Laying the Tiles of Our Utopian Paris
By Adrian Leeds

Excerpt from Parler Paris Nouvellettre®
http://www.parlerparis.com
Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Thanks to all of you who wrote in response to [last week's] "Viager with a View" Part IX, for your encouragement and awe at both the energy it takes to 'jump the hurdles' and 'stupidity' at potentially discouraging would-be investors.

It is important for anyone toying with the idea of property ownership in France to know that like owning property anywhere in the world, there are decisions to be made and a level of investment, not only in money, but in time and energy to create a profitable investment. In the case of this particular property, it was a project that I would never have recommended to the 'faint at heart,' as it was a huge challenge and that was known from the very outset.

Normally speaking however, the toughest part is in finding the property itself and in today's market, good properties sell before an agency can even secure the mandate to represent them. Both prices and interest rates (under 3%) are at an all time low (and sure to soon be on the rise).
Just this past week, we made an offer on behalf of a client on a property sight unseen based on the agent claiming it to be "sublime," only to have it sold before he could acquire the key to show it to us! We are jealous of the lucky new owner as clearly, the agent was right -- it must have been even more than "sublime" to have been grabbed up so quickly at a 'mere' 760,000 euros.

Our client had spent two years trying to acquire a property on her own, only to discover how difficult it is to do alone. 'Thanks' to the lack of an "MLS" system (multiple listing service), we "flat-hunters" have a "raison d'être" and have developed a method by which we can come across such "sublime" properties -- even if we have to fight for them!

Yesterday afternoon I was standing in Le Saint-Tropez with my "mosaiiste," Véronique Husson, as she was laying the golden iridescent tile in a wave pattern on the dining table I had purchased at a recent "brocante" (rummage sale). The sun was pouring in from all directions and we couldn't help but remark what a good feeling the space has, even in its very rough, unfinished state.

Veronique is the master mind behind the new floor plan and artistic decor of both Le Saint-Tropez and La Brigitte, using her mosaic tile creations as the foundation for the spirit of the beachy scene. She is the one who was also responsible for the whimsical and colorful tile work in Le Provençal. She deserves a lot of credit for the success of the apartment thanks to her creative talents and passion for her work.

Another artist, Sheila Kern, an American well known for her "trompe l'oeil" work and realistic portraits, was commissioned to paint a wall mural of the beach at Saint-Tropez. It's being installed this weekend on the left wall of the studio upon which the bed and nightstand will be placed, framed on both sides by mirrors which will (hopefully) make you feel as if you are sleeping directly on the beach!

As you can surmise, this is all a creative expression for which the reward is the sheer pleasure of those who will experience the space. Perhaps it's that which fuels the drive, much more than any potential financial gain. It is entirely possible to reap financial reward with much less work and expense, but it wouldn't have quite as much intrinsic pleasure -- at least not for me...

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Property in France: Owning a French Vineyard
By Zoe Dare Hall

http://www.telegraph.co.uk

For Caroline and Sean Feely, becoming winemakers in Bergerac has brought their family a lifestyle they spent years longing for.

Their income may not compare to their days in investment and software in Dublin, but by producing 20,000 bottles a year and offering a holiday let, wine classes, tours and a vine share program, they make “a modest living”, says Caroline, 41.

The Feelys moved to south-west France five years ago with a toddler, Sophia, now seven, and baby Ellie in tow. In search of a house and separate gate with at least 25 acres of vines for around €360,000 (£312,000 at today’s rate), they found exactly what they were looking for, through the agency My-French-House.com, in the village of Saussignac.

They have turned the run-down Chateau Haut Garrigue into their family home, they rent out their holiday cottage (wildearthvineyards.com) and have converted the vineyard to introduce organic and biodynamic winemaking methods.

“We jumped in at the deep end from day one, doing everything ourselves, with specialists to advise, but it was tough,” Caroline says. “Wine is a long game – we only released our first reds in mid-2008, three years after arriving here – and it’s full on, as when the vineyard is quiet, the winery is manic and vice versa. But we love it.

“We earn less and we work far harder now, but we are following our dream.” For anyone thinking of following suit, Caroline says to make sure you have enough money to cover two years of operating costs, double the time and the cost you estimate for renovations, and beware of the bureaucracy in France.”

