A British family, a couple with two children aged 6 and 9, bought an 85 sqm four-room flat in the Grenelle quarter of Paris 15th, for 780,000 euros before they had even arrived in France. Catherine Ziegler, property hunter at Home Select, ran the entire search from London and brought the price down from 820,000 to 780,000 euros, a reduction of 4.9%.
Mission overview
- Property hunter: Catherine Ziegler
- Area: Paris 15th, Grenelle / Bir-Hakeim
- Property type: 4-room flat, 85 sqm, 4th floor with lift
- Initial budget: 850,000 euros
- Asking price: 820,000 euros
- Negotiated price: 780,000 euros (minus 4.9%)
- Search duration: 9 weeks
- Buyer profile: British family, relocating from London to Paris
The project
This Anglo-French couple, she French and resident in London for fifteen years, he British, had decided to settle in Paris for family and professional reasons. The wife was joining the Paris office of her consulting firm, and the couple wanted their children closer to their French grandparents.
The timing was tight: the children had to be enrolled in school in Paris by September. The couple wanted to finalise the purchase before the move, ideally three months before the school year began. Buying from London without knowing the current Paris market made a property hunter essential.
The criteria were demanding: a four-room flat of at least 80 sqm with three bedrooms, in a family-friendly neighbourhood near a bilingual school, with a balcony or terrace if possible, in a good building.
The search strategy
Catherine Ziegler focused the search on the Grenelle-Commerce part of the 15th, for three reasons: the proximity of the EIB Grenelle bilingual school, the quality of the stock (1960s-1970s buildings with lifts and large floor areas), and prices per sqm below the neighbouring 7th for a comparable quality of life.
The remote protocol matched the one used for all expat clients: viewings filmed live or recorded, a full co-ownership analysis, and financing coordinated with a broker specialising in British nationals (post-Brexit, lending conditions are stricter).
Over nine weeks, Catherine viewed 18 flats and presented 6 complete files to the couple by video conference.
The property found
An 85 sqm four-room flat on the 4th floor of a 1968 building with lift and concierge. A 28 sqm living room with dual east-west aspect, three bedrooms (15, 12 and 10 sqm), a separate 10 sqm kitchen, a bathroom and a separate WC. A 6 sqm running balcony on the west side with an open view over the rooftops of the 15th. The flat had been partly renovated: kitchen and bathroom refitted in 2019, fresh paintwork. Varnished parquet, built-in wardrobes in two bedrooms. Energy rating C.
The EIB Grenelle school was 12 minutes on foot. Bir-Hakeim station (Line 6) was 5 minutes away, and the Champ de Mars 10 minutes off for the weekends.
The negotiation
The asking price of 820,000 euros worked out at 9,647 euros per sqm, at the top of the range for Grenelle (9,000 to 9,800 euros per sqm for comparable family properties). The property had been on the market for two weeks, with one earlier offer already rejected as too low.
Catherine built an offer of 770,000 euros on three points: the high co-ownership charges (420 euros a month including collective heating and concierge), the coming replacement of the collective heating (a switch from gas to the district network, voted at the general meeting, estimated share of 5,000 euros), and two recent DVF comparables on the same street, which had closed at 9,100 and 9,300 euros per sqm.
After negotiation, agreement came at 780,000 euros (9,176 euros per sqm). The preliminary agreement was signed by power of attorney from London. The family moved straight into the flat on their arrival in Paris, a week before the school year began.
What this mission illustrates
Buying before arrival is the best strategy for an expat family. Searching for a flat after the move means months in temporary accommodation (expensive and stressful with children) and a search under pressure that often ends in compromise. Engaging a property hunter in advance lets you move straight into your own home.
Post-Brexit financing adds a complexity only a specialist can manage. British nationals have faced stricter borrowing conditions since Brexit. Bringing together an expat broker, a bank that accepts income in pounds and a notaire experienced in international transactions is a task of orchestration. It is one of the key skills of our property hunters who specialise in expat support.
The 15th is the family neighbourhood par excellence on the Left Bank. With its large floor areas, good schools (including several bilingual options), parks and neighbourhood life, the 15th arrondissement is the natural choice for families wanting space without leaving Paris. Prices are 20 to 30% below the 7th for comparable surfaces.
Are you an expat family preparing to settle in Paris? Our bilingual property hunters manage your complete search remotely, from the first call to the key handover. Tell us about your project
Frequently asked questions
Can an expat family buy in Paris before moving there?
Yes, and it is to be recommended. The Paris market is tight and family properties sell fast. By engaging a property hunter 2 to 3 months before the move, the family can sign the preliminary agreement remotely (by notarised power of attorney) and move straight into their flat on arrival. At Home Select, 30% of our mandates are carried out entirely remotely.
Is the 15th arrondissement suitable for expat families with children?
The 15th is one of the most family-friendly arrondissements in Paris, with the highest number of nursery and primary schools. The Grenelle-Commerce area offers quick access to bilingual and international schools (EIB Grenelle, Montessori). Green spaces (Parc André Citroën, Parc Georges Brassens), sports facilities and neighbourhood life make it a prime choice for international families.
How does property financing work for a British expat post-Brexit?
Since Brexit, British citizens are treated as non-European nationals for property financing in France. French banks require a 25 to 30% deposit, proof of income in pounds sterling and a specialist non-resident broker. Mortgage approval takes 6 to 10 weeks. An expat mortgage broker is strongly recommended to navigate these rules.
How does a remote property search from London work?
In this mission, Home Select ran the entire search from London: 18 flats viewed, 6 complete files presented by video call, viewings filmed live or recorded, and a full co-ownership analysis for each shortlisted property. The family bought an 85 sqm four-room flat in the 15th for 780,000 euros, negotiated 4.9% below asking, with the preliminary agreement signed by power of attorney. This method lets buyers move straight in on arrival, with no interim rental.
