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Client testimonials
France Home Finance would like to thank you, our hundreds of loyal clients for your continued confidence.
Here’s what you have to say about our services:
"I am writing to express my gratitude with respect to the excellent service received from France Home Finance in helping me arrange two mortgages which enabled me to secure the purchase of two properties in France. The mortgages which you organised for me were cheaper than any others available and your professional advice is sincerely appreciated. As a director of a UK firm of Independent Financial Advisers with over 20 years of experience dealing in all aspects of finance, I can honestly say that the level of service which I experienced was, without question, “the best” that I have ever encountered. You were both efficient and accurate and my hand was firmly held throughout the entire process. To the individuals concerned (in particular Tahminae and Maral) I have nothing but praise for you. You are truly an inspiration. Thank you so much !"
Grant Buchanan, Director - Buchanan Johnston Flynn Limited
Belfast, Northern Ireland
"I have found France Home Finance mortgage company to be very thorough, professional at all times and most helpful with any queries that I had regarding the mortgage application process.
I was taken through the process in a clear, step by step manner. The gentleman that I had most dealings with, Max Hoffman, was most informative and courteous consistently in dealing with the business at hand. I have to say that I have no hesitation in recommending France Home Finance to anyone taking out a French Mortgage."
T H, Midlands, Ireland
Purchase of a Paris area leaseback, February 2008
"We recently completed a refinancing of the mortgage on our home in France with France Home Finance. During the several months of this project, we worked with Margaret Obenshain and want to relate to you the exceptional experience we had with Margaret and your company. Our original mortgage and construction loan for our home was in 2005 and was an absolute nightmare to accomplish, even though we worked with an intermediary similar to your company. Our ongoing experience with our lender was unbelievably poor. They directly paid our contractors during the construction and, in many instances, were late with payments. To this date we have never received detailed accounting of payments for each invoice. Our experience with Margaret couldn’t have been more pleasant and professional. She remained in close contact, delivered on time as promised and was extremely knowledgeable in all aspects of the transaction. We would absolutely recommend without hesitation the services of your company. We hope that you will give Margaret special attention and feedback for her excellent performance beyond expectations in handling our mortgage process."
"France Home Finance were recommended to us by our buying agent, Flat Hunter. France Home Finance were quickly able to provide us with guidance on the amount we could borrow and therefore afford to pay for an apartment in Paris. Lana very helpfully provided us with a range of loan options and then helped us choose the right one and complete all the documentation in a very efficient manner. Whilst we both speak French, being able to do all the paperwork in English made the process much easier for us to understand. Not only did Lana deal with the loan advance, but she also acted as a correspondent between the Bank, our Notary and Insurer, ensuring that everything came together at the same time so that there were no delays or complications with completion of the purchase. As a result of the excellent service provided by France Home Finance, we were able to conduct the whole purchase by email and through the post, without the need to return to Paris between that dates that we first viewed the apartment and completion."
Mr & Mrs Lewis, Sydney, Australia
Purchase of a Paris apartment, January 2008
"I have been delighted with France Home Finance. They offer an excellent service to customers. This is the first time I have applied for a mortgage in France and, without Lana and Maral at France Home Finance, the paperwork would have been very daunting indeed. The team at France Home Finance helped me with every stage of the process, from telling me which documents were required, and talking me through each step of the application, until the mortgage was in place. They also helped me with opening a bank account in France. The staff are very friendly and professional, and willing to answer questions on any part of the process, even after their official duties have ended. They show great care for detail and have a lot of patience, sending reminders (in the nicest possible way) when I had forgotten something. Their fee is much less than I would have expected, and is clearly stated at the outset.
I would have no hesitation in recommending France Home Finance to anyone thinking of applying for a mortgage in France, and will be using them again in the future."
D. Brown, UK
Purchase of a new build home in Bordeaux, December 2007
"The service we got from Tahminae and Maral at France Home Finance was absolutely crucial in buying our home in paris. They were extremely professional, punctual, thorough and patient. The difficulties they overcame and the money they saved us were especially impressive. Knowing what I know now about the process, I would NEVER recommend anyone attempt the journey without them. Thank you!"
