HALLE INTERNATIONAL
OUR SERVICES
Your complete guide to buying new build
property in France
At Halle International, we specialise exclusively in new build and off-plan luxury property across the French Alps and French Riviera. Whether you are an international lifestyle buyer searching for the perfect alpine chalet, a UK-based investor seeking a rental-income-generating apartment, or a European buyer planning your dream second home on the Côte d'Azur, we offer a fully integrated service that guides you from initial search to long-term ownership.
Our expertise spans the entire acquisition journey from identifying the right development to navigating reservation contracts, managing currency exchange, and setting up your property for rental management. Every service is delivered with the discretion and personalised attention that our international clientele expects.
01 ▪ Property Search & Sourcing
Accessing the best French Alps and Riviera developments before the market does.
Finding the right new build property in France requires access, local knowledge, and the ability to act quickly especially in high-demand resorts where the best residences sell out within weeks of launch. Our property search and sourcing service is designed to put our clients ahead of the market.
What this service includes:
Curated selection of new build and off-plan properties across the French Alps (Méribel, Courchevel, Val d'Isère, Morzine, Megève and more) and French Riviera (Cannes, Antibes, Nice, Mougins, Èze, Cap d'Ail and beyond)
Access to exclusive pre-launch and off-market opportunities through our developer network
Detailed property briefing packs covering floor plans, specifications, DPE ratings, and developer track record
Personalised shortlisting based on your budget, lifestyle priorities, and investment goals
Virtual and in-person site visits arranged and accompanied by our team
Who this is for: Lifestyle buyers, second-home purchasers, and investors seeking a premium selection process without the noise of the open market.
02 ▪ New Build & Off-Plan Guidance
Expert navigation of France's off-plan purchase framework from reservation to keys.
Buying off-plan (en VEFA: Vente en l'État Futur d'Achèvement) in France is governed by a highly structured legal framework that provides strong buyer protections, but also requires a clear understanding of the process, timelines, and contractual obligations.
Our VEFA guidance service covers:
Plain-English (and multilingual) explanation of the off-plan VEFA process from reservation to completion
Review of the Contrat de Réservation and assistance understanding key clauses
Guidance on the staged payment schedule (échelonnement des paiements) typically 35% at foundation, 70% at roof, 95% at completion
Timeline management and progress updates throughout the construction phase
Pre-delivery inspection (visite de livraison) guidance and snag list preparation
Explanation of statutory buyer guarantees including the Garantie Décennale (10-year structural warranty) and Garantie de Parfait Achèvement
Note: Halle International provides educational guidance on the off-plan VEFA process. Legal advice and contract review should be obtained from a qualified French notaire or solicitor.
03 ▪ Developer & Project Introductions
Direct relationships with France's leading luxury new build developers.
Our relationships with developers across the French Alps and French Riviera are among our most valuable assets and we make them available to our clients. We work exclusively with reputable, established developers whose track records, financial guarantees, and build quality meet our exacting standards.
Through our developer network, we provide:
Introductions to vetted luxury developers in key alpine resorts and Riviera destinations
Background information on developer history, past projects, and financial standing
Facilitation of developer meetings and showroom or site visits
Access to launch events, priority reservation opportunities, and early-bird pricing
Honest, independent assessments of each development, we represent our clients' interests, not the developer's
Our independence is fundamental. We are not tied to any single developer group, ensuring the advice you receive is always objective.
04 ▪ Representation & Negotiation
A trusted advocate in your corner throughout the purchase process.
Purchasing a luxury property in a foreign market is a significant financial and personal decision. Having an experienced buyer's representative who understands the French new build market and acts solely in your interest can make a substantial difference to both the outcome and the experience.
Our buyer representation service includes:
Acting as your dedicated point of contact with the developer, agent, and notaire
Price and terms negotiation including parking spaces, storage units, customisation options, and completion date flexibility
Reviewing and explaining all contractual documentation before signature.
Coordinating between all parties: developer, notaire, mortgage broker, currency specialist, and furnishing provider
Attending key milestones on your behalf where required, including handover inspections
Providing ongoing communication in English (and French) throughout the purchase
Our buyer representation is available to clients purchasing through Halle International and is included as part of our end-to-end service.
05 ▪ Post-Purchase Support
Maximising the value of your French property long after completion.
For many of our clients, a French Alps chalet or Riviera apartment represents both a personal retreat and an income generating asset. Our post-purchase support service connects you with the specialists and structures needed to run your property effectively and tax-efficiently.
Post-purchase services include:
Introduction to specialist French property management companies for short-term and seasonal rentals
Guidance on the LMNP (Loueur Meublé Non Professionnel) tax regime one of France's most favourable structures for furnished property investors, offering VAT recovery on new builds and depreciation offset against rental income
TVA (VAT) recovery assistance. New build purchasers in qualifying para-hotel programmes may recover the 20% TVA on their purchase price
Explanation of rental yield expectations by resort and property type
Introduction to local property managers, concierge services, and maintenance providers
Guidance on the differences between managed residences (résidences de tourisme) and independent rental
Disclaimer: Tax and financial guidance provided by Halle International is for general information purposes only. We strongly recommend obtaining independent advice from a qualified French tax adviser or accountant before making decisions relating to LMNP, TVA recovery, or rental structures.
