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Living in the Lap of Luxury
(FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY) December 24, 2009 Bonjour French Property Insider Subscriber, Santa is loading up the sleigh and we're all gearing up for a wonderful holiday. This is the 50th and last issue of French Property Insider for 2009. In today's issue, we report on the property price findings for the months of August, September and October of 2009 as reported this week by the Chambre de Notaire. The good news is that prices are up! Read all about it. In addition, we give you a long list of how to both rent and create a luxury rental apartment -- what makes a great luxury apartment from both the renter's and the owner's perspective. This is valuable advice, no matter how you look at it. On the topic of luxury, Yves Saint Laurent's duplex apartment's furnishings sold at auction for more than $700 million. Read all about it! And be sure to see the luxurious Hot Properties that we all wish we could afford! Banque Patrimoine et Immobilier has much to say about the current financing industry, worth a read for those seeking mortgages and there are a few items of other interest just for fun. Pop the cork on a bottle of champagne, open those French dark chocolates, and enjoy the last issue of 2009. A bientôt...Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all, Adrian Leeds
P.P.S. Don't forget to check out the rental apartment for sale on rue de Picardie! Scroll down for information. Volume VII, Issue 50, December 24, 2009 In this issue: * How To Buy and Rent a Luxury Property What
Makes a Great Luxury Rental Apartment... ...Both from the perspective of the renter and from the perspective of the owner.
"Au contraire!" If you don't furnish and equip it well, then how do you expect to get a good reception from renters, be able to maintain high occupancy rates or charge high fees? Here are the attributes a luxury rental apartment must have...from both perspectives: Location: Central location, good transportation access, lots of amenities nearby, lovely if not great views are all attributes of a luxury rental apartment. Level: Don't go higher than 2nd or 3rd floor without an elevator! And beware that if it's high up, even with an elevator, when the elevator goes out...you have to walk up! Parking: Rarely a request in Paris, but does happen. If you're lucky enough to own a parking space, it is valuable. And if you're traveling by car, then a parking space is pure luxury. Furnishings: Don't skimp. No one wants to sleep on a bad bed or sofa bed. Twins that convert to a Queen or King size bed accommodate singles if necessary. High quality furnishings not only look and feel better, but last longer under long term use, too. Ikea style furnishings not only look like what they are, but last only as long as their price tags -- so avoid them!
Storage: There should be ample space for your clothing and a place to store luggage. Luxury apartments are those that allow you to be totally at home, and that means not living out of a suitcase. Equipment: It should be missing NOTHING. Every single item you would want in your own home is what you want in a luxury rental apartment. Just when you think they won't notice it's missing a garlic press, someone will be asking you for it. It's a small price to pay to make the apartment fit the category of "luxury." The apartment should also be well stocked with all the basic needs -- toilet paper, fresh soaps, coffee and teas, etc. What if your luggage was lost on route? Wouldn't you be thrilled to have it all there, even a washing machine and dryer to clean your one outfit? Service: Someone must meet and greet you at the apartment to show you all the details of how to enjoy the apartment. As a landlord, mailing the keys and directions may be a savings to the landlord, but is counter productive to charging higher fees. And who will be called in an emergency situation? Someone on the ground needs to be responsible for the maintenance of the property and the happiness of its occupants.
Have you rented what you would consider a luxury rental apartment? Do you own what would be considered a luxury rental apartment? Don't you feel it's worth every penny, both from the perspective of the renter and the landlord? Editor's Note: For a look at our luxury rental apartments in Paris, visit http://www.adrianleeds.com/parlerparis/apartments. French
Bank Offers Currency Rate Mitigation on RE http://www.nationalmortgagenews.com
French real estate may look relatively attractive to such investors because that country's property market has declined less than the ones in their home countries, according to the bank. Alternatively, some have had a love of the country that has been a catalyst for investment. But exchange rates can be a deterrent. At the time of this writing, for example, those buying French properties in dollars would need to pay about $1.50 for every euro. The bank's mortgages, which have a 100% loan-to-value ratio, mitigate this risk by allowing the loan to be secured in part by a securities account where the funds placed into the account can at the borrower's option be converted into euros, Mary Fort, director of the bank's international department, told this publication in a phone interview.
