The Network
Established in 2002 LBV France grew out of a single property management business and soon became the network it is today, made up of Joe and Carmel, who run the network and support the franchisees, and 18 property management teams serving second-home owners in multiple regions of France.
The Management Team
Having found their own property in France in 2007, Carmel and Joe had ten years’ experience of being absentee owners while they were living and working in Asia. Only able to visit two-three times a year, they needed to engage help with the upkeep of their house and garden. Having had real difficulty getting consistent and reliable assistance for when we were not there, their search led them to Les Bons Voisins, however, at the time, they did not have property management coverage for their area.
By 2017 their thoughts turned to how they could be nearer to their families in Europe, making France their permanent home, and able to earn a living. To work where they wanted to live, they kept coming back to the thought that the only option for them would be to become self-employed.
Thinking that perhaps they could become franchisees and fulfil the property management gap in their own area, they mulled this idea over and in time contacted Les Bons Voisins. Things didn’t quite go as expected and, cutting a long story short, they ended up agreeing to take over the entire property management company consisting of 20+ franchisees throughout France.
At the end of August 2019, Carmel and Joe took over full ownership and the running of the Les Bons Voisins property management franchise network across France. In doing so, they moved the head office to the Gers, where they run the network out of a dedicated office in Lectoure. At the same time, they set up their own property management area – Gers North East, providing them with an income, but more importantly the hands-on know-how of being property managers in their own area. With Carmel’s background in Human Resources and Coaching/Mentoring, combined with Joe’s background in the British Ministry of Defence, and later running his own security and logistics business in Asia, they are well equipped to tackle all kinds of challenges.
Bureau Central
Bureau Central is the hub of the network and is contactable throughout the working day. Even when your local property manager is out of contact – perhaps assisting another client.
For new potential clients, especially those who don’t know which LBV property manager is closest to them, Bureau Central is always here to help with answers about costs, services, or how the LBV network operates. Many of our new clients come to LBV via magazine adverts or internet searches, so Bureau Central is able to discuss their needs, explain LBV’s services, and then put them in touch with their nearest LBV property manager. Many LBV property managers once owned holiday homes in France themselves, so, they really do understand the needs of their clients.
Bureau Central is busy throughout the year recruiting and training new property managers, imparting the standards that the LBV network upholds and keeping up to date with French bureaucracy.
If you are interested in property management services or a business opportunity, why not give us a call?
