Where Kings and Queens Can Be Themselves
By Adrian Leeds

An Excerpt from Parler Paris
www.adrianleeds.com/parlerparis
Monday , January 26, 2009

Martine di Matteo and I look forward to it twice a year every year -- in January and September.

Martine is the Interior Architect and Designer who has turned every "box" of an apartment into a 'dream pied-à-terre' that the clients will allow...such as "Le Beau Marais," "La Table du Roi," "Le Pinot Noir," "Le Deco," "L'Aubergine, "La Rose du Marais," "La Bonne Nobel" and "Le Penthouse Voltaire" -- all short term rental apartments at Parler Paris Apartments (www.adrianleeds.com/parlerparis/apartments).

"Maison & Objet" is the bi-annual interior design industry trade show extravaganza that will knock the socks off your senses. You don't have to be an interior designer to appreciate the vast representation of manufacturers and designers from all over Europe and other parts of the world who come to exhibit their wares. It takes place in two locations -- "Maison & Objet" at the Paris-Nord Villepinte Exhibition Center near Airport Charles de Gaulle and "Meuble Paris" at the Paris Le Bourget Exhibition Center near the Le Bourget business airport. (Getting there is easy via the RER B line.)

We had one major goal in mind this time around -- to find gorgeous luxurious furnishings and ideas for "Le Palace des Vosges," our latest and most exciting Fractional Ownership apartment located in the Place des Vosges -- Paris' best address. The apartment itself is more like a 'house in the country' than an apartment -- located at the back of the second courtyard from the entrance on the "place" next to L'Ambroisie, the Michelin three-star restaurant, with more than four-meter-high ceilings, massive 400-year-old beams and a clear view on the Hôtel de Sully. It deserves to be 'palatial' in every respect and we aim to marry French regal esthetic with American comfort and functionality.

After having spent time last year shopping for furnishings for my daughter's New York apartment in Manhattan, I can tell you that European style and American style have little in common. The Europeans are not afraid to be very bold, sometimes bordering on outrageous, but clearly innovative and daring. The French love their "provincial" casual country style of distressed woods and metals, using whites, pales and smoky colors, in fabrics of course textures. The Italians introduce glitz and glitter, slick surfaces, bright colors and sleek design. The Belgians create an interesting blend of traditional and contemporary almost confusing the cultures so you're not sure whose behind the ideas and the Asians brilliantly mimic everyone offering inexpensive alternatives to everyone's taste.

Seriously shopping for furnishings rather than just canvassing for concepts was like being a 'kid in a candy shop.' The camera snapped up a zillion different chairs, chandeliers, tables, sofas and accessories for our portfolio of design ideas, but we settled on a few important items that sent us home with a stack of brochures and contacts, and feeling quite accomplished.

One particular showroom was a perfect resource for a chateau-deserving kitchen with an oversized stove hood on which we can hang a range of copper pots adorned by a "Jerusalem" marble top and sink; a long oval dining room table that seats eight sitting on a metal base of carved roses; a zinc bar at which we'll have our "apéritifs" before dinner and a bathroom sink with matching mirror that one might find in Le Petit Trianon.

The sofa we treasured was as big as a double bed with a zillion pillows that begs you to crawl into its arms -- perhaps we'll have it upholstered in golds, violets and greens. There were two classic arm chairs to upholster in coordinating fabrics that will make perfect accompaniments along with sweet little baroque 'nesting tables' to land wherever our hearts desire. The crystal chandeliers and bronze wall sconces were at every turn, but we found one we thought fit the mix of style in elegance without being the least bit gaudy.

Colors are key and Martine is the queen of color coordination and use of fabrics and textures. We're going for the 'gold' -- the warms and brights, the royals and regals, the softs and silkies. When you enter "Le Palace des Vosges," you will be made to feel like a king or queen...but at home where kings and queens can be themselves.

That's how we felt, too, even as exhausted as we were after an entire day marching up and down the vast aisles and many halls ogling all the exciting new interior design "solutions" for today's world...but well worth it. The show's on through tomorrow if you have a chance to attend, or schedule your next trip to Paris for September's show the 4th through 8th. We'll be there, won't you?

