A couple on a professional transfer from Lyon was looking for a 4-bedroom flat in Puteaux, close to La Defense, with a budget of 530,000 euros. Frederic Girard, property hunter at Home Select, identified an 82 sqm flat with an open view in the Republique neighborhood, negotiated from 525,000 euros to 495,000 euros, a saving of 30,000 euros (5.7%), in 6 weeks.
Mission summary
- Property hunter: Frederic Girard, property hunter at Home Select
- Area: Puteaux, Republique, town hall and Vieux-Puteaux neighborhoods
- Property type: 4-bedroom, 82 sqm, 7th floor with elevator, open view
- Initial budget: 530,000 euros
- Asking price: 525,000 euros
- Negotiated price: 495,000 euros
- Negotiation: -5.7% (30,000 euros)
- Search duration: 6 weeks
- Buyer profile: couple in their forties, transferring from Lyon, one child
The project
Alexandre and Nadia, both executives in finance, were leaving Lyon for La Defense following Alexandre’s transfer to an international group. They had six weeks before the start date to find an apartment. Their ten-year-old daughter needed to be enrolled in a secondary school before the start of the new term.
The couple had targeted Puteaux for its walking proximity to La Defense: Alexandre refused to add commuting time after years of cycling in Lyon. Their budget of 530,000 euros allowed them to aim for a genuine 4-bedroom flat, a comfort they would not have been able to afford in the neighboring 16th arrondissement.
The difficulty: they did not know Puteaux at all and did not have time to make multiple trips between Lyon and Paris for viewings.
The search strategy
Frederic Girard organized the search in remote-buying mode, a format that Home Select has mastered for clients in transition. First step: a 45-minute video call to refine the criteria and present the different neighborhoods of Puteaux, maps and photos included.
The property hunter targeted three areas: Vieux-Puteaux (charm and shops, but higher prices), the Republique neighborhood (good compromise between neighborhood life and budget), and the eastern sector toward the Pont de Neuilly (recent developments, serviced residences).
Frederic carried out filmed pre-viewings for each shortlisted property, with real-time commentary on condition, light, noise and common areas. Out of twelve properties identified in four weeks, seven were ruled out after pre-viewing. The couple traveled from Lyon just once to view the five shortlisted properties, all in a single day.
The property found
The choice fell on a 4-bedroom flat of 82 sqm on the 7th floor of a 1998 residence in the Republique neighborhood. The apartment offered a functional layout: a 26 sqm living room with balcony, three bedrooms of 13, 11 and 9 sqm, an open fitted kitchen, and separate bathroom and shower room.
The main asset: an open westward view, with no overlooking, with the trees of the Square Leon-Blum in the foreground. The building had a concierge, underground parking (space included) and reasonable charges (220 euros/month including collective heating).
The residence had undergone a facade renovation in 2022 and the roof terrace had been redone in 2023. No major works planned in the multi-year plan. The DPE rated C was in line with a building of this generation.
The negotiation
The asking price of 525,000 euros placed the property at 6,402 euros/sqm, in the upper average for the Republique neighborhood. Frederic Girard identified two negotiation levers: the presence of laminate flooring in the bedrooms (to be replaced with parquet, estimated cost 4,500 euros) and DVF comparables showing two recent transactions in the same residence, concluded at 6,050 and 6,180 euros/sqm.
The offer at 490,000 euros was discussed. The compromise was reached at 495,000 euros, as the seller appreciated the solidity of the financial profile (two senior executive permanent contracts, deposit of 120,000 euros) and the guarantee of a swift completion. The preliminary agreement was signed via video conference with the notary, as the couple had already returned to Lyon to prepare the move.
What this mission illustrates
Remote searching works when it is structured. Alexandre and Nadia traveled only once. The filmed pre-viewings by Frederic Girard eliminated unsuitable properties without round trips. For a couple on a professional transfer, this organization represents a considerable saving of time and energy.
Towns bordering Paris offer an unbeatable surface-to-price ratio. At 495,000 euros, this couple obtained an 82 sqm flat with parking and an open view. The same budget in the neighboring 16th arrondissement would have offered them a 55 sqm flat without outdoor space. The property hunter who knows both markets guides clients toward the best option based on their lifestyle.
A strong financial profile is a negotiation accelerator. Two senior executive permanent contracts with a 120,000 euros deposit: the seller knew the sale would go through. In a market where sales fall through, this certainty carried as much weight as pricing arguments. A prepared financial file is worth as much as a strong negotiation argument.
Are you on a professional transfer to Paris or La Defense? Contact Frederic Girard at Home Select for an efficient remote search.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average price per sqm in Puteaux in 2026?
In 2026, the average price per sqm in Puteaux ranges between 6,200 and 8,500 euros depending on the neighborhood and type of property. Vieux-Puteaux and the town hall area have the highest prices (7,500-8,500 euros/sqm), while the areas near the Pont de Neuilly and recent developments to the east offer more accessible rates (6,200-7,000 euros/sqm).
How does a property hunter help during a professional transfer?
The property hunter manages the entire search remotely: defining criteria, filmed pre-viewings, property selection, organizing viewings concentrated over one or two days, negotiation support and coordination with the notary. For a couple on a transfer who does not know the local market, this service avoids neighborhood mistakes and considerably accelerates settling in.
Puteaux or Courbevoie: which town to choose for living near La Defense?
Both towns offer quick access to La Defense. Puteaux is more compact with a characterful town center (Vieux-Puteaux) and slightly higher prices. Courbevoie offers more diverse neighborhoods and a more varied housing stock, with opportunities in the Becon-les-Bruyeres area. The choice depends on profile: Puteaux for walking distance to La Defense, Courbevoie for a better surface-to-price ratio.