Owning a vineyard is still the dream for many Britons, but they appreciate now that it’s a highly competitive business, too, says Harris Raphael from the Dordogne-based estate agency Pioneer France.

Vineyard properties on Raphael’s books range from a two-bedroom house with a chai (the building containing the wine vats) and 6.25 acres of vines for £347,000, to a five-bedroom house near Périgord with 12.5 acres of vines for £694,000 and a chateau with 60 acres for £8.7 million.

“You will have to pay astronomical figures for a property in the strictly controlled appellations such as St Emilion or Medoc. Bergerac is slightly less expensive and, if you look in areas that are not assigned to specific appellations but still produce good wines, property prices start to look cheap,” Raphael says.

At the other end of the scale, Rupert Birch, a former investment banker, spent a considerable sum on building his home and winery on his 45 acres of land near Aix-en-Provence. Tired of the rat race in London, he decided to move to southern France, buy his vineyard and began a new life as a winemaker...

Read the entire article at http://www.telegraph.co.uk/property/propertyinfrance/7398533/Property-in-France-owning-a-French-vineyard.html.

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A Place in The Sun Property Exhibition Next Weekend

A Place in the Sun Live features thousands of overseas properties for sale, by hundreds of exhibitors from more than 40 countries worldwide. And with homes from less than £20,000 to over £1 million, there really is something to suit almost every taste - and budget.

The next A Place in the Sun Live takes place at Earls Court, London on 26th - 28th March 2010.

With everything you need all under one roof, you'll have a unique opportunity to compare properties and talk to the agents and developers face-to-face, all in one place!

Whether you are in the market for a great investment property, idyllic holiday home, a place to retire to or a permanent residence abroad, A Place in the Sun Live will bring you a step closer to owning your place in the sun. There's everything from new and off-plan apartments and developments, houses, villas and unique character properties.Full details and tickets available at www.aplaceinthesun.com/visitorinfo.

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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

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.

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The Story of Domaine Rouge-Bleu

In 2006 Jean-Marc Espinasse purchased a 400 years old provençal farm. The 8 ha. belonging to the farm are planted with old vines, Carignan, Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre. As the yield has always been sold to a co-operative there was no domain name to use and the new domain was then called Rouge-Bleu.

Jean-Marc Espinasse is not educated as a winemaker but as an accountant. When his uncle Jean-Claude Vidal in 1989 became the owner of Domaine du Banneret in Chateauneuf du Pape, Jean-Marc became more and more involved in helping his uncle during harvest and bottling and as Jean Marc was married to an American , Kristin, and lived in California, he was also helping (with success) his uncle to market his wines in US and this was the starting point for the decision to switch the professional career to embrace the wine world. For some years he had a blog, http://www.french-wine-a-day.com and wrote about wines (mostly) from France.

By the way, Kristin is very interested in languages and has written some books with that subject, among them "Words in a French Life". She has her own blog about language: http://french-word-a-day.typepad.com.

When Jean-Marc decided to change his style of life and become a wine grower he had help from his uncle and the oenolog at Domaine du Banneret to find a interesting terroir where he could realize his dreams. Some friends helped by investing some money in the project, although Kristin and Jean-Marc are in control with 51% of the investments.

The three parcels of the domain are situated in Vin du Pays area, in AOC Cotes du Rhone and in AOC Cotes du Rhone Village. As Espinasse wants to be able to blend the wines from the different parcels, he just calls the red wines Vin du Pays de Méditerranée and Cotes du Rhone...

Read the entire story at http://www.chateauneuf.dk/hidden/hiden/hidden3.htm. See the Rouge-Bleu Web site at http://www.rouge-bleu.com/.

Editor's Note: Owners Kristin and Jean-Marc Espinasse
Alycon, 84290 Ste Cecile les Vignes
Tel. +33 615 10 52 01 or +33 615 10 52 01
email: jm.espinasse@gmail.com
Blog: http://www.rouge-bleu.com/

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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 ere:
http://www.moneycorp.com/affiliates/microsite/index.cfm?agentid=10168408.

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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.

