Boroughs & Burbs, the National Real Estate Conversation

Watch on YouTube: We’ll Always Have Paris | Ep. 115
Episode page: Boroughs & Burbs 115 – We’ll Always Have Paris

Episode Overview

As Oscar Wilde quipped, “When good Americans die, they go to Paris.” But today, Americans aren’t waiting for the afterlife—they’re investing now. In this episode, John Engel and Roberto Cabrera are joined by:

• Alison Ashby — Managing Director at Junot Fine Properties, a Knight Frank affiliate, fluent in French and German, and a specialist in international buyers

• Roddy Aris — Partner at Knight Frank, overseeing Paris and the French Alpine market, from the 3 Valleys to Chamonix

Together, they unpack the realities of the French property market and why Paris continues to enchant investors, expats, and lifestyle buyers alike.

Key Themes 

1. Size Matters
   Despite its global allure, the French real estate market is smaller and less liquid than many expect. That scale has implications for both opportunity and stability.

2. An Opaque Industry
   With no central MLS, limited public listings, and ads without addresses, Paris real estate requires insider knowledge. Alison and Roddy stress why choosing the right broker is critical.

3. Financing Challenges
   France offers historically low rates (around 4%), but lending criteria can be stringent for Americans. Buyers need patience, strong documentation, and often local expertise to close.

4. French Castles & Châteaux
   Demand for historic castles has dipped by about 8%, even as broader French property values rise by 6% annually. It’s a niche market, increasingly driven by passion buyers.

5. New Construction
   Unlike London or New York, Paris produces little new development. One example: the transformation of a Renault garage into luxury housing, illustrating adaptive reuse.

6. The Romance of Paris
   Beyond numbers, the discussion keeps returning to Paris’s cultural gravity: its architecture, lifestyle, and enduring magnetism for international buyers.

Links & Social

Guests

• Alison Ashby — Junot Fine Properties • LinkedIn • Email: Alison.Ashby@knightfrank.com

• Roddy Aris — Knight Frank Profile • LinkedIn • Email: Roddy.Aris@knightfrank.com

Hosts

• John Engel — IG: @jengel199 • LinkedIn

• Roberto Cabrera — IG: @rcabrera1 • LinkedIn

Related International Episodes (verified)

• Navigating the French Riviera | Ep. 111

• Luxurious St. Barths | Ep. 131

• Exploring Portugal | Ep. 144

• Dubai Real Estate | Ep. 161

• Is Panama Really for Sale? | Ep. 170

Keywords

#Paris #FrenchRealEstate #JunotFineProperties #KnightFrank #luxuryrealestate #chateaux #internationalbuyers #EuropeProperty #investinparis #boroughsandburbs

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Join us for Boroughs & Burbs podcast #114 this Thursday from 3 pm to 4 pm, where we delve into the explosive growth of the self-storage industry. We're excited to have two seasoned experts in the self-storage sector joining us for this insightful discussion: Geir Tellefsen from Flexistore, Andy Egerton from Ready Steady Store and Øyvind Olstad an International Real Estate Expert.

We’ll explore the current state of the self-storage market, which has been experiencing remarkable growth. With 14.5 million people utilizing self-storage in 2022, up by 970,000 since 2020, we'll delve into the factors driving the 3% to 5% annual surge in demand.

Our experts will shed light on the re-use of existing buildings, the increased adoption of self-storage websites, the role of self-storage software in more efficient budgeting, and the importance of security. We'll also discuss how changing urban lifestyles, urban migration trends, and the preference for renting over property ownership are all contributing to the self-storage industry's expansion.

Join us as we uncover the dynamics of this booming market and gain valuable insights from Geir Tellefsen, Andy Egerton and Øyvind Olstadon the future of self-storage. Don't miss this episode of Boroughs & Burbs! Share, Like and Subscribe. 

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Join us for episode #84 this Thursday at 3pm EST

on "Boroughs & Burbs: The National Real Estate Conversation" and find out why 
"The Full Fee Agent", is a radical new approach that will free you from the old way of doing things and make more money.

Happy Thanksgiving!

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Join us on Boroughs & Burbs for episode 113 as we delve into "The Changing Insurance Landscape in the High Net Worth Market." We'll be discussing how the ultra-rich are adapting their lifestyles based on insurance requirements, from safeguarding valuable assets to addressing security concerns.

