A senior executive based in Lyon, present in Paris three days a week, instructed Home Select to find a functional pied-a-terre in the central Left Bank neighbourhoods. Our property hunter identified a one-bedroom apartment of 38 m2 in the 7th arrondissement, negotiated to 395,000 euros from 425,000 euros, a saving of 30,000 euros, in just five weeks of searching.
Mission summary
- Property hunter: Home Select
- Area: 7th arrondissement, Left Bank
- Property type: One-bedroom, 38 m2, 4th floor with lift
- Initial budget: 450,000 euros
- Listed price: 425,000 euros
- Negotiated price: 395,000 euros (-7%)
- Search duration: 5 weeks
- Buyer profile: Senior executive, 48 years old, primary residence in Lyon
The brief
Our client held a director-level position that required his presence at the Paris headquarters three days a week. For two years, he had been alternating between hotels and Airbnb rentals, at an estimated annual cost of 25,000 euros. Buying a pied-a-terre represented both a quality-of-life improvement and a sound investment.
His criteria were specific: a one-bedroom or large studio in the 6th, 7th or 15th arrondissements, close to a metro line connecting directly to Gare de Lyon, quiet, with good natural light. The maximum budget was set at 450,000 euros.
The search strategy
The main constraint was the client’s availability. Based in Lyon, he could only travel on Friday afternoons. Our property hunter therefore implemented a proxy viewing protocol: each shortlisted property was documented with a detailed report including photos, video and co-ownership analysis.
Of 23 properties identified over five weeks, 14 were eliminated on paper (excessive charges, nuisances, co-ownership works voted), 6 were visited by our property hunter, and 3 were presented to the client with a full file. The chosen property was the first he visited in person.
The property
A one-bedroom apartment of 38 m2 on the 4th floor of a Haussmannian building with a lift, on rue de Grenelle. An 18 m2 living room overlooking a tree-lined courtyard, an 11 m2 bedroom, a fitted kitchen and a renovated shower room. Original solid parquet, mouldings, decorative fireplace. A 4 m2 cellar.
The decisive advantage: the property was sold furnished with quality furniture, allowing immediate move-in. Co-ownership charges were 180 euros/month, with no works voted.
The negotiation
The property was listed at 425,000 euros, or 11,184 euros/m2, a price consistent with the 7th arrondissement market for this type of surface. Our property hunter identified two negotiation levers:
- Time on the market: the property had been listed for 8 weeks without an offer, a sign that the price was slightly above market for this configuration
- Strong buyer profile: financing without a mortgage contingency clause (cash purchase), availability to sign quickly
The initial offer at 385,000 euros was declined. A counter-proposal at 395,000 euros was accepted within 48 hours, representing a 30,000 euro saving on the listed price.
What this mission illustrates
1. Remote purchases require a trusted intermediary. When the buyer lives outside Paris or abroad, the property hunter in Paris acts as their eyes and ears on the ground. They filter properties, document every visit, and ensure the client only travels for validated opportunities.
2. A pied-a-terre is an investment as much as a practical decision. Beyond daily comfort, buying property in Paris in a central arrondissement constitutes a long-term asset. The 7th arrondissement has seen average appreciation of 3.2% per year over the past decade.
3. Speed of decision is a competitive advantage. A buyer who can make an offer without a mortgage contingency clause and sign quickly gains significant negotiation leverage with motivated sellers. This is an asset that the property hunter leverages in every negotiation.
Considering buying a pied-a-terre in Paris? Contact Home Select for an initial discussion about your project.
Frequently asked questions
What minimum budget should you plan for a pied-a-terre in the 7th arrondissement?
In 2026, a pied-a-terre in the 7th arrondissement requires a budget of at least 350,000 euros for a studio of 25 to 30 m2. For a functional one-bedroom of 35 to 45 m2, expect between 400,000 and 550,000 euros depending on the floor and aspect.
How can you buy a pied-a-terre in Paris when you live outside the city?
A property hunter handles the entire search: shortlisting, video tours or video conference visits, technical analysis of the property and co-ownership. The client only travels once or twice for the final viewings and the signing of the preliminary agreement.
Can a Parisian pied-a-terre become a rental investment?
Yes. Many executives rent out their pied-a-terre as furnished accommodation when they are not using it, under the LMNP (non-professional furnished landlord) regime. Net yields in Paris range from 2.5% to 4% depending on the arrondissement and surface area, with long-term capital appreciation potential.