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Parler Paris Apartments

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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%

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Buying Tips for France - Part 1

http://www.americanchronicle.com/

1. Why buy a place in France?

Buying a French home is a major financial decision, so it´s important to be clear about your objectives. Are you looking to make an investment, or do you plan to relocate and work, set up a business, or even retire? If your purchase is a holiday home, will you make long weekend trips, or lengthier stays? Answering these questions will help identify the type of property best suited to your needs, and its ideal location.

2. Where to buy your French home

Obviously we´re big fans of the Languedoc, but France has 21 other regions too! France is a huge country boasting a wide variety of landscapes, several climatic zones and numerous micro-climates; narrowing down your search area is key, and clarifying your criteria will help. Joe Laredo´s "The Best Places to Buy a Home in France "(published by Survival Books, £11.95, www.survivalbooks.net) is a good starting point. Note that plural on "Places…" – there are so many great spots in which to look, so keep a sense of perspective: you can´t visit them all. Why not try the Languedoc for starters?

3. The location of your French property

It´s been said a hundred times, but it´s worth repeating: location is all-important. You can renovate, restore, rebuild, modernize, extend and transform a house, but its location cannot be altered. Our advice is to plump for a property in reasonable condition in a popular, accessible area, rather than a dream home in a remote spot. You can always do some DIY to turn a modest home into a fabulous French pad, but no amount of cash will transform an isolated spot into anything else. Lost in France was a hit record – but you don´t want it to become Your Tune.

4. Buy your French home according to your life stage

For retirees, sunshine may be a "must"; being within walking distance of a doctor, a post office and a couple of shops could be very helpful in later years. Having neighbors nearby can provide a helping hand and some extra security for older folk. For young families planning to relocate to France, access to schools and leisure facilities will probably be important. When buying a French property, take into account your current needs - and also how they may evolve as years go by.

5. French property - what does it cost?

As a general rule of thumb, the closer you are to a major town or the coast, the higher prices will be. French property is at its cheapest in the countryside; city homes can cost two or three times as much. Property in chic resorts on the Mediterranean coast can cost as much as €3,100 per square metre, but Paris takes the biscuit at an average €4,385 per square metre. In some rural areas it is possible to buy an old home in need of extensive work for as little as €50,000, but budget at least the same again to make it habitable. For a family-sized home with several bedrooms, a garden and pool, allow upwards of €200,000, depending on the area...

Read the entire article at http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/printFriendly/146424.

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HOT PROPERTY PICKS: Vineyard Vista Views

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 wine growing properties located throughout France.

	*** Languedoc-Roussillon: Charming wine-growing estate offering 34 ha of grounds in a stunning and natural environment. It includes a charming farmhouse ("mas"), outbuildings in need of renovation and wine-ageing cellar. Beautiful vineyard producing "AOC" and "VDP" labeled wine. Fields, scrubland and pine grove. This estate combines excellent wine-making equipment and dwellings equipped with all modern conveniences. Asking Price: € 600 000 + 2% finders fee
	*** Côtes du Rhône: Close to a magnificent medieval village, beautiful Vineyard of 12 ha classed in Lirac et Côtes du Rhône Village appellation, Cellar of 800m2 (capacity of 3000 hl), hangar of 200m2 (dwelling possibility), superb master Villa of 200m2 comprising a living room with fire place, an equipped kitchen, a library with fire place, five bedrooms, office. Plus an apartment of 80m2 comprising sitting room, kitchen, 2 bedrooms. Covered pool with winter garden. Pond. Automatic watering system and gate. Enclosed and wooded grounds of 13000m2. Possibility for the buyer to be educated by the seller during one or several years. Asking Price:€ 1 600 000 + 2% finders fee
	*** Pyrénées: Pleasant property offering 56 ha of classified vines with several well known appelations. Property consists of a main house of 205m2 with swimming pool and grounds of 4000m2. There is a 170m2 guest house with 900m2 of private garden. Also included are six independent apartments (each 70m2 ), a principal cellar of 450m2 with 8771 hl of capacity, and fully equipped, second air conditioned cellar of 300m2, office, and various outbuildings. Asking Price:€ 4 460 000 + 2% finders fee
	*** Aix en Provence: Beautiful and rare property of 140 ha close to Aix-en-Provence. Consists of 65 ha of vines classified AOC "Côteaux d'Aix." The property comes with several buildings: the main house with swimming pool of 20X10m and a pool-house, tennis courts, guest house, employees house, offices, and several outbuildings which could be converted to gites or additional housing. The cellar (Chai) is 1540m2 with 7000 hl of capacity. Hangar and all equipment included in the property. Asking Price: € 4 800 000 + 2.5% finder's fee

