Paris: An International City of Property Owners
By Adrian Leeds

Paris is without a doubt, an international city, hosting property owners from all over the world. According to the figures published by the Chambre des Notaires de Paris, in the first quarter of 2008, foreign buyers made up 7.8% of all purchases in Paris. Of them, the most well-represented nationality, by far, with 22.8% of the share, were the Italians, followed by the British with 9.2% and Americans with 5.3%.

Each district in the city seems to have been attractive to different types of foreign buyers. The 1st arrondissement was home to the largest number of foreign buyers with 18.2%, of which 62% were Italian, 13.6% Spanish and 6.5% British.

Americans didn't even make the chart in the 1st (see below). It is not surprising to find the Americans centered more on the Left Bank (around the history of English language literary life) in the 5th and 6th districts with 13.9% of the 8.7% of foreign buyers in the 5th and 11.2% of the 14.9% of foreign buyers in the 6th.

The British and Italians both love the 4th, each with 18.8% of the 17.3% of foreign buyers, followed by Americans with 16.3%. The Haut Marais (3rd) also attracts Italians with 24% of the 13.2% of foreign buyers, but Austrians make up a large portion with 17.7%, followed by the British with 11%.

The outer districts beginning with the 10th begin to attract non-Europeans, such as the Chinese, Russians and Middle-Easterners. These districts have fewer foreign buyers than those of central Paris, (except the 16th with 10.8%), and the district remaining the most purely French is the 14th with only 3.8% foreign purchasers.

Why do the nationalities prefer some districts over others? These statistics do not tell us that answer, but nonetheless, this chart will help you pinpoint those spots where you will be closest to your countrymen...or not!

 

---

REGISTER FOR THE LIVING AND INVESTING IN REAL ESTATE CONFERENCE AND SAVE UP TO $400 OR MORE!

Living and Investing in France Real Estate Conference
March 21-22, 2009 New Orleans

There is nothing else you can do in less time and as inexpensively to learn all you need to learn to make your dream to live and invest in France come true. Produced by Adrian Leeds and John Howell is the 23rd conference of the series, which was the first ever of its kind to be offered both in Paris and the United States. Take advantage of this two-day power-packed conference with expert speakers from France, Europe and the U.S...and these two days of conference activities include the coffee breaks, the cocktail and five course dinner at Tujague's(!).

Reference materials and a tote bag filled with FREE gifts from Paris!

If you register now, you can SAVE $100 off the registration fee. And when you bring along your spouse, partner or friend, you can SAVE AN ADDITIONAL $200! Plus, if you bring a third person, we'll EXTEND THE SECOND PERSON DISCOUNT!

Living and Investing in France Real Estate Conference
March 21-22, 2009, New Orleans

For more information visit
www.adrianleeds.com/frenchproperty/conference or email: info@adrianleeds.com

---

Who are the Notaires and How Do They Get Paid?
By Adrian Leeds

The notarial profession in France is organized on the basis of a structure set forth in an ordinance as old as November 1945. There are more than 8,000 notaires which belong to organizations at several different levels: 92 Chambers (which have departmental, and in some cases, inter-departmental jurisdiction; 33 Regional Councils (which have regional jurisdiction) and the High Council for the Notarial Profession (which has national jurisdiction).

The Notarial profession is strictly regulated by the government, and therefore, so is its fee structure. There are three types of Notaire fees:

State Tax: 80% of all fees collected by the Notaires go straight to the state.

Expenses: 10% of all fees collected by the Notaires go toward the reimbursement of expenses -- the pay for the cost of producing the various documents.

Fees: 10% of all fees collected by the Notaires are to pay for their services.

Because a Notaire is partly a "fonctionnaire" of the state, acting as a tax collector, and fulfilling a public function, the remuneration of the Notaires is strictly regulated. The fees are regulated by decrees modified as recently as March 2007 and as a matter of interest, 71% of the French estimate that the regulation of the Notaire fees by the State is "a good thing because it is a pledge of equality between the citizens." It is also of interest to note that the Notaire does not realize his fees until the file is "closed" and therefore it is not profitable for a Notaire to leave a file incomplete or unresolved.

