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Property for Both Your Head and Your Heart

A Property for Sale to Satisfy Your Heart and Your Head

(FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY)

French Property Insider

April 15, 2010
Paris, France
http://adrianleeds.com/frenchproperty/insider

Bonjour French Property Insider Subscriber,

Now that your tax return is in the mail, you can consider the two special properties we have on offer exclusive to our readers in today's French Property Insider.

The first one is a sweet studio apartment in the 11th arrondissement of Paris that is owned by one of our readers who has decided to sell it. With so little good property on the market, this opportunity is rare -- as it's fully equipped to be move-in/rental ready and is a proven successful rental apartment that has been enjoyed by many. Priced for those with a small budget, it makes a perfect "pied-à-terre" for just about any single person wanting a home away from home in the City of Light. This apartment won't be on the market long, so be sure to act quickly!

The second property is a "Magical Medieval Makeover" called "Le Muguet" near the Pont du Gard, Uzes and Avignon that is under development by "French Property Shares" as a Fractional Ownership. If you like the countryside and particularly, Provence, then now's a chance to get in on the ground floor.

Be sure to scroll down to read about both and take advantage of these opportunities that won't last long!

In addition, we have lots of good information and interesting articles about how to buy the WRONG property, taxation protests and a look at a very interesting apartment décor! Plus, of course, our listing of Hot Properties to whet your appetite for more.

A bientôt,

Adrian Leeds
Editor, French Property Insider
Email: fpi@adrianleeds.com

P.S. For visitors to Paris, be sure to scroll down and take note of the Parler Paris Apartments Summer Specials...enjoy summertime in Paris and save when you book any of our well located and luxurious Parler Paris Apartments starting in July or August. Imagine celebrating Bastille Day with spectacular fireworks at the Eiffel Tower, or a leisurely picnic by the Seine during Paris Plage!

Volume VIII, Issue 15, April 15, 2010

In this issue:

* How You Can Buy The Wrong Property
* Spectacular Studio Sale
* Introducing a New Fractional Property
* French Property Exhibition Next Month
* Tax Increase Spawns Protest...in Paris
* FPI Fractional Property Offerings
* Moneycorp: Take the Risk Out of Currency Conversion
* Lifestyle: Elegant in Black and White
* Get a Free Property Consultation with Adrian Leeds
* Parler Paris Apartments: Summer Specials Heat Up!
* Hot Properties: Old Becomes New
* Results of the Notaires' Auction: May 4th
* How You Can Obtain a Mortgage in France
* Parler Paris Après-Midi: Next Gathering May 11th
* Managing Your FPI Subscription
* Subscribers Receive Discount on Insider Paris Guides

Five Compelling Reasons to Buy the Wrong House in France
By Craig McGinty

http://www.thisfrenchlife.com/

IF you want to make your dream move to France a reality it's important to ask yourself some difficult questions - if you don't you could be heading back in a few months time.

Here property hunter, Gregory Mose, offers up some thoughts on buying a property that people may want to consider when walking around a house wondering if this is the one.

Housing markets go up and down, but some things you can always count on. Location will continue to be king, estate agents will persist in believing that any room large enough to lie down in qualifies as a 'spacious bedroom' and human nature will always be a buyer's worst enemy.

The fact is, our higher brain functions evolved to accommodate lives as tribal hunter-gatherers, not as lone property investors.

As a result, we're better at outsmarting mammoths than at picking the French farmhouse of our dreams. However savvy you may be, the following five aspects of human psychology are working against you.

1. Love conquers all - and it starts with your wallet.
House buying is a fundamentally emotional experience. We are nest builders at heart, and the minute you start focusing on a place to live, even if only during holidays, all your fears, longings and romantic notions about the world kick in.

That's not entirely a bad thing, being a romantic is what allows you to appreciate the beauty of this country.

But your emotions can easily get the better of you, if you don't believe it, consider that according to various studies moving house ranks up with bereavement and divorce in the list of our most stressful life events.

Fifty percent of home purchase decisions are made within moments of first seeing the property. If you find yourself misty-eyed as you approach the front door, you risk making a very large investment decision with your heart, not your head.

2. You want to like it, even if you don't.
Property hunting can be time consuming and frustrating, and it is a process we'd all rather have behind us.

