A 28-year-old young professional, a first-time buyer, was looking for a 2-bedroom with outdoor space in north-east Paris with a budget of 330,000 euros. The Home Select property hunter identified a 38 sqm property with a 12 sqm terrace in the 19th arrondissement in 5 weeks, negotiated to 312,000 euros or 8,211 euros/sqm.
Mission summary
- Property hunter: the Home Select property hunter
- Search area: 19th and 20th arrondissements of Paris
- Property type: 2-bedroom apartment, 35-45 sqm, with balcony or terrace
- Budget: 330,000 euros
- Negotiated price: 312,000 euros (-5.5%)
- Search duration: 5 weeks
- Buyer profile: Young professional, 28 years old, permanent contract, first-time buyer
The project
Marion, 28, a digital strategy consultant, earned 42,000 euros gross per year and had built up a deposit of 55,000 euros through five years of disciplined saving and a family gift of 20,000 euros. A tenant in a 22 sqm studio in the 10th arrondissement at 890 euros/month, she wanted to convert her rent into loan repayments and access a proper living space.
Her non-negotiable requirement: outdoor space, even modest. After months confined in a studio, Marion had made a balcony or terrace an absolute criterion. North-east Paris, the 19th and 20th arrondissements, offered the best probability of finding a 2-bedroom with outdoor space within her budget.
The search strategy
The property hunter began by validating the financing with a partner mortgage broker. The loan certificate for 275,000 euros over 25 years (monthly payment of 1,250 euros, debt ratio of 33%) combined with the 55,000 euros deposit set the actual budget at 330,000 euros including notary fees, or approximately 305,000 euros net seller price.
The search targeted two zones in the 19th: the Buttes-Chaumont area (more expensive but in high demand) and the Danube-Place des Fetes neighbourhood (more accessible prices, 1970s-1990s buildings with balconies). Recent constructions and 1970s buildings offer outdoor spaces more frequently than the Haussmann building stock. The property hunter filtered 18 properties and viewed 5.
The property found
The selected apartment is on Rue de Crimee, on the top floor (6th) of a 1980s building with lift. The 38 sqm 2-bedroom comprises a bright 20 sqm living room opening onto a 12 sqm south-west-facing terrace, an 11 sqm bedroom, an open-plan kitchen and a shower room. The terrace offers an open view over Parc des Buttes-Chaumont and the rooftops of the 19th.
The C energy rating, good for a building of this era, and the original double glazing in good condition reduced the works to a cosmetic refresh (paint, bathroom floor replacement) estimated at 4,000 euros. The well-managed 48-unit co-ownership had moderate charges of 180 euros/month including lift and concierge.
The negotiation
The listed price was 330,000 euros, or 8,684 euros/sqm. The property hunter argued the negotiation on three points: the bathroom floor showing signs of wear (risk of future water damage), the paint to be refreshed in all rooms, and the price per sqm slightly above the neighbourhood average for a 1980s building without architectural character.
The offer of 305,000 euros received a counter-proposal of 320,000 euros. The final agreement at 312,000 euros (8,211 euros/sqm) was facilitated by Marion’s profile: the seller, an investor wanting to sell quickly to reinvest, appreciated the solidity of the financing file and the absence of a chain (no property to sell first).
What this mission illustrates
A first-time buyer can purchase in Paris with the right support. Many young professionals think Paris is unaffordable. With a deposit of 15 to 20% and a correctly calibrated budget, the 19th and 20th arrondissements remain accessible to first-time buyers. The property hunter optimises every euro by targeting undervalued properties. Our article on mortgages in 2026 details current conditions.
Targeting 1970s-1990s buildings for outdoor space. Terraces and balconies are rare in the Haussmann building stock but common in more recent constructions. The property hunter directs the search towards the property types most likely to match the criteria, even if this means moving away from the classic image of a Parisian apartment.
A solid financing file replaces overbidding. Marion did not have the means to overbid. But her solid financing file, validated loan certificate, verified deposit, no sale condition, convinced the seller to favour certainty over a higher price. This is an advantage that the property hunter systematically highlights for first-time buyers.
Are you a first-time buyer in Paris? Contact Home Select: our property hunters find your first home at the best price.
Frequently asked questions
Can you buy alone in Paris at 28 with a salary of 42,000 euros?
Yes, under certain conditions. With a net salary of 2,800 euros/month, a deposit of 50,000 euros and a rate of 3.2% over 25 years, the borrowing capacity reaches approximately 280,000 euros, for a total budget of 330,000 euros. In the 19th or 20th arrondissement, this gives access to a 2-bedroom of 35 to 45 sqm.
Is the PTZ available for a purchase in the 19th arrondissement in 2026?
In 2026, the interest-free loan (PTZ) is available in zones A and A bis (including Paris) for first-time buyers meeting income conditions. For a single person, the income cap is 49,000 euros in zone A bis. The maximum PTZ amount finances up to 40% of the purchase price for new builds and 20% for existing properties with works.
Why should a first-time buyer use a property hunter?
A first-time buyer often lacks the benchmarks to evaluate a property, negotiate effectively and anticipate hidden costs (works, co-ownership charges, property tax). The property hunter secures every step, from viewing to signing. At Home Select, the negotiation achieved generally offsets the property hunter's fees.
