A 39-year-old professional, a tenant for twelve years in Paris, took the step of her first property purchase: a 45 sqm 2-bedroom in the Alesia neighbourhood of the 14th arrondissement, bought for 420,000 euros, or 9,333 euros/sqm. The Home Select property hunter negotiated the property 4.5% below the listed price of 440,000 euros. The mission lasted six weeks, two of which were dedicated to reassuring the client about the merits of buying.
Mission summary
- Property hunter: Home Select
- Area: Paris 14th, Alesia neighbourhood
- Property type: 2-bedroom, 4th floor with lift
- Budget: 450,000 euros
- Negotiated price: 420,000 euros (listed at 440,000 euros)
- Surface area: 45 sqm (Carrez law)
- Search duration: 6 weeks
- Buyer profile: Communications professional, 39 years old, single, first-time buyer
The project
Sandrine had been renting an apartment in the 14th arrondissement for eight years, after four years of renting in the 6th. With a rent of 1,250 euros per month and a net salary of 4,200 euros, she had built up savings of 90,000 euros. Several times over the years, she had considered buying, but the process intimidated her: fear of making a bad deal, perceived complexity of financing, difficulty projecting herself alone into a purchase.
It was a colleague, a former Home Select client, who convinced her to contact us. During the first meeting, our property hunter took the time to dismantle Sandrine’s reservations one by one: financing simulation, detailed comparison between the cost of renting and buying over 10 years, and a step-by-step explanation of the process.
The search strategy
Sandrine wanted to stay in the 14th, an arrondissement she knew inside out after eight years of daily life. Our property hunter targeted the Alesia-Mouton-Duvernet area, a residential and commercial neighbourhood offering good value within the arrondissement, with prices 10 to 15% lower than the Denfert-Montparnasse area.
The criteria were a 2-bedroom of 40 to 50 sqm, on an upper floor with a lift, bright, in a well-maintained building. Our property hunter launched a targeted watch and activated contacts with local agencies. Over four weeks of active searching, six properties were identified, four viewed by the property hunter, and two presented to Sandrine.
The property found
The selected apartment is on the 4th floor of a 1960s building with a lift, 3 minutes’ walk from Alesia metro station (line 4). It comprises a 20 sqm living room with a large south-facing window, a 12 sqm bedroom on the courtyard side, a separate 7 sqm kitchen and a bathroom with WC. The property also had a 5 sqm cellar.
The general condition was good, with floors redone in 2020 and a recent bathroom. The kitchen needed replacing, estimated at 6,000 euros. The 45-unit co-ownership was healthy, with a well-funded works reserve and a facade renovation completed in 2022. Monthly charges of 180 euros included concierge service and cold water.
The negotiation
The listed price of 440,000 euros placed the property at 9,778 euros/sqm, in line with the Alesia neighbourhood average for a 4th floor with lift. Our property hunter submitted an offer at 410,000 euros, arguing on the basis of the kitchen works required, charges above average for buildings of the same type in the area, and comparable DVF transactions within a 200-metre radius.
The seller, already settled in his new home in the provinces, wanted to complete before the end of the month. The agreement was reached at 420,000 euros, a saving of 20,000 euros. Sandrine signed the preliminary contract with a smile she no longer tried to contain. Her first property purchase was becoming a reality after twelve years of hesitation.
What this mission illustrates
The property hunter’s role goes beyond finding properties. For Sandrine, the real obstacle was not the market but her own doubts. Our property hunter spent two weeks on psychological and financial support before even launching the search. This human dimension of our profession is often underestimated, but it is essential for first-time buyers who are crossing a major life milestone alone. The search mandate formalises this commitment to comprehensive support.
The financial simulation removes the final barriers. By showing Sandrine that her loan payment (1,850 euros) would only exceed her current rent by 600 euros, while building wealth, our property hunter transformed an abstract anxiety into a rational decision. Preparing the mortgage is a decision-making tool as much as a financing one.
Buying in your rental neighbourhood is a strategic advantage. Sandrine knew the 14th intimately: the quiet streets, the shops, potential nuisances. This local knowledge accelerated the decision-making process and eliminated the risk of post-purchase disappointment. Our property hunters encourage their clients to capitalise on their experience as tenants when searching in their neighbourhood of residence.
Still hesitating about your first purchase? Our property hunters support you at your own pace, from reflection to signing. Contact us to discuss it.
Frequently asked questions
Is it too late to buy your first property in Paris at 39?
No. The average age of a first property purchase in Paris is 36, and many buyers take the step after 35. With a permanent contract and savings built up through years of renting, a 39-year-old first-time buyer can obtain a loan over 20 to 25 years on favourable terms. The key is having a deposit of 10 to 15% of the property price.
How can you overcome hesitation when considering your first property purchase?
Hesitation is normal and often linked to the fear of making a mistake. A property hunter helps to objectify the decision by providing concrete data: market prices, profitability compared to renting, appreciation projections. They also guide the client through the administrative and legal steps, which reduces the anxiety associated with the unknown.
Is it better to buy or continue renting in the 14th arrondissement in 2026?
In the 14th, a rent of 1,200 euros for a 45 sqm 2-bedroom represents 14,400 euros per year, or 72,000 euros over 5 years. Buying the same property at 420,000 euros with a 25-year loan, the monthly payment excluding insurance is approximately 1,800 euros, of which a growing share repays capital. After 5 years, the owner has built up 80,000 to 90,000 euros in repaid capital, compared to zero for the tenant.