indra if they can.

Buying a property in a foreign country is exciting, but navigating the legal process in an unfamiliar system can be daunting. Due diligence before purchasing is essential—otherwise, your dream home could quickly become a nightmare.

In France, you cannot rely solely on a Notaire, as their role is primarily administrative: registering the sale at the land registry and collecting taxes on behalf of the government. They do not specifically represent the buyer's interests.

It is therefore vital to appoint a French lawyer who is both competent and attuned to the needs of international clients. I have worked with Indra Balassoupramaniane for over ten years, and the experience has been nothing but positive. She is professional, thorough, and considerate.

It is of paramount importance to engage a knowledgeable French property lawyer at the very outset of searching for and purchasing a property in France. In our experience, a French Notaire alone will not suffice—a lesson we learned to our detriment.

We met Indra Balassoupramaniane almost fifteen years ago, after we had already purchased a French property without consulting an independent lawyer. Very early on, the purchase began to raise complicated and financially draining issues, despite the involvement of a Notaire.

As we were not familiar with French law, we needed someone who not only understood property acquisition by overseas buyers but who could also communicate clearly in English. Indra met all those needs. From our first meeting, she gave us confidence through her thoughtful analysis of our case and her ability to identify key discrepancies immediately.

Throughout our long journey, Indra has proven to be honest, empathetic, and tenacious in her pursuit of justice for her clients and has represented us with integrity, reassuring us that she would leave no stone unturned in this long and arduous, life-changing challenge.

I have retained Indra's legal advice for over ten years and found it extremely beneficial to work with a lawyer possessing in-depth knowledge of the French property market and expertise in French property law. The service I received was highly professional and meticulous in examining contracts—an area where I had no prior knowledge—which gave me the confidence to proceed.

I have no hesitation in recommending Indra to anyone considering buying property in France. It can be a difficult process but having someone with such in-depth knowledge certainly takes the worry out of it. Indra always works in the best interests of her clients—a major factor when seeking trustworthy expertise.

We worked with Indra and her team when we were looking to buy a holiday property in France in 2016. We had no idea about the buying process or the legal implications of purchasing a home there.

Indra was able to explain everything clearly in English and assist us at each stage of the purchase. She was always available when we needed her and brought a calm approach to what could have been a stressful situation.

We also took her advice on how to structure our legal affairs to minimize the impact of French inheritance law—a recommendation that proved invaluable when my husband passed away a few years later. The subsequent sale of the property was far more straightforward, which was a great comfort during a difficult time. We found Indra's advice invaluable.

Working with Indra on the purchase of our property in St. Martin was invaluable. Her sound advice, knowledgeable approach, and experience in the complex international real estate market were evident at every turn. She truly gave us peace of mind throughout the entire process.

For any international buyer, I cannot stress this enough: the guidance we received made all the difference—particularly her strong recommendation to involve a French lawyer at the start of the process, in addition to the mandated Notaire. As non-residents navigating the French legal system, having an independent lawyer on our side from the outset provided an essential layer of protection and clarity. Her early legal guidance streamlined the purchase and ensured we understood every risk and clause.

I would absolutely recommend Indra to anyone looking to purchase property in the Caribbean (French territory) or any jurisdiction requiring specialized international expertise.

Indra assisted us with our holiday home purchase back in 2015—our first French family adventure. What a country! We fell in love instantly. My wife and children immediately wanted to investigate purchasing a holiday home. A major hurdle was our lack of language skills and understanding of French law. Fortunately, we found Indra!

She guided us through every step of the way, taking the stress out of dealing with paperwork we didn't understand, and ultimately helping us complete the purchase. We couldn't be more thankful for her support throughout. Her calmness and complete understanding of the process were superb.

Thanks to Indra—we still have our family holiday home in Montalivet-les-Bains.