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Blog on Buying Property in Paris for Foreign Buyers


Paris Property Market - Q4 2026 : Prices, Trends & What International Buyers Should Know
The Paris property market in 2026 is showing a more nuanced picture than the city-wide averages might suggest. While some arrondissements are seeing renewed price growth, others — including some of the capital's most sought-after central neighborhoods — continue to experience modest corrections. For international buyers considering a Paris apartment or pied-à-terre, this means that the question is no longer simply whether Paris property prices are rising or falling. The more
6 days ago


Why I Advised My Clients Not to Buy This Property with a Green Courtyard in Paris I Hidden Pitfalls Explained
One of the most important parts of my job isn’t helping international clients buy property: It’s helping them avoid the wrong one. Recently, my clients came across a listing that, at first glance, seemed irresistible. It was presented as a charming house tucked away in a peaceful former industrial courtyard in a hip area of the right bank, complete with an 18 m² green courtyard. A rare find in Paris. The photos were beautiful. The description was persuasive. It had all the in
Aug 14


Buying Property in Paris as a Foreigner: What International Buyers Need to Know
For many international buyers, purchasing an apartment in Paris is a dream years in the making. The architecture. The cafés. The lifestyle. The idea of having a home in one of the world's most beautiful cities. Yet buying property in Paris as a foreigner is often far more complex than buyers expect. Over the years, I have worked with Americans, Australians, Europeans, and clients from around the world who arrived with clear objectives, substantial budgets, and previous proper
Jul 24


What a French Notaire Actually Checks And What They Don’t
What Does a French Notaire Really Check When You Buy Property in Paris? For many international buyers, the French property system comes with a reassuring figure: the notaire. I often hear clients say things like: "The notaire will check everything, right?" It's an understandable assumption. After all, the notaire is a highly respected legal professional, appointed by the State, and involved in every property transaction in France. But one of the most important things to under
Jul 3


Why There Are No Listings - And Never Will Be - at Tomette Paris®
In a market where visibility is often associated with value, not having listings might appear counter-intuitive. No properties showcased. No portfolio available for viewing. No curated selection on display. For many international buyers, this may raise an immediate question: Why would a real estate company choose not to show any listings? At Tomette Paris®, this decision is intentional. 🥐 The Traditional Model: A Seller-Oriented Market The French real estate market is fundam
Jun 12


Why Paris Has No MLS - And Why It Matters for International Property Buyers
For many international buyers, one of the first surprises when approaching the Paris property market is this: There is no centralized listing system. No single platform. No unified database. No comprehensive view of what is truly available. For those familiar with systems like the Multiple Listing Service, this absence can feel disorienting. But it is not an anomaly. It is a defining feature of how the market operates. And understanding it is essential. 🥐 A Market Built on I
May 22


Buying Property in Paris: The Key Documents to Review for a Secure Purchase
Buying an apartment in Paris is a highly structured legal process designed to provide certainty at every stage. Understanding which documents must be reviewed when buying property in Paris is essential to securing the transaction. For international buyers, the level of documentation required when purchasing property in France can feel unusually thorough. In reality, it is precisely this rigor - combined with the role of the notaire - that makes the French system one of the m
May 1


Paris Property Market 2026: Prices by Arrondissement and What Buyers Should Know
If you are considering buying property in Paris in 2026, the first thing to understand is this: There is no “one” Paris market. The average apartment price now stands at €9,645 per square meter (sqm), but that number is almost meaningless without context. In reality, prices range from under €8,000 per sqm in parts of eastern Paris to well above €16,000 per sqm in Saint-Germain-des-Prés and far higher for exceptional properties. For international buyers, this diversity is both
Apr 10


Paris Property Market 2026: The Most Sought-After Arrondissements and Where Buyers Are Investing
In Paris, the number of buyers has increased by 3.2% over one year. However, the capital’s property market is now clearly segmented, driven by buyer profiles with very different motivations. Let’s take a closer look. Today, Parisian transactions are largely concentrated in central districts and in these more “accessible” arrondissements. According to mortgage broker Meilleurtaux, Paris’s hyper-central neighborhoods are experiencing renewed pressure. High-budget buyers are foc
Mar 20


Tips and Insights for Moving to Paris with your Pet
Updated in March 2026 If you are considering buying an apartment in Paris and/or moving from America, Australia or anywhere else, and you are eager to bring your beloved pet along for the adventure, you are probably wondering if Paris welcomes pets with open arms. This article sheds light on what it's like to move to Paris with a pet. 🥐 Pets and animals in French Society Paris is home to more than 1,300 species of wild animals, including foxes, bats, and numerous birds and i
Mar 6