You don't really want to be looking for the perfect maison de maître; you want to have just moved into it.

If you are at the stage of visiting a property, it means you already liked what you saw in the listing, and you do not want to be disappointed. As a result, you are predisposed to focus on the house's strengths and ignore its weaknesses.

Psychologists call this confirmation bias, we inevitably interpret information in a way that reconfirms what we already believe. We want to have been right all along.

So while you are trying to make a rational evaluation of that lovely village house chock full of original features and French charm, your subconscious is telling you to ignore the potentially noisy neighbours and to discount the need for outside space.

Your subconscious has its finer points, but objectivity is not among them.

3. You secretly want their furniture.
Or you not-so-secretly hate it. Either way, the manner in which a house is presented will affect your judgement.

Studies show that while almost everyone believes they can look past other people's furniture and personal belongings, in fact only 20 per cent of us actually can.

The entire profession of Home Staging has grown up around this fact and you ignore it at your peril.

A lovely 19th century armoire can evoke your dream image of a French manoir and make you see the rest of the house in a positive light, whereas a hideous sofa or collection of stuffed boar's heads that the current owner will take with him could easily distract you from the beautiful old terra cotta floor that could be yours...

Read the entire article at http://www.thisfrenchlife.com/thisfrenchlife/2010/03/compelling-reasons-house-france.html.

For Sale: Studio Rue Taillandiers, Paris 11th 25 Square-Meter Studio
Plus Cellar

205,000€ + 2.5% finders fee
Includes all furnishings valued at more than 15,000€

On a quiet street in the heart of the 11th district near Place de la Bastille, the apartment is offered completely furnished including the linens and a cellar! That's means ready to move-in or rent without doing a single thing!

This lovely studio has been a successful rental apartment for the last several years and all those who have stayed here have thoroughly enjoyed both the apartment and the neighborhood -- still a bit bohemian, but gentrifying and getting more chic by the moment!

The building is a new-build, designed to look authentically old, but has all the modern conveniences, including security gate, large planted courtyard and elevator. The apartment is only one flight up, so easy to access.

There is an entry hall with a large clothing closet plus linen closet and shelf for luggage storage. To the left of the entry is a modern bath with large tub/shower. Once you enter the main room, which has two large windows overlooking the street affording lots of light, there is a kitchenette in the left corner fully equipped including a washing machine hidden in a cupboard.

Amenities include a small TV, radio/DVD player in built-in book shelves and display unit, a dining table that can opens to seat six, accompanied by two upholstered chairs and four folding chairs plus. There are three stacking Lucite 'nesting' tables, a queen-sized sofabed plus a single bed with storage drawers. In addition, there are two small cabinets, plus an antique secretary with drawers and a small cart for a coffee maker, tableware, wine, etc.

The apartment is well lit and was completely professionally re-painted and redecorated one year ago. The annual expenses are approximately 1500€ per year including the homeowners association fees, property taxes and insurance. Electricity is approximately 50€ per month, depending on occupancy.

Closing costs are approximately 7.5% of the purchase price less the value of the furnishings plus our finder's fee of 2.5%. We can assist you in getting a mortgage of 80% loan to value at rates under or close to 3%.

For more information, visit http://www.adrianleeds.com/frenchproperty/consultation/sales/onsale/taillandiers/ or contact Adrian Leeds at adrian@adrianleeds.com.

Le Muguet - A Medieval Fractional Ownership in Provence
By Ginny Blackwell, French Property Shares

Stand, admire and gawk. Rightfully so -- at this amazing house. Prepare to be dazzled when you enter the completed "Le Muguet."

Our magical transformation is in that lovely stage where the yeast is working, the bread has been crafted using carefully considered ingredients, and we can only imagine the smell and taste after it bakes in a 400-degree oven for 30 minutes.

Now, picture yourself arriving at our lovely Le Muguet...

Highlights:

* Our idea is to try to create an authentic French country interior that conveys feelings of warmth and coziness

* We wish to be sensitive to the medieval/renaissance fabric of the house itself and let the plethora of wonderful architectural details shine in their own right.

If you love the idea of a home base in France but feel it doesn't make sense to buy a place you may use for only a few weeks a year, consider joining our group of owners in jointly purchasing Le Muguet SCI. We have many years of experience and have been offering high quality affordable home shares in France since 1988.