M. Yonally, Goleta California USA
Purchase of a Paris apartment, December 2007
"We were looking for the best mortgage to suit the rental income vs. loan interest and a 10 year investment plan, so it had to be geared towards minimal capital outlay and potential taxation - we got what we wanted. We use a broker in UK so it was logical to do same in an unfamiliar foreign market - we are very glad that we did as obtaining a French mortgage is very demanding, compared to UK. France Home Finance came recommended and on our introductions, we liked what we heard. France Home Finance helped us on several occasions; including negotiating to retain a lower interest rate in a rising market and obtaining an extra 5% to reduce personal outlay. Also on the softer issues, France Home Finance is not only a mortgage broker but also a 'one-stop' place to assist with most of the things when encountering a French property purchase including translation of documents even those non mortgage related. Our advisor also interfaced with the property developer ensuring that the information required to and from the several parties was managed on time – it made our job a lot easier. We opted for the offer that suited our plan best. A high confidence in FHF comparing and negotiating for us meant that we did save significantly on capital outlay. Fundamentally, the process in getting there, having FHF do what they are good at, saved a tremendous amount of our own time - now that is worth a lot to us. Our advisor Tahminae Madani was a delight to deal and speak with. Never too busy or remote to help. Always replied within the same day and always with a smile!! A quality service and their fee is worth every euro. It would be a pleasure to do so again!"
Mike & Joy, Aberdeen Scotland
Purchase of a leaseback in St. Laurent, December 2007
"We recently bought a house in France, and were able to secure a mortgage with the help of France Home Finance. We originally sought out a French mortgage broker because we live in London, and knew that we would not be able to get back to France on a regular basis to contact banks ourselves. We also were not familiar with the French mortgage process, and preferred to work with someone who could advise as to the best mortgage possible. In addition, living in London, we pay a higher rent than in some other areas, and knew this could possibly present a problem when making an application for a mortgage. We corresponded with several different mortgage brokers, and found France Home Finance to be the most responsive and helpful. In addition, the purchase of our house in France was a long and complicated process, lasting nearly a year, and Max Hoffman worked with us during that time, coming back to us with new proposals as mortgage rates and offers changed over the year. In the end, he succeeded in getting us a very good deal, and we were most appreciative of the time and effort spent on our behalf. We would definitely recommend France Home Finance to anyone looking for a mortgage in France!"
The Arnolds, London UK
Purchase of a home in the southern France , December 2007
"This is our first venture into a foreign market so we did not really know what to expect nor how to go about it. However we did get what we felt was great service and good advice from our agent and that was the reason we chose yourselves over a bank. Their recommendation was enough as they needed to gain our trust early so we knew they were not going to give us poor information.
I feel we have done the right thing and that we got a much more personal service than a bank may have given. We certainly have had no concerns with the prompt and friendly communications between us. In fact, I feel more than justified in pursuing France Home Finance to handle our financial needs.
One of the most comforting factors we have appreciated is the conversion to English of all documentation and the easy to follow, step by step procedures provided to get us through to where we are. As well as the fact that you are aware we have little knowledge of your language and procedures and as such you have shown great understanding of our needs.
To date we find it hard to fault and certainly would have no problems giving our recommendations to any prospective clients you have."
The MacDonalds, Sauchen Scotland
Purchase of a leaseback in St. Laurent, December 2007
"We want to extend our sincere thanks to France Home Finance for helping us purchase our apartment in Paris in July 2007. Whether it was assisting us in finding our Notaire or providing advice on financing options we were treated as a valued customer. Lana Marrash was a true professional and was always there for us to provide answers and assurance. Her knowledge and patience will always be remembered as essential to the success of our acquisition. We recommend France Home Finance to anyone purchasing property in Paris. We could not have done this without them."
Roberta & Kurt Fraese, Seattle, Washington US
Purchase of a Paris apartment, December 2007
"Encore merci pour toute votre aide! Vous n'avez cesse que de démontrez un modèle exemplaire d’efficacité, de courtoisie et de professionnelle , qualités qui sont en train de devenir si rares ces temps ci en France… et dans beaucoup d'agences parisiennes. Je vous en suis extrêmement reconnaissante et espère avoir l’occasion de vous rencontrer un personne."
B. Keith, Irving Texas USA
After sales service for purchase of a Paris Apartment
"Thank you for all you help in getting our mortgage and assisting with all the other paperwork involved. I honestly don't know if we could have done it without your help, thank you!"
Michael & Jackie, Erskine UK
Purchase of a leaseback in Nimes, November 2007
"When my wife and I began to explore whether it would be possible to turn our long-cherished dream of owning a holiday home in Provence into a reality, one of the issues which I was most concerned about was how to go about obtaining a mortgage in France, as this is a process which is difficult enough when one is dealing with lenders in one's own country and in one's own language.
