Luxury real estate Villefranche sur mer

Real estate investments are among the most reliable, especially when the properties belong to the luxury segment. Care must be taken throughout the acquisition process to ensure that the property you are buying meets the required criteria: refinement, exclusivity…

You therefore need adequate support and this is why you should select your estate agency with great care. Here are some points to keep in mind to help you make the right choice.

The real estate sector

The health crisis has had a major impact, particularly on the economic sector, which is slowing down. While many commercial sectors are experiencing significant declines in sales, the property sector is doing better than ever. The historical record of 1,208,000 old properties sold in one year was reached at the end of August 2021. The number of transactions has therefore risen by 23% in 12 months.

The new-build sector is also doing very well, despite the fact that the volume of building permits issued between the first quarter of 2020 and the first quarter of 2021 fell by around 15%. The situation has created a downward trend that supports investors in their buying decision. The risk of missing opportunities has therefore contributed to a 12.1% increase in transactions at the end of the first quarter of 2021 and a consequent 45% increase at the end of the second quarter. These developments are 12-month trends.

On the other hand, the HCSF (High Council for Financial Stability) has issued new recommendations in January 2021. The aim is to increase the security of loans by tightening the conditions for granting them. There is still some flexibility for first-time buyers, as the HCSF’s recommendations will only officially become standard by 2022. The situation is therefore favourable for property purchases, as the impact of the regulatory changes has not yet been defined.

The French real estate market has been particularly tight since the health crisis, as supply can no longer keep up with demand. Buyers need to decide quickly to optimise their chances of realising their purchase project. For their part, sellers have the prospect of putting their properties up for sale at high prices.

Luxury real estate

Luxury refers to notions of elegance and refinement that are combined with uncompromising quality down to the smallest detail of the property concerned. The clientele is naturally more demanding, as the budget required is greater than that of a traditional property purchase. Until the beginning of the pandemic, the high-end segment of the real estate market was as popular with the French as it was with foreign clients, but the trend has changed. Border restrictions and the economic crisis have reduced the enthusiasm of foreign buyers.

In such a context, one might assume that luxury real estate would be in decline. However, the opposite is reported by experts. The proportion of French buyers who believe that this is the ideal time to invest in a luxury property has risen from 38% in June 2020 to 64% in May 2021.

The real estate tension is also affecting the high-end segment. Eager to be the first to position themselves and to close the deal, buyers are shortening the time it takes to think about a property by relying on the expertise of their estate agent. Whereas it took around four and a half months for a luxury property to find a buyer in 2020, the time between the sale and the conclusion of the transaction is reduced to an average of 110 days in 2021.

The capital and the Île-de-France region as a whole are the most popular locations for investors. However, the health crisis has changed the search criteria, causing coastal regions to become more attractive. Brittany, Paca (Provence-Alpes-Côte-d’Azur), Nouvelle-Aquitaine and Aura (Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes) are particularly popular.

In addition to location, investors are showing a keen interest in the diversity of property types on offer. 66% of them want to buy a luxury property that will serve as their main residence. 42% are interested in villas. 27% want to invest in flats. 20% are looking for truly exceptional properties such as castles and manors.

Discover the town of Villefranche sur Mer

Villefranche-sur-Mer is a town of 4.88 km² located between Nice and Monaco. Advantageous because of its position on the Mediterranean coast, it attracts many buyers who are attracted by the prestige of the region.

The town and its centres of interest

Nestled in its harbour, Villefranche-sur-Mer enjoys a pleasant climate, with an average annual temperature of 18°C. The conditions are therefore excellent for enjoying its many sites of interest from January to December.

The charm of Villefranche lies largely in its built heritage. Religious buildings such as the church of Saint-Michel and the chapel of Saint-Pierre stand alongside buildings of character such as the citadel of Saint-Elme. The port of La Darse, which has a special identity, and the Rue Obscure, which is on the list of historic monuments in the town, should not be forgotten.

Villefranche-sur-Mer is also renowned for the talent of its carpenters who specialise mainly in the restoration of ships.

The harbour, which offers access to deep, calm waters, is a delight for yachtsmen and diving enthusiasts who can indulge in their favourite activities almost all year round.

