Some Property Sales Are Simple… Others Come With the Keys to an Entire Life
Some property sales are little more than a valuation, a few viewings, and a signature at the notary's office.
And then there are the ones where you're handed the keys... along with absolutely everything that comes with them.
This is the story of one sale I particularly enjoyed managing. A story connecting Dordogne and Canada, separated by over 6,000 kilometres, held together by countless WhatsApp messages, a few trusted tradespeople, plenty of organisation, and above all, a genuine relationship built on trust.
One Meeting… the Day Before He Flew Back to Canada
My client lives in Canada.
Following the passing of his mother in France, he returned to Dordogne for the funeral. While he was here, he also had to make an important decision about the family home: it was time to sell it.
He met with three real estate professionals, and I was one of them.
One small detail made all the difference:
My valuation was the lowest of the three.
Not exactly the easiest way to win an exclusive listing!
But my goal has never been to promise the highest price simply to secure a signature. Instead, we talked honestly about the local market, the property itself, its strengths, and the price that I genuinely believed would allow us to achieve a successful sale.
In the end, he chose to place his trust in me and entrusted me with the exclusive sale of his home.
The very next day, he boarded a plane back to Canada.
And I kept the keys.
"Delphine, I'll Leave Everything in Your Hands."
Very quickly, we switched to first names—the Canadian mindset naturally took over. We were doing business together, trusting each other, and building a partnership rather than a formal client-agent relationship.
From that moment on, WhatsApp became our shared office between Dordogne and Canada.
Because long before organising viewings, there was an endless list of things to take care of.
Emptying the house? I handled it.
The outstanding planning documents that had never been regularised? I took care of those too.
Garden maintenance, returning the internet box, forwarding the mail, arranging the property surveys, organising the wastewater inspection... I coordinated everything.
Along the way, I noticed a few small improvements that would make the house more attractive to buyers. I explained my recommendations, he agreed immediately, and I organised the tradespeople.
He was in Canada.
The house was in Dordogne.
Yet everything kept moving forward.
This is exactly the part of my job I love most: becoming the eyes, the ears—and sometimes even the hands—of owners who simply can't be here themselves.
I even learned, with great amusement, to say "Good morning!" at 2:00 p.m., thanks to the time difference!
Then Came the Time to Sell
Once the house was ready, we launched it onto the market.
After only a few viewings, an offer arrived.
There was a small negotiation.
We discussed it together, I shared my analysis, and once again he trusted my advice.
The offer was accepted.
Next came the legal side of the transaction. Since my client was still in Canada, everything was organised remotely, with the final documents signed by power of attorney.
We carefully reviewed the draft preliminary contract together, discussed every important clause, made a few adjustments, and ensured he felt completely comfortable before signing.
On signing day, I accompanied the buyer to the notary's office.
My client was thousands of kilometres away, yet he remained fully involved throughout the process.
What I particularly appreciated was the atmosphere that developed between everyone involved: seller, buyer, notary, and estate agent.
No unnecessary tension.
No constant suspicion.
Just people communicating openly and working together.
And honestly... that's one of the most rewarding parts of my job.
Because a Sale Doesn't End at the Signature
The buyer needed help finding a removal company.
A few phone calls later—it was sorted.
One final visit remains to make sure the garden is perfectly maintained before completion, and then the house will truly be ready for its new owners.
The circle will be complete.
In the End, 6,000 Kilometres Isn't That Far
This sale perfectly reflects the way I enjoy working with my clients—especially those who live abroad.
Selling a property in Dordogne while living in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, or anywhere else in the world shouldn't mean booking a flight every time something needs attention.
It simply requires having someone on the ground who can coordinate contractors, anticipate issues, provide honest advice, keep you informed, and pick up the phone whenever something needs to be done.
In this case, my client entrusted me with much more than the sale of his house.
He entrusted me with the local management of his family home while he was over 6,000 kilometres away.
That level of trust comes with real responsibility.
But it also makes something remarkable possible: turning what could have been a stressful situation into a smooth and enjoyable experience.
In the end, between Dordogne and Canada, there was never more than a WhatsApp message—or a quick video call—between us.
Living Abroad and Selling a Property in Dordogne?
If you live overseas and need to sell a property in Dordogne, I can be your trusted local representative.
From preparing the property for sale to coordinating tradespeople, organising surveys, managing paperwork, maintaining the house, working with the notary, and overseeing every stage of the transaction, I'll take care of everything—so you don't have to.
Because whether you're 10, 100, or 6,000 kilometres away, selling your home can still be a smooth, stress-free experience when trust is at the heart of the relationship.