French Property Insider, Paris France -- A weekly e-letter sharing insights, recommendations, tips, and discoveries about property in both Paris and France.

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In This Week's Issue:

French Property Insider
Volume VII, Issue 1,
January 1, 2009

Paris — One of the Best Places to Invest

Paris and la Madeleine

Bonjour French Property Insider Subscriber,

Bonne Année! The first day of the new year is going fast. For us in Paris, the sky is already dark and closing in on the end of the first day. Schuyler Hoffman, in New Orleans, is barely waking up and saying hello -- seven hours earlier than Paris time.

We have a lot to look forward to in 2009 -- a new U.S. President, new reforms to help stabilize economies, new investment ideas and lots of people starting over with new lives ahead of them.

All of those who we helped invest in French real estate prior to the economic downturns of this past quarter are happily secure with good rental returns and the values of their Paris properties still holding strong. Interest rates are coming down, meaning their variable rate mortgages were a smart choice. The euro holding strong against both the dollar and the sterling make their properties even more valuable.

All of those who waited while the rate of exchange was high lost their opportunity to have invested in what the experts say is just about the lowest risk real estate market in the world -- Paris. If you're looking for the best investments you can make -- the safest, lowest risk and the kind you can personally enjoy, then Paris should be at the top of your list.

Today we take you the best of the best...the best property in Paris -- Place des Vosges. The topic comes by way of feature articles from this month's France Monthly Newsletter and 'breaking' news on our Fractional Property, "Le Palace des Vosges." There are still shares remaining to be sold at the lowest price, so don't hesitate to contact us for more information.

Also on the horizon for 2009 is our next Living and Investing in France Real Estate Conference, to be held March 21-22 in our favorite city, "Nouvelle Orléans!" Tujague's, New Orleans second oldest restaurant, will be hosting us for the second time. The last conference there was so much fun that we can't wait to do it again. But best of all, it's the perfect way to really learn how to make your dream to live and invest in France come true. And make note that for every additional person you bring to the conference, you will save $200 off their registration!

A bientôt,

Adrian Leeds
Editor, French Property Insider
Email: info@fpinsider.com

P.S. We want to know what you're thinking! Please email us at FPI to let us know what and how we can improve our newsletter starting in 2009: What kinds of information would you like more of? Are you getting what you want and need to know about upcoming events? What would you change? What would you not change? If you're a loyal reader, why? And if not, why not? Help us make French Property Insider everything it can be...and more in 2009. Click here now to email us your brief, but to-the-point explanation: info@fpinsider.com.

Volume VII, Issue 1, January 1, 2009

In this issue:

* The Latest on Le Palace des Vosges
* A Swamp in the Middle of Paris
* Do You Know the Place Royale?
* Ten Tips on the Top Investment Destinations
* Where You Should Be on March 21, 2009
* More on the Best Places to Invest Worldwide
* Discover the France Show 2009
* Big Savings on Apartment Rentals in January
* Fractional Ownership Offerings
* Today's Currency Update from HiFX
* Hot Property Picks: Marvelous Magical Marais
* French Property Mortgage Assistance
* Parler Paris Après-Midi: When and Where We Meet Next
* Managing Your FPI Subscription

Stay Up-to-Date on "Le Palace des Vosges"
By Adrian Leeds

France Monthly's exposé of the Place des Vosges is perfect timing for our latest report on the progress of our most important Fractional Ownership project, "Le Palace des Vosges" (www.frenchpropertyfractional.com/)

You may recall that a representative from The Architectes des Bâtiments de France (www.archi.fr/ANABF/) came to make suggestions for changing the windows and doors that would be in keeping with the esthetics of such a historic monument. We will require their approval to make any changes to the external building...Subscribers Read On...

A Huge Swamp...The Marais

Thousands of years before the Celtic Parisii tribe settled down on this small island that would become the Ile de la Cité, the Seine riverbed shrunk, dividing the river into two branches. On the southern side was the Seine as we know it today, while on the other side, "the old Seine" stretched in a huge arc of a circle from the edge of the Bois de Vincennes east of Paris, all the way to the foot of the Chaillot and Passy hills to the west...Subscribers Read On...

