A Franco-Singaporean couple returning from expatriation in Singapore acquired a 68 sqm 3-room apartment in the Commerce neighbourhood, Paris 15th, in 7 weeks of searching. Catherine Ziegler, property hunter at Home Select, managed the entire remote search and negotiated the price from 620,000 euros down to 588,000 euros, a saving of 5.2%.
Mission summary
- Property hunter: Catherine Ziegler
- Area: Paris 15th, Commerce / La Motte-Picquet
- Property type: 3 rooms, 68 sqm, 5th floor with elevator
- Initial budget: 650,000 euros
- Listed price: 620,000 euros
- Negotiated price: 588,000 euros (-5.2%)
- Search duration: 7 weeks
- Buyer profile: Couple in their forties, returning from 6 years of expatriation in Singapore
The project
This couple had lived in Singapore for six years for the husband’s career in finance. The return to France was decided: a new position in Paris-La Defense for him, resuming freelance work for her. Their four-year-old daughter was to start nursery school in September.
They wanted to buy before their physical return, planned in three months. The timeline was therefore tight: find, negotiate, and sign a preliminary agreement from Singapore, with a 6-hour time difference. The target area was the left bank of the 15th, along metro line 6 (Bir-Hakeim, Dupleix, La Motte-Picquet, Commerce): a route connecting the Eiffel Tower to Montparnasse and providing quick access to La Defense via the RER C or line 6 with a connection.
The search strategy
Catherine Ziegler set up an expatriate support protocol from the first video call. The criteria were precise: minimum 3 rooms and 60 sqm, high floor with elevator, well-maintained building, proximity to line 6, family neighbourhood with local shops. The budget of 650,000 euros was comfortable for this area, allowing a good range of choice.
The remote protocol included: viewings filmed in real time via video call (when the time difference allowed) or recorded with audio commentary, complete co-ownership analysis (minutes from the last three AGMs, maintenance log, charges), and pre-qualification of financing through a specialist expatriate mortgage broker.
In seven weeks, Catherine visited 14 apartments and presented 5 complete files to the couple.
The property found
A 68 sqm 3-room apartment on the 5th floor of a 1965 building, with elevator and concierge. A 25 sqm double living room with a 3 sqm south-west-facing balcony, two bedrooms (14 and 11 sqm), a 7 sqm closed kitchen, a bathroom, and a separate WC. The apartment had been partially renovated in 2020 (bathroom, electrics). Oak parquet, built-in wardrobes in the bedrooms. Energy performance rated C.
The highlight: an open view from the 5th floor over a tree-lined perspective, and absolute quiet: the building is set back from the street, accessed via a private lane. Commerce station (line 8) is 4 minutes on foot, La Motte-Picquet (lines 6, 8, 10) 7 minutes away.
The negotiation
The listed price of 620,000 euros represented 9,118 euros/sqm, at the upper end of the market for this part of the 15th (8,500-9,300 euros/sqm). The property deserved a premium for its brightness and quiet setting, but two elements justified negotiation.
The kitchen, unrenovated, required a complete overhaul estimated at 10,000-15,000 euros. And the co-ownership rules included a vote on elevator replacement in 2026, with an estimated cost of 6,000 to 8,000 euros per unit.
Catherine submitted a reasoned offer at 580,000 euros. After a phone exchange with the seller (a retired couple moving to the provinces), agreement was reached at 588,000 euros, or 8,647 euros/sqm. The preliminary agreement was signed by power of attorney, the couple still being in Singapore.
What this mission illustrates
Returning from expatriation is a critical moment for property purchases. The timeline is constrained, local market knowledge is outdated, and the financing arrangement is more complex. A property hunter specialising in expatriate support saves weeks and avoids misjudgements about a market that has evolved during the absence.
The 15th arrondissement remains the best-kept secret of the Left Bank. Less expensive than the 7th or 6th, the 15th arrondissement offers generous floor areas, an authentic neighbourhood life, and exceptional transport links. The Commerce-La Motte-Picquet area concentrates the advantages without the tourist downsides of neighbouring districts.
Notarised power of attorney makes buying from abroad possible. Signing a preliminary agreement remotely is perfectly legal and common. The property hunter coordinates with the notary to set up the power of attorney and verifies that all documents are compliant. This is a step we handle several times a month for our non-resident clients.
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Frequently asked questions
How do you buy an apartment in Paris while still living abroad?
A property hunter manages the complete search remotely: defining criteria, filmed viewings with technical reports, co-ownership analysis, negotiation. The buyer only travels to validate the final property and sign the preliminary agreement. At Home Select, 30% of our clients are expatriates or non-residents. Catherine Ziegler regularly supports clients returning from expatriation.
Is getting a mortgage more difficult for an expatriate returning to France?
The main difficulty is the absence of income declared in France over recent years. Banks require a signed French employment contract and a larger deposit (20 to 30% versus 10 to 15% for a resident). Some banks (HSBC, BNP) have departments specialising in returning expatriates. A specialist expatriate mortgage broker is strongly recommended.
Which Parisian neighbourhoods are most popular with returning expatriates?
Returning expatriates favour well-connected neighbourhoods (proximity to airports, TGV stations), with international shops and quality schools. The 15th (Commerce, Grenelle), the 16th (Passy, Auteuil), the 7th, and the 6th are the most in-demand. The 15th offers the best surface-to-price ratio among these premium areas.