The fees make up two parts:

1. "Emoluments" -- both proportional and fixed (by decree) for all acts and formalities for which the public authorities determine it -- marriage contracts, gifts, deeds, etc.

A "unit of value" (UV) was set at 3.65€ hors taxe (HT) and to each transaction, units of value are applied. For example, if a husband makes a gift to a wife during marriage, 30 UV are applied and therefore the fees are 109.50€ HT. The "émoluments" are also evaluated in UV according to the type of act. For example, if the document is an original, the fee would be based on .3 UV, but if it's a copy on plain paper, the fee would be based on .1 UV.

2. "Honoraires" -- for all the acts whose decree provides that remuneration is freely agreed between the Notaire and his client -- company formation contracts, leases, consultation, etc. The client, therefore, must be informed in advance, in writing, of the amount estimated of remuneration to have an approval by the client.

When we speak of "Notaire Fees," we tend to 'lump' all the charges into one, but that's perhaps a mistake. While you cannot negotiate the "émoluments," you can negotiate the "honoraires" -- so take heed to ask before signing on the proverbial dotted line..

---

Viva La Place de la République!
By Adrian Leeds

Place de la République is the largest "place" in the city of Paris spanning 3.4 hectares, bordering three districts: 3rd, 10th and 11th. It symbolically represents many historical events which have taken place in the city, yet it's become relatively mundane with traffic, pedestrians and retail establishments. A major Métro station accommodates five lines: 3, 5, 8, 9 and 11. Sixty per cent of its surface is dedicated to automobile traffic which fills it with noise and pollution. During times of public demonstration, it's a hotbed of activity -- almost all demonstrations take their start to the streets here at Place de la République.

Mayor of Paris, Bertrand Delanoë is about to change all that, with one of his largest, most expansive projects of his term in office. The objective is to revitalize the "place" into a central public space for its citizens respecting its history and importance in the heart of the city.

The project is led by the Atelier Local d'Urbanisme (ALU) with participation by the residents of the three districts in the form of public forums and district councils and with an eye on completion by March 2013.

With an eye on the future of property in France, residential areas in the immediate vicinity of the "place" are sure to prosper in all three adjacent districts.

* For a complete brochure from the Mairie of the 3rd Arrondissement (in French), visit:
www.mairie3.paris.fr/Republique_BD2.pdf

* For a panoramic view of the "place," visit: www.panoramicearth.com

* Wikipedia History of Place de la République
www.wikipedia.org

It corresponds to the bastion of the gate of the Temple onto the enceinte de Charles V that dates back to the 14th century. Decorated in 1811 with a fountain called the Château-d'Eau, designed by Girard, it took its current shape under the Second French Empire, when boulevard de Magenta was extended onto it, of which the boulevard des Amandiers (which became avenue de la République) and of the boulevard du Prince-Eugène, today named after Voltaire. Most of the theatres of boulevard du Temple were demolished for this project.

The "caserne" de Prince Eugène, later named de la Château d'Eau then the caserne Vérines, was erected by Degrove, in 1854, to replace the former Wauxhall of summer and the famous diorama where Daguerre, one of the inventors of the photograph, had given his fifteen minute demonstrations. Built with the foresight to house 3200 men, it has since 1947 housed the French Republican Guard.

Gabriel Davioud, Paris's official city architect, added to the Place, building the Magasins réunis along its whole north side in 1866 and a second fountain decorated with bronze lions (Girard's fountain having been judged insufficient and re-erected in the market of la Villette) in 1867.

In 1879, a competition to design a great monument devoted to the newly-proclaimed Republic, was won by the Morice brothers, Léopold for the sculptor and Charles for the base. The plaques of historic scenes around the statue's base are by Aimé-Jules Dalou. Two inauguration ceremonies took place, the first on July 14 1880 with the gypsum model, and the second on July 14 1883 with the final version in bronze.

---

France Tops 2009 "Quality of Life Index"

From International Living
www.internationalliving.com

194 countries ranked and rated to reveal the world’s best places to live in 2009

France: The world’s best country

...To produce this annual Index we consider, for each of these countries, nine categories: Cost of Living, Culture and Leisure, Economy, Environment, Freedom, Health, Infrastructure, Safety and Risk, and Climate. This involves a lot of number crunching from “official” sources, including government websites, the World Health Organization, and The Economist, to name but a few.

