The real estate market is decidedly improving: without having regained the splendor of the prosperous years, the illness seems to be contained, and the patient has regained some color.
Accustomed to the evident pessimism of Frรฉdรฉric Pelou, the departmental president of FNAIM, seeing him relaxed and (almost) smiling is indeed confirmation that the time for renewal seems to have arrived: “The number of prospective buyers walking through our agency doors is on the rise.”
And sales are following suit: up 10% in volume in 2015 compared to 2014, with stable prices (4,176 euros per square meter in Nice in the third quarter with a 0.9% variation compared to 2014). It is mainly small surfaces that make up the bulk of transactions.
“We should reintroduce the PTZ* to help active tenants become owners,” says Frรฉdรฉric Pelou, adding, “before its elimination, this measure accounted for 25% of sales,” he explains.
While waiting for the Government to fully consider this matter, one subject preoccupies real estate professionals: the recent surcharge on secondary residences adopted by 24 municipalities in the department and the reform of the cadastral base for calculating property tax could have a psychological effect on potential investors.
That said, the forecast for 2016 remains positive. Another 10% increase in transactions is expected.
True or not true?
The occasion is a great opportunity to dispel a false reputation: the Alpes-Maritimes is not a haven for wealthy retirees.
The numbers show it: private houses represent only 25% of the housing stock, which consists of 68% primary residences. Small and medium-sized dwellings make up two-thirds of the total. However, retirees (30% of the population) are the most numerous socio-professional category.
We are far from the clichรฉ of the wealthy Cรดte d’Azur resident.
Finally, another reason for satisfaction, the impact of the Duflot administration in the Ministry of Housing seems to be part of bad memories.
The relaxation of the reform law, modified by Minister Pinel, which, in the name of alleged tenant rights defense, had effectively blocked the market, and the administrative modifications of its application within the framework of the Macron law, have restored a fluid working framework to the relationship between real estate advisor and client.