MAISON & OBJET
www.maison-objet.com

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The Meeting of the Gallant Gentlemen of the Sister Cities
By Adrian Leeds

An Excerpt from Parler Paris
www.adrianleeds.com/parlerparis
Wednesday, January 28, 2009

San Francisco and Paris have a very special relationship. The cities first bonded in 1996 with a Friendship and Cooperation Agreement and then ten years later signed the Digital Sister Cities Memorandum of Understanding..."conscious of the necessity of sharing experiences and convinced that such relationships between citizens give rise to mutual enrichment"... or so their press materials claim.

What the mayors of each of the cities may not know is that San Francisco and the Bay Area is the single largest Francophile community in the United States!

While no one knows why that is for sure, my bet the reason for this stems back long before any agreements between the two cities -- as far back as 1889 when the first Alliance Française was established there, only six years after its creation in Paris by scientist Louis Pasteur, the diplomat Ferdinand de Lesseps, the writers Jules Verne and Ernest Renan, and the publisher Armand Colin. The French have always flocked their spreading their language, their culture and their "joie de vivre."

We've held numerous Living and Investing in France Real Estate Conferences there at the Alliance Française at 1345 Bush Street and therefore have had a special relationship between the cities, too. So, when I was able to witness the Monday signing of the Cooperation Memorandum for the years 2009 to 2011 with the 42nd Mayor of San Francisco Gavin Newsom present, I jumped at the chance!

Newsom was made famous by a bold move to grant marriage licenses to same-sex couples only 36 days after taking office. Perhaps this further solidifies a friendly relationship with Mayor of Paris Bertrand Delanoë who openly announced his gay status during a 1998 television interview before being elected mayor.

The signing itself took on the 'usual' agenda in the "Salon Jean Paul Laurens" in the Paris City Hall at a small table near the southern window overlooking the river. City officials from both cities stood nearby as first, the Mayor of Paris spoke, then turned over the podium to tall, young (41 -- the youngest San Francisco mayor in over a century) and I might add, quite handsome, Gavin Newsom.

Each expressed their warm sentiments and wishes for cooperative ties in the usual fashion -- cooperation in the form of information exchange, sharing of tools and networks, promotion of cultural exchange and reciprocation. What was a bit different at Monday's signing was the reference made to newly installed President Barack Obama.

First, Gavin Newsom signed the Memorandum and as he did, Bertrand Delanoë pointed out that he signed with his left hand, just like Obama! Then, Delanoë took his position at the desk and the pen was handed over to him...but for some reason, the pen wouldn't write.

Quickly a pen was handed over to replace it and he signed, noting that the new pen wrote very nicely indeed. When both signatures were on the documents, it was Delanoë who noticed that now it was even more beautiful by virtue of the two colors of ink on the ivory-toned paper!

I thought this very French, to have such an esthetic viewpoint on the detail of the day and perhaps was the only witness to have noticed the cultural difference.

After the signing, the participants were wisked by car to "La Cantine," a center inaugurated just one year ago supported by "Silicon Sentier" -- an association made up of 120 technological enterprises designed to help create new businesses and provide more jobs in the Région Ile-de-France. La Cantine is in the heart of the Sentier district, in one of the many "passages" of the 2nd arrondissement.

First the mayors met on the sidewalk greeting Green Party Mayor of the 2nd Arrondissement, Jacques Boutault, before entering La Cantine. There, again Delanoë said a few words, then the principle players of the association spoke to a large group of officials and press with Newsom and his wife on the front row.

I snuck out before the ceremonies ended, but left with a warm spot in my heart once again, for the cities of Paris and San Francisco, and the gallant gentlemen at their helms.

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How to Avoid the Pitfalls
By Adrian Leeds

The following article was published online in a blog by an American woman looking for a Paris apartment to call her own. It's difficult to know if she's looking for a rental apartment or apartment to purchase, but either way, it's no wonder that she "spent about 8 hours looking at 7 different apartments and setting up a bank account" and "really have nothing to show for it."

From the mistakes she made, we can all learn quite a bit. Her first mistake was not 'doing her homework,' which of course, you are already doing, by virtue of reading French Property Insider and educating yourself.

Nothing is a bigger time-waster than forging ahead without having a certain level of knowledge or knowing who to consult. Today we're going to address some of the obstacles she encountered, why they happened and how they could have been avoided.

