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La Rentrée, Renovations and Rentals
(FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY) August 27, 2009 Bonjour French Property Insider Subscriber, The summer is coming to an end with everyone making their way back to their normal life for "La Rentrée" beginning this coming Monday. We've been operating with a skeleton crew the entire month of August so it will be a great pleasure to see everyone's relaxed faces once again and get back to business and normal life in France. We have a lot in store for you today in French Property Insider -- the announcement of three new apartment rentals offered by Parler Paris Apartments and an update of Le Palace des Vosges planning an upcoming inauguration on September 2nd. Next week we'll have a full disclosure of the inauguration activities with photos of the finished property. Today's issue also includes a variety of articles related to renovation requirements and restrictions, plus, how to choose rural locations that have good long term rental potential. Hot properties focuses on our beloved Ile Saint-Louis, which is having much controversially over a massive renovation that threatens to destroy historical property. This is a spot in the City of Light that is guaranteed to generate strong rental revenues, but can be one of the most expensive property purchases one can make. "En plus," enjoy a few tidbits from sister publications you may find of interest. Happy "La Rentrée" and hope you had a wonderful summer. A bientôt, Adrian Leeds
Volume VII, Issue 34, August 27, 2009 In this issue: * New Apartment Rentals Announced Parler
Paris Apartments Adds Three New "Pieds-à-Terre"
Just today, we added three new apartments to the "bouquet" of properties for short-term rental. This makes a current mix of 16 apartments ranging from studio apartments to three-bedrooms. A fair mix is important to satisfying the rental clients, but we are devoted to making the service available first to our search clients and second to outside investors whose properties fit our high standards. All Parler Paris Apartments must meet a certain quality standard and be equipped with a long list of amenities in order for it to be considered a viable rental. These standards include:
Le Saint-Tropez and La Brigitte (named after Brigitte Bardot who made Saint-Tropez famous) are two apartments that may be combined for usage, or singularly rented. Currently under massive renovation, both are promised to be of the highest luxury with frivolously fun decor created by a Paris "mosaiste" and the owner herself, Adrian Leeds. Completion is scheduled for the end of November for December occupancy. Those who book earlier than December 15th risk being moved to another Parler Paris Apartment while the last details are attended to. We recommend securing your dates as of December 15th to be confident of your stay there.
Le Bonaparte is a charming and beautifully decorated studio apartment overlooking on one of the chicest designer streets in Saint-Germain-des-Prés. On the third floor of a classic "pierre-de-taille" (detailed stone) building, the lovely "pied-à-terre" is equipped with double-paned windows for ultimate quiet, yet when you step out onto the street, everything you could need or desire is within steps.
L'Eysée is a large, contemporary studio apartment with lots of sun, sky and beautiful views. The large queen-sized bed is raised on a platform that puts you up above living area and adds dimension to the spacious room. The open kitchen is completely equipped with everything you need to make your at-home meals easy and pleasant. Relax on the sofa in front of the large flat-screen TV to watch anything from CNN to French movies after a long day shopping along the Champs-Elysées. For work or just checking emails, the desk in one corner is the prefect respite while the sun pours in. For a business person seeking immediate access to the heart of Paris business activity or the vacationer seeking a central location from which most monuments are easily reached, L'Elysée is perfect home away from home. ---------- Reservations are easily made by visiting each apartment's Web page, checking the availability calendars and making a selection on an electronic request form. That form is received in our office and a quote for the rental rate is then issued to the potential tenant. If the renter agrees, a contract is then sent outlining the details of the rental. He then proceeds to complete, sign and fax back the contract to secure his stay at the apartment with a 50% deposit taken by credit card. The renter makes full payment upon arrival by any payment method and is greeted by a concierge person, who is then on call for any questions or problems during the term of the stay. Editor's Notes: If you have an apartment that needs representation, and fits the Parler Paris Apartments criteria, contact Rental Manager, John Rule, at apartments@adrianleeds.com. Getting
the Proper Building Permissions