Once the data is collected, we also take into account what our editors from all over the world have to say about our findings. These correspondents and colleagues are working and living in these countries themselves and give us a more realistic view of our official findings.

This year, as with the past three years, all our number-crunching, rating, and ranking landed France at the top of our Index. France scores high marks across the board…from its health care (84 points) to its infrastructure (90 points) to its safety rating (100 points). But the main appeal of living in France is arguably its lifestyle (its scores 85 points in our Culture and Leisure category).

France’s sensual allure leaves nobody untouched. Spend even a few months here and you will never again regard life in quite the same way.

As our European editor, Steenie Harvey said of her first visit to this country: “It was love at first sight. I can’t get enough of its culture, fashion, stunning architecture, and intoxicating history. As for the food and wine—well, even thinking about it makes me salivate...”

Editor's note: To read the full article on France and learn about the other countries on the index, please go to www.internationalliving.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:

	***NEW!!! Paris: La Résidence Luxembourg www.adrianleeds.com/frenchproperty/fractional
	Paris: LE PALACE DES VOSGES www.adrianleeds.com/frenchproperty/fractional
	Paris: LE PETIT TRESOR www.adrianleeds.com/frenchproperty/fractional
	Paris: CHEZ LA TOUR www.adrianleeds.com/frenchproperty/fractional
	Languedoc-Roussillon: MAISON BLEUE www.adrianleeds.com/frenchproperty/fractional

---

The French Property Market Picks Itself Up
By Trisha Mason

www.vefuk.com

The intention and determination of people who want to buy property in France is really surprising. I guess no other country has such a devoted group of people who, having spent their holidays in France for years, have been planning, for a similar length of time, to buy a home there.

When it comes to Spain, Italy, America or most other countries people are led by the search for the sun, the search for cheaper properties and for a lifestyle they can’t have in the UK or Ireland. When it comes to France though, so many potential property buyers are led by a love affair with the country and as we all know, people do not give up on love affairs easily. So the intention remains as strong as ever.

What is amazing at the moment is the strength of determination of people to find a way to make their dream of owning a French property come true despite falling houses prices at home and a weak pound [and dollar]. We know there are ways around these problems for many people who were prepared to change their ideas about buying in France to suit the market they were presented with. Most of these people are now owners of French homes...

Editor's note: To read the full article, please go to www.vefuk.com

---

Selling Your Leaseback Property

We recently received an email from an FPI reader who has owned, and been happy with, a leaseback property they purchased. They are now ready to sell their property and inlisted our assistance to help them. We contacted our long-time associate, John Howell, with this issue. Following is the email and his response:

My husband and I bought a leaseback in the south (Mandelieu La Napoule) a couple of years ago. So far we've been happy with it. We recently became victims of the Bernard Madoff scandal and so now we need to liquidate some real estate. Is there a firm that specializes in re-sales of leasebacks?

Thanks,
-----------------

Dear A,

Re: Sale of Leaseback in France

Adrian Leeds forwarded to me your e-mail of the 13th January.

I’m sorry to hear about your link with Mr Madoff. Maybe there was something good about the lynch mobs you Americans had in the old days!

Your leaseback property is a sellable asset.

There are a number of ways in which you might try to sell it:

1. The Internet. There are a number of companies that advertise the resale of leaseback properties. Look at www.moving-to-france.com or www.frenchleaseback.net as examples. You may find others more local to you in the United States.

2. Via a suitable newsletter. Adrian’s French Property Insider may well be a candidate.

3. Via the company that sold you the leaseback. They will often offer a resale service particularly if the project is fully sold out. Check the price that they are going to charge you before agreeing to the service sometimes it can be quite high.

4. Via your own mini-website. You’ll be surprised if you put in the key words ‘French Leaseback Resale’ how many hits you might obtain. You only need one! Setting up a website is, these days, very cheap and simple.

5. Via a regular estate agent. A number of regular estate agents (realtors) operating in the South of France will agree to offer resale properties alongside more conventional properties.

