Au Bord de la Seine

Ile Saint Louis as seen from Paris Plage

(FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY)

French Property Insider

July 31, 2008
Paris, France
http://adrianleeds.com/frenchproperty/insider

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Bonjour French Property Insider Subscriber,

I'm writing you from sunny Southern California after having spent one week in the Bay Area for the Living and Investing in France Real Estate Conference. Today's newsletter reports on the conference results and focuses once again on Fractional Ownership.

The topic is still hot as ever, as the current rate of exchange and economic environment makes it more feasible to own a share than a whole...at least for now. There are still shares left in two properties offered by Paris Home Shares and French Property Shares (see below), so be sure to consider these quickly before the opportunity is lost.

One thing we learned from the conference of utmost importance is that in spite of the weak dollar, or because of the weak dollar, an investment in euros is not only smart, but essential. No matter when you enter the euro market, it's a good time, as property prices continue to climb and the euro remains strong as ever.

Californians are serious Francophiles, we discover, with each conference. With all the beauty that surrounds them, they still have a love affair with France. No wonder -- the two worlds are incomparable and both totally desirable.

Because "Paris Plage" recently opened its sandy doors, we devote today's issue to "le bord de la Seine" -- the edge of the River Seine, where many Parisians choose to live, if they can afford it. Today's properties are on the pricey side -- one million euros plus -- but well worth their riverside addresses.

Next week you'll hear from me from New Orleans, another river city, as I work my way across the U.S. and then back to Paris mid August. Until then, enjoy all there is to offer in today's French Property Insider.

A bientôt...

Adrian Leeds
Editor, French Property Insider
Email: fpi@adrianleeds.com

P.S. Our next Living and Investing in France Real Estate Conference is scheduled for October 11-12 in Paris. For more information, visit http://www.adrianleeds.com/frenchproperty/conference or email Schuyler Hoffman at info@adrianleeds.com.

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Volume VI, Issue 31, July 31, 2008

In this issue:

* Living and Investing in France Real Estate Conference Report
* French Property Shares Expanding
* Europe Travel "A La Cheap"
* Life is a Beach in Central Paris
* Property Price Confidence in Europe
* France's Risky Areas Receive New Building Rules
* French Property Price Dip Interesting to Investors
* Fractional Property Offerings
* Upcoming Living and Investing in France Real Estate Conferences
* FPI Property Consultation, Search and Relocation Solutions
* Today's Currency Update from Moneycorp
* Next Parler Paris Après-Midi: September 9, 2008
* Hot Property Picks: Au Bord de la Seine
* Leasebacks: Residence du Val Senart, France, Paris / Ile de France, Quincy sous Senart
* Managing Your FPI Subscription
* Classified Advertising: Parler Paris Apartments -- Le Pinot Noir

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Reporting on the 21st Living and Investing in France Conference
By Adrian Leeds

Most of the conference attendees this past weekend at the Living and Investing in France Real Estate Conference were residents of California with a small smattering from the heart of the U.S. Californians, we have noticed since beginning the conferences in 2002, are a delightful breed, always entering with broad smiles, open and willing to learn whatever they can. They just soak up the information and emote lots of appreciation. We love them.

This conference was a bit different than most. There was a lot of focus on Fractional Ownership, since the topic is HOT, HOT, HOT, now that the rate of exchange makes owning a fraction more affordable than taking on the total expense of a property. Steve Navaro of Paris Home Shares showed off his newest project, "Le Petit Trésor" and promoted a "special promotional deal" on the few remaining shares of "Chez Latour" to conference attendees.

Several past attendees who had realized their dreams, either with their own rental apartments ("Le Pinot Noir") or as a a fractional owner (of "Chez Latour") or happy retired owners of a home in the south of France, stopped in to share their experiences with all of us.

When all was said and done, after two days of presentations and questions, with a congenial cocktails and buffet dinner where everyone got to know one another, As usual, we got great reviews that keeps us coming back to do them time and time again:

"Anyone interested in buying property in France for the first time NEEDS to attend this program."

"It was fantastic. I'm excited to have all these new resources."

"Takes a lot of fear of buying overseas away."

"This was a very informative experience that I will highly recommend to others. It was completely worth crossing the country for the two days!"

"Even though I was only able to attend the Saturday conference in San Francisco, I would say that it was worthwhile."

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Exciting News from French Property Shares
By Ginny Blackwell
http://www.frenchpropertyshares.com

French Property Shares is expanding the fractional ownership concept to other countries. In order to raise capital, we have decided to make an unprecedented offer: lock the interest rate at $1.12/euro or only $58,900 per 1/10th share of "Maison Bleue."