When you are visiting apartments for purchase, 99 times out of 100 the property will require renovation, if not at least a fresh coat of paint. If you change nothing structural, then you may happily repaint the walls, polish the floors and furnish the apartment without anyone's permission. If, however, you wish to change or remove a supporting wall, or make any changes to the exterior of the building, then you will need at least permission by the "copropriété" (homeowners association) if not the permission of city planners and architects, depending on the nature of the building. France protects its historic centers and monuments, thanks to laws initiated by André Malraux in the early 1960s. The law lists not only structures, but can protect entire neighborhoods and country estates, plus gardens, bridges and other structures because of their architectural and historical importance. Any changes made to classified structures or other architectural aspects, must have the approval of the Architects de Bâtiments de France (ABF). In the case of "Le Palace des Vosges," the fractional ownership property located in the Place des Vosges that at one time was a stable before becoming a space of storage and later a residence, the facade was first reviewed by the ABF for their recommendations, then the proposed plans were submitted to the City Hall of Paris for approval and then underwent final approval by the copropriété. Without these permissions, any changes would have been subject to risk of legal action. Getting the permissions is no easy task. If the copropriété is the sole authority, then a special meeting can be called to discuss your request for change, or it can be presented at the next annual meeting. This may sound simple, but the association is made up of the owners of the apartments in the building who each may have a different opinion on the validity of your request and therefore you risk refusal...often for no really good reason. Other owners may even take the initiative to prevent any renovation work due to a noise factor, even if it has nothing to do with the building's structure. We generally recommend avoiding work that requires these permissions, for simplicity sake, although that's not always possible. If not, then we highly recommend consulting with a property consultant or attorney who can help you achieve the proper permissions as painlessly as possible. Parisians
Castigate 'Ignorant' Plans for Hôtel Lambert
But according to a group of furious Parisian luminaries, the Hôtel Lambert is facing "imminent disaster" from the modernising zeal of its new owner, a member of the Qatari royal family. Plans to renovate the 17th-century building and fit it out with an array of modern conveniences such as lifts, air-conditioning and an underground car park have provoked the rage of architects, historians and glamorous former residents, who have gone to court in an attempt to halt them. Armed with a petition of about 8,000 signatures from concerned citizens, lawyers for the Historic Paris association are arguing that the plans should be abandoned in the interests of national pride, and denounce the French government's move to approve the project as "illegal". "This decision, which bears witness to an intolerable ignorance of the nature of a structure this significant … raises doubts about the ability of our country to take care of the management of its own heritage," said Jean-François Cabestan, an architect, and Pierre Housieaux, president of Historic Paris, in a letter of protest. Ever since it was put up for sale by banking magnate Guy de Rothschild shortly before his death in 2007 and swiftly snapped up for an estimated €80m (£69m) by a brother of the Emir of Qatar, the future of the Lambert has been the subject of frenzied speculation by those who believe its history as intellectual playground is too special for it to be ignored. Architects and politicians from the Commission for Old Paris first sounded the alarm bells in December, when news of the planned modernisation first emerged. But those concerns were passed over in June by the government, which insists the building is in a "very bad state" and needs urgent work to save it from further decay. Speaking in court last week, a lawyer for the Lambert's owner said the plans put forward were "exemplary". But that view is not shared by his distinguished neighbours on the Ile St Louis. "[The works] risk ruining this exceptional architectural singularity," said the composer Henri Dutilleux, who has lived nearby for more than 50 years. He has been joined in his protest by a string of celebrities including the comedian Guy Bedos, singer Georges Moustaki and film star Michèle Morgan, who owned an apartment in the Lambert for 20 years... To read the entire article go to http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/aug/23/hotel-lambert-paris-france. Photo credit: Benoit Tessier. Pitt and Jolie Begin Renovations on Château Miraval The pair have completed the purchase of the 35 million pound 17th-century Château Miraval, set on a 1,000-acre estate in Provence and now they plan to splash out 10 million pounds more turning the pile into the “love nest of all love nests”, reports themirror.co.uk. They have applied to renovate all 35 bedrooms to give them a “contemporary feel” and want to add jacuzzis, steam rooms and a spa, and to install a new gym, an expanded wine cellar – and even a motorbike track for Pitt, 45. They also plan to improve its helicopter landing facilities, so they can fly in and out with their children – Maddox, seven, Pax, five, four-year old Zahara, and biological daughter Shiloh, three, and their year-old twins Knox and Vivienne. “We're trying to spend more time in the South of France, because our kids have a more normal life there,” said Pitt. He also admitted he’s still struggling to master the language. Security around the house will be improved hugely, to include a surveillance center, spy cameras, alarms, and infra-red sensors. The property comes with a vineyard, swimming pool, moat, lake and forest, and a three-mile long driveway up to the main house. The cascading stone-walled terraces have been replanted with 13 different varieties of olives, and there are 20 fountains and aqueducts... To read the entire article go to http://www.sindhtoday.net/news/1/44599.htm. Get
