While at the same time the ALUR law was being examined in Parliament, the Real Estate Observatory of Habitat of the Alpes-Maritimes provided, yesterday, an overview of the housing market for the first half of 2013.
At the time when parliamentarians are studying the ALUR law wanted by Cécile Duflot, Minister of Territorial Equality and Housing, the Real Estate Observatory of Habitat of the Alpes-Maritimes released a report on the first quarter of 2013 of the housing market. In the end, the result is more than mixed.
The new housing market is doing “well”. Indeed, the increase in sales of new homes is 8% compared to the first half of 2012. This is an improvement but must be tempered. Over four consecutive quarters, sales fell by 27% compared to the same period in 2012. However, this decline must be analyzed by price segments. It is the homes, whose prices are above 4,500 euros per m², that are most affected by this decrease with a drop of 25%.
On the other hand, there is an increase in sales of “free” homes below 4,500€ with an increase of 16%. 1464 sales were completed, which is still weak, and the sales listings saw a certain decline with a decrease of 15% in the first semester of 2013, which should be viewed in parallel with the “rolling” year and the consequent fall of 31%.
Regarding prices, the Observatory notes a decrease in the sales price by 3%.
Unlike new homes, the resale market shows a decline in transactions of 4% compared to the first half of 2012 and 21% over the “rolling” year. On the other hand, the price level slightly decreased by 2%, falling again below the 4,000 € mark.
Real estate professionals are therefore very worried. Given the current economic situation, they are more attentive than ever to government measures, particularly the ALUR law.
