How to find international buyers for your property

International property buyers play a major role in the market for beautiful homes. A villa on the French Riviera, a house of character in Alsace or a riad in Marrakech can attract buyers from Switzerland, Germany, the United Kingdom, the United States and beyond. The problem is that these buyers do not necessarily browse the same listing sites as local buyers. Here is how to make your property visible internationally, simply.

Who international buyers are

There is no single profile, but a few broad groups:

• Cross border neighbours. In Alsace, the proximity of Switzerland and Germany attracts buyers who work or live on the other side of the border.
• People in love with a region. The French Riviera, Provence or Morocco have long attracted buyers from all over the world, often for a second home.
• Returning expats, or those preparing their retirement.
• Investors looking for a property to rent out.

Each has their own expectations, but they all share one thing: they cannot visit easily. The first viewing almost always happens remotely.

Where they search

A foreign buyer does not necessarily type the name of your village into a local portal. They often discover a region, then a property, by other routes:

• Social media, where they follow travel, interiors or real estate accounts.
• Recommendations from friends, family or professionals.
• International portals and agencies specialising in foreign clients.

Social media is especially powerful, because it has no borders. A video published in France can be watched in Switzerland, Belgium or the United States the same day.

Subtitles and languages

To reach international buyers, adapt your presentation:

1. Translate the essentials: location, property type, floor area, price. English is the minimum for an international clientele.
2. Show the price in several currencies if your target justifies it. The film of the villa we shot in Koh Samui showed its price in baht, euros and dollars.
3. Place the property: a foreign buyer may not know your town. Give the region, the nearest city and the nearest airport.
4. Prepare replies in English for the first messages.

Video without borders

Video has a unique advantage with international buyers: it needs no translation to make people feel a place. Light, views, volumes and atmosphere are understood in every language.

It also partly replaces the first viewing. A buyer living hundreds of miles away can form a precise idea of the property before deciding to travel. Those who take a plane to visit are already very interested. Our guide to real estate video marketing explains how such a film is built.

An international example

AchMedia Real Estate films in France, Morocco and Thailand. In Koh Samui, we filmed a villa whose film was shared on social media, with the price shown from the opening shot. That villa was then sold. Filmed, seen, sold: that is exactly the path a property aimed at an international clientele can follow. Read the Koh Samui case study.

In Marrakech, the Riad O'Zeen story also shows the international reach of a film: its videos totalled more than 108,400 views and drew enquiries from travellers all over the world. Read the full story of the riad.

A file that reads well from abroad

A foreign buyer cannot drop into the agency to ask questions. Anticipate:

1. A complete digital file: plans, floor areas, surveys and certificates, running costs, taxes.
2. A translation of the key elements, at least in English.
3. Information about the area: airports, train stations, international schools, services.
4. A responsive contact, reachable by messaging app or video call.

The more easily the buyer finds answers, the faster they move towards a decision.

Remote viewings

Video allows a first viewing without travelling. You can go further with a live viewing: a video call during which you walk through the house answering the buyer's questions. A few tips:

• Prepare the house as you would for a physical viewing.
• Follow a logical route, from the entrance to the garden.
• Show the outside and the neighbourhood too, which matter a lot to a buyer who does not know the area.
• Offer to send extra images after the call.

A buyer who has seen the film and then had a live viewing often travels to sign, not to discover.

Time zones and patience

Working with international buyers also means dealing with different time zones, languages and habits. Offer suitable time slots, confirm everything in writing and allow the time needed for formalities, especially financing. Patience and clarity inspire trust.

Signs of a serious foreign buyer

Not every enquiry from abroad is equal. A few signs help identify serious buyers:

1. Precise questions about the property, the area, the running costs.
2. A clear project: second home, relocation, investment.
3. A timeline for viewing or deciding.
4. Questions about financing or the buying process.
5. Advisers involved: notary, lawyer, bank.

These signs help you prioritise conversations and give time to the most advanced buyers.

Why speed matters

With a foreign buyer, every day counts. A message left unanswered becomes a forgotten property, while the buyer keeps searching elsewhere. Replying fast, in their language, with a complete file, makes all the difference.

Pricing for an international audience

An international buyer compares your property with what the same budget buys at home and in other destinations. A few principles help:

1. Price in line with your local market, not with what you imagine a foreign buyer will pay. Overpricing is quickly spotted by buyers who compare a lot.
2. Show the price clearly, in euros and, if relevant, in the buyer's currency. It filters enquiries from the first viewing.
3. Explain what the price includes: furniture, outbuildings, land, works already done.
4. Mention the running costs: local taxes, maintenance, charges. Foreign buyers ask about them early.

A clear, justified price builds trust. It shows that you are a serious seller, which matters even more when the buyer lives far away and cannot check everything in person.

What to include in the film for foreign buyers

Beyond the house itself, a film for foreign buyers should answer the questions of someone who does not know the area: what the surroundings look like, how far the village or the sea is, what the view is like from the terrace. A few shots of the environment, placed after the property, are enough to situate it without stealing the show.

Frequently asked questions

Can a foreign buyer easily buy property in France?

As a general rule, yes: buying real estate in France is open to foreigners. The process goes through a notary, who guides the buyer. For specific situations, a legal professional can advise.

Do you need an agency specialising in foreign buyers?

It is not compulsory, but an agency used to these buyers can save you time. In any case, video and social media distribution widen the circle of potential buyers.

What language should the video be in?

A video with no voiceover and a few captions in English works everywhere. If your target is specific, such as German speaking buyers in Alsace, you can add German captions.

Do foreign buyers negotiate more?

Not necessarily. They often compare with prices in their own country, which can work in your favour. A clear file and a careful presentation limit negotiation.

Do you film outside France?

Yes. Our crew films in France, Morocco and Thailand.

What about your property?

Targeting an international clientele? Read our guides on how to sell a luxury villa and luxury real estate marketing, then see how we work on our sell your property page.