The "Place Royale"

In 1605, King Henri IV felt, quite rightly, that Paris was missing a royal city square a prestigious place where he could hold sumptuous festivities, equestrian games (no tournaments) and parades, but also a place that would be available for walks. For the first time in the history of Parisian architecture, aesthetics came first. The king wanted a square site surrounded by elements that would form a harmonious whole. On each side there would be nine townhouses with strictly identical facades. They would be three stories tall. The ground floor would feature a gallery for strolling, the first floor would house the families, and the servants would live in the attic...Subscribers Read On...

John Howell's Top Ten Tips
By John Howell

For nearly thirty years I have specialized in ‘International’ legal work and, during this time, my firm has helped many thousands of people choose and buy homes overseas. Each Christmas for the last ten years I have produced ‘John Howell’s Top Ten.’ This is my personal prediction of the places that are likely to make the best property investments over the following year. Never, never has the task been more difficult...Subscribers Read On...

Where Ya At, Dahlin'...On March 21st?
By Adrian Leeds

Almost any property you purchase in France will require renovation...to some degree. If you're purchasing an investment property in Paris designed for rental revenue, than the renovation will likely be key to the success of the rental and therefore cost more than normal to bring the property up to a standard that will guarantee that success...Subscribers Read On...

World's Best Places To Invest In Real Estate

Now is still the time to buy property in France. The French property market remains stable, the interest rates offered by French lenders is still low and both the British pound and U.S. dollar continue to weaken against the euro. Those who 'wait and see' will be 'missing the boat' watching it leave the harbor with them standing on the platform kissing their opportunity goodbye...Subscribers Read On...

The France Show 2009 - Celebrate the Best France has to Offer

With over 30,000 visitors expected again this year the show has moved to a bigger and better venue in Earls Court - providing more space, better access and packed full of new attractions.

The French Property Exhibition brings together estate agents, developers, solicitors, banks and other professionals covering just about every aspect of buying your property in France...Subscribers Read On...

Special Holiday Pricing for Apartment Rentals Extended

Take 10% Off All January 2009 Bookings in Parler Paris Apartments!

Minimum of three nights or more during the month of January in any one of Parler Paris Apartments at a discount of 10%!...Subscribers Read On...

Fractional Property Offerings from French Property Fractional

Le Petit Tresor French Property Fractional, our division that specializes in co-ownership, makes a point of finding only the finest of properties in the finest locations, developed by the finest of savvy developers. If you are interested in traditional fractional ownership properties currently offered by our Fractional Ownership partners, see below...Subscribers Read On...

Today's Currency Update

Visit the FPI Web site and click on the link on the left panel or click here for Currency Convertor by HIFX: HIFX Currency Conversion Tool for up to the minute conversions of all major currencies...All Readers...

HOT PROPERTY PICKS: Marvelous Magical Marais

Each week French Property Insider features a range of properties which we believe are on the market at the time of writing. These properties are featured in order to give readers a sample of what is currently available and a working example of prices being asked in various regions of France and districts of Paris....Subscribers Read On...

SEEKING A MORTGAGE IN FRANCE?

French Propety Loan When you make a purchase as important as a piece of real estate in a foreign country, you want to know that you can trust the people you are dealing with. Adrian Leeds has developed a network of professionals that meet only the highest of standards. Let us help you secure a mortgage in France at a competitive interest rate. Visit www.frenchpropertyloan.com for more information or contact Loan@AdrianLeeds.com...All Readers..

HELPFUL CONVERSIONS FOR REAL ESTATE

1 square meter = 10.7639104 square feet

1 hectare = 2.4710538 acres

For more conversions, refer to: www.onlineconversion.com/

Parler Paris Après-Midi

www.parlerparis.com/apresmidi.htm

NEXT MEETING: January 13, 2009 AND EVERY SECOND TUESDAY OF THE MONTH, 3 p.m. to 5 p.m...All Readers...

Managing Your French Property Insider Subscription is Easy!

We receive many emails from French Property Insider Subscribers who want to change their email address, or update personal information. But did you know that you can make these changes yourself?...Subscribers Read On...

INSIDER PARIS GUIDES DISCOUNT FOR FPI SUBSCRIBERS

Don't forget that with your FPI subscription you are entitled to a discount on the purchase of any Insider Paris Guides. You'll find details of the guides at www.insiderparisguides.com...Subscribers Read On...

THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW

To access password protected pages: click on any of the links on the left panel of the home page of FrenchPropertyInsider.com under "Subscriber's Only," then type in your personal username and password...Subscribers Read On...

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