Baptiste invested near Chambéry from Canada

Baptiste borrowed in 2023, when banks were “very cold” and rates were soaring. He secured a 20-year loan, plus a deferral period of up to two years. His rate, 4.65% from memory, was not the best, but he picked his battles: the deposit, the deferral and the term mattered more.

Around Chambéry, a touristy and expensive town, few properties met his yield requirements for a long-term let, and summer viewings were hard. He chose two studios on a central street, near a station, two train stops from Chambéry and not far from Grenoble. He is aiming for the property to pay for itself, in an area where resale prices still rose 7% in 2022.

Between the sale agreement and the deed, several hitches arose, including a damp problem. Facing the notary and the seller, Baptiste dared to push back dates and set his conditions: he set completion for 17 January, as late as possible, so the damp would be fixed first. That is what the programme gave him most: the confidence to insist on certain things.

At first, he simply wanted to bring the studios up to date. Redoing the kitchen and bathroom meant also touching the electrics and changing the meters: €25,000 of works. He limits himself to what is needed to be worry-free for ten to fifteen years. The 26% negotiated off left him room for these surprises.