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Shedding the Suit for a Winemaker's Life in France
By JEAN RAFFERTY

http://www.nytimes.com/

For a group of affluent wine lovers, buying a French vineyard is similar to indulging in a yacht or a villa in the south of France.

They are known as “néo-vignerons,” or “new wine growers.” And Stéphane Paillard, a French oenologist who almost 20 years ago established a real estate agency specializing in vineyards, said the number of inquiries was rising again after the global downturn.

“Today, about 90 percent of my vineyard sales in France are to neophytes, including many industrialists who have sold their companies when they are in their 50s or 60s,” he said.

But, he added, “although hundreds fantasize about owning a vineyard, few — only three to eight a year — follow through to buy.”

And in recent years, the label néo-vigneron has been such a commonplace term in French real estate marketing that the definition has become hazy, even being used to describe professional operations that be may new to France but certainly are not new to winemaking, like the well-known Napa Valley company Clos de Val, which has bought in the Languedoc region.

The agency that handled that sale, Vignobles Investissement in Montpellier, was founded in 1990 by Michel Veyrier, a real estate agent, and covers the Languedoc-Roussillon and Rhone Valley region vineyards.

It, like the Demeures & Vignobles division of Sotheby’s International Realty in Bordeaux and the Maxwell Storrie Baynes agency in Saint-Émilion, do have clients who could be categorized as néo-vignerons. But considering the scope of the businesses, Mr. Paillard’s agency appears to be the one in France with the largest concentration of wealthy newcomers who approach winemaking as a pleasurable hobby, not a business or an inheritance.

“They have dreamed for 10, 20, maybe even 30 years of producing their own wine,” he said. So he has tailored his service to serve this niche international clientele by blending the residential aspect of the purchase with oenological counsel to create his own category of a “residence du vin” or “wine residence.”

“The vineyard is for Monsieur, but the house is for Madame, and it is just as important,” Mr. Paillard said. “It’s a very targeted demand, and it must be in a place where you want to go on vacation and/or retire.”...

Read the entire article at http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/05/greathomesanddestinations/05iht-revine.html.

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Results of the Notaires' Property Auction - March 16, 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 March 16, 2010:
	2010-06-01 2 Rooms 33m² 49 rue Sébastien Mercier 75015 - PARIS 15eme Starting Bid: 140 000,00 € Sold For: 230 000,00 €
	2010-06-02 House 66m² 3 Passage Volta 94200 - IVRY SUR SEINE Starting Bid: 112 000,00 € Sold For: 260 000,00 €
	2010-06-03 2 Rooms 36m² 35 rue Emile Desvaux 75019 - PARIS 19eme Starting Bid: 160 000,00 € Sold For: 215 000,00 €
	2010-06-04 2 Rooms 33m² 11 rue Beauregard 75002 - PARIS 2eme Starting Bid: 128 000,00 € Sold For: 240 000,00 €

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.

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SEEKING A MORTGAGE IN FRANCE?

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

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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/

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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, April 13th, 2010 from 3 to 5 p.m. and every second Tuesday of the month (except August).

 

 

 

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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.

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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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We wanted better guides, So we wrote them!

Insider Paris Guides are written for people who love the City of Light. You'll get a Paris insider perspective on Restaurants... Making a Life... Black Culture... Expat Writers...and the newest guide, Practical Paris!

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.

2. Then order one or more guide(s) and use the promotion
code "ED762." This promotion code gives you 10% off your total
order.

3. If you order two or more guides, then an additional 15% will be
taken off automatically. There is no promotion code needed.

Here is the special "coupon" Web link just for you:
www.insiderparisguides.com/offer

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