Read on...

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Flat Hunting in Paris By Anonymous American Blogger and "In-the-Know" Adrian Leeds

BLOGGER:

Well, today I spent about 8 hours looking at 7 different apartments and setting up a bank account and I really have nothing to show for it.

The bank account is being processed, but I won't have the card or anything until next week; and besides, I don't have any money in the account so it doesn't help me out much now. I just have to figure out how to transfer money from London to Paris without being in London and without having set up any transfer papers with my London bank. Ugh. And of course, the US Government knows everything about me and it was required to sign a W9 form or something so the bank in Paris must report this account of mine to the IRS. Joys.

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO:

To open a bank account in France, one must make an appointment in advance with a client service person rather than walk in and sit down to a waiting agent, as you might expect in a U.S. Bank. Be sure to have all the proper documents with you (passport and proof of residence) to avoid delays. Yes, it takes time to get your Visa or MasterCard debit card, just as it does when you apply for your card Stateside, but be prepared to return to the bank with identification to collect the card and sign a receipt.

To transfer funds from one bank to another is simple. Banks are quite adept at making wire transfers, but to save money on the transfer from one currency to another, we recommend using Moneycorp Currency Specialists. See www.adrianleeds.com/frenchproperty/loan/moneycorpconvertor.html for more information.

The French bank is not required to report anything to the U.S. government regarding the account, however, the U.S. I.R.S. requires reporting of all foreign accounts of $10,000 or more. Many people I know who have accounts here in France maintain a lower balance to comply with the regulation, but having the money does not mean there is applicable tax and thanks to the tax treaty, there is no double taxation.

BLOGGER:

As for the flats...the first 2 were ok, but both have +/-. I'm not crazy about either of them. Sure, I could choose one of them if I had to, but I think I might exercise my right to go out a 2nd day and look at more flats. I really hate doing that though because I don't like being troublesome or picky or come across as another 'ugly American' expat/tourist.

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO:

Every apartment in Paris is different and every person's needs are different. Agents who wish to sell apartments can benefit best from selling their own listings and therefore will show anything to anyone without considering if the apartment fits the bill or not. A search consultant can eliminate all wasted time by defining the parameters of the search and pre-selecting properties so that a renter or buyer can be successful early on in the visiting process.

Americans have as much right as anyone to be discerning, especially about their living environment. Don't settle for less and certainly don't apologize for it!

BLOGGER:

But, I think I just need to deal with it, too. I don't think I'm going to like apartment in Paris in general for several reasons. (1) the kitchens are all separate rooms, very removed from the rest of the flat - what is it? some holdover from when people had servants or when the woman was in the kitchen and that was it? (2) closets - why are they all in the hallways and why are they all "ginormously" tall? I will need to have about 8 step stools in whatever flat I choose! (3) Paris is just compact so everything is near some busy place and lots of people, which I really don't like.

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO:

1) Not true. Many apartments now are fitted with "American" kitchens which are open to the main living room. The reason the French prefer closed kitchens begins with a time when the servants cooked there and the odors were bothersome. Things have changed. Just visit any Ikea in France to know this is true!

2) If you're lucky enough to find an apartment that already has closets built in, then be thrilled they are all the way to the high ceilings and provide lots of storage! A step stool is a very inexpensive and easy thing to purchase.

3) Yes, this is a very urban environment, but living on a courtyard is virtually noise-free. Small streets can often provide the same quiet. And if you don't like being around people, then perhaps an apartment in the suburbs would suit better.

BLOGGER:

It was difficult to get a good feel for anything today really since almost all of them were being renovated and completely redone - so there were drop cloths, torn out bathrooms, etc. It was hard to tell what would be put in and what would be left out (i.e. some included a dishwasher, but no fridge).

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO:

Wow! That's very encouraging that so many apartments were in the process of being upgraded. You can easily negotiate for the landlord or seller to include the appliances. If not, you get the freedom of choosing your own!

BLOGGER:

Anyway, it's late. I should sleep on it and figure it out tomorrow.

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO:

Use the Web. It's filled with valuable information to learn all you need to know before you get going.

