Parler Paris Newsletter

Being in the Right Place at the Right Time -- Being in Paris

Parler Paris...
Your taste of life in Paris and France
http://www.parlerparis.com/
Monday, January 7, 2008
Paris, France

Don't Miss Parler Paris! AOL blocks many major European ISPs, so we cannot guarantee that our mail to AOL addresses will arrive. Please use another email provider or "White List" our email address or add "Adrian@AdrianLeeds.com" to your contact list.

Resolve to make 2008 the year your French property dream comes true!

Living and Investing in France Real Estate Conference!
February 16-17, 2008
Alliance Française, Miami, Florida

If you've always dreamed of owning your own "pied-à-terre" in Paris or home in the Provinces of France, perhaps as a future retirement home or for now as investment property rented part of the year...this power-packed two-day conference is a MUST.

Hosted by Adrian Leeds, long time resident of Paris, Editor of the Parler Paris Newsletter and French Property Insider weekly E-zine and John Howell, lead attorney for the International Law Partnership, London, these two days in Miami will point you in the right direction to make it really happen! Includes three course lunch and cocktail reception.

For more information and to register, visit: http://www.frenchpropertyconference.com/

Or email Schuyler Hoffman at RSVP@adrianleeds.com

Dear Parler Paris Reader,

Saturday afternoon, I did what's called a "Meet and Greet," welcoming a renter to Le Provençal (my studio rental apartment -- a Parler Paris reader and past attendee of a Living and Investing in France Conference, who is in the process of purchasing a pied-à-terre just a block away for rental investment purposes.

While we were having lunch together at the corner café, a call came in from another reader (and friend) who hadn't been in Paris for well over a year. He and his girlfriend stopped by to join us for drink, only to discover that not only had he once lived in the same building in which she was buying, but on the same floor opposite each other!

The expression of Gustave Courbet's face in his self-portrait that acts as the signature piece of his retrospective at the Grand Palais (on only until January 28th), illustrates the surprised looks on our own faces to learn this synchronistic news...telling us all that we must be in the right place at the right time, doing the right things.

If you haven't yet visited the exhibition, the 'hot spot' is not only the room temperature-wise warmer than the rest, but is also the most crowded, thanks to his painting of a torso of a reclining female nude, with her legs parted, entitled "The Origin of the World" that gets most of the attention. (Learn more about the exhibition at http://www.paris-update.com/art/courbet.htm )

Then, last night, we took a look at the real cost of property in France through a clearer lens. Mary Fort, Director of the International Department at BPI (Banque Patrimoine et Immobilier) led a conference call free to subscribers of our sister publication, French Property Insider, to introduce a new loan product -- one she called "embryonic" that is so new, it has yet to be named!

In fact, the new "scheme" started as just a glimmer of an idea and thanks to our own enthusiasm for it, we (our readers!) are largely responsible for its development and growth! None of the other banks are offering it...yet...so Mary is feverishly working to bring it to full maturity before the competitors copy the concept.

In my opinion, it's a brilliant way of virtually eliminating the rate of exchange issue for Americans who are suffering from the weak dollar (or anyone wanting to make a smart financial investment), but want to diversify their assets by owning property in France (or who just yearn to be here like so many of us!).

The basis for it is that the down payment (20%) is held in an interest-bearing account, kept in U.S. dollars, while the loan is offered for 100% loan to value. The initial investment of 20% remains the borrower's money and grows with the interest as well as the potential with an improving rate of exchange. The loan product was first introduced by Parler Paris in a past issue.

In last week's issue French Property Insider, we went further to illustrate not only this particular loan offering, but all the reasons taking a loan make so much sense. My favorite reason of all is called "leverage." The same investment capital can purchase a property for 100% cash or if 20% is utilized as a down payment, that same investment capital can purchase five properties, each yielding five times the return on the capital investment. The article illustrates it clearly and my personal experience proves it to be true.