France Home Finance made a process which had previously filled me with foreboding incredibly easy. The personalised and highly attentive service we received was truly first class from our first contact with them right through to completion of our purchase and, indeed, beyond. They could not have worked harder in trying to find the best financing package for us, a fact which I was able to verify by benchmarking their proposals against offers from a number of alternative sources. I could not have been happier with the service we received from France Home Finance and the end result and I have no hesitation in warmly recommending France Home Finance to anyone considering purchasing property in France."
Mr Adebiyi, London UK
Purchase of a second home in Provence, September 2007
"France Home Finance made the process of obtaining a French mortgage as smooth as I could have hoped, particularly as it was my first experience. I was helped and guided every step of the way and would particularly like to thank Tahminae and Thomas who have been very helpful with any questions I have and translation issues throughout the past two years. "
Neil Turner, Birmingham England
Apartment owner in Chamrousse, comments in September 2007, two years after purchase
"This was our first property leaseback purchase in France and France Home Finance provided excellent support to us during the purchasing process including assistance with set up of a French bank account. Max and Thomas were always contactable by phone or email to answer our queries and help with any problem that arose. We continued to work closely together for the funds draw downs until the last payment was made. We would not hesitate to use them again and we recommend them to anyone considering financing the purchase of a French Property."
Grainne, Ireland
Purchase of a leaseback in Nimes, July 2007
"I was recommended FHF by an international property agency, and their assurance that the team would be totally professional and geared up to help English-speaking purchasers in France proved to be totally accurate. Max and his colleagues were patient and painstaking in ascertaining my needs and in explaining my options, and nothing was too much trouble. Always available at the end of the phone or via e-mail, my endless queries were promptly dealt with, and the very different process of property purchase made as straightforward as possible. When others involved seemed to be causing a delay, or I lacked information, Max was proactive in getting involved to smooth everything, not least my anxieties. Overall, I felt that I secured a good deal on a mortgage, with minimal effort on my part, and they ensured that all the paperwork and banking was in place to achieve a mortgage offer in a very short time. I do not think that I could have produced the same result on my own, making FHF’s fee money well-spent."
Howard, Bournemouth UK
Purchase of a leaseback in Cap d’Agde, June 2007
"I knew it was notoriously difficult to secure a mortgage in France. However, as a French expat living in New York, with a 30% down payment, substantial revenues and securities in my portfolio covering many times the value of the mortgage, I didn’t expect banks would demand such exorbitant conditions like converting part of my stocks into risk free investments for the duration and value of the mortgage. To say the least, that was quite a different policy from UK or US banks I was used to dealing with.
In comparison, France Home Finance made the whole process of buying property incredibly easier for my wife and I. As a specialised mortgage broker for foreigners and expats, they knew which financial institutions to pitch our project to. They bargained with them the best rates possible. At our request they negotiated special conditions such as waving early repayment penalty fees. And finally, they rushed up the whole process in the last few weeks to ensure the funds would arrive on time for the closing.
In fact, the whole process was so easy and painless that we eventually decided to buy not only one but two apartments in downtown Paris.
Dear France Home Finance, many thanks again for making it happen!"
David and Ruth, New York, New York USA
Purchase of 2 Paris apartments, June 2007
"I am French and understand the difficulties of French institutions. After spending 3 years trying to get French banks (including mine) to respond to me and consider my US income for a French real estate loan, I was fortunate to discover FHF on the web. It was like working with a US bank down the street...What an experience and so rare in France... They were extremely responsive and use e-mail… which was a big plus when residing overseas. They are fast, courteous, flexible and understand the experience of their clients. Not only did they find me a loan - actually many types of loans, but they also recommended to me a unique network of other competent and responsive professionals like them: notaire, currency brokers, contractors.... to make the whole process happen without surprises and delays. I have been recommending FHF to all my foreign and expatriate friends. If it was not for FHF I would not have filled my dream of owning a little Parisian pied a terre again."
Mme Pequignot, Irving, Texas US
Purchase of a Paris apartment, June 2007
"I was, needless to say, somewhat confused about how I was going to obtain a French Mortgage while living in Chicago. How was someone going to understand my tax forms? How would someone do a credit check on me from overseas? How could they verify my income? I was very concerned that the financing would not get done and that I would lose my deal. France Home Finance put my mind at ease and allowed me to enjoy the buying process. Tahminae Madani and her staff slowly walked me through the process at my pace and helped our Parisian real estate investment come true. They were very helpful from start to finish and even gave us a great referral for an apartment rental agency. I am very pleased and am happy to report that they are under priced."
