Dominique Varé, Pierre Azur (04 94 73 28 40). Jean-Louis Vigier, Cote Sud Immobilier (04 94 70 83 89). Catherine Cantat-Sauvage, Immobilière Transarcs
(04 94 73 33 79). Nicole Rémond, N.L.R. (04 94 60 02 84).
| |
Inland Var
Fairly valued property arouses interest.
|
Only 5 minutes from Lorgues centre, authentic 300-m2, four-bedroom country house standing in 8,000 m2 of landscaped grounds. 1.270.000 €. Cote Sud Immobilier (04 94 70 83 89).
This property in Lorgues comprises two houses : an 18th-century house (five rooms) and a new 3-bedroom construction. The 8 hectares of grounds feature a tennis court, a pool and a Jacuzzi, and afford a magnificent view over the hills. 1.350.000 €. Pierre Azur (04 94 73 28 40).
Listed, renovated oil mill in Les Arcs-sur-Argens, with 270 m2 living space (three bedrooms), 439 m2 of land and a breathtaking view over the village and the Maures mountain range.
650.000 €. Immobilière Transarcs (04 94 73 33 79).
In Lorgues, an approx. 152-m2 three-bedroom house on 600 m2 of land. 583.000 €. N.L.R. (04 94 60 02 84).
|
 |
|
M & A : What are the main districts in Les Arcs-sur-Argens and Lorgues ?
Catherine Cantat-Sauvage : Le Plateau, near the centre of Les Arcs, is a nice district but highly priced and features 10-year old villas. Estates are found in Sainte-Roseline and large plots of land in Nourradons. Les Laurons is popular as it’s close to the TGV station but part of the area is noisy. Le Parage is the medieval centre, and attracts foreigners, especially Scandinavians.
Dominique Varé : Lorgues consists of quiet residential areas spread around the countryside and on the hills : La Martinette, Pin, Pey Long, Valmouissine, Château Renard, La Marsanne, Saint-Féréol, La Peyrouard, Les Fadons, Les Salettes and Saint-Jeaume. Villas make up most of the market, though some new developments have extended the supply of apartments. Between 300 and 450,000 €, 30- and 40-year old houses offer 120 m2 on 1,200-2,000 m2 of land. From 450 to 700,000 €, you can find 5- to 20-year old houses of 160 m2 with better appointments in a 2,000- to 5,000-m2 garden with pool and view over the countryside. A 250-m2 house on 2,000-5,000 m2 of land or more, in a dominating location facing the Var hills or the Maures range costs 700,000 to 1 M €. There is one very particular market : character estates, old Provençal houses, and farm houses built on 2 to 15 hectares of land planted with pines, olive trees or vineyards. Prices range between 900,000 and 2.5 M €. Finally, wine-producing estates of 30 to 50 hectares cost 1.5 to 4 M €.
Jean-Louis Vigier : Some areas in Lorgues are sought after for their quality buildings, the natural surroundings, the peacefulness or their aspect. A superb 300-m2 Aix-style farm house in La Douce in 8,000-m2 of landscaped grounds with pool costs 1,270,000 €. A 125-m2 Provençal house on 1,500 m2 of land in the La Martinette district costs 499,000 €.
How much have prices risen ? What do you foresee ?
Nicole Rémond : In recent years, demand for properties in Lorgues, Tourtour, Flayosc, Salernes or Cotignac has mainly been for houses and building land. For the last three or four years, houses have systematically been overvalued, and customers have preferred to buy a plot of land and build their dream house on it. Prices of land have thus more than doubled. This trend has resulted in an adjustment of the villa market which has gained in appeal.
J.-L. Vigier : At the beginning of 2006, the price rise slowed down greatly and came to a halt in January 2007. Values should remain stable for real quality products.
D. Varé : We get calls from sellers everyday to bring down their price. Prices are indeed at a standstill, or even coming down slightly.
Would you say this is currently a buoyant market ?
D. Varé : Locals find it hard to make that first-time buy and are often forced to take out a 25-year mortgage, up from 15 years a few years ago. With the intake of buyers from outside the region, the villa market remains active. As for estates, supply is lower than demand : the segment remains buoyant, but prices are always negotiated.
N. Rémond : Fairly valued property arouses interest. Unfortunately, sellers are still too demanding, encouraged by valuations by incompetent or unscrupulous agents. At the right price, a sale will take three months.
Is there a typical buyer profile for Les Arcs-sur-Argens and Lorgues ?
C. Cantat-Sauvage : Lorgues is more popular with foreigners who like its typical village. Les Arcs is more affordable than the seaside, and attracts people working in Fréjus/Saint-Raphaël or the Alpes-Maritimes region.
J.-L. Vigier : The average age of buyers is between 40 and 60. Most are French but there are also some English, Belgians or Swiss who are drawn by the climate, the geographical location, the surroundings and the quality of property.
Is it still possible to speculate and to what extent ?
D. Varé : Yes, in some niche segments such as land, estates that can be parceled out and the construction of large houses.
What main new developments are under construction ?
C. Cantat-Sauvage : One development is currently offering 28 apartments with parking facilities in the centre of Les Arcs.
J.-L. Vigier : In Lorgues, the 22-unit “Plein Sud” complex and the 30-unit “Le Mistral” are attracting investors who benefit from introductory prices.
A word about your most recent transactions ?
D. Varé : A 90-m2 house in Lorgues on 2,000 m2 of land, for 315,000 € and a 200-m2 villa on 2,500 m2 of land for 690,000 €. A 280-m2 stone farm house on 3.5 hectares (with vineyards and olive trees), for 1,250,000 €.
N. Rémond : 1,350-m2 of land for 147,000 € ; the price is low due to the layout of the plot.
C. Cantat-Sauvage : A 300,000-€ villa in Les Arcs and another in Lorgues for 400,000 €.
J.-L. Vigier : 2,000 m2 of land for 270,000 € (net surface area : 1,000 m2). A two-bedroom apartment for 199,000 € and a house on 5,000 m2 of land for 300,000 €.
Interview by Laetitia Rossi
|
|
