I'm interested in buying a house in neighboring France, on the Ain close to the border. The house is "on paper" (sur plan) meaning that the real estate company hasn't started the works yet.

How to check the reliability of the real estate company? I'd like to know also what are the common pitfalls, what I should check for, etc. I've already done a few checks on my side (mortgage and other stuff) but the amount of things to think about whan buying a house is overwhelming.

Please share your experience if you have one. Or, if you could suggest me (please post on the Forum for the sake of discussion, rather than sending me a private message) the name of a professional that takes care of this sort of things, that'll be very useful.

Thanks in advance and if you submit a good tip you'll be invited to our house-warming party -- or pendaison de cremaillère as they call it on the other side of the border!