If you are looking to resell your leaseback you need to be aware of certain restrictions. If you’ve owned the property for less than 20 years you will need to make sure that you reach a suitable agreement with the Buyer as the continuance of the leaseback arrangement and/or the repayment of the VAT discount that you obtained when you bought the property – or at least a part of it. You will also need to make sure that the buyer understands that they’re buying the property as a leaseback and subject to the commitment that it will be left in the leaseback pool for at least the rest of the current leaseback period. These contracts need some quite careful thought and we would, of course, be happy to help you in the preparation of a Sale contract.

When you find a buyer and you want us to deal with the contract let us know and we can give you an indication of cost...

Editor's note: John Howell can be contacted in the UK through his assistant Hanneri Swanepoel at hsw@JHCo.org

 

 

 

---

LEASEBACK NEWS FROM IMOINVEST

www.adrianleeds.com/frenchproperty/consultation

SAINT HENRI France, Mediterranean Coast, Cannes

NEW LISTING

Three-Bedroom Estate 85m² €543,000

EXPECTED RENTAL INCOME UP TO: 6.00%

Gated historic building 30 metres from the beach and 500 metres from the old port of Plages du Midi on the French Riviera. Surrounded by lush tropical gardens, with the Lerins Islands and the Sea to the East and the Esterel mountain chain to the West, this elegant residence offers collective outdoor parking, which is a very rare advantage to have in Cannes. This spacious 3rd and top floor 3-bed apartment boasts a cosy fireplace and offers incredible views. This address offers complete tranquillity even though the heart of the city is just minutes away. Great investment opportunity for seasonal lettings with the Palais des Festivals convention center near by.

- High rental demand for 3 bedroom apartments
- Rare parking space in the centre of Cannes
- The beach at your doorstep
- Great Art Deco Architecture
- Charming sea view

---

Medical Care in France...At the Bottom of Your List of Concerns
By Adrian Leeds

A Reader Writes..

Q: We are considering France as a location for retirement in a few years. Yet, I do seem to have trouble or, at least, a little confusion, on how to handle the medical care issue. If we were to move to France, where do I get up to date information on how we can be sure we are covered for medical care to include regular care as well as hospitalization? In addition, How can we determine the quality of care in various locations in France?

A: The medical care in France is the best in the world. Private health insurance is readily available and very inexpensive. Doctors and hospitals are very accessible. Medical care should be at the bottom of your list of concerns -- and in fact, you will appreciate it as one of the big benefits of living in France.

Our recommendation for very inexpensive and comprehensive private health insurance is The Jefferson Plan, offered by:

Adinas Insurance
17 rue de Chateaudun
75009 PARIS
Tel 01 44 63 53 82
Fax 01 44 63 52 66
Contact: Sylvie Labastire
Email: slabastire@adinas.net

---

       

TODAY'S CURRENCY UPDATE

Visit the FPI Web site and click on the link on the left panel or click here for Currency Convertor by Moneycorp Global Money Services: Moneycorp Currency Conversion Tool for up to the minute conversions of all major currencies.

Compare currency values easily and quickly by visiting:
www.Moneycorp.com/agent/parlerparis/Currency Convertor by Moneycorp Global Money Services/Currency Online.asp

Charts: www.Moneycorp.co.uk/members/charts.asp. The charts are updated every ten seconds.

The prices shown are "inter bank" exchange rates and are not the rates that you will be offered by Moneycorp. Your rate will be determined by the amount of currency that you are buying. Please speak with an Moneycorp dealer or your consultant for a live quotation.

---

The Next Notaires' Property Auction January 27th

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. Though the site has a button for an English version, it isn't necessarily reliable.

To read Schuyler Hoffman's article about the property auctions in Paris, click on:
www.adrianleeds.com/frenchproperty/insider/members/content/articles/auctions1.html

January 27, 2009
Beginning at 2:00 p.m. the following properties will be auctioned off:

 

 

2009-01-09
3 Rooms 42,90m²
18 rue des Belles Feuilles
75016 - PARIS 16eme
Starting Bid : 139 500 €
Deposit : 27 900 €

 

 

 

 

2009-01-03
2 Apartements 72,90m²
72 rue de la Colonie
75013 - PARIS 13eme
Starting Bid: 240 000 €
Deposit: 48 000 €

 

 

 

 

2009-01-10
3 Rooms 43,60m²
18 rue des Belles Feuilles
75016 - PARIS 16eme
Starting Bid: 270 000 €
Deposit: 54 000 €

 

 

 

 

Next Auction 3 February, 2009
Deposits acceppted: 14h00

---

HOT PROPERTY PICKS: Revealing Revitalizing République

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.

