Apartment hunter for an expatriate looking for a property in the Saint Sulpice district
Found!
Discover a search conducted quickly by Catherine Ziegler, our apartment hunter specialized in Paris, for an expatriate looking for a Parisian home, in the heart of the literary center of Saint-Germain-des-Prés: in other words, a search that extends over 2 to 3 streets only... A real challenge for our expert!
Why did Salma want a Parisian base?
After studying in Paris, Rani and Salma decided to move to Canada to live with their granddaughter. But in her capacity as a teacher of letters as well as for her personal culture, Salma is required to spend the two summer months in the French capital every year. Until now, the young woman rented a property around the Saint Sulpice district in the 6th arrondissement; now, she wants to buy her own pied-a-terre!
How did she come to ask for an apartment hunter?
Not being physically there, the couple naturally wanted to work with an apartment hunter. Every year, no matter how much Salma inquired about local real estate opportunities from local janitors, she was unable to do this research alone.
Why did she choose Catherine Ziegler from HOME SELECT?
Not to mention that Rani and Salma already enjoyed contact, transmitted by friends, also expatriates and who had already used the service of Catherine Ziegler, HOME SELECT real estate hunter.
Why was the search going to be complicated?
Directly contacted by telephone, Catherine took note of the young woman's wishes. Having visited a lot alone, she had a precise idea of what she was looking for: a small condominium, terracotta floors, walls and stairs that lean... In other words, Salma wanted an authentic property, “Saint-Germain-des-Prés” style, rooted in a 17th century building, steeped in history, and in a busy street, to remind her of her student years.
With her budget, she could only claim a studio, or even 2 rooms in the coveted neighborhood, but that was not a problem: an alcove area, a kitchen area with a separate shower would be perfect!
Why did Salma miss out on the dream property?
While the day of visits was scheduled for the following Monday, Catherine spotted an announcement that made a statement: our apartment hunter knew that she had found Salma's property. So, and even if she has not yet signed the search warrant, she calls the agency in charge of the file, to assess the situation: it is Friday evening, Salma is arriving on Monday, but the property will most certainly be sold on Saturday. However, the agency does not want Catherine to visit without a client... To increase her disappointment, Salma enters the building upon arrival and realizes that this is exactly what she was looking for...
As a result of this disappointment, did she see a lot of other goods?
In the 5th arrondissement of Paris, Catherine takes Salma to see a small condominium near the Paradis Latin. The apartment, located on the 2nd floor with an elevator, has a certain level of comfort, but it needs to be completely renovated. Given the work to be done, the two women submitted an offer that was lower than the asking price, with the tacit support of the agency in charge. Unfortunately, the seller will NEVER respond to this proposal — keeping them in suspense all summer... for nothing.
During the month of September and October, Catherine visited fifteen apartments for Salma, who had returned to Canada, but there was always one element that was not appropriate: the sector, the surface, too quirky, too expensive...
Another property caught Salma's attention enough to send a friend there: an L-shaped 2-room apartment which, although it has low ceilings and is not well arranged, is brand new. She decided to write a lower proposal, but it was not accepted. Fortunately, because by measuring the spaces, she realizes that the elements essential to her life cannot be inserted.
How did luck come about in this case?
At the beginning of November, while Catherine was in the Paris subway, she received an alert for a property in the same building as the apartment they had missed at the beginning of last summer. She therefore decided to interrupt her trip to get to the surface and contact the Breteuil Immobilier agency: the exchange was going very well. By collecting information on the buyer for his file, the real estate agent quickly realizes that Catherine knows her subject well. The appointment is made for the next morning and above all, she will be the first to see the property in question.
Why could the good only please Salma?
Located in a building already validated by Salma, the studio of just under 20 m² meets, in addition, all the wishes of the young woman: a small alcove for the bed with double windows (sound insulation), a large living room with exposed beams, a small kitchen area and a separate shower room.
How did the sale finalize?
During the visit, Catherine makes a video for Salma that she sends to him immediately: it is exactly the same apartment as the one at the beginning of summer. The only difference is that within 3 months, the price is slightly more expensive. Regardless, our real estate hunter submits an offer at the price as soon as the visit is over.
For a few days, the director of the agency left doubts about his acceptance, insofar as the latter considered the second offer received at the price to be the first, insofar as the buyer was present. Fortunately, the real estate agent will know how to negotiate his file and tip the balance in Salma's side.
After the validation of this offer, Catherine sends the contact details of a notary to Salma to orchestrate a signature during the December school vacation: the young woman will therefore come to see her studio for the preliminary contract — which is essential for the proper conduct of the entire process, because at this stage, she still has a possible withdrawal without incurring costs.
Has Salma done any renovations or renovations?
If, at the beginning, Salma had to do only a few small renovations, the young woman finally hired a contractor to orchestrate larger ones: redo the slightly damaged floor, install authentic floor tiles...
“Full and complete satisfaction”
Thanks to this research, Catherine has established excellent relationships with the Breteuil Immobilier agency — and more particularly, with the real estate agent whom she greatly appreciated. Otherwise, our apartment hunter underlines his satisfaction in having found a property corresponding 100% to the wishes of departure, within 2 to 3 streets authorized in the specifications!
“A Dream Come True”
Even though Salma has carried out renovations, the 2-room apartment is above all a space to sleep: she is absolutely delighted to be in the heart of the literary center of Saint-Germain-des-Prés, to be able to go out to Paris, go to the theater, to fully breathe Parisian life: “a dream come true” (“A dream come true”)