Stay tuned as Le Muguet (Lily of the Valley) transformation begins
"I think I can, I think I can, I hope I can"... create a warm and inviting decor in a French country style while respecting the Medieval fabric of this wonderful property.

We strive to make buying a second home in Europe simple, affordable, and enjoyable.

If you would like to receive more information on this property, visit http://www.adrianleeds.com/frenchproperty/fractional/ips/muguet/, or about fractional ownership in general, please feel free to write Ginny Blackwell at fpshares@gmail.com or Adrian Leeds at Adrian@AdrianLeeds.com.

Harrogate Set for French Property Exhibition

Archant Life France is hosting its annual advice and information exhibition on moving to France in Harrogate between May 14 and 16, 2010.

Show visitors will be able to meet real estate market professionals such as estate agents, tax advisers, mortgage lenders and removal and currency exchange companies.

Free seminars led by experts will run throughout the show, offering house hunters an opportunity to have their questions answered face to face.

More information and free tickets are available at http://www.fpeharrogate.com/default.aspx.

RE Associations Protest Property Sales Tax
By Allan Saunderson

http://www.globest.com/

PARIS-Property groups are protesting over a French Senate proposal for a 15% capital gains tax on capital value increases that result from new transport networks forming part of the Grand Paris project for the transformation of the Greater Paris area.

The Senate tax proposed is aimed to apply to the first sale by the owner of a property within 1.5 kilometers of a station in the Ile-de-France region during a 15-year period. It would not apply to sales by a developer. The tax would be capped at 5% of the sale price. But French real estate associations called the plan "inefficient, unjust and dangerous" and argued that it would deter investment in the areas concerned. The proposed tax is intended to help finance the new transport infrastructure, the main feature of which is a 140km figure-eight automated metro line linking the main business and residential areas of Greater Paris...

Read the entire article at http://www.globest.com/news/1640_1640/europe/184462-1.html.

Fractional Property Offerings from French Property Fractional

www.adrianleeds.com/frenchproperty/fractional

If you are interested in traditional fractional ownership properties currently offered by ourFractional ownership partners, see below:

Paris: LE PALACE DES VOSGES	Paris: LE NOTRE DAME
Paris: LE ROYAL du MARAIS	Paris: L'ABBAYE LUTÈCE
Paris: CHEZ LA TOUR	Paris: La Résidence Luxembourg
Paris: LE PETIT TRESOR	Languedoc-Roussillon: MAISON BLEUE
Paris: PARIS RESIDENCE CLUB	Languedoc-Roussillon: NOTRE MAISON DANS TOULOUGES
Provence: LE MUGUET	Readers of FPI can take a look at special offers for Le Palace des Vosges, Le Petit Trésor and Chez La Tour at adrianleeds.com/frenchproperty/fractional.

Take the Risk Out of Currency Conversion

If you’re buying a holiday home or investment property overseas, when you trade your currency is crucial. The euro exchange rate is constantly fluctuating, so trading at the right time will mean your oney goes a lotfurther.

Adrian Leeds Group LLC and Moneycorp are working together to ensure you make the most of your Dollar or Sterling when buying a property in France.For the latest exchange rate use our currency converter at http://www.adrianleeds.com/frenchproperty/loan/moneycorpconvertor and learn more aboutmoneycorp ere:
http://www.moneycorp.com/affiliates/microsite/index.cfm?agentid=10168408.

Black and White Apartment by Ecole

http://www.bjoku.com/

Here we are, Ecole, a French architecture and design studio, has designed an apartment interior in Paris. These apartments are in front of the Eglise Saint Gervais, and the Hôtel de Ville de Paris on the other side. Black and white dominate every space in this apartment. Apartment that occupies two floors in a 18th century building, fully restructured from the room and the concept of some design elements. The first floor which previously consisted of a long corridor and four rooms open cut. Thus, the entrance, living room and kitchen into one large room that is connected. Living room, bedroom, and bathroom built on the same floor. Catchy design a steel staircase connects the living room and a private room underneath the roof.

Situated in the center of Paris, this 95m² apartment occupies the whole of the the two top floors of an 18th century building. The project comprised a full restructurating of the existing space and the conception of some design elements.

