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31/7/2025
Hiring an apartment hunter is a strategic decision when you lack the time, network or experience to buy. But one question comes up often: Do you have to sign an exclusive mandate to work with a real estate hunter? And above all, what does that really mean? Here is a simple and concrete insight.
First of all, it is necessary to understand that The mandate is a mandatory document. A real estate hunter cannot search for or visit properties for you without a written warrant. This search mandate formalizes its mission: it acts on your behalf to find the ideal property.
It can be:
It is a moral and legal commitment, but both forms are perfectly legal.
No, the exclusive mandate is not mandatory, even if many hunters offer it as a priority.
For some professionals, exclusive mandate is the norm, because it assures them of real customer involvement. For others, like Mecaza, you sign an exclusive mandate for the rental and you have the choice for the transaction. You can search by yourself but in pairs with the hunter.
💡 What is mandatory, on the other hand, is sign a mandate (exclusive or not) so that the hunter can work legally. Without this, he does not have the right to enter into negotiations or to reserve a property for you.
Sign a exclusive mandate with a real estate hunter, it's more than a simple formality. It is a relationship of mutual trust that allows you to go faster, to have access to better opportunities, and to secure each stage of your purchase. Provided of course that you agree on your expectations, this can speed up your project very seriously.
An exclusive mandate means that you are committed to do not multiply searches or interlocutors in parallel. In return, the real estate hunter knows that he is not working “at a loss”: He will therefore invest 100% in your file.
In concrete terms, this means that he:
In short, the hunter becomes your strategic partner, entirely focused on your project. It does not send you ads in bulk: it selects, filters, negotiates for you.
One of the great advantages of an exclusive mandate is that it Open the door to invisible goods on major platforms (SeLoger, Bien'Ici, Leboncoin...). We are talking here about so-called “off-market” goods.
These opportunities flow primarily between trusted professionals: agencies, notaries, trustees, merchants... And real estate agents more easily share these rare gems. with hunters who work under an exclusive mandate, because they know that:
💬 Real example: in Paris, many goods are sold Within 48 hours depending on their publication, sometimes even before the first public visit. Without reactivity, the buyer is missing out. The exclusive mandate positions you as a serious and priority buyer.
When a customer searches alone or with several interlocutors, returns are often unclear, deadlines stretch, and duplicates multiply. An exclusive mandate makes it possible to avoid this dispersion.
Result: you and the hunter advance in the same direction, with clear criteria and an efficient pace. You save precious time on:
Chez MeCaza, thanks to this exclusive method, some purchases are completed in less than 3 weeks, between the signing of the mandate and the acceptance of an offer. This is particularly useful if you have a tight schedule: end of lease, transfer, start of school, budget frozen by a temporary banking agreement, etc.
Even if the exclusive mandate has real advantages, it also involves constraints that must be fully understood before making a commitment. This is not a trap, but a clear working framework that may not be suitable for all profiles.
This is the main commitment of the exclusive mandate: You delegate your search to the hunter, and in return, you agree not to call on another professional. This means that:
💬 Example: if you visit a property on your own and decide to buy without going through your hunter, you are still liable for his fees, because he has been contractually hired to represent you. This can create tensions and even disputes.
That is why, before signing, you have to be sure that you have the right interlocutor and that you want to work in an exclusive pair for a few weeks.
An exclusive mandate works only if the relationship with the hunter is smooth and healthy. This requires several things:
If the power does not go through, if you do not receive any proposals for several days or if you feel that the criteria are out of sync, you can quickly feel stuck. Hence the importance of Choose your hunter carefully before signing, and to ask all your questions from the start.
An exclusive mandate It is not a lifetime contract, but it engages you over a defined period of time. In general, its duration is 2 or 3 months, with the possibility of renewal if necessary.
During this period, even if you change your mind, You cannot legally call on another hunter nor search alone (except early termination of the mandate under specific conditions). This means that you have to:
💡 Note: an exclusive mandate Don't force you to buy. If no property is right for you, you have no obligation to buy. You simply have hired a professional at your side for a given time.
At Mecaza, we offer the exclusive mandate in the majority of cases, because it allows a quick and targeted search. But we know how to adapt, especially for complex projects or highly autonomous customers.
🎯 What we highlight:
The exclusive mandate is not mandatory, but it is often the best choice to move forward effectively with a real estate hunter. It gives professionals the means to offer you the best opportunities, as a matter of priority. As long as you trust your hunter, it is a real lever for efficiency.
📞 Do you want to be accompanied in your search for an apartment, in Paris or elsewhere in France?
At MeCaza, we find your ideal property in less than 3 weeks everywhere in France, make an appointment now with a real estate advisor.
Yes, in compliance with the terms of the contract, generally after 3 months or in case of non-compliance with commitments.
Yes, if the mandate is exclusive, you are responsible for the fees even if you found it alone.
Yes, on a simple endorsement signed between you and the hunter, if you want to strengthen mutual commitment.
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