Frederic, vice president of a tech group, travels between Paris, the United States and Asia. His partner Allison still lives in the United States and is set to join him in Paris in October. The Home Select property hunter found them a 100 sqm apartment in the 12th arrondissement, a property that had remained unsold because it was presented with 3 bedrooms, one of which was too small. Negotiation: from 1,120,000 euros to 1,075,000 euros, sealed with champagne at the sellers’ home.
Mission summary
- Property hunter: Home Select
- Area: Central Paris, neighborhoods well served by the metro
- Property type: 3 rooms (+ small bonus bedroom), approximately 100 sqm, recent upscale building
- Initial price: 1,120,000 euros + parking
- Negotiated price: 1,075,000 euros parking included (minus 4%)
- Renovation: 30,000 euros of updating
- Buyer profile: Franco-American couple, senior executive, expat
The context: an impossible schedule
Frederic is an executive whose calendar is saturated across three continents. He contacts Home Select at the same time as two other buyer’s agent firms. Communication is difficult: Lisa cannot reach him for days at a time.
The turning point: Lisa sends him a text message with a property listing she thinks would suit him. The gesture catches his attention through its relevance. They have never met in person.
The mandate signed thanks to a property identified in advance
First meeting in a cafe near the Bibliotheque nationale. In 30 minutes, Lisa identifies the profile: recent upscale building, at least 2 bedrooms, at least 100 sqm, balcony, natural light, close to the metro. Substantial budget. The couple has no children: they only need two bedrooms, with possibly a spare space for the American in-laws.
Lisa mentions an apartment on rue Lamblardie in the 12th, which she has been following for a few weeks. She cannot arrange a viewing without a mandate. That evening, the exclusive mandate is signed.
The property: a 100 sqm apartment nobody wanted
The rue Lamblardie apartment has been on the market for some time. Initially listed at 1,120,000 euros, it had dropped to 1,090,000 euros. The problem: it is presented as a 3-bedroom, but one of them is tiny. Families with children dismiss the property. Couples without children do not look at it because they are not searching for 3 bedrooms.
Lisa immediately makes the connection: for Frederic and Allison, the layout is ideal. Two proper bedrooms for the couple, and the small third room is perfect for hosting the American family during their visits to Paris.
The owner, a private individual, did not want to work with real estate professionals. Lisa convinces her by presenting a qualified buyer, ready to view quickly.
The Skype viewing for Allison
On April 28, Frederic visits and falls in love with the property. But he cannot commit without Allison’s opinion, and she is in the United States. The owner refuses to allow photos. Lisa organizes a video viewing: she films the apartment room by room while Allison comments from the other side of the Atlantic.
The apartment is a hit. Lisa also sees an American style in it: the kitchen-dining room separated from the living room, resulting from the removal of a fourth bedroom by previous owners, which matches Allison’s habits.
The negotiation: marathon weekend and champagne
Frederic flies Allison in from the United States for a 48-hour weekend. Lisa schedules a marathon of viewings on Saturday and Sunday for comparison.
Before heading to rue Lamblardie, the three agree on the strategy: offer 1,070,000 euros parking included (instead of 1,090,000 euros + 20,000 euros for parking). And if the property appeals, submit the offer immediately, before the other viewings of the day, to create a position of strength with the sellers.
Allison is won over. The offer is submitted on the spot. The sellers were hoping for 1,080,000 euros. After three more viewings during the day, they return to rue Lamblardie. The final offer: 1,075,000 euros. Immediate acceptance, sealed with a framboisier, macarons and champagne at the sellers’ home.
The renovation: 30,000 euros of personalization
The apartment is in excellent condition. Frederic and Allison invest 30,000 euros in updating, primarily replacing the tiles with hardwood flooring. Home Select recommends a trusted contractor and coordinates the work, offering the full turnkey service: search, notaire, renovation.
What this mission illustrates
The property hunter sees what the market does not. A poorly positioned listing (3 bedrooms, one too small) was deterring families and not attracting couples. Lisa immediately connected this apparent flaw with Frederic and Allison’s profile. It is this cross-reading of supply and demand that creates value.
International logistics do not complicate anything with the right process. Skype viewing, offer drafted within 24 hours, marathon of viewings over a single weekend: everything was compressed to fit the schedule of a couple split between two continents.
The price is negotiable when a property has been sitting. An apartment listed for several weeks can be negotiated. Lisa secured a 4% discount: not a record, but a saving of 45,000 euros on a property that was a perfect fit.
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Frequently asked questions
How can you show a Paris apartment to someone living abroad?
The property hunter conducts a live video viewing (Skype, WhatsApp, FaceTime), filming each room and answering questions in real time. At Home Select, this is standard practice for expat clients. The video viewing allows pre-selection of properties before a physical trip for the final decision.
Can you negotiate on an apartment that has been difficult to sell in Paris?
Yes. A property that remains on the market for several weeks often signals a positioning issue: price too high, poor presentation, or a perceived deal-breaker. A property hunter identifies these listings and matches them with buyer profiles for whom the perceived flaw is not an issue. The negotiation margin on this type of property ranges from 3 to 8%.
How does a property hunter convince a seller who is reluctant to work with professionals?
Some private sellers refuse to work with intermediaries. The property hunter contacts them directly, explains that they represent a qualified buyer with a strong file, and proposes a no-obligation meeting. The prospect of a serious buyer, ready to view immediately, is generally enough to overcome the reluctance.