A French couple expatriated in Singapore wanted to invest in a rental property in Paris with a budget of 420,000 euros. The Home Select property hunter managed the entire search remotely and found a 45 sqm 2-room apartment in the 10th arrondissement, negotiated at 395,000 euros, with a gross rental yield of 4.1%.
Mission summary
- Property hunter: Home Select
- Area: Paris 10th, Canal Saint-Martin / Gare de l’Est
- Property type: 2 rooms, 45 sqm, 2nd floor with elevator
- Initial budget: 420,000 euros
- Negotiated price: 395,000 euros (-5.9% from the listed price of 419,500 euros)
- Search duration: 9 weeks
- Buyer profile: Couple expatriated in Singapore, aged 38 and 40, rental investment
The project
This couple had been living in Singapore for 5 years for professional reasons. Owning no property in France, they wanted to build a Parisian property portfolio during their expatriation, with the idea of potentially living there upon their return in 3 to 5 years.
Their main constraint: the 7-hour time difference with Paris and the inability to travel for viewings. They needed a property hunter capable of managing everything remotely, from viewings to the signing, including coordination with the mortgage broker and notary.
The brief: a property that would be immediately profitable as a rental, in a neighbourhood with strong rental demand, with potential for capital appreciation for a future main residence.
The search strategy
Our property hunter targeted the 10th arrondissement, which combines three advantages for rental investment: still-reasonable prices (8,500 to 10,000 euros/sqm), sustained rental demand driven by the mainline stations (Est, Nord) and businesses along the canal, and capital appreciation potential linked to the urban regeneration of the area.
Each viewing was documented by a 10- to 15-minute commented video report, sent the same evening to the couple. A comparative spreadsheet updated in real time summarised the specifications, prices per sqm, co-ownership charges, and estimated yield for each property.
Of 11 shortlisted properties, 7 were visited. The couple participated remotely in 3 viewings by video conference, with the property hunter on-site streaming live.
The property found
The selected apartment was located on Rue du Faubourg-Saint-Denis, on the 2nd floor with elevator, in a building with its facade renovated in 2022. Surface of 45 sqm, 20 sqm living room open to a fitted kitchen, 14 sqm bedroom facing a quiet courtyard, refurbished bathroom. Double glazing and intercom.
The property was rented at 1,350 euros/month to the sitting tenant (lease expiring in 4 months), guaranteeing immediate income with no vacancy period. The listed price was 419,500 euros, or 9,322 euros/sqm.
The negotiation
The property hunter identified two levers: the property was sold tenanted (the tenant leaving in 4 months, which discourages buyers seeking a main residence), and the co-ownership charges of 2,800 euros/year were slightly above the neighbourhood average due to a concierge.
The initial offer at 385,000 euros was rejected. The final agreement at 395,000 euros, or 8,778 euros/sqm, was obtained by proposing to keep the tenant in place until the end of their lease, simplifying the transition for the seller. The negotiation generated a saving of 24,500 euros.
The preliminary agreement was signed by power of attorney, and the final deed by video conference at the notary’s office. The couple never left Singapore throughout the entire transaction.
What this mission illustrates
Remote purchasing works with the right intermediary. Expatriates who hesitate to invest in Paris out of fear of logistical complexity underestimate the efficiency of a dedicated property hunter. In this mission, the entire process, viewings, negotiation, and notary, was managed without the buyers travelling.
The 10th arrondissement offers a good balance between yield and appreciation. With a gross yield of 4.1% and a price per sqm still below the Parisian average, the 10th arrondissement attracts savvy investors. Rental demand is structurally strong thanks to the transport links and the diversity of the neighbourhood.
Buying with a sitting tenant is an investor’s strategy. A property sold with a tenant in place is negotiated 5 to 10% below the price of a vacant property. For a rental investor who does not plan to live in the property immediately, this is a direct financial advantage, with rent guaranteed from day one.
Are you an expatriate and want to invest in Paris? Contact our team for personalised remote support.
Frequently asked questions
Can an expatriate buy a rental investment in Paris without returning to France?
Yes, remote purchasing is legally possible thanks to notarised power of attorney. The property hunter manages the viewings, negotiation, and technical follow-up. The preliminary agreement and final deed can be signed by power of attorney or by video conference at the notary's office. At Home Select, about 25% of our expatriate clients purchase without travelling.
What rental yield can you expect from a 2-room apartment in the 10th arrondissement of Paris?
A 2-room apartment of 40 to 50 sqm in the 10th arrondissement generates a gross yield of 3.5 to 4.2% in standard letting. The Canal Saint-Martin and Gare de l'Est area attracts strong rental demand from young professionals and couples, ensuring a very low vacancy rate (below 2%).
How to obtain a mortgage as an expatriate to invest in Paris?
French banks grant mortgages to expatriates but generally require a deposit of 20 to 30% and documented stable income. Some banks such as CIC, Credit Agricole, and BNP Paribas have departments dedicated to non-residents. The application takes 4 to 8 weeks longer than a resident application.
