A family with three children was looking for a townhouse with garden in Antony (92), with very precise requirements regarding orientation, proximity to schools and quietness. Marie Esmieu-Fournel, property hunter at Home Select, found a 110 sqm house with a 350 sqm south-facing garden in 9 weeks, negotiated to 685,000 euros.
Mission overview
- Property hunter: Marie Esmieu-Fournel, Home Select
- Search area: Antony, Sceaux, Bourg-la-Reine (92)
- Property type: Townhouse, 100-130 sqm, with garden of minimum 250 sqm
- Budget: 720,000 euros
- Negotiated price: 685,000 euros (minus 4.9%)
- Search duration: 9 weeks
- Buyer profile: Couple with 3 children, primary residence, selling an apartment in Paris 14th
The project
Sebastien and Nadia, 42 and 39, lived in a 4-bedroom 80 sqm apartment in the 14th arrondissement with their three children aged 4, 7 and 10. The lack of outdoor space and the growing lack of room pushed them towards the southern suburbs, provided they stayed on the RER B line that Sebastien uses daily to reach his office at Chatelet.
Their brief was particularly detailed: a south-facing garden of at least 250 sqm, flat terrain (no slope dangerous for the youngest child), walking proximity to the Descartes school complex, no direct overlooking on the garden side, and at least 4 bedrooms. The budget of 720,000 euros, financed by the sale of their Parisian apartment estimated at 650,000 euros plus a mortgage top-up, covered the Antony market but reduced options in Sceaux, which is more expensive.
The search strategy
Marie Esmieu-Fournel began by mapping the streets of Antony within an 800-meter radius of the Descartes school complex that were oriented to provide a south-facing garden. This preparatory work narrowed the perimeter to four specific neighborhoods. The property hunter then contacted the 8 estate agencies in the area to position herself for early access on matching properties.
The search was complicated by the scarcity of houses with large gardens in Antony: on average, only 2 to 3 new listings per month match the surface criteria. Over 9 weeks, 8 properties were studied, 5 were visited and 2 finalists were presented to Sebastien and Nadia.
The property found
The selected house is located in the Rabats neighborhood, a quiet residential area 600 meters from the Descartes school complex and 12 minutes on foot from the Antony RER B station. It is a 1960s townhouse of 110 sqm on two levels: on the ground floor, a 30 sqm living-dining room opening directly onto the garden, a fitted kitchen and a WC; upstairs, four bedrooms of 10 to 14 sqm and a bathroom.
The 350 sqm south-facing and perfectly flat garden is enclosed by a 2-meter laurel hedge offering complete privacy. The roof was replaced in 2018 and the gas heating system dates from 2015. The D energy rating is typical for a 1960s detached house. Single-glazed windows are the main renovation item, estimated at 12,000 euros.
The negotiation
The asking price was 720,000 euros. Marie based the negotiation on three elements: the single-glazed windows requiring complete replacement (quoted at 12,000 euros), the compliant but aging electrical installation (1990s panel), and the property’s presence on the market for 5 weeks without an offer, a sign that the price was slightly above market for the neighborhood.
The initial offer of 670,000 euros was countered at 700,000 euros. The agreement at 685,000 euros includes a clause reserving the outdoor furniture (shed, garden furniture) left by the sellers. The price per sqm of habitable space at 6,227 euros is consistent with the Antony market for a house with a large garden in 2025.
What this mission illustrates
A precise brief accelerates the search. Contrary to the common belief, detailed criteria do not slow down the search: they refine it. The property hunter only visits relevant properties, avoiding disappointments and unnecessary back-and-forth. This methodology is at the heart of our support service for families.
Local expertise makes the difference in Ile-de-France. Knowing neighborhoods street by street, including garden orientations, school catchment areas and atmosphere, is essential in the suburbs where micro-locations vary significantly. The property hunter in Ile-de-France brings this on-the-ground knowledge that online portals cannot replicate.
Coordinating a Paris sale and a suburban purchase. As with any sell-then-buy operation, timing is critical. Marie synchronized the listing of the 14th arrondissement apartment with the search in Antony, securing the financing without resorting to a bridge loan. Our clients in this situation appreciate this dual support, as reflected in our client reviews.
Leaving Paris for the southern suburbs with precise requirements? Contact Home Select: our property hunters find the house that ticks every box.
Frequently asked questions
What budget is needed for a house with garden in Antony in 2026?
In 2026, a townhouse with garden in Antony (92) sells for between 600,000 and 900,000 euros depending on the living area (90-140 sqm), the plot size (200-500 sqm) and the proximity to the RER B station. Neighborhoods close to the station command a 10 to 15% premium compared to more remote areas.
Why use a property hunter to buy in the southern suburbs?
In Ile-de-France, family properties with gardens sell quickly. A property hunter monitors new listings in real time, conducts pre-viewings to filter properties and prepares well-argued offers on the same day. Without this responsiveness, families miss the most in-demand properties, particularly in Antony and Sceaux.
How does a property hunter handle a very precise brief?
A demanding brief (orientation, flat garden, proximity to a specific school, no direct overlooking) reduces the number of compatible properties to just a few units. The property hunter compensates by broadening search channels (off-market, agent pre-releases, automated alerts) and reacting within hours of a new listing.
