What’s new in this month?

Between lockdowns, the development of work from home and the need for both space and greenery, those are changing:

1. Rural areas boom!

With the crisis, the real estate desires of the French have changed and they are particularly looking for more space. Thus, a study by Meilleurs Agents shows that 42% of French people dream of a larger main residence or one with an additional room.

So much so that prices have increased almost twice as fast as those of apartments (+ 6% against + 3.4% in one year).

This renewed attractiveness is reflected in an increase in annual sales volumes (+ 13% since March 1, 2020). In addition, 33% of goods in rural areas find buyers at the price (vs. 21% before the start of the pandemic)!

2. The concept of semi-principal residence boosted by the health crisis

Second homes are popular!

Some regions who grew only + 4.6% last year, jumped 12.3% this year.

Indirectly, by promoting the development of work from home, the crisis has boosted the second home market and accelerated the concept of semi-principal residence.

"This desire is stronger among people WFH: 51% of French people planning to increase their pace of remote work say they are concerned about the desire for space" a study said.

In the largest cities of France, going from a T1 to a T2 requires the greatest financial effort because the prices per m2 of small surfaces are more expensive there. In Paris, it is the other way around, the most important effort is the change from a 3 to a 4 pieces. This is explained by the price difference per m2 for the largest surfaces (+ 2% for a T4 compared to a T3) 

3. Towards a new real estate geography!

Medium-sized cities fare better and escape the phenomenon of disenchantment. In one year, the Top 40 agglomerations have seen their prices increase by + 4.9% in the city center and 5.8% in the outer suburbs.

Since the start of the year, Limoges has been the medium-sized city that has shown the greatest dynamism. According to the Orpi network, the number of sales there increased by more than 30% from January to June 2021 compared to the same period last year. And prices have soared by 17%. Among the other medium-sized cities that are literally exploding are Cannes, Le Havre, La Rochelle, Reims and Valence.

Cities that are starting to show unprecedented rental tensions, Orpi explains. In Le Havre, for example, demand is such that rents have climbed 9% since the start of the year. The increase is 7% in La Rochelle.