Languedoc-Roussillon: MAISON BLEUE
http://www.adrianleeds.com/frenchproperty/consultation/sales/fractional/maisonbleue.html

For more information, contact Ginny Blackwell
Phone +1 (585) 905-0849 or email: fpshares@gmail.com

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Who Says Travel in Europe is Not Affordable?
By Ginny Blackwell

An inveterate backpacker in the ‘70’s, these days I retain some of my passion for travel “a la cheap” but with a few more frills than we settled for during our college wanderlust years.

I'm here to say you still can plan that summer trip to France and beyond, without breaking the piggy bank.

Here’s how:

1.Round trip ticket for two from Toronto-Paris - $2006.00
(Zoom Airlines)

2. TGV high speed train Paris/Beziers - $512.00

3. Discount car rental- 2 weeks - $519.00

4. Petrol- estimating 2 fill ups - $224.00

5. Lodging at Maison Bleue for owners - FREE
(Your property share in S. France)
Cleaning fees - $75.00

6. Great food & wine- eating in & picnics - $448.00

7. Fun Splurges - $400.00

8. Free stuff- unlimited! See my list of favorite things to do
near Maison Bleue.

GRAND TOTAL - $4189.00

Cost per person for 14 day trip to France (from USA) - $2092.00

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Fun in the Sun at the "Bord de la Seine"
Excerpt from Parler Paris
By Adrian Leeds
http://www.adrianleeds.com/parlerparis
Wednesday, July 23, 2008

The "Plage" just opened yesterday. Last year the weather was so dreary there wasn't a single reasonable opportunity to pay it a visit. This year may be entirely different. Let's hope so.

If you don't know what the "Plage" is...it's "Paris Plage"...the man-made creatively invented "beach" along the Seine concocted by Mayor Bertrand Delanoë and his team of frustrated sun worshipers a few years ago.

Whoa! Actually, it's been since 2002. That makes this the 7th edition of fun in the sun (when we get a little) at the "bord de la Seine." The year of the "canicule" (the record-breaking heat wave of August 2003), it got lots of action, particularly under the "brumisateurs" (cool water misters). It was the most heavenly place to be even if you left collapsed like a wet taco.

Paris Plage is a stolen name, from "Le Touquet-Paris-Plage," a coastal town in the Pas-de-Calais. It has a reputation for being quite elegant...the "playground of the rich Parisians." Think the same Parisians are at the Paris Paris Plage? Doubt it. Paris Paris Plage is for all us non-vacationing Parisians or vacationing non-Parisians, in whichever category you find yourself.

Each August I'm one of those non-vacationing Parisians who's looking for things to do while all the rich Parisians are at Le Touquet-Paris-Plage, or the Côte d'Azur or this year, traveling to the good ol' U.S. of A. where their strong euro buys them everything in sight for "centimes."

No complaints, really. Tomorrow morning I board the big bird for the City by the Bay (San Francisco) along with all those rich Parisians in search of a bargain vacation Stateside. While they're buying up The Gap, drinking Café Lattes at Starbucks and discovering "freedom" fries at MacDonald's, I'll be at the Alliance Française teaching a group of Francophiles how to "Live and Invest in France." Ironic, isn't it?

So, consequently, I'll miss most of the three weeks Paris Plage will be in "beachiness" (through August 16th). Shucks! But, hey, you may have a chance...if you're a non-vacationing Parisian or a vacationing non-Parisian, then don't miss it. There's lots to do along the Plage this year...

Exercise along the quays...bike, build muscle, jog, flex.
Ping pong, ping pong, ping pong.
Dance from morning to night.
Play baby soccer or "pétanque" or "Putt-Putt."
Or just plain hang out. Picnic. Walk. Ride. Eat. Drink. Be merry.

When I was a kid in New Orleans, we used to go every summer to Pontchartrain Beach. The advertising jingle I can still so vividly remember comes to mind now as Paris Plage opens its arms to Parisians of all kinds (vacationing or non):

At the beach, at the beach, at Pontchartrain (Paris) beach.
You'll have fun, you'll have fun, every day of the week.
You'll love the thrilling rides, laugh till you split your sides
At Pontchartrain (Paris) beach.

Can you hear me singing?

For more information consult, http://www.paris.fr for everything you need to know about Paris Plage (in French, sorry!).

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Europeans Optimistic on Property Prices
By Ralph Atkins for The Financial Times

Europeans have high hopes that the value of their houses will rise over the next five years, even if the next 12 months see prices remaining stagnant or falling.