Ready to Inaugurate Le Palace des Vosges To date, six out of 13 four-week shares have been purchased and the share prices have increased. Shares
1 through 4: SOLD OUT * Annual maintenance, taxes and fees are estimated to be approximately 1,950€ per share. To reserve a share, a Deposit of 15,000€ and a signed Purchase Contract and Escrow Agreement must be submitted. The funds are transferred to an escrow account held by The International Law Partnership,LLP, London. A Complete Document Package follows shortly for a complete review with which the purchase of the property is confirmed and share paid for in full. If you are interested in purchasing a share, or have any questions, please visit http://www.palacedesvosges.com or send an email request to Mary Ellen Gallagher at maryellen@adrianleeds.com Fractional Property Offerings from French Property Fractional www.adrianleeds.com/frenchproperty/fractional If you are interested in traditional fractional ownership properties currently offered by our Fractional Ownership partners, see below:
To see our latest Fractional offerings go to http://adrianleeds.com/frenchproperty/fractional/fractional_offerings.html Money
Matters for Women Conference
Come hear Adrian Leeds enlighten you on "Property Investment in France" 2 p.m. to 3:15 p.m.! MONEY MATTERS FOR WOMEN is a half-day conference held in Paris, France for today’s global woman who wants to understand her current financial situation, plan intelligently and take proactive steps in managing her money. The conference features: -
A dynamic keynote speaker This conference recognizes that women have unique financial goals and challenges which must be addressed. So invite your daughter, friend or neighbor to share in this empowering experience and walk away with more confidence and the tools to own your financial future. The Money Matters for Women 2009 conference is presented by WICE and hosted by The American University of Paris. Special thanks to Smart Women Products for their continued support of this conference.For more information and to register, visit http://www.moneymattersforwomen.org. Adrian Leeds and French Property Consultation on HOUSE HUNTERS INTERNATIONAL! To learn more, visithttp://www.adrianleeds.com/parlerparis/calendar.html or email Adrian Leeds, at info@adrianleeds.com.
The Best Seven Regions For Long Term Rentals In France http://travelarea.blogspot.com
But, where are the best places to own a place right now? What regions are the most popular at this time (Aug. 2009)?... Here's a run down of the top 7 most popular regions in France for people seeking long term lets, ranked on actual LetsRentPropertyInFrance.com page views between August 21st 2008 and Aug. 21st 2009 using Google Analytics. 1) Languedoc The Languedoc is bounded by Auvergne, the Midi-Pyrénées, Provence Alpes Côte d'Azur, the Mediterranean sea, and Spain. The Cévennes Mountains cover much of the old province, reaching their highest point in the northeast. The southern part is a low coastal plain along the Mediterranean sea, where the Languedoc region enjoys a typically Mediterranean climate. Long Term Lets In Languedoc 2) Provence Alpes Cote d'Azur Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur is located in the south-east France. The western border of the region consists of the plains of Comtat, Crau, and Camargue. The regions boundaries are the Rhone River to the west, the Mediterranean Sea to the south and Italy to the east, which is dominated by the Alpes. The region is rich in flower fields, vineyards, orchards and olive and mulberry groves. The capital of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur is Marseille and other principal cities are Aix-en-Provence, Arles, Cannes, Nice and Toulon. Long Term Lets In Provence 3) Aquitaine - Dordogne From the flat, sandy plains and pine forests of the Landes to the beautiful lagoon of the Bassin d'Arcachon... Aquitaine is immensely diverse. Bordeaux is one of the best and most established wine growing regions in France, with brandy lovers visiting the town of Cognac. Towards the Pyrenees a Spanish feel takes hold in the popular resorts of Bayonne and Biarritz and the valley of the Dordogne provides a sharp contrast. With its old stone houses, gentle rolling hills and high quality of life, the Dordogne region - and the town of Eymet in particular - is a magnet for Britons looking to start a new life abroad. Long Term Lets In The Aquitaine, Dordogne... To read the entire article go to http://travelarea.blogspot.com/2009/08/best-7-regions-for-long-term-lets-in.html.