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Getting to Know the French Alps
Compiled by Schuyler Hoffman

A popular area loaded with vacation opportunities, the French Alps were sculpted by glaciers, giving the corresponding valleys a mild climate and rich soil. There are a lot of towns in the area, for what at first glance might seem like an inhospitable and isolated section of France. In fact, the French Alps are loaded with well connected towns, and are popular year round, making them ideal for vacations in France. Divided into two providences, Savoy in the north, containing Mont Blanc, and Dauphine in the south, home to Grenoble, the main city of the alps, the French Alps are a popular and diverse region.

Inspiring craggy peaks and snowcapped mountains rise up in the French Alps, where there are fantastic opportunities for skiers and snowboarders. There are over 200 resorts in the Alps, with Chamonix, Megeve and Val d’Isere being the most popular. Chamonix features the world’s highest cable car, and Mont Blanc, the highest peak in Western Europe, is near Chamonix. Annecy has lantern lit lanes, Chambery contain the most history, and Grenoble is the largest city in the French Alps.

Weather gives way very rapidly and varies from summer to winter. With pleasant weather in the summer the valleys open up to lush green fauna and fields of wildflowers. Hiking, as well as rafting, mountain biking, and canoeing are popular. Paragliding and skydiving are also possible. There are three national parks and four regional parks within the Alps--Vanoise, Ecrins, and Mercantour.

The Alps are primarily known for their outdoor activities, which include skiing and mountaineering. Lesser know but still popular sports in the region include white water rafting, golf and paragliding. The region is also noted for its stunning beauty, including many alpine lakes, the largest being Lake Geneva (Lac Leman), Lac d'Annecy and Lac de Bourget; these lakes are year-round attractions for their beauty and access to numerous water sports.

The French portion of the mountains are also home to famous resorts towns Chamonix, St. Gervais, Albertville, Grenoble where the Olympic Games took place in 1968, and Annecy with its old city and lake.

Editor's Note: Further down in the newsletter are two articles discussing property and investing in the French Alps region.

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Last Chance to Participate!

"Forecasting French Property for 2009"
with Adrian Leeds and John Rule

Free 1-Hour Conference Call for All FPI Subscribers

February 1, 2009
10 a.m. PST, 11 a.m. MST, 12 noon CST, 1 p.m. EST, 7 p.m. Paris Time

Here's your chance to learn what the experts are predicting for the future of French property values, sales, rentals and mortgages! Join us on this very important call. Limited to 50 participants. Register now to receive your call-in instructions: fpi@adrianleeds.com.

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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

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Banque Patrimoine & Immobilier Offers New Products

www.adrianleeds.com/frenchproperty/loan

VARIABLE RATES

In the aftermath of the decrease of the 3 Month Euribor, Banque Patrimoine & Immobilier (BPI) has decided to offer the Soleil product again with a starting rate of 3.90%! Soleil is a variable mortgage without an initial fixed rate period, the monthly repayment is fixed for one year and revised at the anniversary date of the loan. The index is the 3 Month Euribor which stands now approximately at 2.35%. The 100% variable option of the Flex product is also back on the market at 3.90%!

30 YEAR VARIABLE

We would like to take this opportunity to remind you that your clients can benefit from a 30 year variable repayment product starting with a fixed rate period of five years at 4.60%. At the end of the first five years the rate and the monthly repayment will be revised according to the latest monthly average of the 3 Month Euribor.

EQUITY RELEASE

Equity release mortgages are possible on holiday homes and buy to lets only. The maximum loan to value is 70% with a repayment product and 50% with our interest only Diamond with a maximum interest only period of five years. The LTV can be increased when part of the equity is invested on a saving account pledged to the bank, please consult us for further information.

LOAN ARRANGEMENT FEES

Up to EUR 300K: 1%
EUR 301K - 500K: 0.75%
EUR 501K - 1 M: 0.55%
above EUR 1 M: please consult us for further information.

INSURANCE COVER

No insurance cover is acceptable on client's formal request and subject to client's
profile as follows:

- minimum annual income of EUR 150K
- minimum assets of EUR 750K
- ownership of the main residence

Please note that both the starting rate and the margin will be increased by 0.25%
for mortgages without life insurance cover.

SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION

Copies are acceptable. However loan application forms, insurance questionnaires as well as the schedule of assets must be provided IN ORIGINAL and signed by the applicants.