As we are not a real estate agency. These properties do not constitute a sales listing. For those readers seriously interested in finding property in Paris or France, you can retain our services to do the whole thing for you. For more information, visit http://www.adrianleeds.com/frenchproperty/consultation.

This week we focus on properies found in and around the soon to be renewed République --the 3rd, 10th, and 11th arrondissemonts of Paris.

***Rue La Fayette, 10th arrond.: 1-bedroom, approx. 38m²

This apartment needs a little work, but is an excellent opportunity. On the rez-de-chaussée, ground floor, but located on the inner courtyard of the building. The unit had one bedroom, toilet, and wc.

Asking Price: 162 000€ + 2.5% Finder's Fee

 

***Paris, 10th arrond.: 1-bedroom, approx. 30m²

Within short walking distance of the Canal Saint-Martin. Situated on the fifth and last floor of the building, with views on both ends of the apartment. The unit consists of an entry hall, living room, bedroom, separate toilet and bathroom, and kitchen. It as a fireplace and comew with a cave in the basement.

Asking Price: 208 000€ + 2.5% Finder's Fee

 

***Saint-Ambroise, 11th arrond.: 2-bedroom, approx. 60m²

Nicely renovated fifth floor apartment. Newer building--1900--but with all the French charm and great views. Consists of two bedrooms, separate kitchen, living room, bath and separate toilet. Parquet floors, fireplace, lots of windows and light make this an exceptional value.

Asking Price: 360 000€ + 2.5% Finder's Fee

 

 

***Paris, 11th arrond.: 2-bedroom, approx. 62m²

Exquisite third floor apartment, with elevator. Fresh paint and your interior flair will make this apartment a great home or rental. Parquet floors throughout with fireplaces, large windows to let in plenty of natural light. Consists of two bedrooms separated by the living room, separate kitchen, bath and separate toilet.

Asking Price: 398 000€ + 2.5% Finder's Fee

 

***Arts et Metiers, 3rd arrond.: 2-bedroom , approx. 55m²

Outstanding location for a great apartment that needs some TLC. On the fourth floor with small balcony and view over the rooftops. Charming courtyard entrance. Original wood floors in living room. Consists also of two bedrooms, separate kitchen, separate bath and toilet. Would make an exceptional rental property and ideal for stays in Paris.

Asking Price: 460 000€ + 2.5% Finder's Fee

 

***Filles du Calvaire, 3rd arrond.: 2-bedroom , approx. 42m²

Great location. Apartment is ready for renovation, but has great bones. On the second floor with no elevator. Original wood floors in living room, tile in bath and kitchen. Consists also of two bedrooms, separate kitchen, separate bath and toilet. If you're willing to put in the work you could create real value in the apartment.

Asking Price: 360 000€ + 2.5% Finder's Fee  

---

SEEKING A MORTGAGE IN FRANCE?

When you make a purchase as important as a piece of real estate in a foreign country, you want 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 APARTMENTS

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% guaranteed satisfaction.

Special Holiday Pricing for Apartment Rentals Extended

Take 10% Off All January 2009 Bookings in Parler Paris Apartments!

Minimum of three nights or more during the month of January in any one of Parler Paris Apartments at a discount of 10%!

For more information and to reserve your stay in Paris now, visit www.adrianleeds.com/parlerparis/apartments or email: apartments@adrianleeds.com/parlerparis

---

Parler Paris Après Midi

 

www.adrianleeds.com/parlerparis/apresmidi.html

Come for a drink and to meet and chat with other readers in Paris...

The next gathering is February 10, 2009 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 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 members@fpinsider.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 website. You will find the
"Past Issues" link on the left under "Subscribers Only" or by going to
www.adrianleeds.com/frenchproperty/insider/members

To receive your free French Leaseback Report or the Paris Property
Report, click on
www.adrianleeds.com/frenchproperty/insider/members

---

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

---

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®
Adrian Leeds Group, LLC, www.adrianleeds.com