Since 2000, I have purchased four properties (three in Paris and one which will close this Summer in New York) valued at approximately more than $2 million for a total out-of-pocket investment of $40,000. Hard to believe, but true. It started with a 20% down payment and then as the equity in the properties built, was able to take equity release loans. The properties continue to appreciate, those with rental income continue to earn revenues and the potential to leverage the holdings to acquire more continues to offer new opportunities.

Does 'synchronicity' play a role? Of course it does! One must pay attention to the opportunities that come along and see them as part of the natural path one's life takes. If that path keeps taking you to Paris, then this may be one of those opportunities...

Mary Fort will be joining us at the Living and Investing in France Real Estate Conference February 16-17, 2008 in Miami Florida. Visit http://www.frenchpropertyconference.com for more information and to register.

To contact Mary or learn more about a mortgage in France, contact our Mortgage Manager, John Rule, at Loan@AdrianLeeds.com

Respond to
Adrian

P.S. Don't miss tomorrow's coffee gathering at Parler Paris Après Midi 3 to 5 p.m. at La Pierre du Marais. See http://www.parlerparis.com/apresmidi.html for more information.

P.P.S. The Parler Parlor French-English Conversation Group begins tomorrow night in a new location! Scroll down or visit the site for new locations and times. http://www.parlerparlor.com

Getting a mortgage in France is easier than you think...

Let us show you just how hassle-free it can be to get a French property mortgage for your dream Paris pied-à-terre or villa in the country!

Visit http://www.frenchpropertyloan.com or contact Mortgage Manager John Rule at loan@adrianleeds.com

Looking at the Cost of Property in France...
Through the RIGHT Lens
By Adrian Leeds

The rates of exchange for both the U.S. Dollar and the British Sterling are suffering against the strong Euro. As of today, one euro buys you $1.47 and £0.75. For U.S. and British tourists to France, it may be painful, but for owners of Euro assets, such as property, it's a blessing...Subscribers Read On...

French Property Insider is a weekly e-zine, sharing insights, recommendations, tips, and discoveries about Paris real estate and French property. Each information-packed issue is devoted to educating its readers on how to effectively, efficiently and profitably purchase property in France.

Perfect your French language skills with a subscription to Champs-Elysées Audio Magazines. On CD or cassette and produced monthly, each issue is packed with a range of news and features on current events, theatre, gastronomy, music and politics. Every edition comes with a full printed transcript, complete notes and glossary.

Insider Paris Guides are written for people who love the City of Light. You'll get a Paris insider perspective on Good Value Restaurants... Making a Life... Black Culture... Expat Writers...plus the newest guide, Practical Paris!

Welcome to your home in Paris. Home is how you will feel in a private apartment in Paris that has the "seal of approval" from Parler Paris Apartments and me, Adrian Leeds.

American comfort with French flair! Overlooking Boulevards Richard Lenoir and Voltaire, in the 11th Arrondissement.This three-bedroom, two-bath luxury penthouse with wrap-around balconies and spectacular views, sleeps 6.

Parler Parlor French-English Conversation Group
http://www.parlerparlor.com/

Practice speaking French and English. Make friends, discuss interesting topics, learn about other cultures, progress in understanding and speaking, naturally and easily. Meets three times a week -- come as often as you like!

NEW
Tuesdays 6:30 to 8 p.m. and Saturdays 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
AT LUTÈCE LANGUE
23, boulevard de Sébastopol (at the corner of rue de la Reynie), 1st arrondissement
3rd Floor on the Left (read notice on door to obtain entry code)
Métro Châtelet, Les Halles

NEW
Wednesdays 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
AT BISTROT DE LA GRILLE
14 rue Mabillon, 6th arrondissement
(at rue Guisarde and Le Marché Saint-Germain) 1st Floor
Métro Saint-Germain-des-Prés, Mabillon, Odéon

France Today The Magazine of French Culture and Travel, delivers all the information you need to indulge your passion for France: travel advice you won’t find anywhere else, off-the-beaten-path trips, the inside track on trends in dining, hotels, shopping and style, and the culture scene.

To subscribe, visit http://www.francetoday.com or call 1-800-901-6560