Confidence in housing market prospects is shown in the latest Financial Times/Harris opinion poll, which reveals that among Europe’s biggest countries, the Italians, Spanish and British are most upbeat about longer-term price trends.

But the British are also gloomiest about the short term, with 42 per cent expecting the price of their house to fall over the next year...

To read the entire article visit http://www.ft.com/cms

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New Building Rules Hit French Property Owners
From http://www.homesworldwide.com

The French government toughens its stance on construction in risk areas.

Nationwide risk prevention plans governing land use are being put in place by the French government after a series of natural disasters in the country recently. The plans are expected to have major implications for developers and property owners in France.

This summer the Dordogne, the Rhône Valley and Massif Central are reported to have suffered major floods, while the Languedoc in particular has suffered severe drought. Meanwhile, fire fighters in the south of France are on high alert for the upcoming forest fire season.

To mitigate the risks and prevent future damage, risk areas are being identified and some areas will see development banned altogether, as well as existing buildings demolished.

Plan Prévention des Risques (PPR), as the initiative is known, will divide areas into three planning zones: red means no planning permission; blue zones will allow planning permission subject to conditions, and white will come under local planning regulations.

Once in place there will be greater surveillance of risk areas by officials, and local authorities will be required to put in place measures to reduce the level of risk, notably by appropriate infrastructure works. So in areas of high risk of fire the local authority will need to consider the construction of new access roads for fire and rescue vehicles.

Some 5000 communes most at risk now have a plan in place and others are in various states of completion.

The plans are likely to have major implications for existing property owners. Those who own properties in high risk zones may find that in the event of a fire or flood where the property is destroyed, there is no guarantee that you would be able to obtain planning consent to rebuild it.

It may also affect the valuation of the property, as well as preventing you from building extensions or outbuildings on your land.

Those in any doubt as to the possibility of your property being in a risk area are advised to contact the préfacture directly, or consult a website created by the French Ministry of Ecology: http://www.prim.net

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Property in France: Market Report
From French Property News

With prices falling in many areas, now could be the perfect time to buy. Peter-Danton de Rouffignac reports on an interesting market...
According to recent reports, for the first time in 10 years the price of French property is starting to fall. Not by a great deal and not everywhere, but enough to make buying, selling or renting property an even more interesting exercise.

In its April issue, the French economic journal Capital (www.Capital.fr) devoted nearly 30 pages to a recent and perhaps surprising phenomenon – the accumulating evidence that property prices are at last starting to fall. After 10 years of steady climb – by a total of 130% since 1997 – two independent reports and research undertaken by the magazine itself show that even by December last year, the price per square metre had fallen by an average 3% (from €3,367 six months earlier to around €3,316 per m²) across a broad spectrum of French properties...

To read the entire article visit http://www.french-property-news.com/expert-advice-property-in-france-market-report--69656

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Fractional Property Offerings from French Property Fractional
http://www.adrianleeds.com/frenchproperty/fractional

If you are interested in traditional fractional ownership properties currently offered by our Fractional Ownership partners, see below:

	Paris: LE PETIT TRESOR http://www.adrianleeds.com/frenchproperty/fractional
	Paris: CHEZ LA TOUR http://www.adrianleeds.com/frenchproperty/consultation
	Languedoc-Roussillon: MAISON BLEUE http://www.adrianleeds.com/frenchproperty/consultation
	Meaux: CHÂTEAU LIVING FRANCE http://www.adrianleeds.com/frenchproperty/fractional
	Nice: ON THE COURS SALEYA For more details and pricing information, contact danafrance@gmail.com

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Adrian Leeds, of Parler Paris and French Property Insider and John Howell, The International Law Partnership, Present the...

Living and Investing
in France Real Estate Conference
http://www.adrianleeds.com/frenchproperty/conference

Upcoming Conferences in 2008:

Living and Investing in France Real Estate Conference
Paris
Date: October 11-12, 2008
Location: Paris Chez Jenny
Times: To Be Announced
Limit: 100
Registration Fee: To Be Announced

For more information, email info@adrianleeds.com

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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: http://www.adrianleeds.com/frenchproperty/insider/moneycorpconvertor.html
for up to the minute conversions of all major currencies.

Compare currency values easily and quickly by visiting:
http://adrianleeds.com/frenchproperty/loan/moneycorpconvertor.html

Charts
http://www.Moneycorp.co.uk/members/charts.asp
The charts below 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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Parler Paris Après Midi
http://www.adrianleeds.com/parlerparis/apresmidi.html

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

The next gathering is September 9, 2008, and every second Tuesday of the month.

Note: There is no meeting in August.

