Last week, Emma walked through an apartment in the northern Marais with a couple from California. Beautiful space—high ceilings, original herringbone floors, that perfect Parisian light. They were ready to make an offer on the spot.
Then she showed them the diagnostics report.
What looked like a dream apartment had illegal plumbing modifications, a building assessment coming due for €40,000, and square meter measurements that were… let’s just say « creative. » They thanked her for catching it. She was just doing what we always do: making sure our clients don’t get blindsided by a system that works very differently from what they’re used to.
If you’re an American looking to buy in Paris, here’s what we wish someone had told us when we first started navigating this market.
The Agent Isn't Working for You (Unless They Actually Are)
This is the biggest misconception we encounter. In France, the agent showing you apartments works for the seller—even if they’re incredibly nice and helpful and feel like they’re on your team. They’re paid by the seller, legally bound to the seller, and their job is to get the best outcome for the seller.
This isn’t a criticism of French agents. It’s just how the system works here.
At MetParis, we exclusively represent buyers. That means when we’re negotiating, reviewing diagnostics, or evaluating a property’s true value, we’re working only for you. It sounds simple, but in a market where pricing isn’t transparent, regulations are complex, and every neighborhood operates a little differently, having someone genuinely in your corner changes everything.
The Best Apartments Never Hit the Internet
Paris real estate runs on relationships. The most interesting properties—especially in neighborhoods like the 6th, 7th, and Marais—are often sold quietly before they’re ever listed publicly.
Because we don’t represent sellers, we’re consistently offered pre-market and off-market properties. Families selling quietly. Owners who want discretion. Agency-private listings shared only with buyer representatives they trust.
Our clients routinely see apartments days or even weeks before they appear online. It’s not about exclusivity for its own sake—it’s about seeing the better inventory when it actually matters.
One of our recent clients, Eric, told Emma she was a « property whisperer » for finding him exactly the right place in exactly the right area. The truth? We just knew it was available before anyone else did.
The Pitfalls That Catch Even the Savviest Buyers
The Paris market is beautiful, but it can be unforgiving if you don’t know what to look for. Some of the most important issues aren’t obvious—even to people who’ve bought property in multiple countries.
We regularly help clients avoid:
Unrealistic pricing (yes, even sellers here can be wildly optimistic)
Buildings with major assessments on the horizon
Renovations that weren’t done legally and will need to be redone
Noise and light restrictions that affect your renovation plans
Square meter reporting that includes… interesting interpretations
Legal quirks buried in diagnostic documents that most people skim over
Our job isn’t just finding beautiful apartments. It’s making sure you’re buying the right one with complete clarity about what you’re getting.
Negotiation Here Is a Different Game
In Paris, negotiation is subtle. Offers are often verbal. Timing matters. Diplomacy is everything.
Agencies respond differently to international buyers, and the wrong approach can cost you the property—or cost you a better price. We handle all negotiation, presenting you as serious, professionally advised, and aligned with French norms. It works. Even in competitive neighborhoods, we regularly secure better prices than buyers going it alone.
One client, Heather, told us she « found her people » when we started working together. We ended up in a part of the Marais she’d never considered—the perfect mix of neighborhood feel and investment value. That wouldn’t have happened without understanding both what she wanted and how to navigate the local dynamics.
What You're Really Buying
Paris isn’t just a market—it’s a lifestyle decision, an emotional investment, and a long-term asset. Most of our clients come to us because they want guidance, access to properties they wouldn’t find on their own, and protection from risks they don’t yet know exist.
They also want someone who understands both the Paris market and American expectations. Someone who can bridge those two worlds without making them feel lost in translation.
Recently, Tim told Emma she was like a « matchmaker » for Paris real estate—she found him a rare property with exposed beams and stone walls, exactly the charm he’d been hoping for. That’s the work we love: connecting people with spaces that genuinely fit their lives.
Why We Do This
The Paris real estate market is complex, fragmented, and deeply relationship-based. It can also be incredibly rewarding when you navigate it with the right partner.
We started MetParis to give American buyers what the French system doesn’t naturally provide: exclusive representation, transparency, access to off-market inventory, expert negotiation, and protection at every step.
Our goal is simple: help you buy with confidence, clarity, and access to the best properties in Paris—without wasting time, missing opportunities, or overpaying.
If you’re thinking about buying in Paris, we’d love to hear from you. Even if it’s just to answer questions about how the market works here, we’re always happy to talk.
Considering Buying in Paris?
MetParis works exclusively with international buyers to help them navigate neighborhoods, pricing, off-market opportunities, and negotiations.
If you’d like a clearer picture of how these market trends affect your specific criteria or you’re curious about what is currently available in your favorite arrondissements we’re here to help.
Download our free guide to
buying property in Paris
If you wish to contact us to discuss your project, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We’ll be delighted to help you.
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