Through Maxence Gorregues
Published on
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Let’s take a house advertised at the start of 2019 at €200,000, in the right bank sector at Caen (Calvados), near the train station. It is worth at least 245,000 in this month of June 2021. Probably even more if it has a distinctive sign for the sector, such as a large garden, or inside, decorative elements that allow it to stand out on the market, such as beautiful exposed beams or large windows. “What we are experiencing in Caen and its surroundings is unheard of,” observes Nicolas Van Haecke, from the Laforêt Caen Château agency. Unheard of, and for several reasons.
The demand does not weaken
After the spring 2020 confinement, all real estate professionals noticed a runaway purchase. In a market where the number of properties for sale was already low compared to previous years, prices have logically increased. “Overall, across the Caen sector as a whole, there should be a 10% increase between June 2019 and June 2020, and another 10% increase between June 2020 and June 2021”, notes Maître Aymeric Cours-Mach, of the Chamber of Notaries of the Court of Appeal of Caen. “It’s a minimum. “Because some properties have been able to increase in value even more in the space of two years, in particular those which are by the sea, close to Caen station, or which have an office or one or more rooms allowing telecommuting.
Towards price stabilization
Can the value of houses and apartments jump another 10% within a year? “In the fall, we said to ourselves that demand was going to weaken, but not at all. And as the number of properties for sale remains very modest, the high prices are maintained, and may even increase a little. “While it is always difficult to predict the future, all the more so in a market that has continued to surprise professionals since the health crisis linked to Covid-19, several professionals have observed a little more stability in recent weeks. Many transactions have taken place in recent months, and products are scarce. “Also, since the beginning of the year, I have noticed that buyers know that the market is not favorable to them, that prices are high, and therefore prefer to miss out on a property if they consider it too expensive. . A few months ago, they would probably have made an effort or found the necessary financial guarantees not to miss it. Patience seems to be coming back,” notes Nicolas Van Haecke.
New buyer profiles
The health crisis has changed the profile of buyers. “To simplify, before, there were investors and individuals looking for a main residence, presents Aymeric Cours-Mach. Recently appeared on the Caen market with the crisis, a new concept: the semi-main. The owners no longer have a single main residence, but two. Parisians have thus bought a property in the provinces, such as in Caen or its surroundings to telecommute, while keeping a pied-à-terre in Paris. In the same vein, people from Caen have acquired property in the countryside or by the sea, while maintaining an accommodation solution in Caen for work. Arose with the crisis, the desire for the green square, to understand the countryside, or the blue square, the sea, evoke several professionals. “A house in town and a property outside, even if it means selling your main property to buy smaller, this is a phenomenon that we have seen develop in recent times. »
The impact of Parisians, for a more attractive territory
The trend continues. “Before the crisis, it was rare to see Parisians born in the Paris region come and settle in Caen. However, couples aged 35-45 who currently perform this movement, it has become frequent”. They most often work in professions where teleworking is possible: “IT, communication, marketing and even finance”, summarizes Nicolas Van Haecke. Many professionals feel that Caen and its surroundings have gained in attractiveness. “Those we saw arriving in 2018-2019 were the first, pioneers. The movement continues and it will not stop tomorrow,” concludes Aymeric Cours-Mach on this point. On another scale, several provincial towns such as Caen have known what Bordeaux has been experiencing for several years, where many Ile-de-France residents have emigrated.
The coast more popular than ever
Finding a house in the communes of the Côte de Nacre is currently a headache. By the sea even more. “This is also unheard of,” says Nicolas Van Haecke. On condition of anonymity, a real estate agent confides: “If at the moment a house on the coast has been for sale for several months, it is because it has a major defect, such as noise at night, very bad exposure or quite simply that its selling price is greatly overvalued. »
Reduced negotiation margins
In such a context, it is not easy for buyers to negotiate the price, because they find themselves systematically in competition with other potential buyers. Goods generally “go” within a few days or weeks. “Even if prices were high in 2006-2007, what we are currently experiencing is unheard of,” said Aymeric Cours-Mach.
Is it time to sell?
Absolutely, yes. “But to buy what? ask many professionals. The moment is indeed well chosen for people who wish to change their life, or who have inherited a house and wish to part with it, or have to move because of their work, or even go to an EHPAD… “You have to think about it because the rental market is also tight, especially for a house. »
An unfavorable economic climate for first-time buyers
With households already well established wishing to change their living environment and investors who prefer “investing in stone rather than leaving their money in the bank”, the context is not favorable to them. Many are forced to move away from central cities. “Already in 2018-2019, they turned a lot to building land far from Caen. But with the current shortage of materials, price increases are also to be feared. Their situation therefore becomes more complex, even if the rates for borrowing remain very low. And the trend should be long term.
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