Buyer's Agent or Real Estate Agent: Who Should Represent You as a Buyer in Paris?
Updated in February 2026 Are you searching for an apartment in Paris? If so, one of the most important decisions you’ll make is choosing the right professional to represent you. Many buyers don’t realize that in France, a real estate agent and a buyer’s agent play very different roles, and only one is truly aligned with your interests. Paris - Ile Saint Louis Real Estate Agent vs. Buyer’s Agent: What’s the Difference in France? 🥐 Real Estate Agent (“ Agent Immobilier ”) In
Feb 27


Buying an Apartment in Paris: 10 Questions International Buyers Often Ask
Buying an apartment in Paris is a dream for many international buyers but it often comes with questions, doubts, and a fair amount of confusion. Over the years, I’ve helped international buyers navigate the Paris property market with clarity and confidence. As an independent buyer's agent, I work exclusively for my clients - the buyer - ensuring independent guidance and full transparency throughout the process. Below are the 10 most frequently asked questions I receive from i
Feb 20


New 2026 Energy Performance Rules: What International Buyers Need to Know Before Buying in Paris
If you are considering buying an apartment in Paris, a new change to the Energy Performance Certificate (DPE) is worth understanding, as it can directly impact both rental possibilities and long-term value. From January 1, 2026 the French government is adjusting the way the DPE is calculated by lowering the electricity conversion coefficient. This corrects a long-standing imbalance that penalized electrically heated homes compared with those using gas or fuel oil, many of wh
Dec 30, 2025


Paris Real Estate Outlook 2026: Market Recovery, Stable Rates, and New Opportunities for Foreign Buyers
While the broader Paris real estate market has been adjusting since its 2020 peak, international buyers, especially from the United States, have continued to invest in Paris. Even with a less favorable euro–dollar exchange rate, Paris property prices remain attractive compared to major U.S. cities. With interest rates around 3.5% for foreign buyers, Paris continues to offer exceptional long-term value and a lifestyle that is hard to match. Paris Real Estate Showed Early Signs
Dec 10, 2025


Algorithms Don’t Visit Apartments: Why You Need More Than a Property Portal to Buy in Paris from Abroad
Online property portals like SeLoger, Bien’ici, or PAP have transformed how buyers explore the French real estate market. A few clicks reveal thousands of listings, each promising charm, light, and that irresistible Parisian cachet. But behind the glossy photos and attractive descriptions lies another reality, one that algorithms can’t see, and that no portal can explain. 1. Portals Are Showcases, Not the Market Itself Property portals to buy in Paris are marketing tools, not
Nov 13, 2025


Tomette Paris Featured in Bonjour Paris - Behind the Parisian Dream: Understanding Monthly Ownership Costs
I’m honored that my article “ Behind the Parisian Dream: Understanding Monthly Ownership Costs ” was recently published in Bonjour Paris . In it, I explore the true cost of owning property in Paris , from charges de copropriété and property taxes to home insurance , helping international buyers understand the real estate market in Paris . 👉 Read the full article on Bonjour Paris . As a French-American independent buyer’s agent in Paris , I believe that transparency about
Oct 22, 2025


Paris Real Estate: Market Trends October 2025
A Market That’s Finding Its Balance Again After two years of decline, the Paris real estate market is showing renewed energy in 2025. Prices are up 1.6 % since January, reaching an average of €9 502 per m². This recovery reflects that quality properties sell quickly, and sellers are adjusting their expectations. The best apartments, bright, well-renovated, and ideally located, are now selling in less than 65 days on average. While the symbolic €10 000/m² mark hasn’t yet been
Oct 20, 2025


Secrets of Paris x Tomette Paris: Christine Bacoup-Tidas in Conversation with Heather Stimmler
Join me in conversation with Secrets of Paris ’ Heather Stimmler as we uncover the nuances of buying real estate in Paris , a process unlike anywhere else. From understanding the key differences between home hunting in France and the US to avoiding the most frequent pitfalls, I share how I assist clients at every step: finding the right apartment, arranging financing, and coordinating renovation and design with trusted local experts. About Secrets of Paris The Secrets of P
Sep 3, 2025


🇫🇷 2025 French Property Tax Reminder For (happy) Paris Property Owners
All owners of a property in France must pay French property tax every year, in October. This year French property tax is due by October 20, 2025. The good news is that if you bought your Parisian home or pied-a- terre in 2025, you already paid this tax as part of the closing fees when you signed the deed with the notaire. This means you will not have to pay French property tax until October 2026. 🇫🇷 My advice : If you do not reside in France but you want to make sure you
Aug 27, 2025


🇫🇷 Getting a Mortgage in France: Why French Banks Ask for So Many Documents
If you’re an American buying property in Paris , you may be surprised, even frustrated, by the volume and nature of the documents French banks request when you apply for a mortgage. Why do they want to see your credit card statements, or details about your trust fund? Shouldn’t your credit score and income be enough? Welcome to French lending laws and the deeply protective philosophy behind them. 🇫🇷 French Consumer Law: Built for Protection, Not Speed French law is famousl
Jul 7, 2025
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