Mark MacLeod, Chicago, Illinois USA
Purchase of a Paris apartment, May 2007
"We were delighted we chose France Home Finance to help us secure a mortgage on our French property. Without them this would not have been possible.
Buying a property in a foreign country can be a major task but getting a mortgage for that property can be impossible without the help of a reliable mortgage advisor.
France Home Finance was much more than just a mortgage advisor to us. They helped and guided us through the whole process of buying the property. The following is a short list of the facilities provided :
- Translation of documentation from French to English
- Setting up personal bank accounts
- Communications between us and the notaries, developer, banks & management company
- Advice on mortgages available and the one that suited us best
- Advice on French laws, which are quite different than Irish laws
- Continual assistance on the phone
France Home Finance made the process of buying in France easy and enjoyable for us. They turned what seemed like a daunting task at the beginning into a trouble free experience.
If in the future we decide to buy in France again, we will look no further than France Home Finance."
Nuala, Ireland
Purchase of a leaseback in Malakoff near Paris, May 2007
"Dear Max,
Throughout this all, I must say that you were the most efficient and pleasant part of it all, and I've mentioned this to a number of people already, especially the sellers who deal with Americans and other buyers. You really made the mortgage application process painless and you intervened where necessary. I'm pleased with the loan we finally got and would definitely use your services again and recommend you to others.
I can't thank you enough for all your assistance."
Patricia, Hawaii US
Purchase of a Paris apartment, April 2007
"As far as I was familiar with mortgages as a financial manager, I had no doubt that I could manage getting a mortgage in France on my own. I made one phone call to a bank in Paris and at a glance, I was sure I would have to find a specialist from France if I wanted to buy an apartment in Paris. Fortunately, I found France Home Finance and Lana Marrash. From our first meeting when they explained very precisely, the procedure to get a French mortgage I was quite overwhelmed.
As I said, I have a long experience in dealing with banks but that documentation process was completely unfamiliar to me! And that is not all, I’m a Croatian resident so all my documents are in Croatian and rather different than documents in France, which complicated the procedure more than one could imagine. But, Lana and Tahminae, with all their energy and dedication did “mission impossible”, and provided me with not only the solution – they provided the mortgage based on very favorable conditions and excellent service according every detail in process. I strongly recommend France Home Finance and I have to say that they are not only great professionals - they are great people, as well."
Gorana Tolj, Croatia
Purchase of a Paris apartment, March 2007
"Dear Lana:
It is indeed satisfying to have in hand a document attesting to our apartment purchase in Paris. After we were assured the wire transfer to notaire was completed on August 28, we ceased to worry about the closing. That tells you how much we trusted in you and our search team to “make it happen”. We appreciate your patient support throughout this sometimes frustrating transaction. You have helped us realize an exciting dream of having a place of our own in Paris.
We are arriving in Paris on Sept. 18 for a three week stay and will definitely stop by your offices to say “Hello”. Please go ahead and quote from our email correspondence in your promotional material. George and I are happy to support the continued success of France Home Finance.
My best, Madelaine"
Madelaine and George, Illinois, US
Purchase of Paris apartment, February 2007
"I had different needs than the average applicant because of my medical condition and in spite of this was able to get a mortgage to suit my purchase of the property in France.
At all times I felt that in spite of the many difficulties you would be able to sort everything out - in the end as was proven by getting me a mortgage as needed."
Norbert, County Fermanagh Ireland
Purchase of leaseback apartment in Cannes, February 2007
"France Home Finance found us the perfect solution when financing our home in the Cote D'azur.... Tahminae and her team, alleviated the stress associated with finding the right mortgage for us and the need to have
to complete multiple forms for different lenders. They found us a much better deal than we could possibly have found by ourselves, and all of this took place over email plus the odd phone call. Unlike many similar organizations, even when we had our mortgage in place, France Home Finance were happy to help us out on several occasions when we needed
financial advice. Even after taking the fee into consideration, I strongly believe that we got a much better deal, that was tailored to our personal needs, than we would have done if going directly to the bank. Additionally, the fact that they were on hand to help us translate the various forms that needed to be completed was fantastic. I highly recommend France Home Finance to anyone looking for a mortgage in France"
Richard and Scott, UK
Purchase of home in St Paul, January 2007
"The service we received from France Home Finance was outstanding - truly excellent. Initially they helped us identify the mortgage options that best suited our particular circumstances. They then provided us with several alternative packages, and we ultimately secured a very attractive rate. They always comprehensively answered any queries we had, usually within hours of contacting them. They never rushed or cut short a conversation and were unbelievably efficient.
