With more plans in the pipeline, Occitanie Properties remains committed to helping clients start their next chapter in France - with warmth, dedication and an expert guiding hand.

Anneke decided the time was right to expand - not for the sake of numbers, but to extend exceptional service to more clients.

• A third office opened in Lézat-sur-Lèze, offering countryside charm with easy access to Toulouse.
• The company rebranded as Occitanie Properties, reflecting its strong identity, regional coverage and international reach.
• The team grew to 20 carefully selected agents - each chosen for their expertise, collaborative spirit and commitment to client care.
• A new digital relaunch brought fresh tools, a redesigned logo and a modern website.
• Anneke also welcomed Rebecca Piper as co-leader - a shared vision for a human-centred, agile and client-focused future.

The global property market faced its toughest period since 2009. Between May 2023 and April 2024, 1,120 French agencies closed their doors. Occitanie Properties not only survived but stayed true to its values - proving that relationships, trust and quality service endure through any market.

Strengthening the Base

• A second office opened in La Fossat to meet rising demand.
• Mallaury joined the support team, welcoming clients with warmth, efficiency and excellent coffee.
• A new, streamlined website launched.

Expansion continued into the Tarn, known for its art, history and slower pace of life.

Growth in a Global Shift

• The first agent joined in the Gers, famed for its natural beauty and gastronomy.
• Post-COVID demand surged, with many buyers realising they could work remotely from their dream location.
• The team guided record numbers of clients - some entirely via video viewings - through life-changing moves.
• The company celebrated its 20th anniversary with a joyful party featuring live music, fire juggling and belly dancing

To reflect a broader reach, the business rebranded as Midi Pyrénées Propriétés / Occitanie Propriétés.

The company welcomed its first agent in the Aude department - a wine lover's paradise between the coast and mountains. The team there has since grown to four. By now, the company had 10 commercial agents and 200 properties listed.

The Ariège team expanded into mountain villages, helping clients find remote, off-grid homes surrounded by nature.

The property market shifted. Local competition grew and big corporate agencies arrived with flashy marketing and expensive websites. Anneke kept investing in her own business - launching around eight websites over the years - but never lost sight of her core principle: focus on what you can do best and do it better than anyone else.

Anneke opened the first dedicated office in Artigat, perfectly located next to her daughters' school. Every lunchtime, the girls - and their entire class - would wave hello as they passed by on their way to the canteen.

The team completed its first €1 million+ sale, proof that this special corner of France was attracting buyers who valued authenticity, nature and proximity to both the sea and the mountains.

The first Agent Commercial joined, marking the start of a collaborative model that remains central to the business today. The team focused on Ariège, building deep local knowledge and a trusted reputation - perfect for clients seeking peace, space and an active outdoor lifestyle.

Magali joined the team - a decision that shaped the company's future. Still with the business today, she brings over 20 years of knowledge, warmth and dedication to both buyers and sellers.

The first simple website was launched, quickly ranking number one in the region. With no other international agents operating locally, it gave Anneke's clients a unique advantage. At the time, the office was at her home, with newborn twin girls to care for, her team often helped keep an eye on them between viewings.

Before online listings became the norm, Anneke promoted homes through newspaper adverts across France and in property magazines in Holland, the UK and Belgium. She attended property shows in Holland with the support of her mum, who diligently took names and numbers for follow-up calls. The company had only a handful of properties and that was just fine! With little competition, houses sold as quickly as they were listed.

Anneke's real estate journey began with a clear purpose: to connect people with homes that truly fit their lives. With a background in property and a deep love for France, she laid the foundations for what would become Occitanie Properties. From the start, it wasn't about chasing numbers - it was about helping people start their own French adventure.