The loans have terms of five to 30 years, based on investor preference and ability to repay. Rates may be fixed, variable, variable but capped or interest only, Ms. Fort said. The variable-rate loans generally are indexed to the three-month European interbank offered rate. To show how the loans work, the bank cites what it said is a real life example of an American couple with $1 million in liquid assets who used the mortgage to buy an 875,000 euro ($1.3 million) apartment. The couple opened a securities account worth $400,000 (260,000 euros) with Cholet Dupont, which has a "qualified intermediary" certification that allows it to manage the assets of U.S. citizens. The securities account acted as collateral for a loan that Banque Patrimoine & Immobilier made to a French limited corporation. Each of the two individuals held 5% of the French limited corporation and an American limited liability company held the remaining 90%. In this case, the couple also chose to invest its $600,000 from its loan in a separate Cholet Dupont securities account, according to the bank By converting their dollars to euros in $100,000 increments on a monthly basis, ultimately the couple was able to make the equivalent of a $100,000 profit in a matter of months at current exchange rates. Read the entire article at http://www.nationalmortgagenews.com/premium/archive/?id=164675. The
France Show 2010
Discover the magic of France by immersing yourself in the colors, the culture and the party atmosphere that is the France Show 2010 -- the UK's largest celebration of all that makes France such a special place. The French Property Exhibition brings together estate agents, developers, solicitors, banks and other professionals covering just about every aspect of buying your property in France. Whichever location has taken your fancy -- and suits your budget -- you're sure to find a suitable property. Always a hive of activity, the French property section offers everything from expert financial advice to innovative energy solutions to picture perfect barn conversions and great investment opportunities. With hundreds of different exhibitors ready to talk to you, this is simply the biggest and best French property exhibition available in the UK. More information is available at http://www.thefranceshow.com/default.aspx. Free tickets are available online at http://www.thefranceshow.com/pre-register.aspx. The
Paris Real Estate Report: End of October 2009 Published by the Chambre de Notaires December 22, 2009
For the entire region, prices have declined at an annual rate of under 8%. The slight increase observed between July and October is the indication of a price stabilization accompanied by a seasonal effect (prices are normally higher in summer and early autumn). The annual decrease of all combined properties is as follows: - Paris (- 6.8% in October compared to - 6.9%
in September) Houses have seen more of a decrease than apartments: prices down 9.3% for homes compared to 7.1% for apartments. The prices recorded during the last 3 months are equivalent to those seen 3 years ago in December 2006. Statistics for all resale properties: Paris property sales volume for August, September October 2009: 7,800, +17% over 1 year Ile-de-France property sales volume for August, September October 2009: 35,100, +12% over 1 year Monthly evolution of the index for Paris property at the end of October 2009: 207.5% Monthly evolution of the index for Ile-de-France property at the end of October 2009: 192% Paris annual property price evolution from
October 2007 to 2008: 6.1% *Estimated Ile-de-France annual property price evolution
from October 2007 to 2008: 1.7% *Estimated Paris quarterly property price evolution from
May to August 2009: .6% *Estimated Ile-de-France quarterly property price evolution
from May to August 2009: .5% Editor's Note: the statistics published by the Chambre de Notaires are based on transactions signed in the offices of the notaries. They relate to former homes sold in the Ile-de-France on the last 3 months available. This data is published within 2 months after the end of the observation period. The Promesse de Ventes being made 2 to 3 months before the final sale, therefore this data is about 4 months old. The price indexes are calculated following the methodology of calculation by the notaries and the INSEE. HOT PROPERTY! Proven Rental Studio on rue de Picardie €237,500
Asking Price €237,500. For more photos, visit http://www.vacationinparis.com/apts/sub/49_photos.htm, and for more information contact j_buzek@hotmail.com. A
"Bush de Noel" (not to be confused with a "Buche
de Noel") Excerpt from Parler Paris Nouvellettre®
The supermarkets here are overflowing with party-making goodies: foie gras, boxes of chocolates, champagne, smoked salmon and sparkly candles. The stores are open unusually late and the flower shops are filled with poinsettia and orchids. Yep, it's Christmas in Paris, all right. Tourism in the City of Light is at an all time high between Christmas and New Year's. While the locals are heading to their family homes in the countryside or making their own trek to foreign destinations, North Americans are landing to the city that takes the Christmas spirit seriously. Of course, New York does a really good job of that, too, and as it turns out, many cities are vying for attention to outdo each other with the symbol of Christmas: the tree. Mexico City boasts of the tallest artificial Christmas tree at 295 feet (90 meters) tall made of steel wires erected on Reforma Avenue. Not far behind is Jordan's 85-foot-tall (26 meters) artificial tree, the tallest in the Middle East, in the predominantly Christian city of Fuhais in the west. Idaho is claiming the tallest living Christmas tree in Couer d'Alene at the Couer d'Alene Resort at 162 feet tall (49 meters), which includes a light show of 1.5 million lights and a guaranteed snow shower. It's twice as high as the one in Rockefeller Center, but a tree in Oregon is almost as high -- 156 feet tall (47.5 meters). Not bad. I haven't been able to find out exactly how high the live tree is at Galeries Lafayette, but it's almost reaches the top of the 33 meter high dome (108 feet). No matter, it's a beauty.
