Moliets-et-Maa, the charm of the Landes

In the forest on the Côte d’Argent between Mimizan and Bayonne, this commune in the Landes owes its reputation to its beach and 9- and 18-hole golf-courses. At the mouth of Le Courant d’Huchet, its shoreline is dotted with villas which appeal to French buyers of holiday homes.

Reached via the A63 motorway, Moliets accommodates about 1,000 residents year-round, 28,000 in summer. Signposted trails criss-cross the pinewoods and nature reserve covering 5,285 acres. The two beaches are ideal for fans of surfing, bodyboarding, kite-surfing and beach-volley. Hikers and fishermen head for the lakes. The town also offers 16 tennis courts.

“One can hardly deny the drop in the number of buyers and the volume of sales,” admits Maurice Wagnon of Alis Immobilier. “A situation naturally followed by lower prices.” 80 % of purchasers, from neighbouring regions or the region around Paris, are looking for holiday homes, 1- or 2-bedroomed apartments from 100,000 to 150,000 €, or villas of 100 m2 with gardens of less than 1,000 m2, priced around 300,000 €. Proximity to the ocean is always a criterion for this clientele, whereas the locals, ready to pay 250,000-350,000 € for their homes, give preference to the village. Mainly comprised of houses, this sector posts much the same prices as the coast. Moliets possibly has some competition from Vieux-Boucau, an address which has been traditionally more expensive due to its lake. Competition it sometimes wins thanks to its golf-course of European status, its well-controlled urban planning and carefully preserved nature.

“A quality life-style is the main argument put forth by Moliets,” say Stéphanie Laumont and Christophe Bouilleveaux of Bastide Immo. “As demonstrated by its many cycling paths, as well as the golf-course and surfing spots, which are weighty arguments.” Since the return to exoneration of capital gains over 22 years and the introduction of an exceptional reduction of 25 % for properties sold prior to August 31st, 2014, activity seems to be picking up a little. One recent phenomenon is that buyers now systematically take potential rental income into consideration. They in fact want to combine their own enjoyment with a reasoned and profitable investment. Among their latest sales, our estate-agents mention a “Landaise” house of 110 m2 in grounds of 1,400 m2 with a pool, acquired for 395,000 € as a main residence, and four holiday homes ranging from 150,000 to 350,000 €. A Belgian client recently signed a provisional sales agreement for a fully renovated house of 170 m2 near the beaches and golf-course, priced at 650,000 €. Together with seasonal rentals, the rich assets offered by the natural setting clearly make all the difference when it comes to completing a sale. July got off to a poor start for rentals, but August scored record occupancy and the late season is posting encouraging figures. A villa of 160 m2 with a pool can be rented out for 3,000-4,000 € per week.