"A friendly welcome is always important. My first 'meeting at the agency' was somewhat like being invited to a friend's house," says Will Dugdale, who is looking to buy a chateau through Philip Hawkes. "Patricia Hawkes, not only content with running the business, cooks legendary lunches for an eclectic mix of friends and clients alike..." epitomising the unique tradition of Public Relations and service, Philip Hawkes style.

The French property market can be incredibly tough to navigate. This is so because, unlike the United States and elsewhere, there is no official multiple listing system or other way to examine all property on the market at any given time. In addition, the sale process is entirely different and can be so laborious that it is essential to enlist help in finding or selling the right property.

That is where Philip Hawkes can really help you.

By providing a dependable service and discerning professionalism, only possible through long experience in the field, coupled with tenacity and dedication to our customers, the basis of the Philip Hawkes ethos is rooted in courtesy, efficiency and traditional service. Philip Hawkes and his English-speaking team provide an island of familiarity and comfort during these French transactions.

We believe in the same dedication to our customers whether for a charming pied-a-terre in Paris or a majestic chateau in the country.

For the Buyer:

• Philip Hawkes has worked hard over the years to create ease in an otherwise difficult buying process. We can start by defining your objectives with you before you arrive, to make sure you have a good understanding of what is available to you at your price range, and that we have a clear idea of your ideal purchase.
• Because we work at the top end of our market, this is the first stage in matching you to your perfect property. Philip Hawkes is rare in that the Paris department go out of their way to work with other agents across the city in order to find your ideal home.
• During the purchase process, we can arrange for a property to be inspected by reputable experts with whom we work closely. These include architects and decorators as well as bankers, notaires and lawyers; so in addition to our purchasing expertise, they can talk you through important issues that will give you a clear idea of costs before you buy. We can also introduce you to property managers, necessary if the apartment you are buying is for a rental investment.

For the Seller:

• The Hawkes team are often approached by vendors well before putting their property on the market.
• With 30 years experience, expertise in evaluation and our network of international clients and marketing resources, we can provide considerable assistance to the vendor.
• Philip Hawkes is second to none in terms of discretion and integrity, working in total confidence with our clients.