More photos available at http://www.bjoku.com/black-and-white-apartment-by-ecole-2.

One-Hour Consultation with Adrian Leeds Free!

If you are a guest staying in any one of our luxurious Parler Paris Apartments, and would like to consider having your own "pied-à-terre" for your pleasure and profit, contact Adrian Leeds for a FREE one-

hourconsultation while you're enjoying the apartment in the City of Light. Visit http://www.adrianleeds.com/parlerparis/apartments for more information or email me at

adrian@adrianleeds.com.

Parler Paris Apartments Summer Specials Sont Arrivé!

http://www.adrianleeds.com/parlerparis/apartments

Welcome to your home in Paris. Home is how you will feel in a private apartment in Paris that has the "seal of approval" from Parler Paris Apartments and me, Adrian Leeds. Parler Paris Apartments offers high quality accommodations to make your stay in the City of Light as enjoyable and memorable as possible. We at Parler Paris know each and every apartment owner or manager personally, and stand behind the quality of those we represent. We understand your needs and desires, all the small details that make a rental apartment a warm and welcoming home and a much better alternative to an impersonal hotel! Parler Paris Apartments is administered and serviced by the same great team as Parler Paris, French Property Insider and French Property Consultation. You can trust that Parler Paris Apartments and all those with whom it is associated will do their best for your 100%.

Summer Specials:

Enjoy summertime in Paris and save when you book any of our well located and luxurious Parler Paris Apartment starting in July or August. Just imagine...celebrating Bastille Day with spectacular fireworks at the Eiffel Tower, or a leisurely picnic by the Seine during Paris Plage.

July Special – Start your stay in July and save 10% when you book by May 15.

August Special – Start your stay in August and receive the lowest advertised rate when you book by June 15. (Maximum 30 day booking, rate ends on Labor Day, September 6)..

The apartments are booking up fast, so reserve today! Visit http://www.adrianleeds.com/parlerparis/apartments. To reserve any of our well located and luxurious Parler Paris Apartments, go to http://www.adrianleeds.com/parlerparis/apartments/request_form.php and make your request, or for more information, email: apartments@adrianleeds.com

HOT PROPERTY PICKS: Heart Head Hotties

Each week French Property Insider features a range of properties which we believe are on the market at the time of writing. These properties are featured in order to give readers a sample of what is currently available and a working example of prices being asked in various regions of France and districts of Paris.

This week we focus on properties in Paris and around France that you might buy on emotion and those that might be more practical if you use your head.

*** Loire Valley, Fougeres: Five-Bedrooms, approx. 320m²

Beautiful barn conversion with stone extensions set on about an acre of lawned gardens. Situated on the outskirts of a Village close to Fougeres and Gorron. Accommodations includes five bedrooms (one with en-suite bathroom and dressing room) family bathroom, wc, living room with woodburning stove, dining room with stone Fireplace, a second reception room, fully fitted kitchen, utility room, oil fired central heating, double glazed windows, outside terrace, and planning consent for a triple garage.

Asking Price: € 463 000 + 2% finders fee

*** Paris, 18th: Two-Bedroom, approx. 63m²

Artists workshop located in a character building in an exceptional situation. This unique apartment incorporates contempory design with original features. Large windows and skylights accetuate the 5m high ceilings. It consists of two bedrooms, open and designer equipped kitchen and sitting room. All enriched by refined decor and lots of charm and light.

Asking Price:€ 580 000 + 2% finders fee

*** Loire Valley, Bourguell: Four-Bedroom, approx. 165m²

Charming semi-detached town house with annexe and considerable further potential in a walled garden on the edge of a historic riverside village. Situated close to all amenities, 10 minutes from supermarkets at Bourguell. The Main House layout currently has two bedrooms and the additional cottage has two bedrooms. But there are other floors and cellars with potential for further accommodations. Could be developed as b&b with gite or holiday rental property.

Asking Price:€ 145 192 + 2% finders fee

*** Paris, 2nd: One-Bedroom, approx. 40m²

Superb 19th-century château for interior renovation: In the Loire Valley south of Paris, 60km from Amboise and five minutes from a village with commerce. On a peaceful 20-hectare (49-acre) estate with meadows, woodlands and century-old shade trees. A noble stone-and-brick structure with magnificent period features, including marble and parquet floors, extra-high ceilings, curving stone staircase and many fireplaces. Outbuildings (suitable for renovation) include a chapel.