Moreover, on several occasions they clarified the purpose & content of more general documents we received (in French) relating to our leaseback purchase. Just to know I could pick up the phone and talk to somebody in English who understood the French system helped take a lot of stress out of the purchasing process."
Gary & Nancy Walsh, Ireland
Purchase of 2 leaseback apartments in France, January 2007
"Dear Tahminae,
I have found buying real estate internationally an exciting and rewarding exercise. It touches many emotions though and buyers can sometimes get caught in the moment. Unlike purchasing property in the states where teams of lawyers, accountants, appraisers and advisors are at your side every step of the way, you are sometimes on your own internationally.
Language barriers, currency exchanges, and of course the mountains of foreign paperwork can turn the “dream of a lifetime purchase” into an administrative nightmare.
The potential for issues to cloud the exuberance of my investment were certainly present last year when I bought my leaseback in Paris. The real estate agent was there to guide early on, but I will thank him for only one thing……his suggestion to use France Home Finance!
FHF guided me every step of the way. Not only did they secure a mortgage at a great rate, they explained ALL of the documents related to the transaction, the entire closing process, what to expect next, and ultimately they turned what was becoming a nightmare back into a dream.
Although making page long translations from French to English on documents not related to the mortgage was not necessary, they did it. They helped decipher currency exchange rates, double checked my investment logic and explained cultural issues on how business is done in France.
I honestly do not think my purchase would have happened without Tahminae Madani and the good people at FHF. They guided me every step of the way like we were partners. They not only helped they make my transaction smooth, they ensured I will realize the profit potential I had hoped with a mortgage that was right for me.
As we say in New York, way to go! I would recommend FHF highly to anyone. My only wish is that they open offices in other countries!
Sincerely, Robert Smith”
Robert Smith, Northport, New York US
Purchase of leaseback in Paris, December 2006
“Dear Lana,
Here are our thoughts about our experience with France Home Finance. Feel
free to post them on your website:
1. You were able to expedite our mortgage according to our needs (speed, rate, etc.)
2. Instructions to us were very clear as to what we needed to provide and what options were available to us.
3. We were prepared with hard copy or electronic access to our records and you were able to make use of either without delays.
4. Staff was very knowledgeable with good command of English and French - communication was fluent and we always felt that we clearly understood the situation or options being explained.
5. The quick and professional interaction with Notaire, Bank, Real Estate Agent made the two month turn around to complete the sale possible.
6. You always kept us informed of progress and hitches and helped us quickly resolve any problems.
7. You were a pleasure to work with, providing advice and help in areas beyond the scope of the "mortgage."
8. Your fees were reasonable for the service provided.
Perhaps we will see you in the summer when we return. Thanks again for
all of your help!”
Karen Lane & Jim Vadeboncoeur from Palo Alto, California
Purchase of a Paris apartment, November 2006
"In 2006 I had the opportunity to purchase an apartment in Paris. While I knew that this would happen at some point in time, the opportunity presented itself quickly after my initial inquiries. The apartment was exactly what I wanted and in a building I had hand selected.
Without the guidance and expertise of Ms. Madani and France Home Finance I would not have been able to accomplish this purchase in the short time frame required. My mortgage needs, while modest, were somewhat complicated. I needed a broker who really understood the U. S. and French real estate markets, was willing to answer endless questions and was very responsive when inquiries were placed.
From the beginning France Home Finance and Ms. Madani demonstrated sound expertise and made it very clear by their actions that they were working for my best interests. Frankly, I had many questions and many comparisons with U.S. real estate transactions. With more than 20 years as a U. S. real estate investor, I certainly understood the concepts but was concerned that the rules and regulations in France could be significantly different to warrant careful review. Ms. Madani was there every step of the way. She brought together extreme knowledge about the French real estate and mortgage markets, patience and excellent customer service. France Home Finance were able to address my French concerns in relationship to U. S. real estate investing one for one.
In the last 20 years I have completed many real estate transactions in the U.S. This one, many miles away was the easiest I have ever completed. France Home Finance was instrumental in making this transaction work in such a smooth manner. Without question I will reach out to Ms. Madani for future transactions in France."
Nancy, Washington D.C., US
Purchase of a Paris apartment, August 2006
"We were looking for a company with good local experience of the French buying and lending process. France Home Finance demonstrated they have that experience and expertly guided us through every step. We can definitely recommend their services to anyone looking for mortgage assistance."
