A student couple finishing their studies made their first property purchase: a 28 sqm studio on the 6th floor with elevator in the Commerce neighbourhood of the 15th arrondissement, acquired at 245,000 euros after a negotiation of 20,000 euros (7.5%). The Home Select property hunter completed this mission in 4 weeks.
Mission summary
- Property hunter: Home Select property hunter
- Area: Commerce / Félix Faure, Paris 15th
- Property type: Studio 28 sqm, 6th floor with elevator
- Initial budget: 265,000 euros
- Negotiated price: 245,000 euros (listed at 265,000 euros)
- Search duration: 4 weeks
- Buyer profile: Student couple, ages 24 and 25, first-time buyers with family support
The project
Léa was in her final year of business school and Maxime finishing a master’s in law. They wanted to buy rather than keep paying 1,100 euros a month to rent their flat in the 15th. Both sets of parents had put together a deposit of 80,000 euros, and Léa’s mother would co-sign the loan to secure the financing. Their main criterion was to stay in the 15th, which they knew well, with a studio large enough for the two of them through their first years of work.
The search strategy
Our property hunter targeted the Commerce, Félix Faure and Lourmel area, where prices per sqm for small properties stay contained against the northern part of the 15th. The search focused on studios of 25 to 32 sqm on high floors, in buildings with a lift and moderate service charges. Light was a priority: at this budget and size, the gap between a dark studio on the first floor and a bright one higher up makes a real difference to daily life and resale value.
The property found
The studio sat on the sixth floor of a 1970s building with a lift, in a quiet block five minutes from the Commerce metro station. The 28 sqm were well used: an 18 sqm living space with a fitted kitchen area, a shower room, and a small west-facing balcony with an open view over the rooftops. The seller had freshened it up, paint and flooring, sparing any renovation budget. Service charges came to 120 euros a month. One point was checked carefully: the building rules do allow letting, leaving the couple room to manoeuvre if they move on.
The negotiation
The studio was listed at 265,000 euros, or 9,464 euros per sqm. Our property hunter found that the seller, about to move abroad, was working to a tight schedule. The offer came in at 240,000 euros, backed by local prices of 8,500 to 9,200 euros per sqm for comparable studios and a promise of a quick signing. The parties settled at 245,000 euros (8,750 euros per sqm), 20,000 euros below the asking price. At 7.5%, the reduction is above the Paris average, made possible by the seller’s circumstances and the speed of the offer.
What this mission illustrates
Young first-time buyers gain from professional guidance. With no market experience, Léa and Maxime might have paid full price for a poorly valued property or missed a technical fault. The property hunter makes this first, decisive purchase safe.
The seller’s situation is a key factor in any negotiation. By spotting the owner’s imminent departure, our property hunter could pitch an aggressive but realistic offer. The 7.5% reduction follows directly from that market intelligence.
The 15th arrondissement remains accessible for a first purchase. With prices between 8,500 and 10,000 euros per sqm depending on the micro-neighbourhood, the southern part of the 15th allows young buyers to become homeowners within Paris at reasonable conditions.
Preparing your first purchase in Paris? Contact Home Select for guidance from an experienced property hunter.
Frequently asked questions
Can a student buy an apartment in Paris?
Yes, provided they have sufficient personal savings, often contributed by their family. Banks will finance students nearing the end of their studies if a co-borrower (parent) acts as guarantor or co-signs the loan. The overall household debt ratio is then taken into account.
What is the minimum budget for a studio in the 15th arrondissement?
In 2026, studios of 20 to 30 sqm in the 15th sell between 200,000 and 310,000 euros depending on location and condition. The Commerce-Félix Faure area remains more affordable than the Grenelle-Champ de Mars area.
Does a property hunter work with first-time buyers on a small budget?
At Home Select, we work with first-time buyers regardless of budget. For small properties, our added value is twofold: identifying undervalued properties or those with appreciation potential, and securing the purchase with a rigorous technical analysis.
How do you negotiate 7.5% on a Paris studio when the average is 6%?
A negotiation rate above the Paris average usually comes from the seller's personal situation. In this mission, the owner was moving abroad on a tight schedule. By spotting that urgency and presenting a quick offer, backed by real local prices (8,500 to 9,200 euros/sqm) and a commitment to sign fast, the Home Select hunter secured a 20,000-euro reduction on a studio listed at 265,000 euros, or 7.5%, against a 6% average negotiation across all missions.
