A family of four, torn between the 12th arrondissement and Vincennes, ultimately bought an 88 sqm 4-bedroom with a 15 sqm terrace in Vincennes for 720,000 euros, or 8,182 euros per sqm. The Home Select property hunter negotiated the property 5.9% below the asking price of 765,000 euros. The mission lasted eight weeks, including three spent defining the ideal search perimeter.
Mission overview
- Property hunter: Home Select
- Area: Vincennes, town center neighborhood
- Property type: 4-bedroom, top floor, 1990s residence
- Budget: 800,000 euros
- Negotiated price: 720,000 euros (listed at 765,000 euros)
- Surface area: 88 sqm (loi Carrez) + 15 sqm terrace
- Search duration: 8 weeks
- Buyer profile: Couple with two children (3 and 7 years old), second-time buyers
The brief
Caroline and Sebastien owned a 60 sqm 3-bedroom in the 11th arrondissement, purchased seven years earlier. With a second young child, they needed an extra bedroom and outdoor space. Their budget, made up of the proceeds from selling their current property (estimated at 530,000 euros) and an additional loan, was capped at 800,000 euros.
At that price, the 12th arrondissement, their first choice, only offered 4-bedrooms on low floors without outdoor space, or properties requiring 60,000 euros or more in renovation. The couple was hesitant about taking the step to the suburbs. Our property hunter organized two neighborhood tours in Vincennes, one on a Saturday morning and one on a Wednesday afternoon, so the family could see themselves concretely in the surroundings.
The search strategy
After the Vincennes discovery phase, the couple validated the town center as the primary search area, with the 12th arrondissement maintained as a secondary option. Our property hunter then launched a dual search: monitoring listings in Vincennes (local agencies, portals, direct sales) and targeted watch for exceptional opportunities in the 12th that would match the brief.
The terrace or balcony criterion of at least 10 sqm considerably reduced the supply. In Vincennes, this type of property is mainly found in 1980s-2000s residences, on the top floors. Our property hunter contacted the property managers of four residences identified as having rooftop terraces, in addition to standard market monitoring.
The property
The chosen apartment is on the 6th and top floor of a 1992 residence with elevator, caretaker and underground parking, a 7-minute walk from the Chateau de Vincennes metro station (line 1). It offers 88 sqm comprising an entrance, a 30 sqm living room opening onto the 15 sqm south-west facing terrace, a separate 11 sqm kitchen, three bedrooms (14, 12 and 10 sqm), a bathroom, a shower room and an independent WC. The terrace offers an open view over the rooftops of Vincennes and part of the castle.
The property was in very good condition, renovated by the sellers in 2021 (kitchen, bathroom, paintwork). No work needed. Co-ownership charges of 280 euros per month include caretaker, collective heating and parking maintenance. One parking space is included in the price.
The negotiation
The asking price of 765,000 euros corresponded to 8,693 euros per sqm, a level at the upper end of the Vincennes market for a residence of this era. Our property hunter built an offer at 700,000 euros based on comparable sales in the residence (a 3-bedroom on the 4th floor sold at 7,800 euros per sqm three months earlier), the relatively high charge level for the co-ownership, and the fact that the property had been on the market for six weeks without an offer.
The sellers, a couple transferred to the provinces, needed to close quickly. After negotiation, agreement was reached at 720,000 euros, saving 45,000 euros. The preliminary contract was signed in eight days, facilitated by the financing file prepared in advance by the couple.
What this mission illustrates
Guidance in choosing the area is part of the mission. When a client hesitates between two locations, the property hunter’s role goes beyond searching for properties: it involves helping to objectify the decision. The neighborhood tours organized for Caroline and Sebastien allowed them to settle on Vincennes without regret. This approach is at the heart of our work as property hunters in Ile-de-France.
Modern residences offer amenities that older Parisian buildings cannot match. A 15 sqm terrace, included parking, caretaker, efficient collective heating: all elements impossible to find in a Haussmannian building in the 12th at the same budget. The comparative analysis between Paris and the near suburbs, backed by figures, allows the client to make an informed choice. Our hunters rely on the latest price data to feed this reflection.
Contacting co-ownership managers is an effective prospecting source. Property managers are informed of their residents’ sale plans before properties reach the market. Our property hunter maintains regular relationships with the main property managers in Val-de-Marne, providing access to early opportunities.
Torn between Paris and the near suburbs? Our property hunters will guide you through this decision and search. Contact us to discuss freely.
Frequently asked questions
Is Vincennes a credible alternative to the 12th arrondissement of Paris for a family?
Yes. Vincennes offers prices 10 to 20% lower than the 12th arrondissement, direct access via metro line 1 (8 minutes from Nation), immediate proximity to the Bois de Vincennes, and quality schools with well-ranked nursery and primary options. The city retains a residential character with town center shops.
Which Vincennes neighborhoods are most sought-after in 2026?
The town center around the town hall and market, the southern neighborhood near the RER A, and the Chateau-Daumesnil area between the castle and the metro are the three most in-demand micro-neighborhoods. The town center has the highest prices (8,500-10,000 euros per sqm), while the northern neighborhood remains more affordable (7,500-8,500 euros per sqm).
Does an apartment with a terrace in Vincennes resell well?
Very well. Demand for outdoor space (balconies, terraces, private gardens) has increased sharply since 2020. In Vincennes, an apartment with a terrace of 10 sqm or more sells on average 15 to 20 days faster than a property without outdoor space, and benefits from a premium of 6 to 10% on the price per sqm.