The Wests, Chatham Kent UK
Purchase of a home in Northeast Brittany, August 2006
"Tahminae Madani and France Home Finance was the reason I was successful in realizing a dream to buy an apartment in France. France Home Finance is a wonderfully professional and customer-service oriented company. One can get overwhelmed when buying real estate in a foreign country where language and law present unique challenges, but France Home Finance was willing and able to assist in any way towards helping me own an apartment in France. This company assisted me in so many ways far outside their role of getting me the best possible mortgage rate possible. French bureaucracy can be intimidating but Tahminae and her team and France Home Finance helped me cut through all the red tape and roadblocks presented. They were fabulous. It is with great pleasure that I would highly recommend them to anyone considering obtaining a mortgage in France. They will not only get you the best mortgage rate going but they will also be a wonderful support in assisting you in every step of the process of owning an apartment abroad."
Annie, New York, NY, USA
Purchase of home in Paris, July 2006
"As U.S. residents, France Home Finance was invaluable to us in our search for a mortgage for our apartment purchase in France. Our mortgage specialist quickly found us a lender willing to lend to non-French residents and carefully guided us through the unfamiliar application and documentation process. Her responsiveness, thoroughness and timeliness helped us realize our dream of owning real estate in Paris. We could not have succeeded without her, and we strongly recommend her and France Home Finance."
Michael and Margie, San Diego California USA
Purchase of Paris apartment, June 2006
"French Home Finance made the transaction easier and were very professional and helpful in carrying out their tasks because they knew exactly what was required. Had I not had their assistance I doubt I would have secured a loan on such favourable terms from a French financial Institution as I was an Australian investing from the Middle East having to deal with preconceptions. French Home Finance would be my only broker in purchasing in France and I have encouraged their expansion elsewhere because of their excellent service. In summary, put it this way, I have never send greetings to finance brokers and they are on my Christmas card list."
N. Coburn, Dubai UAE
Purchase of a Paris apartment, May 2006
"When I decided to buy in Paris, I had no idea of the complexity of securing a French mortgage. There are all sorts of rules that I was unaware of and would have meant I would not have secured a mortgage, even though I had the adequate funds. I was then introduced to France Home Finance and met Tahminae Madani. Tahminae's determination and energy was extraordinary. Not only did she secure a great mortgage for me and my family, she did so with an attitude of superior customer service and understanding of my situation. I would have no hesitation in recommending France Home Finance to secure a mortgage for you in France, the professionalism and customer service is second to none. Tahminae's team and energetic style will ensure you will get the best deal possible and secure your home in France. She provided not only great value for money, but also great support when searching for that best solution."
Simon Stewart, Senior Vice President Marketing, Allied Domecq
Purchase of home in Paris, May 2006
"When we decided to buy an apartment in Paris, we were told about France Home Finance. How fortunate we were to have worked with such a professional organization. Our mortgage broker; Tahminae Madani could not have been more helpful. Because of her, she made the whole experience extremely pleasurable. She not only found us an excellent finance package, but she also insured that all our other paper work was in order (i.e. medical exams, insurance, mortgagee documents). She even connected us with a banker to help us with direct debit and deposit. In essence, France Home Finance is one stop shopping. I strongly believe that any fees associated with engaging France Home Finance paid for themselves in not having to deal with the tedious day to day activities that go along with any property acquisition. Once we had completed the transaction, Tahminae sat us down and carefully translated and explained (page by page) what we were signing and what each document meant. She made herself available to us 24/7 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week) and even gave us her cell phone which we used on several occasions. She not only found us a fantastic interest rate on our loan but she took the headache out off all the paper work and other issues that arise when buying a piece of property in France."
Michael J. Svoboda, Long Beach & Robert S. Horby, San Diego California USA
Purchase of a Paris apartment, March 2006
Your service was first class and I am extremely grateful for all the help you have provided!
The Nugents, Wokingham Berkshire UK
Purchase of a leaseback near Euro Disney, January 2006
“Most of you have heard (and put up with) my nightmare stories of trying to buy a flat in France over the last year. From rogue estate agents to forgetful notaires to insurance rackets, the journey to getting our keys yesterday has not been a stress-free one...mais bouff, c'est la France.
There has been, however, one fantastic person in the process I wanted to promote to you all. Her name is Tahminae Madani from France Home Finance and she got us a fantastic mortgage, made some French people to do some work and stuck by us through thick and thin. She's also an expat so she understands our frustrations, and spoke to lots of the people I would have otherwise verbally assassinated.
