A 29-year-old engineer was making his first property purchase in Paris on a budget of 300,000 euros. The Home Select property hunter found a 38 sqm two-room flat in Ménilmontant, in the 20th arrondissement, and negotiated it to 285,000 euros, a saving of 22,000 euros, in 7 weeks.
Mission summary
- Property hunter: the Home Select property hunter
- Area: Paris 20th, Ménilmontant
- Property type: two-room flat, 38 sqm, 3rd floor without a lift
- Initial budget: 300,000 euros
- Negotiated price: 285,000 euros (-7.2% from the listed price of 307,000 euros)
- Search duration: 7 weeks
- Buyer profile: First-time buyer, IT engineer, 29 years old
The project
After 4 years renting a studio in the 11th arrondissement, this young professional wanted to put his money into his first flat. His budget of 300,000 euros, built on a deposit of 45,000 euros and a mortgage over 25 years, sharply limited the options within central Paris.
He had spent 3 months searching alone, viewing 15 flats without ever moving fast enough. Two offers had been beaten by quicker buyers. Discouraged, he turned to a property hunter for more responsiveness and efficiency.
The search strategy
On a budget of 300,000 euros, the realistic perimeter was the 19th and 20th arrondissements, plus a few pockets of the 10th near the canal. Our property hunter targeted Ménilmontant, Jourdain and Télégraphe, three micro-neighbourhoods of the 20th with prices between 7,500 and 9,000 euros/sqm and decent metro access.
The strategy rested on responsiveness: viewings within 24 hours of listing, a financial file ready with an up-to-date bank certificate, and a search mandate allowing the property hunter to view alone when the client was unavailable.
Of 9 shortlisted properties, 5 were viewed in person. Two were too noisy, facing a busy road, and one showed signs of damp on the lower walls.
The property found
The chosen two-room flat was on rue des Cascades, on the 3rd floor without a lift of a 1930s building. A well-laid-out 38 sqm: an 18 sqm living room with open kitchen, a 12 sqm bedroom and a shower room renovated in 2023. The south-west aspect gave it fine afternoon light and an open view over the rooftops of the 20th.
The property had been listed at 307,000 euros for 5 weeks, or 8,079 euros/sqm. No offer had come in: the price, slightly above the local market, and the lack of a lift were putting candidates off.
The negotiation
The lack of a lift on the 3rd floor was an objective argument: the figures show a discount of 3 to 5% per floor without a lift above the 2nd. Our property hunter put in an offer at 280,000 euros, backed by three recent sales on the street between 7,400 and 7,800 euros/sqm.
The seller countered at 290,000 euros. The final agreement at 285,000 euros, or 7,500 euros/sqm, came in exchange for a fast signing of the preliminary contract within 10 days. The 22,000 euros saving let the client fund a new fitted kitchen.
What this mission illustrates
Responsiveness is decisive for first-time buyers. On a budget below 300,000 euros, attractive properties move fast. A property hunter who can view within 24 hours and submit a reasoned offer the same day turns a budget disadvantage into a strategic advantage. This client had failed for 3 months alone before succeeding in 7 weeks with a professional.
The 20th arrondissement remains a solid choice for a first purchase. Ménilmontant combines financial accessibility, 7,500 to 9,000 euros/sqm, an appealing neighbourhood atmosphere and appreciation potential. The urban projects around Place Gambetta and the line 11 extension add to the area’s appeal.
The lack of a lift is a measurable negotiation lever. What deters most buyers can become an advantage for a young buyer with no mobility constraints. The 20th arrondissement is full of these opportunities, for those who know how to negotiate them.
Considering a first purchase in Paris? Contact our team for support tailored to your budget and criteria.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 20th arrondissement a good choice for a first property purchase in Paris?
The 20th arrondissement remains one of the most affordable in central Paris, with average prices around 8,200 euros/sqm in 2026. Ménilmontant and Jourdain offer good value for money, with lively local life, transport on lines 2, 3 and 11, and appreciation potential tied to ongoing urban projects.
What deposit is needed to buy a two-room flat in the 20th arrondissement?
For a two-room flat at 285,000 euros in the 20th, banks generally require a deposit of 10 to 15%, or 28,500 to 42,750 euros, plus notary fees of around 22,000 euros. Certain schemes, such as the PTZ, let first-time buyers reduce the deposit required.
How long does it take to find a first flat in Paris with a property hunter?
The average for a first-time buyer is 6 to 10 weeks with a property hunter. The timeline depends on the budget, flexibility on location and the buyer's responsiveness. On this mission, the property was found in 7 weeks despite a tight budget of 300,000 euros.
