Sales of residential properties in Paris  fell down by 40% during the first quarter of the year compared to Q1 of 2008. The slowdown was expected when financial markets went down during the 3rd-4th quarter of 2008.

Although the global markets are down, there are still real estate activities going on due to the decrease of interest rates and some government intervention activities such as offering interest free mortgages for first time buyers. However, Paris’ recovery from this down fall wont reflect on the increase of prices this year.