Top-line she comes fully recommended from yours truly.
I've attached a brochure of her company-France Home Finance in case you're interested in buying a property here. Don't hesitate to pass on her details...it's not often we can say good things about the people we work with.”
Mel and Franck, Paris
Purchase of their main home in Paris, December 2005
"Buying property anywhere can be a harrowing experience and especially so when the purchase is abroad and the purchaser has little knowledge or experience of the prevailing banking and legal systems. Having been directed towards France Home Finance by the UK sales agents for the property I was interested in, it is only in retrospect that I realise how fortunate I was to be given such an excellent contact. Not only did the company search out a mortgage suited to my particular circumstances, but it held my hand each step of the way through what was inevitably an unfamiliar application process. In addition, France Home Finance helped me set up a bank account in Paris and provided guidance on accountants able to deal with the intricacies of French taxation on my behalf. In all of this, my endless telephone and e-mail questions (in English) were dealt with patiently and graciously and the company’s experience has been both reassuring and confidence-building. So, would I use France Home Finance again? Certainly. Would I recommend the company’s services to anyone else? Absolutely."
Peter Wilson, Edinburgh Scotland
Purchase of a leaseback in Paris, December 2005
"I recently purchased to French leaseback properties. It was my first time entering the French property market and therefore I was unsure of how the system operated. I required a broker to source the best possible mortgage for me and to guide me through the system. As I am an Irish citizen it was obviously imperative that the broker spoke English fluently. My sales agent recommended France Home Finance as a mortgage broker. I don't think it would have been possible to improve on the superior service I received. I was initially advised of my options based on my own financial history. My mortgages were quickly sourced and I was constantly updated of all developments. They guided me through every piece of paperwork and quickly responded to any queries. The French language was not a problem as they were quick to translate any document or letter received. They also organised my opening of a French bank account. I would have absolutely no hesitation in recommending France Home Finance. I would most certainly use their services again if I make any further investments in the French market. France Home Finance ensured that the mortgage process was completely hassle free and were able to provide fluent English speakers to guide me through. They also provided a very personable service - I was treated as a friend and colleague as opposed to just another client.
I look forward to hopefully doing business again in the future".
Gillian & Diarmaid, Cork Ireland
Purchase of a leaseback in Ile d’Oleron and a leaseback in the Alps, December 2005
"Here’s a quick note to say thanks. We signed yesterday and everything went well so we are now the proud owners of 65% of a construction site. Everyone at the signing marvelled at the interest rate you got us. Thank you very much! Not only was the mortgage rate great but so is the insurance rate - despite the medical hang ups.
Lastly, having you hold our hand through the transaction was reassuring and much appreciated."
Cheryl and Laurent, Paris France
Purchase of new construction in Montreuil, November 2005
"In seeking financing for a leaseback, I was looking for choices, easy communication, and an advocate for me and my needs.
In using France Home Finance’s mortgage services, I had access to different banks and client-centered advice all in a one stop shopping environment. It was nice to have a Wisconsin girl working for me in Paris.
"
Charles, Raleigh North Carolina USA
Purchase a of leaseback in Camargue, Provence, November 2005
"My wife and I fell in love with France many years ago on a weekend break. We felt just the same on a family holiday in the Summer of 2005 and we decided to take the plunge and purchase our own apartment that would serve as a sound investment as well as a hideaway for lazy summer days. Although we found our apartment and were determined to go ahead with the purchase, I must admit that the thought of getting the right mortgage, and proceeding with the sale in another country and of course another language was daunting to say the least. That was until a friend recommended France Home Finance. They filled me with confidence and peace of mind in the first phone call between us, right up to the last, a fast friendly and extremely efficient service that made the whole affair much smoother than I thought it was going to be. I would recommend the services of France Home Finance to anyone!
"
Ian & Cobi, Berkshire UK
Purchase of a leaseback in Bergerac, November 2005
"I was looking for someone who could explain the process, describe likely net cash flow, minimum down payments, and alternative programs and, most importantly, someone who could respond to inquiries in a timely manner. Those needs were met and exceeded.
France Home Finance was an invaluable resource and went far beyond helping with mortgage matters. They recommended a bank that would let me open an account from the U.S., without having to visit in person (the bank recommended by the real estate agent wanted me to appear in person), they recommended a currency broker who saved me money on the currency conversion (compared to normal bank conversion rates), they followed up, and acted as an expediter when mail was sent from France that was not received by me."