We'll explore five key trends shaping the insurance industry. First, we'll discuss the use of technology to personalize insurance experiences. Second, we'll delve into improving communications throughout the claims process. Third, we'll examine how insurers are overcoming labor shortages and supply chain challenges. Fourth, we'll explore the high-touch, high-service approach that distinguishes top insurers. And finally, we'll delve into strategies for achieving greater efficiencies in the industry.

Don't miss out on this insightful conversation with Brendan O'Brien from Rand Insurance, Frank DiGrande from PURE Insurance, and Joe Rossi from Joe Flood Insurance, as we uncover the evolving world of high-net-worth insurance and its impact on the lives of the ultra-rich.

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Join us on the Boroughs & Burbs podcast this Thursday from 3pm to 4pm for episode #112, where we delve into the world of home aesthetics with Rhonda Eleish and Edie van Breems. Known for their unique ability to bring an inviting aesthetic to a diverse range of homes, from rustic retreats to grand estates and chic city apartments, their approach to design is both versatile and deeply rooted in Scandinavian traditions. 

We'll explore their journey from launching Eleish van Breems as a fine antiques gallery in a historic 1760 house in Woodbury, CT, to establishing their presence with inviting storefronts in Westport and Nantucket. Their fresh take on Gustavian and country Swedish antiques, paired with contemporary Scandinavian accessories, has garnered an international following. 

In light of the current home furnishings industry trends, where demand for home goods spikes amidst challenges of higher costs and lower margins, we'll discuss strategies for thriving in a volatile market. We'll also touch on the growth of e-commerce in home furnishings, which continues to rise despite a slow overall market expansion. 

Tune in for a captivating conversation on design, business, and the evolving landscape of home furnishings. 

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Leonardo DiCaprio, Bono, Beyonce and Lewis Hamilton can’t all be wrong. Something special is happening in the south of France.

Join us in Episode 111 of "Boroughs & Burbs" for an in-depth exploration of the Cote d’Azur or French Riviera. Our experts, Philip Weiser, CEO of Carlton International, Yves Derrien, Chairman of RFP, and Oyvind Olstad of Real Estate Partners AS will break down the essentials.

We'll start with an overview of Nice, Cannes, and Saint-Tropez, highlighting their unique characteristics and harbors.

Next, take a virtual tour of a classic 50 acre, $28 million estate in Mougins, France with Philip and Oyvind. Explore the architecture and stunning water views, showcasing the epitome of Riviera living.

Yves Derrian will discuss financing strategies specific to France, including luxury property's role as a currency hedge, cash-free transactions, and potential profitability.

Learn about property ownership, why the Russians are selling, the French are buying, and American’s are waiting until the next election. This is a golden opportunity in the real estate cycle for investors who can buy property in France for potentially no-money-down financed with interest rates around 5%.

Get ready to navigate the French Riviera with expert insights. Tune in to Episode #111 and gain valuable knowledge about this captivating region. Don't miss it!

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Join us this Thursday from 3 pm to 4 pm on episode #110 of Boroughs & Burbs podcast as we discuss the state of the commercial real estate market with our expert guests, Vincent Santoro in New York, Jason Froehlich in Los Angeles and Jonathan Miller of Miller Samuel.

In this episode, we'll dive into pressing issues such as the impact of inflation on construction costs, challenges in refinancing CRE loans, and the evolving trends in medical office investments. Our experts will also address the complexities of transaction paralysis in the market and the implications of rising capitalization rates in single tenant net lease deals.

We'll explore how leased real estate serves as a stable investment option, particularly in a changing economic landscape. Additionally, we'll discuss the transformation of America's downtown areas and the costs associated with revitalizing them. Finally, we'll highlight the bright spots in the commercial real estate sector, where investors are finding opportunities in the retail, industrial, and hotel sectors.

Tune in to Boroughs & Burbs this Thursday for a concise and informative discussion on commercial real estate. Gain valuable insights from Vincent Santoro, Jason Froehlich and Jonathan Miller and stay up-to-date with the latest developments in this dynamic industry. Don't miss it! #CommercialRealEstate #PodcastDiscussion #RealEstateExperts