We would like to remind you that the bank statements and the passport copies must be certified as true copies of the original documents. They can be certified by a mortgage broker, a certified accountant, a lawyer, a sollicitor etc... The loan offer will now be subject to receipt of the duly certified documents!

FOREIGN CURRENCY INVESTMENTS

Banque Patrimoine & Immobilier can finance 100% LTV with 25% invested (or 110% LTV with 30%) on an interest bearing account in GBP, US$, CAN$ or AUS$.

Minimum mortgage amount : EUR 100K
Maximum mortgage amount : EUR 10M

For more information email loan@adrianleeds.com

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Mastering Offshore Banking --
Caye International Introduces Visa Debit Cards

www.adrianleeds.com/frenchproperty/consultation/offshore.html

Belize is a leading Caribbean offshore jurisdiction, and many visitors are intrigued about offshore banking. The growth in international travel, coupled with the increasing use of the Internet to make a living or help manage businesses from afar, have led to growing use of offshore banking and offshore trusts. Others have made the same decisions to relocate or diversify their financial affairs and open offshore accounts.

Offshore Banks in Belize In addition to commercial banks in Belize serving local customers, Belize has developed a small but growing community of offshore banks (or international banks as they like to be called). These offshore banks were authorized by the Banks and Financial Institutions Act, 1995, and the introduction of the Offshore Banking Act, 1996, and the Money Laundering (Prevention) Act, 1996. By law they cannot serve customers who are citizens of or legal residents of Belize. The 1995 legislation defines an off shore banking as "receiving, borrowing or taking up foreign money exclusively from non-residents at interest or otherwise on current account, savings account, term deposit or other similar account and which according and subject to arrangement is repayable on the check, draft, order, authority or similar instrument of the customer, and investing the foreign money so received by lending, giving credit or otherwise exclusively to non-residents; or carrying on exclusively with nonresidents such other activities as are customarily related or ancillary to offshore banking." There are two categories of Belize offshore banks: "A" Class - Unrestricted and "B" Class - Restricted...

Caye International Introduces both personal and corporate Visa debit cards:

* Can be used for purchases anywhere in the world, wherever the VISA logo is displayed.
* Cash can be obtain from worldwide ATM machines displaying the Visa logo.
* If your card is lost or stolen, please contact us immediately for a replacement card.
* Additional cards can be issued to your family or business partners on your VISA
card account.

To apply, download Caye International Bank application forms:

* Personal Visa Debit Card Application
www.adrianleeds.com/frenchproperty/consultation/Personal_Debit

* Corporate Visa Debit Card Application
www.adrianleeds.com/frenchproperty/consultation/Corporate_Debit

To learn more about offshore banking in Belize with Caye International, download their brochure by clicking here: www.adrianleeds.com/frenchproperty/insider/caye_bank_belize.pdf

Contact Caye International Bank, Ltd. and please be sure to tell them Adrian Leeds and French Property Consultation referred you...

Peter A. Zipper, President
Coconut Drive, PO Box 11, San Pedro Town, Ambergris Caye, Belize, C.A.
Tel: +(501) 226-2388/3083, Fax: +(501) 226-2892
Email: cibl@btl.netor services@cayebank.bz.

 

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A Driving Force to Change Paris
By Robert P. Walzer

International Herald Tribune
www.iht.com

PARIS: For his efforts to reduce the privilege of car drivers in Paris, Denis Baupin has been saddled with nasty nicknames, including "Monsieur Embouteillages" (Mr. Traffic Jam), Khmer Vert and worse.

As the transportation chief of the French capital for seven years, Baupin, who has written a book called "All Cars, No Future," was the force behind the development of Paris's hugely successful bicycle-sharing program, Vélib'. He introduced a tramway, minibuses, rider subsidies, more bus lanes and faster bus speeds. He reduced auto speed limits to 30 kilometers an hour, or just under 19 miles an hour, from 50 kilometers an hour on 1,000 streets and closed many to cars altogether.

In short, Baupin has changed the face of mobility in Paris, making it, by most accounts, easier for users of public transportation, pedestrians and bikers, and less accessible to car drivers.

Since March 2008, the Green Party member has had a new but related charge: fighting climate change.