Deepak Malhotra, San Francisco, California USA
Purchase of a leaseback in Camargue, Provence, September 2005
“Like many Brits I am accustomed to shopping around for the best mortgage deal and have changed my lender several times in the UK to get a better rate. France Home Finance helped me shop around in the French market to find a better deal for all the components of my property loan including my mortgage rate, my insurance and my property inspection fees. The service I received throughout was friendly, proactive and efficient and far superior to that I received from the French banks I approached directly myself. Communications at all times were clear, precise and responsive. Based on the service level and savings I received, I would certainly recommend this company.”
Mark, Brussels Belgium
Purchase of a buy-to-let apartment in Paris, August 2005
"I found the service provided by FHF to be efficient, informative and professional. I was reassured by speedy responses to email and telephone communications. This simplified the process and gave me confidence in the arrangement of French mortgages. Thank you!"
Sarah, Taunton UK
Purchase of a leaseback in Marne la Vallée, August 2005
“When we started to look for our property in the Luberon, we considered going directly to the French and British banks for our mortgage. But we quickly realised that this would be a time-consuming, stressful and confusing project. France Home Finance provided excellent independent advice, access to all the best mortgage rates and conditions on the market in one stop with an “anglophone” approach to customer service, i.e. fast, courteous and persistent with the various French organisations. Beyond that, they acted as our general contractor for the host of other services necessary to complete the purchase, like insurance. They ensured that everything went smoothly by proactively communicating with all parties involved, and took a personal interest in looking out for our interests throughout the process. Their relationships with the local players and process expertise were especially appreciated when we needed everything to come together quickly in the end to be able to sign the act of purchase. I cannot recommend them highly enough; if only all the other companies we have to deal with were as good in their field!”
Jonathan and Maria, Brussels Belgium
Purchase of their main home in the Luberon, July 2005
"Buying an investment property overseas can be a daunting prospect. As well as the usual house buying challenges, there is the language barrier and local working practises to come to terms with. For me, it was important to enlist the services of somebody who could offer me the benefit of their experience to overcome these challenges.
France Home Finance provided me with recommendations and contact names for currency brokers, overseas bank accounts and mortgage lenders. With English speaking consultants, they guided me through all aspects of the financing process, completing forms on my behalf or providing me with translations where necessary. The service was consistently excellent, often going the extra mile to resolve queries or answer questions. Overall it was reassuring to have such strong backup and support so readily available."
Antony, Surrey UK
Purchase of leaseback near Paris, July 2005
"I have been extremely impressed with the service provided by France Home Finance and in particular their rapid and calm response to arranging finance for me to a tight timescale after I had been let down by another intermediary in my purchase of an investment property in France. They have guided me patiently through an unfamiliar process and were available to help me translate key sections of documents in French which I did not understand."
Susan, London UK
Purchase of a leaseback in the Alps, July 2005
"We were looking for a French Mortgage broker that could give us detailed information and figures in a clear, well laid out format. We also needed the mortgage broker to search for the mortgage most suited to our needs because this was our first experience of buying a property in France and we had no idea of the French mortgage system. France Home Finance met those needs by regularly updating us with e-mails, gaining our trust, which was so important as the more information we received the more secure we felt about our purchase. We realise that we asked for lots of advice on certain things that may not have come under your role as mortgage broker but you always seemed to find the time to help us, which we were most grateful for. Even now that our mortgage has been completed, we feel that we could still contact you with any queries we may have. Excellent customer service!! Thank you!"
Debbie & Leighton, Boverton Wales
Purchase of two leasebacks in the Alps, July 2005
"I look for a mortgage broker to provide accurate information and feedback on all stages of the mortgage process. I am very happy with your service as you met my needs especially with your explanations of the mortgage terms."
Elizabeth, London UK
Purchase of a leaseback in Paris, June 2005
"We were looking for a French broker to give us a choice of mortgages (for various levels of borrowing) with as small a fee from the broker AND bank concerned as possible. We also wanted to spend as little time on the process as was possible, yet have someone at the end of a phone in case of problems. It was also very important to have a GOOD English speaker to translate forms received from the vendor/notaires/bank(s) and offer advice as to what needed doing at any particular time in the process. I feel that France Home Finance did very well on all the points. We are also looking to use FHF's expertise in the future on another project if they can better the offer from our French bank ... So we must have been impressed!!!"
Mark, Manchester UK
Purchase of a leaseback in Paris, June 2005
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