My
daughter complained she had been deprived all these years and
for the first time in her young life, decided to erect a Hanukah
Bush in her New York apartment. Or should we call it a "Bush
de Noël?" (This is not to be confused with a "Bûche
de Noël" - a log cake!). Palatial
Living in Le Palace des Vosges...Special
Offer Ends Soon! If you've followed the progress of "Le Palace des Vosges" (our Fractional Ownership property at Paris' best address) over the past year, then you'd know that the first owners are already enjoying the property. Just before they arrived, we had an opportunity to take a full video tour of the finished product and new photos!...
If
you're unable to view the video above, to see the latest video
(produced by http://www.screen-view.fr/),
go to: The latest photos are available at http://www.palacedesvosges.com/PDV_decor.html. Special offering to French Property Insider Readers:Purchase a share and have your 15,000€ deposit received in the escrow account by December 31st, 2009 and receive a 5000€ discount off the price of your share!!! Eight shares are still available. For more information about how to purchase your share of Le Palace des Vosges, visit http://www.palacedesvosges.comor email 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 ourFractional Ownership partners, see below:
To see our latest Fractional offerings go to http://adrianleeds.com/frenchproperty/fractional/fractional_offerings.html French Property Developer Launches Paris Project
The mixed-use project, which will mainly feature office and residential units across seven different buildings, will be developed through a public-private partnership with Semavip. A number of the properties, designed by architects Jacques Ferrier, Emmanuel Combarel and Sauerbruch Hutton, have already been sold to investors, according to BNP Paribas. The new French homes are earmarked for completion in late 2011. Watch
Adrian Leeds and French Property Consultation on
AIR
TIME: http://www.hgtv.com/house-hunters-international/vacation-home-in-paris/index.html
AIR
TIME: http://www.hgtv.com/house-hunters-international/settling-down-in-paris/index.html To learn more, visit http://www.AdrianLeeds.com or email Adrian Leeds, at adrian@adrianleeds.com.
Take the Risk Out of Currency Conversion
For the latest exchange rate use
our currency converter at http://www.adrianleeds.com/frenchproperty/loan/moneycorpconvertor
and learn more about moneycorp here: Important: With the holidays almost upon us, we would like to advise you of our opening times over the next few weeks. The office will be open as usual between 8:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. (AEST) Monday to Friday, except on the following days: Thursday 24 December - 8:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
(AEST) Please bear in mind if you need funds delivered urgently, we suggest that you allow more time than usual. 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 - Last Minute Christmas and New Years special!
a private apartment in Paris that has the "seal of approval" from Parler Paris Apartments andme, 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 thequality 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 greatteam 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): Last Minute Christmas and New Years special!
Book any one of Le Balcon Planté, Le Deco, Le Grand Ciel or La Table du Roi December 21 through January 1 (subject to availability) and receive 10 to- 15% off the normal rate. There are only a few apartments still available for Christmas and New Year's Eve, so book fast!
For more information go to www.adrianleeds.com/parlerparis/apartments or mail:apartments@adrianleeds.com.
Yves Saint Laurent’s Paris Apartment For Sale
Now the duplex apartment he shared with partner Pierre Bergé at 55 Rue de Babylone on Paris' fashionable Left Bank hit the market this past week for €23.5 million ($34.6 million). This listing price reflects what appears to be a substantial markup from the $18 million valuation that was cited for the same property this past spring, when French President Nicolas Sarkozy and Carla Bruni-Sarkozy were reportedly seen viewing the apartment as a potential lovers' retreat from their official Elysée Palace-residence. The 5,600-square-foot home comes with a courtyard and garden. The designer began renting the apartment in 1970, bought it eight years later and lived there until his death last year. The property is listed with prominent Paris-based agency Emilie Garcin. HOT PROPERTY PICKS: Lavish Luxury Looks 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 upscale, luxury apartments for sale in Paris.
Notaires' Property Auctions On Holiday - Next Auction January 19,2010
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.adrianleeds.com/frenchproperty/insider/members/content/articles/auctions1.html.
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, January 12th, 2010 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
Leeds®
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