What It’s Really Like to Buy and Renovate an Apartment in Paris as an American
Carol and Bill had long dreamed of spending part of each year in Paris, but buying an apartment from the United States—and renovating it from abroad—felt daunting. With Emma Skoble and Kathryn Brown guiding them every step of the way, what they expected to be a complex and stressful process turned out to be far smoother than imagined. From defining their search criteria and securing financing, to working with a notaire and completing a full renovation entirely from overseas, Carol and Bill’s experience shows what’s possible with the right team in place. They now spend six months a year in Paris, in a thoughtfully renovated apartment in the 6th arrondissement that truly feels like home.
How was the process of finding a place in Paris? Easy, hard? Did it go as expected?
The process was surprisingly easy. We spoke with Kathryn on the phone from the U.S. and got a little background. Then we were set up with Emma. We had a Zoom call with Emma and we talked about the process and what we were looking for: areas of Paris that were of most interest to us, size of apartment, older vs newer building, specifics (we felt that an elevator was a must), etc. Then Emma sent us some listings and we kind of rank ordered them. She also explained that this was just a start and that some of them might not be available anymore by the time we arrived in Paris.
Things went very smoothly and were easier than we expected. Setting us up with a notaire and a consultation with someone about getting a loan in Paris was tremendously helpful so that we didn’t need to find these things on our own or figure out how it worked on our own. They all spoke English.
What surprised you during the process?
The difficulty of getting a French loan, especially for older adults, was a surprise. But then we found out that we could do a “cash out refi” on our home in the U.S. (even though our U.S. home had been fully paid off). We were able to apply for the U.S. loan online from Paris and it was very fast and easy.
We also didn’t realize that it would be a good idea to get French wills in addition to our American wills. But that was easy to do, working with the notaire that Emma had put us in touch with.
Did you know what arrondissement you wanted to be in? Or did you end up somewhere unexpected?
We wanted to be in the 5th, 6th, or 7th. Preferably 6th or 7th. We ended up in the 6th but in a much better location than we ever thought we could get.
How did you know your place was "The One"?
We had seen other places to compare it with. It needed a lot of work. Our guess is that little or nothing had been done to the apartment for at least 3 decades, but we figured that the layout would work well. It is on a very quiet, attractive street. The apartment faced a courtyard with trees instead of the street. It had lots of windows and good light. And it is a 10-minute walk to the Jardin du Luxembourg and 15-20 walk to the Musée d’Orsay. The apartment is 46.38 square meters (500 square feet), which sounds quite small. But it actually has plenty of space and never feels cramped.
Pictures before :
Did you make big changes?
Yes. Got rid of parts of walls (not entire walls) and also got rid of some doors to open things up. For example, there was a door to the kitchen that we had removed. All wallpaper was removed. There was mold under much of the wallpaper, but the renovation team treated it and got rid of all of the mold. Kitchen and bathroom completely redone. Built-in closets replaced in the entryway and installed in the bedroom. Got rid of fireplace in the bedroom (a 1-bedroom apartment) because it meant there was too little useable space in the room, and realistically, it probably would never be used.
It’s good to try to think about the details of everyday life when renovating an apartment. We made sure to have a microwave and a large sink in the kitchen so that would be fully practical. We even measured our suitcases and checked the dimensions of the top parts of the entryway closets (which go almost to the ceiling) so that the suitcases would fit in them and stay out of sight. Kitchen cabinets go up close to the ceiling as well, so that our storage space is maximized.
Pictures after :
Has having a place in Paris worked out as you expected? What has been great or not-so-great?
Living in Paris is absolutely better than we had even hoped for. We are spending 6 months a year in Paris—3 months in the spring and 3 months in the fall. We have made friends there. There is always something to do. We also do quite a bit of walking everywhere, and Paris is a great city to walk in. We now also make a point of doing at least one small side trip somewhere in France or elsewhere in Europe while we’re there. It’s really easy to travel in Europe from Paris. At first the apartment felt like a vacation place we were staying at, but that very quickly changed and when we’re there it just feels like home.
Obviously, Paris apartments can be expensive, but one thing to keep in mind is that monthly or annual fees are a tiny fraction of what they are in major U.S. cities.
What was also great was our renovation experience. We’ve dealt with renovations before and the many problems that you experience along the way. Our Paris renovation experience sounds far too good to be true, but the following description is really accurate and not exaggerated. Emma had us check out the work of some design/renovation teams that she had worked with, and we chose one that best fit our style. They met us at the apartment and took some measurements. We then returned to the U.S. and never saw them or the apartment until all of the work was completed. It was about 4-5 months. We communicated (in English) by email and the occasional Zoom meeting. We went over their suggested designs, and our and their suggestions for appliances and fixtures. If we didn’t like something, we simply explained why and they came up with alternatives. They were flexible budget levels, i.e., whether you wanted to go high end or use products from IKEA, or mix and match. They sent photos along the way of the demolition and gradual rebuilding. We returned to Paris after everything was completed. Everything was just right and we stayed in the apartment for the first time that night.
We know that our experience was almost unheard of as big remodels go. So it’s probably not realistic to expect everything to go so smoothly, but it does at least suggest that working with people who were well known to Emma can reduce a lot of hassles.
Location, location, location
Looking back, Carol and Bill wouldn’t change much about their decision to buy in Paris. While they occasionally imagine what it might have been like to have a second bedroom, they agree that their location in the 6th arrondissement—close to the Jardin du Luxembourg and within walking distance of so much of what they love about the city—more than makes up for it. What once felt like a vacation apartment now simply feels like home.
Their experience is a reminder that buying and renovating an apartment in Paris, even from abroad, doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With the right guidance, trusted professionals, and a clear sense of how you want to live day to day, it’s possible to create a Paris home that fits both your lifestyle and your long-term vision.
Turning your paris real estate dreams into reality
Whether you envision a vacation getaway or a long-term investment, a bespoke turnkey approach can make owning a property in Paris a reality with minimal stress. With the right team in place, buyers can enjoy a seamless experience, stepping into a home that is not only beautifully designed but also move-in ready.
For those considering buying property in Paris, working with a knowledgeable real estate agent can be the key to a successful and enjoyable process. With expertise in sourcing, renovating, and furnishing Parisian homes, professionals in the field offer a unique opportunity to own a tailor-made residence in one of the world’s most sought-after cities.
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