Why We’re Not Order Takers—and Why That Matters More Than You Think

Let me tell you something you may not expect: We are not here to do what you ask.

That may sound strange—especially in a world where the “customer is always right.” But when it comes to moving to France, following your instincts blindly can lead you straight into disappointment, wasted money, and sometimes even regret.

That’s exactly why we insist on a consultation first.

YOU DON’T KNOW WHAT YOU DON’T KNOW

After more than 25 years of helping North Americans make the leap to France, I can tell you this with certainty: What you think you want—and what will actually work—are often two very different things.

And that’s where we come in.

Anyone can take your instructions and run with them. Plenty of agents, brokers, and relocation firms will happily do just that—as long as you’re paying. But that’s not advice. That’s order-taking.

A REAL-LIFE EXAMPLE (from just this week)

I recently met with a family—three generations on a Zoom call—helping their 80-year-old mother plan her move to France. Right from the start, she said something that struck me:

“My kids don’t trust me to get it right.”

They had been researching assisted living facilities—outside the city center.

So I asked the obvious questions: Why? Was she immobile? Did she have serious cognitive issues?

No. She uses a cane occasionally. She has a bit of vertigo now and then. In other words—she’s like a lot of us. And yet, they were preparing to place her in what I could only see as a kind of premature confinement.

THE AMERICAN DEFAULT VS. THE FRENCH REALITY

It didn’t take long to understand what was happening. They were thinking like Americans. In the U.S., independence often depends on one thing: your ability to drive. Take that away, and options shrink dramatically. But in France—especially in a city like Paris—that equation changes completely.

I explained:

• Public transportation is everywhere
• Groceries can be delivered
• Doctors, pharmacies, and services are steps away
• Social life is built into the fabric of the city, the neighborhood and the American community

And then I told them something very real:

A 103-year-old woman lives alone next door to my daughter. She has help from social services daily. Her family visits. And she’s living her life—on her terms. So why shouldn’t an 80-year-old do the same?

You could feel the energy change.

The mother relaxed. The family began to see it differently. By the end of the consultation, they understood:

Start with independence. Adjust later if necessary. Not the other way around.

THIS IS WHAT WE ACTUALLY DO

That conversation is exactly why we do what we do. We don’t just help you find a property.

We help you:

• Rethink your assumptions
• Avoid costly mistakes
• Design a life that actually works in France

And yes—sometimes that means telling you something you weren’t expecting to hear. Because the truth matters more than being agreeable. Nine times out of ten, we end up redirecting clients completely—sometimes 180 degrees.

Not because they’re wrong…but because they’re seeing France through a lens that doesn’t apply here.

That single conversation can save you:

• Months of frustration
• Thousands (or more) in mistakes
• And a version of life in France that doesn’t live up to your dream

And here’s the good news. If you’re planning to purchase a property, your consultation fee is credited toward your search.

If you’re looking for a long-term rental ,40% to 60% is credited toward your search fee.

So in reality, you’re not losing anything—you’re gaining clarity, direction, and a strategy that works.

YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR

There are plenty of people out there offering “help.”

But very few who will:

• Challenge your assumptions
• Tell you the truth
• Guide you based on decades of real, on-the-ground experience

That’s the difference. And that’s why every single consultation client—without exception—walks away saying the same thing: “I see everything differently now.”

We offer sessions daily in the late afternoon to accommodate U.S. time zones:’

• At the beginning of your journey? Book with Patty or me

• Further along and focused on rentals? Jay Corless is your expert.

Ready to get it right from the start? You can book your consultation now!

A la prochaine…