Buying an apartment in Paris is such an exciting project. It is also a challenging one, especially when you are not familiar with Paris, and requires you to know a few essential “basics”.
Here is how we advise you to proceed to make the right decision.
Your list of your criteria
We suggest you start by listing your criteria, such as the neighborhood, building style (old or modern), floor (the highest is often the brightest), number of rooms, exposure, planned renovation and decoration work, parking, etc.
Rare are the apartments that meet all of your criteria at once. It is therefore important to discuss this with us and take the time to consider the key points and prioritize them.
Have a first tour of the neighborhood
Once you have selected an area, a walking tour of the immediate surrounding area will give you the opportunity to locate shops and supermarkets. You will also get essential information on the neighborhoods such as restaurants, green areas, transportation… You should also visit the area at different times of the day and week.
The building
Paris is famous for its beautiful buildings. The most iconic are the Haussmann-style constructions, built from 1870 to early 20th century at a time when major planning projects had been carried out to modernize the city. In the center of Paris, especially in the Marais area, many buildings date from the 17th and 18th centuries.
Beyond the elegance of these buildings, the construction period should prompt you to inquire about their solidity, particularly the condition of the floors, load-bearing walls, and foundations. If the building is co-owned, it is strongly recommended to carefully study the minutes of the co-ownership meetings to identify any structural or waterproofing issues. This is a task to which we are particularly vigilant.
In addition, we ask when the facades and roof were last renovated. We also ask if the building is equipped with an elevator, and we verify that its use meets legal standards.
Using a competent service like Real Estate Caretaking to assist you in your search will give you the best possible chance of making the best choice.
Co-ownership and building maintenance
Most Parisian buildings are co-owned by individual co-owners.
Under this system, the building is divided into lots. Each lot includes two legally linked parts: private areas (apartment, cellar, etc.) and a pro rata share of common areas and amenities (stairs, etc.).
The proper maintenance of common areas is a crucial element of a property’s value.
In this regard, during exploration visits, we pay particular attention to the good condition of the building’s main entrance and to intrusion protection (digital code, intercom, etc.). The presence of a concierge involves additional costs, but offers a higher level of quality (cleaning, parcel delivery, etc.) and increased security.
Among the information the seller must provide are the minutes of the general meetings for the past three years. They provide information on the annual budget for maintenance, repairs, and management of the building. Reading them also provides information on any repairs to the building that need to be done.
The Parisian apartment
When we visit an apartment for you, here are the points we check during the first visit:
Access to the apartment:
The entrance is the first room in an apartment. It must be a welcoming space. We check if the door is reinforced; if not, it can be replaced later.
Natural lighting:
This is important in living areas. We use a compass to identify rooms facing south, west, or east, which are brighter but warmer in summer, and those facing north.
Vis-vis:
To preserve your privacy, we check that the windows offer a clear view of the neighbors. These windows may also require renovation or replacement to improve sound and thermal insulation.
Condition and layout of the apartment:
We then assess the condition of the apartment and begin listing the main work to be done. We inquire about the age of the electrical and plumbing installations. We check for leaks and cracks. Regarding heating, we inquire about the type of heating: individual or collective, oil, gas, or electric.
We ensure that the layout meets your criteria (for example, whether there is enough space for a dining area in the kitchen or storage). We also ensure that the bathrooms are close to the bedrooms or that they are well ventilated.
In this regard, it is important to know that in a condominium, any changes to the structural layout require written authorization from the other co-owners. This is why it is important to check whether the current layout is suitable for your renovation project.
Mandatory information to the buyer
In France, many mandatory documents must be provided by the seller or requested by the notary.
The following non-exhaustive list presents some examples of these documents.
Diagnostics and reports, collectively known as the Technical Diagnostics File, provide valuable information on the condition of the apartment (surface area, electrical, plumbing, energy performance, etc.).
If the building is a co-ownership building, in addition to the minutes of the general meetings of co-owners, the co-ownership regulations, and information on building maintenance, are also available.
It is also necessary to obtain numerous administrative documents.
The assistance of professionals such as Real Estate Caretaking and your notary will be of invaluable assistance and advice.
In conclusion, we hope this article has been useful. We will be happy to assist you in your search. Once you have purchased your property, you can also rely on us to assist you with the renovation and customized management of your property.