The Moneycorp MasterCard Prepaid Card
There is no line of credit with the card so you can only spend what you have loaded - helping you to stay in control of your money. You can use your Moneycorp Prepaid Card to make purchases wherever the MasterCard Acceptance Mark is displayed– that’s over 26 million locations including 1.2 million ATMs worldwide. It’s easy to manage your money with the Moneycorp Prepaid Card and account. 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 money goes a lot further. 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 about moneycorp here: Rural
France Resists Change http://lets-rent-property-in-france.blogspot.com
The report, from the European Commission, classifies only 5% of the surface area of the country as ‘urban land'. The vast majority
of the country is composed of either agricultural land (60%),
or forest and other natural space (34%). The balance is made up
of semi-humid or wet areas. It is, therefore, not very surprising that surveys of French property buyers regularly show that one of the main attractions of France is the comparative tranquillity of the country. France has 113 inhabitants per km², whilst the UK has a density of 251 inhabitants per km², the highest in Europe. While the report shows that agricultural land is having to give way to new development, it is happening at a snail's pace. Only 0.7% of the land area has changed use since the last survey was undertaken in 2000. Clearly, the pre-eminent importance of French agriculture is one explanation for the dominance of the countryside, but another equally important reason is the nature of the land in France, with large mountainous areas and huge forests in different parts of the country, as well as the presence of ancient moorlands in the Landes and Sologne. French Planning controls on development in the countryside have also been tightened in the last few years, as local councils seek to focus new development within and around existing settlement areas... To read the entire article go to http://lets-rent-property-in-france.blogspot.com/2009/08/rural-france-resists-change.html. Photo credit: Fleur Hallam. 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-hour consultation 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 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 heir best for your 100% guaranteed satisfaction. SPOTLIGHT APARTMENT(S): Le Balcon Planté Near Place de la Bastille and the
Bastille Opera, Gare de Lyon, the Viaduc des Arts and the Promenade
Plantée, 12th Arrondissement
www.adrianleeds.com/parlerparis/apartments/rentals/balcon_plante.html. Reserve now! Visit www.adrianleeds.com/parlerparis/apartments or email:apartments@adrianleeds.com. The
Couch Potato Was Born in Paris
In a phone interview from her apartment in Paris, where she lives when she is not teaching at the University of Pennsylvania, Ms. DeJean (above) explained how things like the casual feeling of American living rooms and the fact that our bedrooms are considered private are a direct result of what took place in Paris between 1670 and 1765. I've never thought of my sofa as more than a place to relax. How did the sofa’s appearance in the 17th century influence the way we live now? It’s a piece of furniture that people will be comfortable and casual in, and that is the way the world has moved virtually nonstop since. As a result of being comfortable and casual, the definitions of manners shift. Rules change. At first, manners would have said you can't lounge on a sofa. Later on, manuals are rewritten to discuss how to cross your legs on the sofa. What were domestic spaces in large homes like before 1670? There weren't entire rooms set aside for private activities. Beds were in what was essentially a big, open room and moved around as needed. People ate in that room, entertained there. Before indoor toilets, they would just bring a little stool into the room and change the pan... To read the entire article go to http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/27/garden/27qa.html?_r=1. Photo credit: Valerio Mezanotti for The New York Times. HOT PROPERTY PICKS: Intriguing Inviting Isle 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 some interesting property opportunities on the Isle Saint-Louis.
Summer Break for Notaires' Property Auctions
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:
Two
Property Shows Announced * Exhibition of French Property Set for London *
Run by lifestyle magazine Archant Life France, the event will take place from September 11th to 13th at Olympia, with the company stating that the recent exhibition held in Harrogate revealed widespread optimism about the French market. Buying the right property in France could reap dividends over the next few years, French property law specialist at solicitors Furley Page Sarah Bogard said this week. She stated that the country is a buyers' market and is offering falling prices. * Luxury Real Estate Trade Fair Loves Paris in the Autumn *
On the 27th, 28th and 29th of November 2009 Prestige-Paris will celebrate its third birthday with the assistance of France Convention, a specialist in niche and luxury trade fairs. This year’s gathering will be required both to meet the visitors’ very demanding expectations and outdo last year’s exceptionally successful event. The recent recession has failed to affect the luxury sector as much as the rest of the economy, in fact the latest figures have revealed that the Parisian real estate market has improved. It seems that the most beautiful and luxurious homes never fail to find a buyer, a thought that will encourage participants in this most prestigious property exhibition.
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 Takes Summer Break
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, Septemeber 8th, 2009 from 3 to 5 p.m. and every second Tuesday of the month (except August).
Managing Your French Property Insider Subscription is Easy!
It's easy... 1. Go to adrianleeds.com/frenchproperty/insider 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. 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 We wanted better guides, So we wrote them!
French Property Insider subscribers receive a discount of 10% off any uide 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. 2. Then order one or more
guide(s) and use the promotion 3. If you order two or more
guides, then an additional 15% will be Here is the special "coupon"
Web link just for you: SUBSCRIBE TO PARLER PARIS If you're not a regular reader of the Parler Paris daily e-letter, and would like to be, simply enter your e-mail address here (it's free!): www.adrianleeds.com/parlerparis Copyright 2011, Adrian
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