If you love luxury real estate or real estate agents—or both—you can’t have missed “The Agency.” Good news: Season 4 kicks off this Thursday, December 7th on TMC, promising even more stunning villas and family twists. This is an opportunity for Pretto to revisit the properties that have made us dream the most. And to get out the calculator with a question: how many years of credit do you need to become an ultra-luxury homeowner?

But actually, what is it about?

Let’s give some context for those who don’t (yet) know “The Agency.” The show’s subtitle already sets the tone: “Luxury real estate as a family,” making it impossible to miss the subject. Launched in 2020, the show, broadcast on TMC and Netflix, follows the adventures of a family at the head of a real estate agency specializing in luxury goods and, in recent years, in ultra-luxury.

Luxury or ultra-luxury real estate, what’s the difference?

“Charming properties,” “luxury real estate,” or “ultra-luxury.” So many terms that make you dream. But in concrete terms, what’s the difference between luxury and ultra-luxury? It’s primarily a question of price. A loft for 2.5 million? We’re talking luxury real estate, where prices per square meter range between 12,000 and 20,000 euros. On the other hand, beyond 4 million euros, we’re moving into ultra-luxury, with a wealth of gleaming amenities—an Olympic-sized swimming pool, a movie theater, or even a nightclub—are all yours.

Founded by the parents (Sandrine and Olivier), the agency has since hired the two eldest (Martin and Valentin), later joined by the younger ones (Louis and Raphaël). The now complete family pulls together, sometimes between two family clashes, to offer exceptional properties to clients with unrivaled demands. And when a sales agreement is signed , it is the inevitable and famous gong that resounds in the Boulogne house amidst the applause of the five agents (who are often joined by the dynamic grandmother, Majo).

A show that we follow largely for the exceptional properties it shows (with a few celebrity homes on the program), but also for its storytelling – we become attached to this family of real estate agents.

The app that alerts you as soon as a property is published on the biggest real estate listing sites.

Season 3 ended with a teaser that suggests the four boys’ parents are moving away from their agency, handing it over to their sons to enjoy their new acquisition: a second home in Brazil. And that’s indeed what awaits you/us in Season 4!

Martin, the eldest, positions himself as chief of the tribe, feeling responsible for the three younger brothers, a position that promises to spark some sparks. The show has served as a real boost for the family business, and their scope of activity now extends throughout France and even abroad. And the four brothers will do everything they can to seek out and show their clients magnificent properties .

From New York to Rihanna’s apartment, Costa Rica to Mel Gibson’s villa, a Paris far from the eyes of passersby, and a breathtaking view of Barcelona, ​​season 4 offers some wonderful surprises.

You know us, at Pretto, we love combining business with pleasure. So, seeing these dream properties, we couldn’t help but calculate the monthly payments needed to afford them—to each their own.

Method

To calculate the monthly payments needed to purchase these luxury goods, we based ourselves on the average salary in France, using INSEE figures from 2023. That is €2,520 net/month for the private sector and €2,380 net/month for the public sector.

I simulate my borrowing capacity

The four most beautiful houses seen in “The Agency” according to Pretto

One thing is certain, when faced with properties with magnificent views, sensational amenities and incredible spaces, it is very difficult to choose… But here are the ones that caught our eye the most after watching the first 3 seasons of “The Agency”.

This Cap Ferret house redesigned by Philippe Stark has beach access – ©chicvillas.fr

What makes this house so special? Its beach access and the fact that it was redesigned by Philippe Starck, the former owner.

What we love? We can already see ourselves there.

And if we stick to their actual borrowing capacity , with a monthly payment capped at €1,715/month, there is a good chance that the house will have to be converted into intergenerational housing with children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, etc., since it would take them more than 300 years to acquire this property . All things considered, it is better to think about it… several dozen times!