What is the purpose of a real estate hunter?

In an increasingly tense French real estate market, finding the right property, at the right price, in the right neighborhood, in line with your needs has become a real challenge. Whether you are a buyer, investor or tenant, using a dedicated professional can make a difference.

The job of real estate hunter is now a strategic solution to save time, access exclusive opportunities and secure your project. In this article, we offer you:

• a clear and complete definition of the real estate hunter,
• an overview of why calling on him is relevant in 2025,
• a detail of its differentiating services (off-market, location, specific profiles),
• the criteria for choosing the right one and avoiding frequent mistakes.

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1. Definition & role of the real estate hunter

In this first part, we will precisely define what a real estate hunter is, distinguish his role from that of a traditional agent, and examine his main missions. It's about laying a solid foundation so that you can understand how this professional can change your approach to the market.

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What is a real estate hunter?

A real estate hunter is a professional appointed by a client (buyer or tenant) to search, select and negotiate a property corresponding to his criteria. Unlike the real estate agent who generally acts for the seller, the hunter works exclusively for the purchaser or tenant, which allows him to fully defend the interests of his client.
This professional takes care of the entire mission: definition of specifications, prospecting, visits, negotiation, until signature.

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Difference between hunter and real estate agent

The key distinction lies in the mandate: the real estate hunter works for the buyer or the tenant, he does not have property for sale, and he makes every effort to satisfy his client; the real estate agent, on the other hand, often represents the seller, or acts bilaterally. This difference in posture can have an impact on transparency, motivation and the quality of service.
In addition, the hunting profession has recently been recognized and supervised. In particular, the ALUR Act of March 2014 extended obligations to include real estate research.

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Main missions of the real estate hunter

The hunter starts with an in-depth interview to identify your goals, your constraints, your budget and your desires. Then, it activates its network, carries out pre-visits, eliminates non-compliant goods, and only offers you those that meet your criteria. He accompanies you in negotiating the price, assembling the file, and advising you until the authentic act. Thanks to this approach, it saves time and mobility, especially in a complex market.

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2. Why call on a real estate hunter?

In this second part, we will explore the reasons why hiring a real estate hunter is a real asset. We will see the concrete benefits: time savings, access to a larger market, better negotiation and why, in 2025, this service will prove to be even more relevant in a tense market context.

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Time savings, access to the hidden market, optimized negotiation

One of the major advantages of using a real estate hunter is the saving of time. The hunter makes it possible to avoid unnecessary visits and to be reactive when a corresponding property appears.

Thanks to its network, a hunter often has access to so-called “off-market” goods (not broadcast publicly), which increases the chances of finding an interesting opportunity before the competition. For example, the off-market market would represent between 5% and 10% of transactions in France, and up to 15% in tense areas such as Paris.

In addition, the hunter acts as a negotiator for the buyer: he defends your interests, which can result in a cheaper purchase cost than if you were alone.

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Value proposition for investors and tenants

Calling on a real estate hunter is not only for those who are looking for their main residence. Investors, people in transition, and tenants looking for a specific property particularly benefit from this service. The hunter becomes a unique interlocutor, able to anticipate trends, adapt the strategy to your goals (rental investment, second home, student housing, etc.) and secure the investment or rental.

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2025 data & trends for the hunting profession

In 2025, while access to housing remains under pressure and the goods put on the market decrease, the role of the hunter is strengthened. For example, an article on saving time and money with a hunter mentions that these professionals offer a tailor-made service, with a network and in-depth negotiation. In this context, the hunter becomes a major asset to position oneself quickly and effectively.

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Read our full article on “Why use a real estate hunter?”

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3. The differentiating services of the real estate hunter

In this part, we will detail the specific services that a real estate hunter can offer and that distinguish him on the market: search for “off-market” properties, local expertise (especially in Paris), support for targeted profiles (students, expatriates, professional mobility). These options give you a competitive edge in the real estate market.

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Search for “off-market” properties

One of the most differentiating services of a real estate hunter is access to the off-market market (properties that are not publicly distributed). In France, these transactions represent around 5% to 10% of the total, and up to 15% in very tense areas. Discover our article dedicated to off-market goods.

