Denis Desartine, Burger Sotheby’s International Realty (04 92 92 12 88). Christel Cartalade, Orpi Coste (04 93 90 00 07). Stefan Amzallag, Prestige & Patrimoine (04 93 45 00 53).
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Mougins, a growth market
At the heart of an authentic commune just ten minutes from La Croisette, Mougins harbours art galleries, famous restaurants, golf courses and property that is varied and highly sought-after. The professionals shows us round...
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This 360-m2 architect-designed villa is in perfect condition and stands in magnificent landscaped grounds. In the heart of a quiet, residential estate, it affords an open view over the hills.
From 4 M €. Burger Sotheby’s International Realty (04 92 92 12 88).
In Les Parcs de Mougins, this 300-m2 house has four bedrooms with dressing room and en-suite bathrooms on 2,500 m2 of land.
2.850.000 €. Orpi Coste (04 93 90 00 07).
In the residential hills, this authentic Provencal property comprises an old “mas” (four bedrooms), a guests’ house and a pool-house.
2,3 M €. Burger Sotheby’s International Realty (04 92 92 12 88).
This 240-m2 four-bedroom Provencal villa stands on a 2,600 m2 plot of land.
1.590.000 €. Prestige & Patrimoine (04 93 45 00 53).
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What are the main neighbourhoods in Mougins ?
Stefan Amzallag : Mougins is one of the biggest communes in France and comprises a host of neighbourhoods. The old village occupies a dominant position. Just a stone’s throw from shops and restaurants, it offers panoramic sea views, outstanding properties and a dry climate. The only blot on the landscape is the noise that occasionally rises up from the motorway below. Saint-Basile, La Peyrière, Fond de l’Orme, L’Etang and Le Guillet are close to the Cannes Mougins Golf Club and enjoy a quality environment. They accommodate several secure estates and villas steeped in Provençal charm. Downfalls : the lack of shops and the traffic heading to and from the Sophia-Antipolis Technology Park. Access to the A8 motorway and Cannes, the home of international festivals, is quick from the comfortable houses in Les Parcs de Mougins, an enclosed residence guarded 24/7. It is criticised, however, - as is the Royal Golf Club - , for overpricing. Pibonson, Saint-Barthélémy and Grande Bastide are within easy reach of the shops in Val de Mougins and Tournamy. They offer new villas, bastides, old “mas” and plots of land. The road is sheer in places and is seen as an inconvenience. Les Colles, Le Redon and Pigranel enjoy an outstanding setting and huge plots crowned with architect-designed houses. A 400-m2 house with five bedrooms and a separate caretakers’ flat on 8,600m2 sold for 3.3 million €. Certain houses suffer noise pollution. Prices are more affordable in Les Cabrières, typified by estates of semi-detached houses.
Christel Cartalade : Going up towards Plascassier, on the portion between Chemin des Colles and Le Redon, one can glimpse magnificent properties through elegant railings. On plots of land that generally measure about 1 hectare, they are often holiday homes. On the road to Valbonne, in Saint-Basile, known for its enclosed estate and complexes dating from the 1980s (Le Colombier, Le Pigeonnier, Les Hauts du Golf and La Peyrière), budgets range from 400,000 € for a semi to 1.5 million € in the part close to the schools, Sophia-Antipolis and the road into Nice. Opposite the golf course, Font Merle is home to prestigious villas including that of Picasso, the Domaine de La Chapelle and Les Parcs de Mougins. Properties here are worth around 2 million €. Towards Le Cannet, Les Cabrières consists in housing estates where the square metre ranges from 3,550 to 5,000 €, attracting the local working population. The historical centre is highly sought-after. It opens onto the Bay of Cannes and the Estérel Massif.
How much have prices gone up ? What does the future hold ?
S. Amzallag : During the past six years, we have observed regular annual price increases in the order of 12 to 15 %. Over recent months, however, the market seems to be gliding into a gentle landing. It is stable, or even difficult for so-called “classical”properties that nevertheless start at 900,000 €. The luxury sector still has the wind in its sails although a sale will take longer.
Is the market busy at the moment ?
Denis Desartine : There is demand for properties in the 700,000 to 1.5 million € range. But there is a regrettable lack of quality villas. There are more to be had in the 1.5 to 3 million € bracket. Above that, a very buoyant sector, clients, most of them foreign, will not tolerate any kind of disturbance. The finest homes offer a pano-rama of the Mediterranean and prices to match those in Cannes.
Ch. Cartalade : After the slowdown at the end of 2007, the market in Mougins is getting back to its usual cruising speed. The Brits are back, as are the Russians. If properly
valued, a property will sell within around six months. Buyer demands increase in proportion to their budget. At the top of the range it can take longer to sell a property. People move on after around 15 years. Once the children have grown up, owners prefer to move close to Cannes and opt for an apartment in a development with a pool.
Is there a typical buyer profile for Mougins ?
D. Desartine : Mougins attracts French retirees, second-time buyers still at work, North Europeans who live here most of the time, and clients from Eastern countries.
S. Amzallag : 50 % of buyers are French. The rest come from Great Britain, Scandinavia, the Netherlands, Switzerland and Germany. They are aged between 45 and 50 ; they like being close to Cannes, Valbonne, Nice and the golf course ; and they love being surrounded by nature.
How possible is it to speculate nowadays, and with what type of property ?
D. Desartine : Given the high prices, speculation is increasingly tricky. However, old bastides are purchased, renovated and sold on to a clientele of foreigners.
What new developments are worth mentioning ?
Ch. Cartalade : Towards the shopping centre, we currently have a quality complex with pool at over 5,000 € per m2.
S. Amzallag : “Villa Verde”, in the Fond de l’Orme neighbourhood, comprises 6 luxury homes with pool at prices from 320,000 to 1.4 million €.
Your most recent sales ?
D. Desartine : 270 m2 surface area on a 1,400-m2 plot near Les Parcs de Mougins : 1,250,000 €. A recently built neo-Provençal house in the centre of enclosed Domaine Camp-Lauvas : 2.2 million €.
Ch. Cartalade : Villas in Les Cabrières, Le Redon and towards L’Etang. Between 600,000 and 1.5 million €.
S. Amzallag : A contemporary house in an enclosed estate in Fond de l’Orme. 300 m2 surface area on 1,600 m2. 1,390,000 €.
Any message to pass on ?
Ch. Cartalade : Sellers must accept a fair valuation of their properties. If not, they will be on the market for too long which, at the end of the day, fosters depreciation.
Interview by Laetitia Rossi
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