 

 

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HOT PROPERTY PICKS: Au Bord de la Seine

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

***Paris, 4th Arrondissement, Studio, approx. 27m²

In a beautiful building on the Ile Saint Louis, this studio has a main room with corner kitchen, fully equipped, bathroom with toilet. Bright and very quiet with exposed stone walls and all the charm of the island...

Asking Price: 390,000€ + 2.5% Finder's Fee

 

 

***Paris, 4th Arrondissement, 2 rooms, approx. 40m²

On the Ile Saint Louis in a 17th century building with a classic appearance. Two unique rooms in a duplex. Exposed beams and tiles. A real coup de coeur -- view it quickly!

Asking Price: 420,000€ + 2.5% Finder's Fee

 

 

***Paris, 4th Arrondissement, 2 rooms, approx. 63m²

Exceptional on the Ile Saint Louis, facing fully south on the Quai d'Orleans. Pied-à-terre on the second floor with an full view of the Seine. Includes a beautiful living-room, one bedroom, bathroom, separate kitchen. All the charm of old Paris with an incredible view.

Asking Price: 1,050,000€ +2.5% Finder's Fee

 

 

 

 

 

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LEASEBACK NEWS FROM IMOINVEST
http://www.adrianleeds.com/frenchproperty/insider/sales/leasebacks/lb_list.php

RESIDENCE DU VAL SENART
France, Paris / Ile de France, Quincy sous Senart

NEW LISTING

Studio 18m² to 29m² €65,000 to €112,000

One Bedroom 30m² to 38m² €112,000 to €143,000

GUARANTEED RENTAL INCOME UP TO: 4.80%

 

Excellent investment product located southeast of Paris, only 20 minutes from the capital city's center. Located in the Ile de France region in the town of Quincy-sous-Senart bordering the 366 acre Senart forest. The development will be composed of a student residence, a business residence, business offices, underground parking and retail units on the ground floor. This residence has been strategically planned not far from amenities and transportation; 200 metres from the RER commuter train station with easy access to Paris universities.

The property site will be made up of two separate student/professional housing complexes with communal areas found on the ground floor, consisting of a reception area measuring 180 square metres offering: reception, luggage storage area, internet lounge, breakfast room, service areas and a management office. The fully furnished and equipped apartments will offer an ideal layout providing a combination work space (ADSL high speed internet service in each apartment) and a comfortable living area. In addition, residence facilities include a laundry services as well as an on-site bank and a restaurant. There is a commercial center and a shopping arcade 50 metres from the residence therefore residents are able to fulfil all their needs without a car!

The Ile de France region is the first student center in France boasting 17 universities and 46 colleges accounting for the 550,000 students currently studying in this region. Being one of the most populated areas of France, having more residents than Belgium, Greece, Austria, Portugal or Sweden, the Ile-de-France region is one of the wealthiest regions in the world: its 2006 GDP was 500,839 million euros, nearly the entire GDP of the Netherlands.

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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 http://www.adrianleeds.com/frenchproperty/loan for more information or contact Loan@AdrianLeeds.com

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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 http://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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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:
http://www.insiderparisguides.com/offer/fpi_offer.htm

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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
http://www.adrianleeds.com/frenchproperty/insider/members/content/pastissues/index.html

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

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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: http://www.onlineconversion.com/

==== CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING ===

PARLER PARIS APARTMENTS
http://www.adrianleeds.com/parlerparis/apartments
Email: apartments@adrianleeds.com/parlerparis

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.

New Listing!

Le Pinot Noir
Rue Debelleyme, 3rd Arrondissement
One-Bedroom, Sleeps up to 4

"Le Pinot Noir" one-bedroom luxury apartment is a wine connoisseur's dream and everyone's dream. Located just steps off the lively rue de Bretagne, but facing the quiet little street of rue Debelleyme across the street from one of Paris' finest restaurants, Le Pamphlet, it affords views of rue de Bretagne and the adjacent Marais streets from close to rooftop level.

Le Pinot Noir is completely equipped for pure luxury. Newly renovated, it is complete with a queen size bed that converts to twin beds when desired, a comfortable and easy-to-open sofa bed for additional guests, a washer/dryer combination, microwave, four-burner ceramic stove, full size over, large refrigerator with separate freezer, high speed Internet, flat screen TV, DVD player, stereo, and free(!) long distance phone service

For more details and photos visit http://www.adrianleeds.com/parlerparis/apartments/rentals/pinot_noir.html

To book, email apartments@adrianleeds.com

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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!): http://www.adrianleeds.com/parlerparis

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Copyright 2011, Adrian Leeds®
Adrian Leeds Group, LLC, http://www.adrianleeds.com