06 ▪ Mortgage & Finance Introductions
Financing your French property purchase with confidence.
Securing a mortgage in France as a non-resident buyer is entirely possible, but the process differs significantly from other markets. French banks typically lend up to 70–80% LTV to non-resident buyers, with rates and conditions that vary considerably between lenders.
Our mortgage and finance service includes:
Introduction to specialist French mortgage brokers with expertise in non-resident and international buyer applications
Guidance on typical borrowing criteria, documentation requirements, and indicative rates
Support in understanding the role of the mortgage in the VEFA timeline including the Acte Authentique de Vente and the bank's valuation process
Coordination with your notaire and developer to ensure financing timelines align with the construction schedule
Halle International does not provide mortgage advice or credit broking services. All finance introductions are to regulated third-party specialists. Independent financial advice should always be sought before entering into a mortgage agreement.
07 ▪ Foreign Exchange Services
Protecting your budget from currency risk.
For international buyers, currency fluctuation between the time of reservation and the date of final payment can significantly impact the cost of a French property purchase. With off-plan developments often taking 18–36 months to complete, managing this exposure is an important part of the buying process.
Our foreign exchange service includes:
Introduction to specialist FX providers who work with international property buyers
Guidance on forward contracts allowing you to lock in an exchange rate for future VEFA stage payments
Help understanding the currency implications of the French VEFA payment schedule
Access to competitive exchange rates, typically significantly better than high-street banks
Currency exchange services are provided by regulated third-party FX specialists. Halle International does not provide financial advice. Exchange rates and contract terms are subject to the terms of your chosen FX provider.
08 ▪ Furnishing & Fittings Services
Completing your property to the standard it deserves.
A new build property arrives as a blank canvas. For clients purchasing a furnished investment property, a fully personalised retreat, or a property entering short-term rental, the furnishing and fit-out process is critical both aesthetically and commercially.
Our furnishing and fittings service provides:
Introductions to specialist interior designers and furniture packages experienced in alpine chalets and Riviera apartments
Guidance on what a standard developer finish includes and what upgrades or additions to consider
Access to furniture packages specifically designed for rental management properties, balancing durability, style, and guest appeal
Coordination of the furnishing process to align with your completion date and handover timeline
Advice on furnishing specifications required under the LMNP meublé classification
Whether you are furnishing a ski-in/ski-out apartment in Méribel or a contemporary villa above Cannes, we ensure your property is presented to the highest standard from day one.
09 ▪ Leaseback Resale Services
Helping international owners exit their leaseback investment with confidence.
France has long been home to thousands of leaseback properties apartments and residences sold under a managed rental programme (résidence de tourisme) with a commercial lease to an operator. Many of these properties were purchased by international buyers, often UK, Irish, Scandinavian, and Benelux nationals, during the 2000s and early 2010s.
For many of these owners, the time has come to sell but the language barrier, the complexity of French property law, and the specific nature of leaseback titles make this a daunting process when navigating it alone. Halle International bridges that gap.
Our leaseback resale service covers:
Plain-language explanation of the leaseback resale process for international sellers in English
Guidance on the implications of selling a property mid-lease, including the commercial lease (bail commercial) and the rights and obligations of both seller and buyer
Advice on whether to sell with the lease in place (as an investment) or negotiate an early lease termination
Introduction to specialist French notaires experienced in leaseback and résidence de tourisme transactions
Access to our buyer network connecting sellers with international investors specifically looking for income-generating leaseback resale properties
Coordination across language barriers: we liaise with French operators, notaires, and management companies on behalf of our international clients
Guidance on TVA implications. If TVA was recovered on the original purchase, a resale before 20 years may trigger a pro-rata repayment obligation
Who this is for: International owners of French leaseback properties particularly in alpine ski resorts and Riviera managed residences who wish to sell but feel held back by the complexity of the process or the language barrier. If your management company has changed, your lease is approaching renewal, or you simply want to realise your capital gain, we can help.
Disclaimer: Leaseback resale involves both property law and commercial lease law under the French Code de commerce. Halle International provides guidance and introductions; independent advice from a qualified French notaire or avocat is strongly recommended before proceeding with any sale.
Why Halle International
Exclusive focus. Independent advice. Exceptional properties.
Halle International was founded on a simple belief: that buying a luxury new build property in France should be a seamless, informed, and genuinely enjoyable experience. Unlike generalist agencies, we operate exclusively in the French new build and off-plan sector across two of Europe's most desirable regions.
Exclusive focus on French new build & off-plan properties
Fully independent. We represent buyers, not developers
Deep regional expertise across French Alps and French Riviera destinations
Multilingual team serving UK, European, and international buyers
End-to-end service from first enquiry to post-completion support
Trusted developer relationships built over years of specialist operation
