Apartment hunter asked by an American couple for a pied-a-terre
Discover a search quickly conducted by Catherine Ziegler, our apartment hunter specialized in Paris 6th. John and Kimberley live in the United States, but are looking for a base for their Parisian getaway, near the Luxembourg Gardens. Note that this purchase will also be offered for rent during the first years.
What was John and Kimberley's real estate project?
Living in the United States for many years, John and Kimberley wanted to invest in Parisian stone and offer themselves a foothold near Luxembourg. After locating an apartment through the classified real estate ads, they directly contacted the agency in charge of the sale. Unfortunately, the property was already sold.
How did they know Catherine Ziegler, apartment hunter?
Fully aware of the difficulties encountered by expatriates in responding to the tense market for small surfaces, the manager of the agency advised them to use an apartment hunter, otherwise they would risk arriving systematically too late. Spontaneously, she directly gave them the contact details of Catherine Ziegler, apartment hunter from the HOME SELECT network, with whom she had already conducted several sales.
What were John and Kimberley's requirements?
On the recommendation of this agency manager, John and Kimberley contacted Catherine who quickly explained to them how she worked, the role of the search mandate, the calculation of HOME SELECT fees, etc.The discussion then continued on the couple's criteria: a 2-room apartment of 30 to 35m², in the 6th arrondissement, near the Luxembourg Gardens. If it was, for the first two years, a rental investment, they should then be able to enjoy it, on a personal basis, during their Parisian vacations.
Why did Catherine slow down the start of her research?
When it was time to hang up, Catherine warned them that the period (the month of June) was not conducive to selling: she would therefore obviously watch and follow all the opportunities closely, but she preferred to warn them that she would probably not have many apartments to present to them before the market resumed in September. Indeed, during the summer, the goods on the market are not often the most interesting: they often involve work or do not benefit from the best services (no elevator, for example).
Why did research speed up all of a sudden?
Thanks to a trip to Europe at the end of August, Catherine organized a few visits for the couple who were visiting Paris on September 1. She manages to select 6 apartments for them, 4 of which are selected by John and Kimberley. Our real estate hunter is therefore taking all the appointments for Saturday. Unfortunately, a problem at the airport is delaying connections and preventing the couple from showing up on D-Day: in the end, they won't be there until the next day! As soon as she received the message, Catherine tried to postpone her appointments: a difficult undertaking insofar as the real estate professionals had not yet all returned from vacation and it was a Sunday. Out of the 4 visits, she only manages to get the keys to one apartment... Indeed, few agencies agree to entrust them, even to a professional... Luckily, the only property to visit is already the one that aroused the most interest in John and Kimberley...
Why could the couple like the apartment?
On Sundays, Catherine and the couple meet at the foot of the apartment, located in a building from the 1600s. If the condominium is in the middle of work and is redoing the stairwell, they can immediately see its potential, with its beautiful wooden ramps and pretty terracotta steps.If the property does not have an elevator, its geographical location is optimal since it is located in the couple's favorite place, along Luxembourg. At the penultimate floor level, the bright apartment is in perfect condition, with an American kitchen, a bathroom with WC, on parquet floors with exposed beams.
How did the purchase happen?
Since the price displayed is slightly more expensive than the market, Catherine suggests to John and Kimberley that they quickly draft a proposal with a small negotiation. The latter was quickly accepted! The acquisition process continues with a notary recommended by Catherine. Although the couple promised to return for the signing of the compromise, their diaries finally did not allow them to go through Paris as planned. So, while the notary has a project done in English, endorsed by a sworn notary, John and Kimberley take care of the powers of attorney issued to Catherine.To simplify the procedures, the signing of the promise is transformed into the signature of the final act, insofar as the purchase was made without suspensive conditions, on the basis of available funds.
What work did they do?
Following the delivery of the keys, Catherine made herself available to open up to the painters, who were asked to refresh the property in order to facilitate its rental.
“A recommendation from a real estate agency! ”
Catherine very much appreciated the recommendation of the manager of the 8th arrondissement agency, which translated into concrete facts the great collaboration begun during previous real estate projects.
“Absolutely thrilled with Catherine's service++! ”
John and Kimberley are very happy with Catherine's service: beyond the pure real estate search, our apartment hunter put them in contact with competent professionals (notaries, possible rental companies). While providing additional services that they greatly appreciated: openness to painters and various purchases (decoration, bed and bathroom linen...).
