An interview with Henley Johnson, Director of Marketing and International Client Relations at Flat Hunter.I was born in America and raised in London. I have lived in Spain, Italy, and the US but home is now Paris. I moved here 4 years ago to learn French and ended up getting a job. I have since bought an apartment in the Marais which means this is now really and truly home.
Flat Hunter provides an incredible service that you cannot find elsewhere in Paris. The French understand how difficult the market can be here and come to us to make the process easier. Though in many countries, such as America, these services are commonly found; in France it is unusual to find such a high level of customer service. Working with our international clients, I get to speak to people all over the world and advise them about the market in Paris. Everyone has their own motivation and reason for loving Paris and working with them to find a good investment is very rewarding.
We are fortunate to still have a steady stream of clients though on the international side the demographics have changed. Whereas we used to have a lot of Australian, American and Canadian buyers, we are now seeing more Russian, Middle Eastern and South American buyers. This is contradictory in some ways because the exchange rate for the dollar right now is so good that it would seem the perfect time for Americans to buy.
Paris has withstood the test of time and while many other capital cities are facing huge housing market collapses, investors who bought in Paris 5 or 10 years ago are still happy with their investments. Buying to rent to tourists remains an excellent option and if you buy to live there then there is no better way to sit on a sound investment. Within the next 2 years I believe there will be an international recession and I can think of no better place for my money than in a beautiful apartment in Paris which I can use when I live here and rent out when I am abroad.
Although the market is somewhat stagnant, prices are not falling dramatically and it is an excellent time to get a fixed rate mortgage. If you are looking for a quality apartment in the centre and wish to get a loan then it is the opportune time. Current exchange rates mean that the US dollar goes a lot further now which also makes it an ideal time to buy with dollars. Paris remains an excellent investment and rental prices continue to remain stable.
Each area of Paris has its own personality and charm. I love the Marais because of the little streets, secret passageways, and beautiful historical buildings. It’s an area that is always alive with such a mix of people, and of course the shops are open on Sunday which is a bonus. I also like the 7th which is quieter and more residential. There are larger streets and more open spaces than you normally find in central Paris.
Many people think that buying an apartment here is a lot like buying an apartment at home but it’s not. The purchasing process has a number of steps that have to be completed in a certain order and an error can set things back months. The process takes a minimum of 3 months and it’s important to commit to the process and be proactive, though we can take care of most things at a distance. Most of all it’s important to know that France is a foreign country and like any country other than where you grew up, you have to adapt and learn a lot. It can be a fun experience but it is time consuming.
