Emilie, a thirty-something who owned a studio in the 20th, bought a 2-bedroom with rooftop views of Paris in the 15th arrondissement for 300,000 euros, after negotiating 40,000 euros off the asking price. The property, found in under a month by her Home Select property hunter, required complete renovation: a decisive negotiation lever.
Mission summary
- Property hunter: Home Select
- Area: 15th, 16th, 17th arrondissements, Boulogne-Billancourt, Levallois
- Property type: 2-bedroom, 1900s building, open rooftop views
- Budget: 400,000 euros (purchase + renovation)
- Negotiated price: 300,000 euros (-40,000 euros against the 340,000 euro asking price)
- Renovation budget: 30,000 to 40,000 euros
- Search duration: Under one month
- Buyer profile: Thirty-something, studio owner, sale in progress
The project
Emilie works in the Opera quarter and lives in a studio near Nation that she owns. The desire for more space, a more central location and greater comfort had become pressing. Supported by her family, she targeted a 2-bedroom of at least 35 m², bright, with a maximum budget of 400,000 euros including any renovation. The Home Select property hunter was mandated on an exclusive basis for one month.
The search strategy
The property hunter quickly understood that the budget, which seemed comfortable on paper, was tested by Emilie’s quality standards. This client knew what she wanted: she would not buy by default.
The first viewings in the 17th revealed a sector too expensive on the good streets. Boulogne-Billancourt did not appeal. The hunter progressively narrowed towards the 15th, around La Motte-Picquet: direct metro to Opera, shops, a lively neighbourhood. In parallel, exchanges with Emilie refined the portrait of the ideal buyer: she wanted a coup de coeur, a remarkable view, excellent natural light.
The property found
While browsing an agency website, the property hunter spotted an unusual listing. Pre-viewing with videos sent immediately to Emilie. The 2-bedroom sits in a very Parisian 1900s building, a little worn but with the charm of a period co-ownership. The living room opens onto rooftop views of Paris: the coup de coeur Emilie had been waiting for.
The property was listed at 340,000 euros and required a complete renovation: bathroom to redo, kitchen to reposition, general refreshing. With a renovation budget of 30,000 to 40,000 euros, the total stayed within limits.
The negotiation
Emilie left the first viewing enthusiastic and made an offer at 320,000 euros, 20,000 below the asking price. During the second viewing, accompanied by two contractors to quote the works, she measured the full scope of the renovation needed. Third viewing with her father, who confirmed the property’s interest. She decided to lower her offer to 300,000 euros.
The property hunter supported this bold strategy. On a property with major works, mainstream buyers are put off. Viewings are fewer, competition is reduced. The owners accepted the 300,000 euro offer: a negotiation of nearly 12% off the asking price.
Three contractors were put in competition for the works. The main challenge: repositioning the bathroom and kitchen while optimising space in a small apartment. With 30,000 to 40,000 euros, Emilie could move forward confidently towards a result matching her expectations.
What this mission illustrates
Renovation as a negotiation lever. Properties requiring full renovation put off the majority of buyers. For those who can envision the potential, or who are supported by a property hunter capable of estimating works upfront, it is a competitive advantage. Emilie obtained 40,000 euros off because competition was low on this type of product. We detail these strategies in our article on how to negotiate the price of an apartment in Paris.
The iterative narrowing of the search area. A good property hunter does not start from an address, they start from a broad perimeter that they refine viewing by viewing. The 17th was too expensive, Boulogne did not match the desired atmosphere, the 15th around La Motte-Picquet offered the perfect compromise. This calibration work, invisible to the client, is at the heart of the Home Select method described in our search process guide.
The importance of the client’s ability to envision. Not all buyers can see a renovated apartment behind faded walls and a poorly laid-out kitchen. Emilie could. This quality, combined with responsiveness and determination, transformed a property shunned by the market into a quality acquisition. It is a reminder that viewing an apartment is also an exercise in imagination guided by the property hunter.
Looking for a property with renovation potential in Paris? Contact us: our property hunters identify the opportunities that the market overlooks.
Frequently asked questions
Can you negotiate 40,000 euros off an apartment in Paris?
Yes, when the property requires substantial works and potential buyers are put off by the scale of renovation needed. Emilie obtained a 40,000 euro reduction (from 340,000 to 300,000 euros) on a 2-bedroom in the 15th, justifying the discount with the necessary works: complete overhaul of the bathroom, kitchen and layout. Properties with major works attract less competition, which provides significant negotiation leverage.
How does a property hunter narrow down the search area during viewings?
The hunter starts from a broad area and progressively tightens it based on the client's reactions. For Emilie, the first viewings in the 17th revealed prices too high on the best streets, those in Boulogne did not resonate, and it was around La Motte-Picquet in the 15th that the value-for-money and atmosphere matched best. This iterative narrowing is the standard method at Home Select.
Is buying an apartment needing major works in Paris a good strategy on a tight budget?
Yes, provided you accurately estimate the works before making the offer and can envision the end result. Properties requiring major renovation are less sought-after by mainstream buyers, which reduces competition and opens up negotiation margin. Emilie bought for 300,000 euros a property that, once renovated with 30,000 to 40,000 euros of works, offers rooftop views of Paris in a 1900s building: a value far exceeding the total cost.
