A Franco-British couple based in London was looking for a 2-room pied-a-terre in the 15th arrondissement of Paris with a budget of 420,000 euros. Catherine Ziegler, property hunter at Home Select, identified a 45 sqm apartment on the 5th floor with balcony in 4 weeks, negotiated at 395,000 euros or 8,778 euros per sqm.
Mission summary
- Property hunter: Catherine Ziegler, Home Select
- Search area: 15th arrondissement, Commerce / La Motte-Picquet area
- Property type: 2-room apartment, 40-50 sqm
- Budget: 420,000 euros
- Negotiated price: 395,000 euros (-6%)
- Search duration: 4 weeks
- Buyer profile: Franco-British couple based in London, pied-a-terre
The project
James and Sophie, in their forties, live in London where James works in finance and Sophie in publishing. Sophie is French, originally from Paris. The couple already spent 6 to 8 weekends per year in Paris visiting Sophie’s family and no longer wanted to book hotels or rely on family for accommodation. They wanted a functional, bright pied-a-terre in a calm residential neighborhood well served by the metro.
The 15th arrondissement was the natural choice: Sophie’s parents live there, the neighborhood offers one of the best value-for-money ratios on the Left Bank, and line 8 connects Commerce directly to the Gare du Nord and Gare de l’Est stations. The budget of 420,000 euros as a full cash purchase (no French mortgage) provided comfortable room in this area.
The search strategy
Catherine Ziegler focused the search on the Commerce / La Motte-Picquet / Felix Faure triangle in the 15th arrondissement. This area offers the best compromise between metro access (lines 6, 8 and 10), quality of life and price per sqm (8,500-9,500 euros on average for 2-room apartments).
The main constraint was time: the couple only had one weekend in Paris to visit. The property hunter therefore pre-selected 9 properties by viewing them alone in advance, retaining 4 finalists that strictly matched the criteria. Everything was organized for one intensive Saturday of viewings.
The property found
The selected apartment is located on rue du Commerce, on the 5th floor of a 1930s building with elevator. The 2-room apartment of 45 sqm includes a 22 sqm living room with a 4 sqm south-west facing continuous balcony, a 12 sqm bedroom, a separate kitchen and a bathroom renovated in 2021. The oak parquet flooring is in good condition and the double-glazed windows were replaced in 2019.
The decisive advantage: an open view over the rooftops of Paris from the balcony, with direct sunlight from 2 PM until sunset. For a pied-a-terre occupied mainly on weekends, this brightness made all the difference. The 24-unit condominium has a full-time concierge, an important criterion for a property occupied intermittently.
The negotiation
The asking price was 420,000 euros, or 9,333 euros per sqm. Catherine based the negotiation on two points: the kitchen, functional but dated (appliances from the 2000s), and the DPE rated D (energy performance), acceptable but improvable, with an estimated cost of 8,000 euros to insulate the exterior wall.
The offer at 390,000 euros received a counter-proposal at 405,000 euros. The compromise at 395,000 euros (8,778 euros per sqm) was accepted. Catherine coordinated all the administrative steps remotely: opening James’s French bank account, notarized power of attorney for the preliminary contract, and liaison with the notaire’s office. The couple made only two trips to Paris throughout the entire process.
What this mission illustrates
Structuring remote purchases for non-residents. A London-based buyer cannot view 15 properties over three months. The property hunter filters, visits, documents (photos, videos, reports) and organizes a day of targeted viewings. This approach is our standard for expat clients.
Anticipating the administrative specifics post-Brexit. Opening a bank account, non-EU resident taxation and notarized powers of attorney require specific preparation. Catherine coordinated each step with the relevant professionals. Our guide to buying for foreigners details these procedures.
Choosing a building suited to intermittent use. A pied-a-terre unoccupied five days out of seven requires a vigilant concierge, a well-managed condominium and a stable neighborhood. The property hunter checks these criteria that are invisible in listings but critical for peace of mind. Our client reviews regularly attest to this comprehensive support.
Living abroad and looking for a pied-a-terre in Paris? Contact Home Select: we support non-resident buyers from A to Z.
Frequently asked questions
Can a British citizen buy an apartment in Paris after Brexit?
Yes. Brexit did not change the right to own property in France. A British citizen can buy freely, but mortgage conditions are more restrictive for non-EU residents: a minimum deposit of 30 to 40% is required by French banks and opening a French bank account is mandatory.
What are the additional costs for a property purchase from London?
Beyond notaire fees (7-8% for resale properties), a London-based buyer should budget for currency exchange fees sterling/euro (0.3-0.5% via a specialist broker), notarized power of attorney if the buyer cannot be present at signing (approximately 200 euros), and opening a French bank account (free but mandatory).
How do you manage a Parisian pied-a-terre from London?
Managing a pied-a-terre remotely requires a responsive property manager, a trusted building concierge and possibly a concierge service. In the 15th arrondissement, well-managed condominiums facilitate this arrangement. Home Select can recommend trusted local managers after the purchase.