Villefranche sur mer luxury real estate: the favourite districts

Exclusive properties are available throughout the town, which has inherited the prestige of the PACA region. For example, you can invest in the Corne d’Or area where there are many villas with swimming pools. You could also opt for a high-end property on the Col de Villefranche side where the elevated location guarantees a magnificent view of the Rade. The La Barmassa district is also appreciated for its peaceful atmosphere.

Luxury real estate Villefranche sur mer : look for a real estate agency on the internet

It is quite possible to find a serious estate agency via the internet, provided you are meticulous. There are several criteria to check when you visit the website of an agency specialising in luxury real estate.

The company must be reliable. To do this, it must provide its contact details and complete information on the types of services it offers. The agency’s website should also offer you access to expert advice in areas as varied as the taxation of luxury properties, financing options, which neighbourhoods to choose according to the city you are interested in, solutions that help preserve the character of a property, etc.

Take advantage of your visit to consult the catalogue of properties offered for sale and for rent. Take a look at the photos, which give an idea of the quality of the properties, but also look at the descriptions, which allow you to assess the characteristics of each property selected by the agency. Also look at the prices, which must be justified in relation to the realities of the market and the specificities of the property concerned. On our side, we strongly advise you the agency Haussmann real estate for your research on luxury real estate Villefranche sur mer.

Luxury real estate Villefranche sur mer : look at the customer reviews

The web offers many opportunities to express oneself and buyers do not hesitate to use the available channels to express personal opinions. Some publish testimonials directly on the website of the real estate agency that handled their projects. Others choose to express themselves on specialist forums or via social media. The important thing is to make sure that these are verified and therefore reliable opinions.

A good agency should have a majority of positive feedback. This is a confirmation of its professionalism, as investors in luxury real estate are extremely picky.

Of course, reviews with arguments are to be preferred as they offer you more information about the real estate agency.

Luxury real estate Villefranche sur mer: beware of the e-reputation

A serious and reliable estate agency naturally has an excellent reputation on the web. After consulting the agency’s presentation and the opinions of previous clients, take the time to investigate further. See, for example, if any press articles mention the agency’s name in a favourable context.

Luxury real estate Villefranche sur mer: consult your network

Research here is based on recommendations from people you know. Be careful, it is not a question of finding a classic real estate agency but a team that dedicates its know-how to the most prestigious properties on the market. It is therefore preferable to ask people who own a luxury property in Villefranche-sur-Mer and its surroundings.

Don’t hesitate to ask as many questions as possible to find out whether or not your knowledge has been satisfied. For example, ask about the relevance of the properties offered in relation to the criteria defined by the buyer beforehand. Find out whether the budget was respected, whether the suggestions were appropriate to the buyer’s profile, whether they were available and responsive…

Luxury real estate Villefranche sur mer: word of mouth

The reputation of a good estate agency is not restricted to the digital dimension. When the services are up to scratch, or even exceed the expectations of clients, the latter do not hesitate to spontaneously praise the team around them.

Without necessarily detailing your projects, think about asking around to obtain the contact details of a luxury real estate agency. Shopkeepers, neighbours, friends of friends… could provide you with valuable information.

Luxury real estate Villefranche sur mer : the first appointment

You have finished your research and a real estate agency has particularly caught your attention. It’s time to move on to the next stage, namely making contact.

You can already assess the reactivity of the team in terms of its readiness to grant you an appointment within a short time. Also make sure that your contact person is listening to your needs. Their job is not to convince you to buy the property of their choice, but to adjust their proposals to your criteria: surface area, number of rooms, nearby infrastructure, distance from the city centre, design, etc.

It is important that the agency makes a good impression on you and inspires your confidence from the very first meeting.

Villefranche sur mer luxury real estate: trust your instinct

It is important to remember that external opinions do not necessarily match your own. It depends on the individual. This means that testimonials and recommendations are good leads to follow, but they should not prevent you from trusting your instinct. Your instinct is rarely wrong. So take the time to find out about the luxury real estate agency and make initial contact so that you can assess it according to your own criteria.

These elements will help you in your search for the best agency to assist you in your search for a luxury property in Villefranche-sur-Mer. Remember to establish a profile of the ideal property beforehand in order to simplify the prospecting that will follow.