Home Select found a premium 68 m² three-room flat in the Passy neighbourhood of the 16th arrondissement for a retiree. The property, sourced off-market, was acquired for 785,000 euros against an estimated value of 829,000 euros. Frédéric Girard, property hunter, completed the search in 8 weeks.
Mission summary
- Property hunter: Frédéric Girard
- Area: 16th arrondissement, Passy neighbourhood
- Property type: Three-room flat, 68 m², premium building
- Initial budget: 850,000 euros
- Estimated value: 829,000 euros (off-market property, no listed price)
- Purchase price: 785,000 euros (-5.3%)
- Search duration: 8 weeks
- Buyer profile: Retiree, 68 years old, selling his suburban house
The project
Bernard, a former financial director, had just retired and wanted to leave his house in Versailles to be closer to his children and grandchildren living in the 16th arrondissement. After 30 years in a detached house, he was after a quality flat with a lift, in a well-kept building, within walking distance of the Trocadéro and the Ranelagh gardens.
His criteria were precise: at least three rooms, a good ceiling height, an upper floor with lift, a concierge, and above all a premium building in cut stone with impeccable common areas. Bernard did not want major renovation work; he was looking for a move-in-ready property.
The search strategy
Frédéric Girard steered the search towards the off-market from the outset. In the 16th, many owners sell discreetly, by word of mouth, through their notaire or through building concierges, to avoid public viewings and protect their privacy.
Frédéric worked his network: 14 building concierges in the Passy-Ranelagh area, 5 notaires in the 16th and 8 agencies specialising in the local high-end market. Within three weeks, two off-market properties matching the brief had surfaced, a remarkable number for this kind of search.
The first, a 72 m² three-room flat on rue de la Pompe, needed plumbing work within two years (rising main, costed at 8,000 euros per unit). Frédéric ruled it out.
The property found
The second property met every requirement. A 68 m² three-room flat on the 5th floor with lift, in an 1895 Haussmann building on avenue Paul-Doumer. The 25 m² living room with marble fireplace and original mouldings benefited from excellent natural light through two windows overlooking the avenue. The 16 m² main bedroom with built-in wardrobe and the 12 m² second bedroom faced the courtyard, in complete quiet.
The flat had been fully renovated in 2020: Bulthaup fitted kitchen, marble bathroom, improved sound insulation, rewired electrics. The DPE rating of C, exceptional for a building of this era, reflected the quality of the work.
The building had a full-time concierge, a panelled entrance hall and a lift modernised in 2019. Co-ownership charges were 350 euros per month. The minutes of the last general meeting mentioned no major works ahead.
The owner, an expatriate living in Geneva, wanted a discreet and swift sale.
The negotiation
As the property had no listed price, Frédéric carried out his own valuation. Drawing on four recent sales in the Passy-Ranelagh area (11,200 to 12,800 euros/m² for renovated upper-floor properties), he put the market value at 829,000 euros, or 12,191 euros/m².
The initial offer of 770,000 euros went to the seller through his notaire. After a video call, Frédéric argued that the seller’s wish for a quick, unlisted sale justified a confidentiality discount. Agreement was reached at 785,000 euros (11,544 euros/m²), 5.3% below the estimated market value.
Bernard financed the purchase with the proceeds from the sale of his Versailles house, without a mortgage. The preliminary contract was signed directly at the seller’s notaire, with conditions lifted in four weeks.
What this mission illustrates
The off-market in the 16th arrondissement is accessible to those who maintain a local network. This property was never listed on any portal. It was the building concierge, contacted by Frédéric, who flagged the expatriate’s departure. This kind of access rests on trusted relationships built over years.
Seniors have specific requirements that the standard market serves poorly. Lift, concierge, no works needed, proximity to family: these combined requirements drastically reduce the available supply. A property hunter who knows the local housing stock identifies compatible properties far faster than an independent search.
Negotiation on an off-market property follows different rules. With no listed price, the hunter’s valuation serves as the baseline. Frédéric built his assessment on verified transaction data, then used confidentiality as a negotiation lever, an argument unique to off-market sales.
Are you planning a retirement property purchase in Paris? Contact our team to discuss your project.
Frequently asked questions
How can you access off-market properties in the 16th arrondissement?
In the 16th, roughly 25% of sales close without any public listing. A property hunter accesses these properties through a network of notaires, building concierges and local agents. At Home Select, our hunters maintain ongoing relationships with more than 50 contacts in the 16th.
What defines a premium flat in the 16th arrondissement?
A premium flat in the 16th is marked by a cut-stone building, a concierge, a lift, well-maintained common areas (lobby, staircase), ceiling heights above 2.80 m, and high-quality interior finishes (parquet flooring, mouldings, fireplaces).
Does a property hunter assist seniors with their purchase projects?
Home Select regularly assists seniors with their purchase projects: single-level main residences, Parisian pieds-à-terre, or moves to be closer to family. The hunter manages every step, from viewings to signing, adapting to each client's pace.
