A couple in their forties wanted to leave their 3-room in the 17th arrondissement for more space and light, without moving away from La Défense, where both worked. The Home Select property hunter found a 78 sqm 4-room on the 7th floor in Courbevoie and negotiated it to 582,000 euros from the 620,000 asked, a reduction of 6.1%.
Mission overview
- Property hunter: Home Select
- Area: Courbevoie (Bécon-les-Bruyères)
- Property type: 4-room, 78 sqm, 7th floor
- Initial budget: 620,000 euros
- Asking price: 620,000 euros
- Negotiated price: 582,000 euros (-6.1%)
- Search duration: 7 weeks
- Buyer profile: Couple without children, 42 and 44 years old
The brief
Laurent and Isabelle had lived in a 55 sqm 3-room in the 17th arrondissement for eight years. With remote work now a regular fixture (three days a week each), they needed an extra room for a home office. They hesitated between the 17th, which they knew well, and the western inner suburbs, where their budget of 620,000 euros could buy more generous floor areas.
The couple had no school constraints. Their first priority was light and a view: after years in a ground-floor flat facing a courtyard, they wanted a high floor with an open outlook.
The search strategy
The property hunter ran the search across two areas at once: the northern 17th (Épinettes, Guy Môquet) and three neighbouring towns (Courbevoie, Levallois-Perret, Asnières-sur-Seine). The point was to see, side by side, what the budget bought in each.
After three weeks and 7 viewings in the 17th, the picture was clear: at 620,000 euros, the available 4-rooms were invariably on the ground or first floor and no larger than 65 sqm. The hunter then turned the search to Courbevoie, where the same budget reached upper-floor flats 10 to 20 sqm larger.
The property
The chosen flat was in a 1985 block in Bécon-les-Bruyères, an 8-minute walk from the Transilien station. On the 7th of 9 floors, its 78 sqm gave an open view west over the rooftops and the rising ground of Courbevoie. The layout: a 28 sqm double living room, two bedrooms (13 and 11 sqm), an 8 sqm study, a separate kitchen and a bathroom. A 4 sqm running balcony ran along the living room.
The building had a caretaker, underground parking (included in the price) and a bicycle store. Charges were 280 euros a month, communal gas heating included. The energy rating was D, the windows double-glazed and replaced in 2019.
The negotiation
Listed at 620,000 euros (7,949 euros per sqm), the flat had been on the market for 5 weeks without an offer. The property hunter noted that comparable sales in the block had closed between 7,100 and 7,600 euros per sqm over the past 18 months. The D energy rating, though acceptable, made a useful point against flats rated C in the same building.
The opening offer was set at 570,000 euros with a validated financing file. The seller, relocating for work, soon accepted a middle ground of 582,000 euros. The 38,000 euro saving let the couple pay for reversible air conditioning and a full refresh of the flat.
What this mission illustrates
Comparing Paris and the suburbs on objective criteria clarifies the decision. By arranging viewings in both areas, the property hunter let the couple see for themselves the gap in quality at the same budget. The dedicated Courbevoie page presents the latest market data.
Time on the market signals the room to negotiate. A flat listed for more than four weeks without an offer usually means an overpriced one. Local DVF data lets you quantify the gap and frame a well-argued offer. Our guide to property negotiation strategies sets out the approach.
Remote work is reshaping search criteria. The rise of hybrid working has led many Parisian buyers to put space and comfort ahead of a strict location. A property hunter adjusts the search area to these new realities, factoring in actual commute times to work.
Considering leaving Paris for the western suburbs? Describe your project: your property hunter will help you compare options and find the best value.
Frequently asked questions
Why does Courbevoie attract buyers leaving Paris?
Courbevoie offers an average price per sqm of 7,200 to 8,800 euros in 2026, which is 20 to 30% less than the western arrondissements of Paris. The city benefits from the T2 tramway extension, immediate proximity to La Défense, and a dense retail fabric around the historic town centre. The Bécon-les-Bruyères neighbourhood, served by the Transilien L, connects to Gare Saint-Lazare in 10 minutes.
How does a property hunter manage a search across Paris and the suburbs?
The property hunter activates alerts on both areas simultaneously and organises viewings by geographic sector to optimise travel. At Home Select, about 20% of mandates involve a dual-zone search across Paris and the inner suburbs. The hunter compares value-for-money ratios between areas to guide the client towards the best option.
What are the average co-ownership charges in Courbevoie?
Co-ownership charges in Courbevoie range from 2.5 to 4 euros per sqm per month depending on the type of building. Modern residences with a caretaker and green spaces are around 3.5 euros per sqm per month. Older buildings without an elevator drop to 2 euros per sqm per month. Collective heating accounts for an average of 40% of total charges.
How was this 4-room in Courbevoie negotiated down by 38,000 euros?
Listed at 620,000 euros (7,949 euros/sqm) and on the market for 5 weeks without an offer, the flat was bought for 582,000 euros, a 38,000 euro saving of 6.1%. The Home Select buying agent noted that comparable sales in the block had closed between 7,100 and 7,600 euros/sqm over 18 months and used the D energy rating as a point against C-rated flats in the same building. The seller, relocating for work, accepted an opening offer of 570,000 euros raised to 582,000 euros. Home Select's average negotiation is 6% off the seller's price.