Asking Price: € 360 000 + 2.5% finder's fee

The Next Notaires' Property Auction - May 4, 2010

Notaires de Paris
Place du Châtelet
12 avenue Victoria
Paris 1st

Additional information on Les Ventes aux Enchères des Notaires can be found on the Web site at www.encheres-Paris.com.

To read Schuyler Hoffman's article about the property auctions in Paris, click on: www.frenchpropertyinsider.com/

	The following properties will be auctioned off May 4, 2010:
	2010-09-02 2 Rooms 46m² 14 à 18 rue des Moines 75017 - PARIS 17eme Starting Bid: 241 600,00 € Deposit: 24 160,00 €
	2010-09-03 Studette 11m² 115 rue Saint-Dominique 75007 - PARIS 7eme Starting Bid: 25 000,00 € Deposit: 5 000,00 €
	2010-09-05 Studette 12m² 23 rue de l'Avre 75015 - PARIS 15eme Starting Bid: 42 000,00 € Deposit: 4 200,00 €
	2010-09-06 2 Studettes 16m² 18 rue Gérando 75009 - PARIS 9eme Starting Bid: 35 000,00 € Deposit: 3 500,00 €

Editor's Note: If you look at the properties on the Notaire's site (www.encheres-paris.com), when you click on the information for a particular property there is also a link to Google Maps to show you exactly where the property is located.

SEEKING A MORTGAGE IN FRANCE?

French Propety Loan When you make a purchase as important as a piece of real estate in a foreign country, you ant to know that you can trust the people you are dealing with. Adrian Leeds has developed a network of professionals that meet only the highest of standards. With the expertise and experience of Adrian and her team, you can depend on getting the best advice and support to feel completely confident that you are making an informed investment decision.

Let us help you secure a mortgage in France at a competitive interest rate. Visit www.adrianleeds.com/frenchproperty/loan for more information or contact Loan@AdrianLeeds.com

HELPFUL CONVERSIONS FOR REAL ESTATE

1 square meter = 10.7639104 square feet

1 hectare = 2.4710538 acres

For more conversions, refer to: www.onlineconversion.com/

Parler Paris Après Midi: Next Meeting!

www.adrianleeds.com/parlerparis/apresmidi.html

The second Tuesday of every month, Parler Paris and French Property Insider readers gather at La Pierre du Marais for a drink and a "schmooze" --It's an opportunity to meet and chat with other like-minded people and a great way to make friends! Costs nothing except your drinks. Don't miss the next gathering Tuesday, May 11th, 2010 from 3 to 5 p.m. and every second Tuesday of the month (except August).

Managing Your French Property Insider Subscription is Easy!

We receive many emails from French Property Insider Subscribers who want to change their email address, or update personal information. But did you know that you can make these changes yourself?

It's easy...

1. Go to www.adrianleeds.com/frenchpropertyinsider

2. Click on "Manage Subscription." You'll find it under the "Subscribers Only" section in the sidebar.

3. Enter your username and password.

4. On the Welcome Page, go to "Manage Your Account" and click on "Change Password/Edit Profile"

5. Once you've made the changes, scroll down to the bottom of the page and click on "Save Profile."

Simple!

Of course, we're always happy to help, so if you do need assistance, send an email to fpi@adrianleeds.com.

THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW

To access password protected pages: click on any of the links on the left panel of the home page of FrenchPropertyInsider.com under "Subscriber's Only," then type in your personal username and password.

Past issues of FPI are available on the Web site. You will find the
"Past Issues" link on the left under "Subscribers Only" or by going to
www.adrianleeds.com/frenchproperty/insider/membersTo receive your free French Leaseback Report or the Paris Property
Report, click on
www.adrianleeds.com/frenchproperty/insider/members

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French Property Insider subscribers receive a discount of 10% off any guide and up to 25% off the entire purchase (if two or more guides are purchased at the same time). Here's how it works:

1. Click on special Web link we give you just for FPI subscribers.

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Here is the special "coupon" Web link just for you:
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