Dominique Lauze, Antique Immobilier ((+33 (0)4 42 36 00 21).
Stéphane Michaud, Agence Michaud ((+33 (0)4 42 03 83 55).
David Bessis, Mazet-La Comtesse ((+33 (0)4 42 03 12 12).
Jean-Pierre Rouas, Century 21 Beaumond ((+33 (0)4 42 03 19 02).
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Heading for Aubagne
Enjoying the economic influence of Marseilles, Aubagne is geographically well situated and offers all the advantages of life in a village.
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This five-bedroom villa in Roquevaire stands on 1,500 m2 of land with a pool.
848.000 €. Antique Immobilier.
A new house (five rooms) in Auriol, on 4,000 m2 of land, in Provencal farmhouse-style.
670.000 €. Agence Michaud.
This house offers 147 m2 living space and 610 m2 of land in Cuges-les-Pins.
490.000 €. Mazet-La Comtesse.
A duplex apartment with refined fittings located in Aubagne, offering four bedrooms including one with a 25 m2 terrace. 395.000 €. Century 21 Beaumond.
A five-bedroom, 350 m2, 19th-century dwelling in Gemenos with 3,100 m2 of landscaped garden. 1.490.000 €. Agence Michaud.
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What are the most popular districts in Aubagne ?
S. Michaud : Firstly, the town centre, which mainly consists of new or recent apartments, then the old town with its village houses and finally the outskirts where the villas are to be found. 3,000 € per square metre would be an average price in the town centre and the outskirts, while the old town ranges between 1,500 € and 2,000 €.
D. Lauze : There are very few possibilities of building any new property in the centre. The outlying districts offer a pleasant environment between Sainte-Baume and Garlaban. Being close to both Marseilles and the sea, Aubagne is in a sought-after location. Some areas are gaining in popularity. For example, demand is high for Gemenos and Lascours in the town of Roquevaire and prices are therefore higher.
J.-P. Rouas : In the centre, near the market square, a new district called “Les Défensions” has grown rapidly. In just five years we have witnessed the creation of 700 dwelling units as well as shops, a hotel, and soon a supermarket. There are a few local authority apartments, but others are purely residential. Prices range from 3,000 € to 3,800 € a square metre. As for the various neighbourhoods, Les Sollans, Le Pin Vert, Les Passons and Les Espillières are popular. They are about two kilometres from the centre and “countrified” areas. La Tourtelle and Le Charrel are cheaper. In Aubagne, a 150 m2 house on 1,000 m2 of land can fetch up to 500,000 €.
D. Bessis : There is little property for sale in the town centre as the market consists principally of rented accommodation. A studio apartment will cost between 300 € and 400 €, and between 350 € and 450 € with a separate kitchen. Rent for a 1-bedroom flat is between 500 € and 550 €, around 650 € for a 2-bedroom flat and 750 € for a (rare) 3-bedroom flat.
To what extent have prices increased this year ?
S. Michaud : Prices have increased 40 % in the past five years.
D. Lauze : Nowadays, people want a good quality of life, which explains the rush to the labour pool Marseilles. The high-speed train has also contributed to the price rise, but this should gradually slow down in months to come. A new trend is emerging : over-valued properties are not selling but the number of sales is unchanged.
J.-P. Rouas : As the market was long under-valued it had some catching up to do, which accounts for the considerable rise.
Would you say Aubagne is currently a buoyant market ?
D. Bessis : There are still as many sales. If an apartment is fairly valued, it sells within two months and a villa within six. There is a shortage of property for sale, but that doesn’t necessarily stop the market.
S. Michaud : The sudden price increase has caused a slowdown even so because purchasing power in France hasn’t risen accordingly. But thanks to the many firms in Aubagne, its proximity to Marseilles and the influx of working people, the area is still dynamic.
J.-P. Rouas : Being only 15 minutes from Marseilles and 20 minutes from Aix-en-Provence, Aubagne is in a good location with a large motorway network. It further combines a village atmosphere with the facilities of a city… So all the factors for a dynamic market are there.
D. Lauze : People no longer buy for life, but for an average period of seven years. Professional mobility and family break-ups mean people move house much more.
Would you say there is a typical buyer profile in Aubagne ?
S. Michaud : We have clients of all ages and class. Older people very often leave their villas, which become too big, preferring a nice apartment in the centre. Young couples also opt for apartments while the 40-50 age group tends to want a detached house.
D. Lauze : Middle-ranking executives sometimes leave Marseilles for Aubagne because they want a better quality of life.
J.-P. Rouas : There are fewer first-time buyers now due to the price rise, but they still try to invest because the rental market is saturated. They start with a flat, then a villa under 300,000 €.
D. Bessis : Main residences make up the most part of the market. What’s more, foreign buyers are few and far between.
Is it still possible to speculate in Aubagne and to what extent ?
D. Bessis : Speculation is difficult in the town itself. There are very few plots of land and buildings on the market. Furthermore, asking prices are already high so investors are turning to the surrounding villages.
D. Lauze : There is still some speculation on small flats in old upmarket buildings and large properties in neighbouring towns.
J.-P. Rouas : Speculation concerns town houses for renovation.
What main new developments are under construction ?
J.-P. Rouas : A few apartments remain in Les Défensions and new developments near the hospital, the centre, and Les Passons.
S. Michaud : A development called “Les Berges de l’Huveaune” is currently being marketed in the heart of Aubagne. It partly owes its success to senior citizens drawn by the good-quality appointments, proximity to the centre and the lifts.
D. Bessis : Urbac is building some apartments on Chemin Saint-Joseph, next to the old Ebe factory. Allow 200,000 € for a 62 m2, 2-bedroom flat on garden level and 109,000 € for a 1-bedroom flat. The Bouygues development next to the hospital completed in December was sold off plans last year.
A word about your most recent transactions ?
D. Bessis : A 120 m2 villa on 800 m2 of land for 420,000 € and a 68 m2 flat in an old building for 145,000 €.
J.-P. Rouas : A 140 m2 house on 8,000 m2 of land for 465,000 € and six apartments.
D. Lauze : 3- and 4-bedroom villas on 600 m2 of land on average, for around 350,000 €.
A few words of wisdom for sellers and buyers ?
D. Lauze : Listen to the professionals, their valuations are accurate.
D. Bessis : A private sale does not necessarily guarantee a good deal.
Interview by Laetitia Rossi
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