A 27-year-old engineer, a first-time buyer, purchased his first apartment in Paris: a 38 sqm 2-bedroom in the Jourdain neighbourhood of the 20th arrondissement, for 310,000 euros, or 8,158 euros/sqm. Home Select, property hunter at Home Select, negotiated the property 6.1% below the listed price of 330,000 euros. The mission lasted five weeks.
Mission summary
- Property hunter: Home Select
- Area: Paris 20th, Jourdain neighbourhood
- Property type: 2-bedroom, 2nd floor without lift
- Budget: 340,000 euros
- Negotiated price: 310,000 euros (listed at 330,000 euros)
- Surface area: 38 sqm (Carrez law)
- Search duration: 5 weeks
- Buyer profile: IT engineer, 27 years old, single, permanent contract
The project
Raphael, an engineer on a permanent contract at a tech company in Boulogne-Billancourt, was renting a room in a flatshare in the 11th arrondissement for 750 euros per month. With a net salary of 3,400 euros and a deposit of 55,000 euros built from a family gift and four years of savings, he wanted to buy his first property: a 2-bedroom that would allow him to build wealth while reducing his monthly housing costs.
Raphael had limited knowledge of the Parisian property market. His initial independent searches had discouraged him: misleading listings, properties gone before the viewing, difficulty assessing the real condition of an apartment. A friend who had used Home Select for his own purchase recommended he turn to a property hunter.
The search strategy
The property hunter directed Raphael towards the 20th arrondissement, which he had not initially considered. She presented the strengths of the Jourdain neighbourhood: village atmosphere, local shops, Parc de Belleville just steps away, line 11 metro 3 minutes away, and above all prices per sqm 15 to 25% lower than neighbouring arrondissements (11th, 10th).
The brief was calibrated to the budget: a 2-bedroom of 35 to 42 sqm, lower or middle floor (the young man did not need a lift), good condition or light works only, healthy co-ownership. The property hunter set up daily monitoring and contacted her partner agents in the neighbourhood. Over five weeks, she shortlisted seven properties, viewed five, and retained two for viewings with Raphael.
The property found
The selected apartment is on the 2nd floor of a 1900 suburban-style building, without lift, on a quiet street in the Jourdain neighbourhood. It comprises a bright 18 sqm living room with two street-facing windows, an 11 sqm courtyard-facing bedroom (quiet), a separate 5 sqm kitchen and a shower room with WC. Ceiling height of 2.80 m, original parquet, roller shutters.
The property was in average condition: tired paintwork, functional but dated kitchen, adequate shower room. The property hunter estimated a refresh budget of 8,000 euros (full repaint, minor repairs). The building was well maintained, with renovated common areas and no major works voted. Monthly charges of 90 euros were very reasonable.
The negotiation
The listed price was 330,000 euros, or 8,684 euros/sqm, a level slightly above the Jourdain neighbourhood median for a 2nd floor without lift. The property hunter presented an offer at 300,000 euros, arguing on the condition of the property requiring works, the absence of a lift, and recent transactions on the same street (a similar 2-bedroom sold at 7,900 euros/sqm two months earlier according to DVF data).
The seller, who had already refused a low offer from an investor, appreciated Raphael’s profile: a motivated young professional wanting to settle in the neighbourhood. The agreement was reached at 310,000 euros, a saving of 20,000 euros. For Raphael, this negotiation reduced his monthly loan payment by 95 euros per month over 25 years.
What this mission illustrates
The property hunter also supports first-time buyers on small budgets. Professional expertise is not reserved for large budgets. For a first-time buyer, the pitfalls are more numerous (fragile co-ownerships, hidden defects, overpricing) and the consequences of a mistake proportionally heavier. The property hunter protected Raphael from three problematic properties eliminated after analysis, including one with a facade renovation of 12,000 euros per unit voted at the general assembly. This type of check is a reflex of an experienced property hunter.
Expanding the search perimeter creates opportunities. Raphael had not considered the 20th arrondissement. By guiding him through the discovery of the Jourdain neighbourhood, the property hunter opened up a market where his budget allowed him to buy a proper bright 2-bedroom, whereas he would have been limited to a dark studio in the 11th. The detailed knowledge of each arrondissement is a decisive added value.
Every negotiated euro counts when the budget is tight. The 20,000 euros saved represent 36% of Raphael’s initial deposit. Spread over 25 years of loan, they reduce the monthly payment by 95 euros, making the project financially more comfortable. This is why preparing the mortgage in advance and rigorous negotiation are the two pillars of a successful first purchase.
Are you a first-time buyer embarking on your first property purchase in Paris? The Home Select property hunter and our team guide you at every step. Contact us to get started.
Frequently asked questions
Is it possible to buy in Paris at 27 on a single salary?
Yes, under certain conditions. With a stable permanent contract, a net salary of 3,000 euros and a deposit of 40,000 to 60,000 euros, a first-time buyer can borrow between 230,000 and 280,000 euros. By targeting the 19th and 20th arrondissements, where prices range from 7,500 to 9,000 euros/sqm, it is possible to acquire a 2-bedroom of 30 to 40 sqm.
What are the advantages of the 20th arrondissement for a first-time buyer in 2026?
The 20th offers the most accessible prices in Paris intra-muros (median at 8,200 euros/sqm in 2026), a lively neighbourhood life (Menilmontant, Jourdain, Belleville), a dense metro network (lines 2, 3, 3bis, 9, 11) and medium-term appreciation potential linked to urban renovation projects and the growing attractiveness of the area.
Is a property hunter worthwhile for a small budget?
Particularly so. When the budget is tight, every euro counts. The property hunter negotiates on average 4 to 8% off the listed price, which can represent 15,000 to 30,000 euros in savings on a 300,000 euro property. They also prevent costly mistakes (fragile co-ownerships, hidden works, property defects) that first-time buyers, due to lack of experience, do not always detect.
