Buying an apartment in Paris when you live outside the city: How do you go about it?

That’s what some clients we recently helped with their search discovered. Based in eastern France, they wanted to buy a two-bedroom apartment in Paris.

Their initial plan was to set their daughter up there—she’s studying in Paris. Later, the apartment would become a base for the whole family to enjoy Parisian life on a regular basis.

On paper, their search was fairly straightforward. In reality, the distance quickly complicated everything.

They would find interesting listings, but when they called, the apartments were often already sold. Even more frustrating, when they traveled to Paris for viewings, the apartments didn’t always meet their criteria.

After a few months, they realized that the problem wasn’t just about finding the right apartment. Above all, they needed to be in the right place at the right time, without making unnecessary trips.

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Buying in Paris from a Distance

Find an apartment
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Check if it’s really worth a visit
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Be responsive
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Travel at the right time
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Decide

When you live far from Paris, you have to successfully organize this entire process. And when a trip requires a full day—not to mention the cost—the search can quickly become complicated and discouraging.

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The right apartments don’t always wait for your next visit to Paris

This is perhaps the number one problem in this type of situation. To go back to the example of our clients, they had already made two fruitless trips to Paris.

Of course, not all Parisian apartments sell in the blink of an eye. But those that meet the most sought-after criteria and are priced right can sell very quickly.

To help you understand the situation, here are their specifications:

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As you can see, this is typically the kind of apartment that’s in high demand in Paris. In this market segment, there are few listings and a lot of demand.

Read more: What’s the average time it takes to buy an apartment in Paris?

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When you’re far away, you have to take a different approach to viewings

When you live in Paris, viewing an apartment that isn’t right for you is just an hour wasted.

When you live several hundred kilometers away, it’s a whole different story.

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What you can check remotely… and what’s worth making the trip to Paris for

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A video can give a very good idea of an apartment, but it has its limitations. A wide-angle shot can alter the perception of space. The lighting in a video depends heavily on how it was filmed. And it’s impossible to truly assess whether there are buildings directly across the street or noise issues without being there in person.

In the case of our clients, we conducted a preview of the apartment they ultimately purchased. They joined us remotely for the tour, live on WhatsApp. We also reviewed all the condominium documents and property inspections to ensure their trip wouldn’t be a waste of time.

A few days later, they came to Paris. They confirmed their interest and became the owners of a beautiful apartment in the Jourdain neighborhood. It was a perfect match for what they were looking for: an unobstructed view, a beautiful living room, a well-maintained building, few neighboring units directly across the way, plenty of natural light, a quiet setting, and a lively neighborhood with plenty of shops.

Check out: A Dutch couple we helped buy an apartment remotely

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How should you go about it if you don’t have a representative in Paris?

It’s certainly possible to buy an apartment in Paris while living outside the city without hiring a real estate agent. But in this case, you’ll need to organize viewings differently and accept that part of the selection process will be more difficult to manage remotely.

Before traveling, clearly explain your situation to the real estate agent. Tell them you live far away and that a viewing involves several hours of travel. This fully justifies asking for more information before booking your ticket.

Ask for additional photos, but especially videos. Have them film the view from each window, the common areas, the street, and, if possible, ask them to open the windows for a few moments so you can get a better sense of the noise level. Also request the floor plan, property inspections, and key condominium documents before you travel.

Ask very specific questions as well. “Is the apartment bright?” actually provides very little information. “What time does the sun come into the living room?”, “How far away is the building across the street?”, or “Can you hear traffic with the windows open?” will yield much more useful answers.

If you have a trusted friend or relative in Paris, you can also ask them to take an initial look at the place. They can give you their impressions: Does the reality match the photos? Is the neighborhood pleasant? Are there any obvious flaws that weren’t apparent in the listing?

Whatever approach you choose, the main goal is to ensure that every trip to Paris is truly worthwhile.

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