Bonjour [EMAIL], Cracking Down, Cracking Up and Cracking the Case French Property Insider Volume VIII, Issue 27 July 8, 2010 Paris, France http://adrianleeds.com/frenchproperty/insider • Printer Friendly http://www.adrianleeds.com/frenchproperty/insider/textpages/FPI_July_8_2010.txt • Recommend to Friends http://www.adrianleeds.com/frenchproperty/insider/subscribetofpi.html • Don't miss a single issue of French Property Insider! "Whitelist" French Property Insider by adding "fpi@adrianleeds.com" to your address book. ____________________________________ Book your personal consultation with Adrian Leeds. French Property Consultation Your Complete Solution to a New Home in France.. Let the Adrian Leeds Group guide you through the process with ease and peace of mind... to have your very own pied-à-terre in Paris or home in the French countryside. Visit http://adrianleeds.com/frenchproperty/consultation/ or email mailto:info@adrianleeds.com __________________________________ Bonjour French Property Insider Subscriber, In yesterday's Parler Paris Nouvellettre®, I addressed the recent New York Times article regarding short-term rental apartments. The topic affects almost all of us French property investors -- as most of us set out to invest in a property that would yield the highest return -- at least to cover our carrying costs and at the same time afford usage of the property. The laws affect the very foundation of our interests. If we can't acquire an income while the apartment is not in use, then it makes less sense to own it. And if the apartment is not in use except for only a few times a year, then it certainly doesn't satisfy Mayor Bertrand Delanoë's need to find housing. It's a "Catch 22" that has us all going in circles, including City Hall. Before you read any further, please be sure to read yesterday's Parler Paris: "Cracking Down or Cracking Up?" at http://www.adrianleeds.com/parlerparis/issues/pparis7-7-10.html Then, read the New York Times article (see the link at the end of the Nouvellettre® and join me again for what I have to say here: Since the article was published, there has been a few developments of note. First of all, the title of the article on the New York Times online edition has changed. I don't know if this is normal practice, but I found it odd. Also, the moment it was published, the comments flooded the online version and it reached the #1 status as most popular article on the Times online. Now, look again and you will find no comments at all! I believe that could be because the author of the article was blasted for not having 'done his homework' and getting to the truth of the matter!...and rightfully so, as most of article was a rehash of old news. When I first learned of the article, I forwarded it to my contact at the City Hall, who reported back that he's "just warned the Mayor's office in order to get an official response as soon as possible, but they don't seem to be very reactive, I fear..." At least it's given them a 'nudge' to move a bit quicker. As I said in yesterday's Parler Paris -- there has been no official statement from the city to clarify the laws nor make any attempt to enforce them in any serious way. As we know, the only offenders have been those who were denounced by neighbors (about 25), but yesterday I also heard some very interesting 'gossip.' As it turns out, and let me repeat that this is gossip and not confirmed fact, but about half of those denounced were from one source -- a disgruntled employee of one of the oldest and most well established rental agencies, who in revenge, denounced some of their owners! Now, wouldn't the press have a 'field day' with that? I will repeat what I wrote in yesterday's Parler Paris: No one should panic. No property owner should run to place their property on the market for sale! No renter should cancel their contract. No agency owner should fold their business. There will surely be a solution that allows us all to have the freedom, within reason, to provide this kind of housing, to satisfy the need of the tenants, and for the profiteer to be rightfully taxed on its earnings. I trust that Mayor Delanoë and the city officials will want to find a fair and just solution that will appease all of his constituents and at the same time accomplish his goals. There are lots of better ways than harassing individuals and he knows this. A bientôt, Adrian Leeds Editor, French Property Insider Email: mailto:fpi@adrianleeds.com P.S. Scroll down and make note of the upcoming House Hunters International episodes this month! Hope you have a chance to view one or both! P.P.S. Start off the holiday by joining us for our gathering at Parler Paris Après Midi...this coming Tuesday, July 13th from 3 to 5 p.m. visit http://www.adrianleeds.com/parlerparis/apresmidi.html for more information. And take note that the Parler Parlor French-English Conversation Group is open all summer long, but closed for Bastille Day on the 13th and 14th of July. Visit http://www.parlerparlor.com for more