For a customer, this means less competition, potentially more advantageous negotiations and the possibility of accessing rarer or better valued goods. An experienced hunter mobilizes his network of notaries, agencies and investors to identify these opportunities before they are visible.

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Local specialization (e.g. Paris)

Some hunters specialize in a geographical area, for example in Paris, in a large metropolis or a department. This allows you to have an expert in the field to refine your search, to know the neighborhoods and the global real estate market. This local specialization is a strong asset in a market where tension is marked and where every hour counts (especially for rentals). Discover our article “Why hire a real estate hunter in Paris”?

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Support for each profile (student, foreign, professional mobility)

Beyond the standard search, a real estate hunter can offer services adapted to specific profiles:

• For a student housing in Paris, it can have a specialized network and act quickly.
• For an investor living abroad looking to buy in Francee, it can centralize all the procedures (remote visit, preparation of the file, financing).
• For a person in geographical professional mobility, it can anticipate time constraints, transfer deadlines, and offer suitable properties.

This flexibility makes the hunter relevant for different types of projects, well beyond the traditional purchase.

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4. How do you choose your real estate hunter?

In this section, we'll see how to find the right real estate hunter: the one who will really become your partner. You must identify essential criteria, understand the search mandate, and avoid

frequent mistakes related to remuneration or the choice of professional.

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Selection criteria (network, fees, transparency)

Choosing a real estate hunter is not limited to entrusting him with a mandate and waiting. You need to check that it has a solid network (agencies, notaries, individuals) and that it operates in the geographic area you are targeting.

Local specialization is often a guarantee of efficiency, especially in a tight market like Paris. You also need to be clear about The fees : how are they calculated? Are they conditioned to success? Are they transparent? And finally, examine the Professional transparency : customer references, previous mission report, collaboration arrangements.

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Research mandate: operation & pitfalls to avoid

A search warrant is the document by which you authorize a hunter to represent you. It must define the modalities (duration, area, budget, fees) and your engagements. Beware of non-exclusive mandates: they can dilute the hunter's commitment and make him less efficient. By understanding the mandate, you avoid ending up in an unproductive hunt.

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Cost vs added value positioning

Some choose the hunter based on their cost but that is not enough. It is a question of comparing the added value vs cost : saving time, access to the off-market market, price negotiation, support until the authentic act. A good hunter can save you a lot more than just their fees. So remember to evaluate the return on investment rather than focusing on his fees.

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5. Common mistakes to avoid

This last part highlights the most common mistakes when working with a real estate hunter. By identifying them, you will be better equipped to avoid pitfalls: a poorly defined mandate, an unrealistic budget, intervention too late and a poorly understood project.

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Non-exclusive or poorly defined mandate

Launching a search without a clear or non-exclusive mandate can dampen the hunter's motivation and dilute efforts. A mandate that is too vague (undefined area, unvalidated budget, unclear criteria) often leads to unsatisfactory results. Clarify the terms and conditions from the start.

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Neglecting market research or property verification

A successful hunter must perform a rigorous market research and proceed with a due diligence properties visited (condominium fees, work to be planned, diagnoses, etc.). Skipping this step can lead to a poorly chosen or overpaid property.

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Do not anticipate additional costs or deadlines

Often forgotten: notary fees, work to bring them up to standard, deadline for obtaining a loan, transfer times in the event of professional mobility. When you don't anticipate them, the project can become stressful and expensive. It's crucial to plan the entire schedule and costs with your hunter from the start.

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Conclusion

By choosing to collaborate with a real estate hunter, you are opting for a proactive approach and optimizing your real estate project. Rather than being alone in the race for goods, you benefit from an expert dedicated to your interests, able to find opportunities that are often inaccessible otherwise, to negotiate effectively and to streamline all the steps until signing. This assistance is all the more valuable in 2025 in a context of a tense market, limited offers and high expectations.

At Mecaza, we provide you with our network, our local expertise and our tools to transform your real estate ambition into success. Start your project with peace of mind, knowing that every visit, every negotiation and every detail is optimized for you.

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