Guides
Preparing an English-language video dossier before an overseas buyer’s visit
Organise captions, plans and documents for a Burgundy property so an English-speaking buyer can prepare a viewing without avoidable ambiguity.
Contents
A buyer watches a film of a Burgundy country house from abroad. They like the property, then ask a practical question: are the two bedrooms shown after the staircase on the same floor? That is where an English-language dossier begins. Its purpose is not to add decorative translation to an attractive video, but to enable a precise conversation before arranging travel.
Establish a stable French version before translating
The description, plan and captions should agree first. A room cannot be called a study in one document and a bedroom in another without explanation. Outbuildings, levels and areas need consistent references. If something remains unconfirmed, the English version must retain that qualification rather than become more definite than the French text.
I prepare written property presentations in English to help people discover a home from a distance. This does not assume that all overseas buyers want the same things. Some already know Burgundy well; others are discovering the area. A dossier is more useful when it answers their actual questions rather than assigning them a lifestyle according to their country.
Translate conventions, not just words
The French advertised room count does not necessarily mean the number of bedrooms an English-speaking reader expects. Living spaces and bedrooms need to be distinguished clearly. Floor references also deserve attention: numbering alone can be interpreted differently under British and American conventions. A caption connecting a level to its access and a reference on the plan reduces that ambiguity.
Areas can remain in square metres. If a conversion is added, it should come from the same source value, be identified as rounded, and avoid confusing habitable area, floor area and approximate outbuilding dimensions. More familiar vocabulary must not change the nature of the measurement.
Make the film easy to consult during a conversation
A simple contents list helps someone return to a particular space: arrival, reception rooms, bedrooms, outbuildings and grounds. Film references should match the dossier. When a buyer writes “the second room on the left”, it should be possible to reply without guessing. Short, consistent captions may be more useful than densely packed narration.
If the film includes a voice, checked subtitles can help. They should follow what is actually said and correct automatic transcription errors, particularly place names. Viewers also need time to read them. They should not have to choose between observing a room and deciphering a long paragraph over the picture.
Prepare different levels of information
The public presentation can give essential features and a way to request further details. A dossier shared with an identified recipient can then bring together a readable plan, additional photographs and useful documents according to the stage of the enquiry. Not everything belongs on an open webpage: personal contact details, signatures and information about occupants need to remain protected.
French documents retain their place. An English summary may make them easier to read, but it should be distinguished from the original document. For a legal question or a translation needed for signing, the appropriate professional should be identified with the notary. A commercial film does not replace that verification or suitable assistance.
Give the next viewing a clear purpose
At the end of the dossier, I prefer to prepare a short list of things to examine in person: the relationship between buildings, the sense of space, the condition of a feature, or how equipment works. Travel then has a clear purpose. A video remains a selected representation; it cannot convey every material, every sound or every technical characteristic.
Finally, ask what information is missing before discussing dates. A buyer who understands the film may still need a plan or clarification about occupancy. The answer should be added to a dated version of the dossier so everyone is working from the same information.
The Saint-Gervais-en-Vallière château listing provides an example of a character property presented on this website. For your own property, preparation begins with the information actually available and the questions that need clarification. A useful English-language dossier should remain as accurate and as measured as its French version.
A short glossary linked to the plan
These sample labels help prepare a dossier; they do not describe a particular property. Plan references should remain identical in both languages.
| French reference | English label to clarify | Check against the property |
|---|---|---|
| Rez-de-chaussée | Ground level — access shown on the plan | Its actual relationship with the street and garden |
| Premier étage | Level above ground floor | The stairs and rooms served, without relying on a number alone |
| Pièces / chambres | Rooms / bedrooms, counted separately | The same room schedule in both versions |
| Annexe | Outbuilding — current use stated separately | Documented current use; future possibilities are not presented as approved |
The broader sequence from film to a live conversation and a visit is described in my French guide to viewing remotely. This dossier adds a different task: keeping the French and English information consistent.