A 39-year-old woman going through a divorce purchased a 2-bedroom apartment of 45 sqm in the Saint-Martin neighborhood of the 10th arrondissement of Paris for 395,000 euros, 30,000 euros below the asking price (7.1%). The Home Select property hunter guided this sensitive mission in 5 weeks, from defining the post-separation budget to signing the preliminary sale agreement.
Mission summary
- Property hunter: Home Select
- Area: Canal Saint-Martin / Jacques Bonsergent, Paris 10th
- Property type: 2-bedroom apartment, 45 sqm, 2nd floor with elevator
- Initial budget: 430,000 euros
- Negotiated price: 395,000 euros (listed at 425,000 euros)
- Search duration: 5 weeks
- Buyer profile: Woman, 39, professional, in divorce proceedings, one 7-year-old son
The project
Sophie had just sold the family apartment in the 3rd arrondissement that she co-owned with her ex-partner. Her share of the sale left her with a deposit of 180,000 euros. With her professional salary and child support received, her borrowing capacity allowed her to target a total budget of around 430,000 euros. Her goal: to quickly find a bright 2-bedroom apartment in a lively neighborhood, near her son’s school in the 10th. Beyond the technical criteria, Sophie needed supportive guidance during a complex period in her life. Our property hunter first spent time clarifying the actual budget with the mortgage broker before launching the search.
The search strategy
The search area was defined around the child’s school: a 15-minute walking radius covering the Jacques Bonsergent, Canal Saint-Martin, and northern Republique areas. The search targeted 2-bedroom apartments of 40 to 50 sqm on a floor with elevator, an important criterion because Sophie had her son every other week with daily commutes. Our property hunter also factored in a quiet setting: after difficult months, Sophie wanted an apartment on a courtyard or on a quiet street.
The property found
The apartment identified is on the 2nd floor of an 1880 building with elevator, on a quiet street perpendicular to the Canal Saint-Martin. Its 45 sqm include a 20 sqm living room with original parquet flooring and moldings, a 13 sqm bedroom overlooking the courtyard, a separate fitted kitchen, and a renovated shower room. The orientation is toward the courtyard, ensuring remarkable silence. The bedroom is large enough to accommodate a desk area when Sophie’s son is at his father’s. Charges are 160 euros per month, with no scheduled works.
The negotiation
The asking price was 425,000 euros, or 9,444 euros per sqm. Analysis of comparables in the micro-neighborhood revealed transactions between 8,500 and 9,000 euros per sqm for similar 2-bedroom apartments on a floor with elevator. Our property hunter submitted an offer at 390,000 euros, supported by this data and by the fact that the kitchen, although fitted, had no window, a point that reduces both rental value and market value. The seller accepted 395,000 euros (8,778 euros per sqm), a negotiation of 30,000 euros.
What this mission illustrates
A property hunter brings peace of mind during a time of transition. Sophie had neither the energy nor the availability to conduct viewings alone after months of legal proceedings. Delegating the search to a professional allowed her to focus on reorganizing her family life.
The post-divorce budget must be calibrated with precision. Individual income, child support, deposit from the asset division: each component was verified with the mortgage broker before launching the search. This rigor avoids disappointment and accelerates the mission.
The 10th arrondissement offers highly contrasted micro-neighborhoods. Between the Canal Saint-Martin (touristy and noisy) and the adjacent streets (quiet and residential), the difference in quality of life is considerable. A property hunter who knows these nuances guides clients toward the most suitable addresses.
Going through a period of change and need to buy a new home in Paris? Contact Home Select for discreet and efficient guidance.
Frequently asked questions
Can you buy an apartment before the divorce is finalized?
Yes. Once the non-conciliation order has been issued (or the mutual consent agreement filed), each spouse can purchase a property in their own name. It is recommended to include a clause in the notarial deed specifying that the property is acquired with personal funds post-separation.
How do banks assess the borrowing capacity of a recently divorced buyer?
The bank takes into account individual income, any child support (paid or received), and the share of assets from the division of property. A specialized mortgage broker can optimize the file to maximize borrowing capacity despite the drop in income associated with moving from a dual-income to a single-income household.
What budget should you plan for a 2-bedroom apartment in the 10th arrondissement of Paris?
In 2026, a 2-bedroom apartment of 40 to 50 sqm in the 10th sells for between 350,000 and 480,000 euros depending on the micro-neighborhood. The Canal Saint-Martin area is the most expensive, while the area near the Gare du Nord remains more affordable.
