It all starts with looking for a house, where to go, who to trust?
Being an expat on the Côte d’Azur is like in any other part of the world, it can be fun, and it can be a real nightmare.
Being an expat myself for almost 30 years and with all the work and living experience on the Riviera it comforts me today to see that over 400 clients (in only 7 years and with more then 60 houses in permanent maintenance) have given us the pleasure and trust of being part of our business.
Having a holiday home or living permanently in another country is always a big step to make and we already could write a book about all the problems people came up with or all the joy they have given us so far.
Different language gives communication problems, administration, authorities and other paperwork, these are the first difficulties coming up. Once you’ve got the house, buying or renting, that means with or without the real estate agents, notaries, and other officials, things get started.
Electricity, water and phone subscriptions, only for the phone it takes 30 minutes with a lady of France Telecom, only French speaking of course, the expat knows what he wants, but does SHE understand him ?
The first holidays are planned, let’s go! Once arriving at the house, the garden is a real jungle, the pool is green, and the house is damp and cold, moist coming up the walls. It will take the expat a week to take control over all these matters; what do I say, a week, maybe even more since he has to make appointments with people that won’t come or are late, can he trust them, they say they will arrive between 9 and 12, so he waits and waits, can’t go to the beach with wife and children because he has to wait and wait and take care of all his “wow great, we have a holiday home” problems…
And this is just a little example of what could happen to the expat. (remember that book I’m going to write…)
We try to prevent them from this, advise them, and help them through the difficulties that come up once being an expat.
Complete house maintenance while the expat is absent, garden and pool keeping, cleaning team, electricians, plumbers, checking the heating, painters, carpenters and so on, our address book is complete and we have never said “no” nor “I don’t know” to a client.
Even a baby-sit, buying a dog, find the English-speaking boat license instructor, having a complete Paella party for 70 people (organized in 3 days) with live-music and sangria, theater tickets, a limousine with chauffeur and champagne, medical assistance (medical bed and night surveillance with nurses etc) organized within one day, complete pool construction, house renovation, garden creations, decorations, car registrations, we put up the heating in their houses before arrival, even fill up the fridge if they want to, airport-pick-up service, and our phone can ring during the night for emergencies, like leaks, alarm systems going off… name it, we’ve got it!
Every client gets a personal touch to his file, some are more demanding, but they are all treated the same way. Many of them become relatives, even friends, and as in life, they come and go but they won’t forget our relationship, the support and the helping hand we have.
Francine HUDIG is of Dutch origin but has been living on the French Riviera for almost 30 years. After studying Main Sector Tourism in both Paris and Monaco, she worked for several years in different areas of tourism, specialising in Private International Clients. Francine has also has been very active in the restaurant business for many years having owned and managed two restaurants, one in Port Grimaud and one in Cannes. Helping people, providing a personal service that enhances the well-being of the people she takes care of has always been the key focus in her life.Riviera Expat Consultants was founded by Francine, together with her husband Philippe TEXIER and her close friend Kick ROODHUYZEN de VRIES, as a result of constant requests for information and help, from both friends and relatives who lived locally and abroad. People who needed support, advice and skill in the management of their residences, be they holiday homes or permanent homes. Every file receives Francine’s personal attention as she takes care of her clients’ properties with the professionalism for which she is so well known.
As a mother of two, she runs the business as her own household. Organisation and perfection are present in all her work, while retaining a calmness that leaves her clients trusting and confident that she is in control. Clients can completely relax and enjoy their holidays.
Along with Francine, the other mainstay in Riviera Expat is Francine’s husband Philippe. Philippe has many years of business law experience and in day to day management he supervises all the quotes, contracts and work in progress on all properties. All renovation or maintenance contracts are first thoroughly checked by him, nothing escapes his attention. He likes to say: “Even if you trust someone, supervision or control is essential”.
Many properties on the client list of Riviera Expat Consultants are under permanent surveillance. This means that Francine and Philippe are available for any eventuality, anytime, day or night, seven days a week. They can be relied upon entirely, all the time. They put heart and soul in their business and work daily on the development of their company, as every day brings them new challenges…