information. _________________________________ Enjoy summer in Paris with a rooftop terrace and air-conditioning...at the lowest rates for July and August. Le Saint-Tropez and La Brigitte The gorgeous turquoise and sandy décor, plus every luxury and amenity, makes Le Saint-Tropez a Mediterranean oasis right in the heart of Paris. Enjoy a chilled glass of rosé and relax on your private rooftop terrace – when you open the terrace doors, the size of the apartment practically doubles! Air-conditioning adds extra summer comfort to this jewel in Le Marais. "Je l'adore. Saint-Tropez is beyond category. Your passion and commitment to an extraordinary space makes this my/our private retreat magical. The moon from the bed and terrace is a gift from the universe. Thank you for the vision, thoughtfulness and space. I will be back." Grazell H., Charlotte, NC Visit: http://www.adrianleeds.com/parlerparis/apartments/rentals/saint-tropez Reserve today and take advantage of the lowest possible rate for July and August, plus take advantage of air conditioning and your own private terrace! Make your request at: http://www.parlerparis/apartments/request_form or contact mailto:apartments@adrianleeds.com _________________________________ "Living the Dream to Live in France" -- a 2010 Speaking Tour with Adrian Leeds Perhaps you dream of owning property in France, but don’t know how to go about doing it. The system is very different in France from the U.S. and littered with ‘pitfalls,’ but is very "doable" given the right information and advice. During a two-hour PowerPoint presentation, Adrian Leeds, Director of the Adrian Leeds Group, will provide a basis from which you can accomplish your goals to invest in real estate in Paris or other areas of France. Adrian will give an overview of the property market in France and a description of what is involved in order to make a viable investment that will provide both pleasure and reward. She will share her experience and knowledge in a way that will enable a would-be investor to make the right decisions to fulfill his own personal dream. Following the presentation, you'll have an opportunity to ask questions related to the topics and a cocktail reception will follow. SAN FRANCISCO Wednesday, September 22, 2010 Hosted by the Alliance Française San Francisco http://www.afsf.com SEATTLE Thursday, September 23, 2010 Hosted by the French-American Chamber of Commerce of the Pacific Northwest http://www.faccpnw.org PORTLAND Saturday, September 25, 2010 Co-Hosted by the French-American Chamber of Commerce of the Pacific Northwest http://www.faccpnw.org and the Alliance Française de Portland http://www.afportland.org PLUS!...Book Your Private Consultation with Adrian Leeds while she's visiting your town. For more information and to reserve your place or consultation, visit http://www.frenchpropertyconference.com __________________________________ Watch Adrian Leeds and French Property Consultation on House Hunters International. ***"Settling Down in Paris" - Episode HHINT-402 AIR TIMES: July 27, 2010 12:30 PM ET/PT House Hunters International Episode HHINT-402 http://www.hgtv.com/house-hunters-international/settling-down-in-paris/index.html ***"Vacation Home in Paris" - Episode HHINT-1A05*** AIR TIMES: July 29, 2010 11:30 PM ET/PT and 2:30 AM ET/PT House Hunters International Episode HHINT-1A05 http://www.hgtv.com/house-hunters-international/vacation-home-in-paris/index.html To learn more, visit http://www.AdrianLeeds.com or email Adrian Leeds, at mailto:adrian@adrianleeds.com __________________________________ 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/ __________________________________ NEXT MEETING: July 13th, 2010 AND EVERY SECOND TUESDAY OF THE MONTH, 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. The second Tuesday of every month, Parler Paris and French Property Insider readers gather at La Pierre du Marais for a drink and a "schmooze" --It's an opportunity to meet and chat with other like-minded people and a great way to make friends! Costs nothing except whatever you drink. Don't miss the next gathering, Tues, July 13th, 2010 from 3 to 5 p.m. For more information, visit http://www.adrianleeds.com/parlerparis/apresmidi.html __________________________________ Practice Your French...or English! Open All Summer Long. **Closed for Bastille Day on the 13th and 14th of July** Parler Parlor French-English Conversation Group http://www.parlerparlor.com Practice speaking French and English. Make friends, discuss interesting topics, learn about other cultures, progress in understanding and speaking, naturally and easily. Meets three times a week -- come as often as you like! For further details, visit Parler Parlor at: http://www.parlerparlor.com ____________________________________ Subscribe to the Parler Paris Nouvellettre®...It's twice-weekly and it's FREE! Visit http://www.adrianleeds.com/parlerparis/subscribe.html to learn more and subscribe. ____________________________________ Copyright 2011, Adrian Leeds® Adrian Leeds Group, LLC, www.adrianleeds.com