Sotheby’s International Realty

Jacques MENAHEM: founder of French Polynesia Sotheby’s International Realty .

Jacques MENAHEM has been present in French Polynesia for over 30 years. Over the course of three decades, he has built up a network of contacts and an in-depth knowledge of the subtleties and trends of the Polynesian real estate market.

First, he founded the largest real estate agency in Fenua (Terre/ Pays in reo Tahiti). Such was his success that Jacques realized the importance of promoting real estate in Polynesia. Opening up to the international market becomes an obvious choice.

He then decided to join forces with the Sotheby’s International Realty network, a specialist in luxury real estate worldwide, and in 2015 created the French Polynesia Sotheby’s International Realty (FPSIR) agency on the waterfront of Papeete, the capital and economic hub of French Polynesia.

Since then, a number of landmark years have energized the agency.

2017: 1ST MEMORABLE INTERNATIONAL SALE AT 180MF

In July 2017, Jacques Menahem closed the sale of the main building of the Legends Resort in Moorea for 180 million Francs. He reckons that without the Sotheby’s brand image, he probably wouldn’t have been able to connect with this foreign client, for such an important transaction.

2018: MOOREA BRANCH OPENS

FPSIR records over 400% increase in sales over 100MF and foreign clientele rises from 5% to 30%. The luxury real estate market is experiencing strong demand in Moorea, but supply is not keeping pace. All the agencies were sending their sales representatives from Tahiti, but there was a shortage of well-established resident agents. Jacques Menahem decides to open an agency in Maharepa, a premium location, with 2 agents.

2020: 1ST INTERNATIONAL SALE 100% VIA VIRTUAL VISIT

FPSIR began offering virtual tours in 2019, and completed its first 100% remote sale of a luxury guesthouse in Moorea, to Irish customers living in Hong Kong. This sale, worth almost 250MF, took place in the midst of the global health crisis. That same year, several sales are closed thanks in large part to HD drone videos, which have become the agency standard since 2019.

2021: MARKET ENTRY IN BORA BORA RECRUITMENT OF A DEDICATED AGENT RESIDENT IN BORA BORA

Until 2021, with around one solid mandate per year and no completed transactions over the last 2 years, the agency was finding it difficult to penetrate the market on the island symbol of luxury in French Polynesia. Since then, Thi-Maï, our resident agent in Bora Bora, has proved to be extremely efficient and satisfies her customers every day.

2021 : DEVELOPMENT OF THE MOOREA AGENCY

After an excellent start in 2018, the agency experienced a difficult period in terms of sales, and the health crisis disrupted the flow of foreign customers. The decision was taken to recruit a manager to develop the local market, create a rental management unit and reinforce the methods and actions of the field agents. The agency has grown from 5% of total sales to over 20% by the 2nd half of 2021.

2024: NEW SERVICES TO SERVE YOU BETTER

To meet your expectations even more effectively, we now have a building expert within the agency, as well as a professional pole to help companies make the most of their opportunities.

We’re constantly on the lookout for new techniques, ideas and projects, so that we can adapt to your needs and continue to support you on a daily basis.