Assuming that all goes well, in about three month’s time, you will be the proud owner of your new Parisian ‘pied-à-terre.’ Congratulations. What to do now? Assuming that there will be at least some minor renovation work to be done, you should have some estimates done by some of the major construction firms first. They are not always the hardest working people, and sometimes they will keep you waiting, but at least their estimates will give you a basis for comparison. Don’t be timid. Ask everybody you come across if they know of good workmen. Ask your notary, ask your neighbors, ask the concierge of your building if you have one . . . .ask, ask, ask. You will eventually come across somebody who incites confidence in you and who offers you reasonable estimates for the work. Follow your instincts.

Materials cost less in Paris than they do in America’s big cities. There are a number of lower priced stores that sell medium to high quality tiles, stone, building materials, paint, etc. These stores are usually located in the suburbs, so plan to rent a car if you don’t have one and spend a day going to the various stores to pick out all that you will need to get your workmen started.

When buying an apartment in Paris, verify the state of all of the pipes and electric wiring. These are the two areas that are often neglected in older Parisian buildings and this neglect can cause problems over time. Most owners will experience flooding either in their apartment or caused by their apartment to the neighbors below at least once every ten years. It is virtually unavoidable.

The best you can do is to verify that your pipes are all in order, well maintained and not leaking anywhere within your own apartment. Needless to say, sometimes leaks occur within the walls, and you have to wait until somebody brings them to your attention to repair them. C’est la vie! That is what homeowner’s insurance is for. Make sure that you have taken out an insurance policy that starts on the day that you sign the final sale papers in the notary’s office, to avoid any nasty surprises.

Once your workmen have finished the work and the apartment is the way you want it to be, it is now up to you to start purchasing furnishings. Obviously the choice of furnishings will be determined by your intended use of the apartment. Your furnishings should be functional, simple and immaculate if you are planning on putting this property on the rental market for tourists of business travelers to Paris. There are a number of stores in the Parisian region that offer suitable choices for this type of furnishing. There are Ikea, Habitat, the BHV and Conforama which are the main furniture stores in Paris and the suburbs. These stores are all moderately priced and offer good value for money and a wide selection of styles to choose from.

If you want to add some special touches to your apartment, you could go to the numerous flea markets located around Paris, or even plan some weekend trips to the country where you will stumble over a number of ‘brocantes’ or village garage sales of pots, pans, beds, dining room sets, door stops, napkin racks, dishes, etc. In these types of markets, one can really find some great items for an apartment that add a lot of charm and old world taste. You could also furnish apartments with items coming from stores like Ikea and then add accent pieces from these country markets to give your place a personal touch.

To Rent or Not to Rent, That is the Question

A number of owners of Parisian apartments have decided to put them on the market for short term ‘vacation’ rentals during their absence. This is a way for owners to recoup some of the costs of owning property in Paris. The growing demand for furnished apartments in Paris on a short term basis makes this an ideal solution for owners who want to be able to use their apartments several months of the year and earn some money when they’re not here. Well-located properties in good buildings that are nicely furnished can earn about the same price as comparable hotels in the same neighborhoods.

About the Author:  Glenn Cooper has been living in Paris for the past 10 years. Cooper Paris Flats, his Paris based apartment rental agency (http://www.paris-flats.com/) works closely with their US affiliate Rentals in Paris, LLC (http://www.rentals-paris.com/) to provide visitors to Paris with a number of well located furnished apartments in the heart of Paris. He has spent a great deal of time learning the ins and outs of Parisian living and shares his experience with his guests while they prepare their trips and during their stay in the City of Lights. As an American living in Paris, he has learned to transfer the good aspects of the Parisian lifestyle to newcomers who are not yet familiar with all that Paris has to offer them.