Under his plan, €2 billion, or $2.6 billion, of taxpayers' money will go towards renovating a quarter of the city's 220,000 subsidized apartments to receive better insulation and more efficient heating. The program would eventually extend to all of Paris's 3,000 public and 100,000 private buildings, nearly half of them built before 1915...

Editor's Note: To read the full article go to www.iht.com

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Finally, New Build apartments in the Heart of Paris!

Acumen Overseas Property
www.acumen-overseas-property.com

Traditionally, new build apartments in Paris have always been offered in priority to French citizens, not much advertised and sold quickly thanks to the appeal of this kind of safe investment. And that is the reason why you could not find new build developments in the very heart of Paris on Sextant Properties website before. Now, thanks to the credit crisis (there’s finally a good side to it!), developers do not sell their developments as fast as they used to and had to accept to open this market to international buyers. It was then a piece of cake for us to negotiate with developers to get their best developments in the capital (something that was unthinkable of just a few months ago), and that is the reason why you'll find these properties in the very heart of the French Capital: Paris! These new build developments are located in the 13th, 17th, 19th, 20th districts and in La Defense.

The first new build development is located in the 13th district near the famous “Francois Mitterrand” library. It comprises 57 apartments from studios to 4-bedroom flat, and prices range from €264K to €1.4M. The 13th district is a very exciting area to live in with many shops, bars and restaurants close by. The “Parc de Bercy” is also a great place to enjoy the nature with its small vineyards in its center. Furthermore, the new build development is really well-connected with the underground and the railways.

Another development is located in the 17th district of Paris which is one of the most beautiful districts with plenty of green spaces with trees that makes it a really sweet place to live in. Only one 3 bedrooms apartment remain available with a balcony and a terrace for €1,220,000...

Editor's Note: To read the full article please go towww.acumen-overseas-property.com/2009/01/23/.

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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
	Languedoc-Roussillon: MAISON BLEUE www.adrianleeds.com/frenchproperty/fractional

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Buying Property on the Ski Slopes Makes Sense

VEF
www.vefuk.com

This winter has proved to be a bumper season for the ski stations in Pyrenees Orientales area of France. The constant fall of fresh snow is giving perfect skiing conditions and the snowy nights and sunshine filled days are predicted to continue throughout the season. Most owners of holiday rental properties in the ski resorts enjoyed 100% occupancy over the recent holiday period as people from UK, Ireland, Spain and France flocked to the Pyrenees ski resorts as a cheaper holiday option in these uncertain financial times.

French property located on or near ski resorts can be a good investment. Marketed properly you could benefit from an all year rental income, with the busy mid winter ski season and the fresh mountain air of the summer months. Even out of season the mountains are a magnet for walkers, painters, and mountain bikers. For lovers of nature the summer and winter months offer an abundance of relaxing or strenuous activities, there is plenty to see and do with beautiful scenery all around you, a far cry from the busy beach resorts on the Mediterranean...

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

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There is Snow Alternative in France

Assetz Property News
www.news.assetz.co.uk

Those thinking of investing in French property may look at many places to do so. It could be the Cote D'Azur for the attractions of sun, sea and sand. It may be the romance of Paris, the charms of the countryside with its wineries and slow pace of life, or the north-west, where the faster Eurostar service launched last year makes it more possible to live across the Channel while commuting to London.

Among all these options and more, ski investors might tend to look to the Alps, where famous locations such as Chamonix and Grenoble offer upmarket glamour, famous peaks and popular pistes. But for those who wish to invest in the mountains there are alternatives, with one of them being the Pyrenees.

While France shares the Alps with Italy, Austria, Germany, Liechtenstein and Switzerland, the Pyrenees form a natural border with Spain, albeit with tiny Andorra in the middle. For investors, the French side offers some enticing prospects...

Editor's Note: To read the entire article at www.news.assetz.co.uk/articles/4602.html.

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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.

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Results of the Recent Notaires' Property Auction

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 were auctioned off:

 

 

2009-01-09
3 Rooms 42,90m²
18 rue des Belles Feuilles
75016 - PARIS 16eme
Starting Bid : 139 500 €
Sold For: 190 000 €

 

 

 

 

2009-01-03
2 Apartements 72,90m²
72 rue de la Colonie
75013 - PARIS 13eme
Starting Bid: 240 000 €
Sold For: 675 000 €

 

 

 

 

2009-01-10
3 Rooms 43,60m²
18 rue des Belles Feuilles
75016 - PARIS 16eme
Starting Bid: 270 000 €
Sold For: did not sell

 

 

 

 

Next Auction 3 March, 2009 (look for the lineup in next week's issue)

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HOT PROPERTY PICKS: Amazing Awesome Alps

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 fantastic and unique properies found in the the French Alps.

***Haute-Savoie, Sait Laurent: 3-bedroom, approx. 1250m²

Beautiful grand chalet in the countryside near la Roche Sur Foron. Featuring 120sqm living area, 3 bedrooms, fitted kitchen, a lower ground floor, an outbuilding and 1250sqm of tree-lined land . Very well situated with unspoiled view on the valley and Jura mountains.

Asking Price: 399 000€ + 2.5% Finder's Fee

 

***Haute-Savoie, Centre Annecy: 3-bedroom, approx. 155m²

Veyrier du Lac, on the sunny side lake Annecy; renovated 3 bedroom village house. Featuring an open plan kitchen and a living-room leading onto a south facing terrace, a small enclosed courtyard, lots of storage and possibility for a loft conversion.

Asking Price: 415 000€ + 2.5% Finder's Fee

 

***Savoie, Bourg st. Maurice: 4-bedroom, approx. 135m²

Situated in the Tarantaise valley, on the road to the popular ski resorts of Tignes (30 min), Val d'Isère and les Arcs; four bedroom house of recent construction in traditional style. Spacious living room with open plan kitchen. Set on 1135sqm of landscaped garden. Quiet residential area, great second home or to live year round. Calm, Mountain view, National park, Near river, Residential, Summersports, Wintersports.

Asking Price: 5830 000€ + 2.5% Finder's Fee

 

***Savoie, Arvillard: 3-bedroom, approx. 100m²

Typical Savoyard style chalet with a very cosy interior and an open view on the Belledonnes mountain range, the Albertville valley and Mont Blanc. Featuring a living/dining room, fitted kitchen and 3 bedrooms. Set on 5000sqm of landscaped garden with swimming pool. Lower ground floor with cellar and garage. Conveniently located at 30 minutes from Grenoble, Albertville and Chambéry.

Asking Price: 290 000€ + 2.5% Finder's Fee

 

***Savoie, Le Châtelard: 2-bedroom, approx. 90m²

Beautiful nineteenth century stone built farm in typical Savoyarde style. Featuring 90sqm of living area, possibility of a loft conversion, 4 vaulted cellars and an old bread oven next to the building. Good overall condition. Beautiful setting in the Bauges regional park; great opportunity for nature lovers. Agricultural, East Facing, Mountain view, National park, Near river, Summersports, Unspoiled view, West Facing, Wintersports.

Asking Price: 190 000€ + 2.5% Finder's Fee  

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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 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

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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 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 lternative 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.

SPOTLIGHT APARTMENT: Le Déco

Rue Saint-Sébastien, 11th Arrondissement

One-Bedroom, Sleeps up to 4

From the quiet, residential rue Saint-Sébastien, walk up a mere dozen steps into this beautiful, newly renovated one-bedroom apartment. No ffort has been spared to create a sophisticated, comfortable environment that provides you with all the modern conveniences, and the opportunity to experience romantic Paris to the fullest, whether as first time tourists, or as seasoned visitors who prefer to live like Parisians. Le Déco’s stylish interior combines contemporary design with Art Deco flourishes, while retaining elements of its 19th-century French heritage in its original wood beamed ceiling and marble fireplace. Its three large French windows with wrought iron railings provide a pleasant view of the rue Saint-Sébastien neighborhood.

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

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Planning More Living and Investing in France Conferences

London
Sunday, April 26, 2009
The International Law Partnership
The Vaults, Holborn Hall
193-197 High Holborn
London WC1V 7BD
For more information, email info@adrianleeds.com/london

Paris
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Chez Jenny
3, Boulevard du Temple
75003 Paris
For more information, email info@adrianleeds.com/paris

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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).

 

 

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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 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

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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 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

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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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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

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