An ideal sector for first-time buyers


The redevelopment of the Plaine du Var is part of an economic, social and environmental plan. Besides the creation and renovation of housing, the local authorities are encouraging the installation of enterprises and intend to develop the transport network. The fate of this plain long devoted to market gardening is of interest in the highest spheres, like La Défense in Paris or Euroméditerranée in Marseille. “The banks of the Var are appealing to first-time buyers,” say Jean-Jacques Chambon and Philippe Galchier of Nicévallées. For 150,000 €, they can acquire a village house with 2 or 3 main rooms in Gillette, Carros or Le Broc, needing renovation if they have a terrace or small garden. For 250,000 €, they hope for a 3 bedroomed apartment at the heart of Bonson. Beyond these price levels, the sector faces competition from individual houses at Saint-Jean-la-Riviere, Lantosque or Roquebillière. Recently, a 2-bedroomed house with a garden of 700 m2 found a taker at 210,000 €. Living space of 90 m2 in perfect condition with grounds of 3,000 m2 costs 280,000 €.

These micro-markets succeed one another without necessarily having much in common. The more enviable villages of Aspremont, Castagniers, Gattières and Saint-Jeannet offer elevated positions and views of the sea. A villa opening out to the Mediterranean starts here at 450,000 €, attaining 1 million euros in the case of an old barn or sheepfarm which offers character and has been tastefully restored. An example of 400 m2 in grounds of 2,000 m2, enhanced by a pool with overflow effect and facing the sea, recently changed hands at 1.2 million euros. In this price-bracket, one finds a few holiday homes, whereas Saint-Martin-du-Var draws families reassured by the closeness of amenities, schools - including the Lycée Thierry Maulnier a 10-minute drive away - and the railway station, which runs four trips a day to and from the centre of Nice.

“Clients no longer hesitate to take the RN 202 since the parallel road has greatly alleviated the bottlenecks at Carros, an activity zone employing 6,000 to 7,000 people,” notes Sandrine Fusini of the agency of the same name. Following the drop in bricks and mortar, the market, apparently now stable, seems to be recovering its cruising speed. Young couples with budgets of 170,000-250,000 € opt for an apartment in the modern part of Carros or a village house within its historic counterpart. If they can afford 320,000-400,000 €, buyers set their sights on semi-detached houses with gardens of 300 m2, near the schools, shops and main road. For 450,000-650,000 €, they would prefer a villa at Le Plan-de-Carros. This area with housing estates also offers flat building land, proposed at 240-250 €/m2. Like the finished product, a building plot with mains connections installed is less expensive in Le Broc or Bouillon. On the first of these two communes, a plot of 1,500 m2 thus costs 205,000 €.

“Saint-Laurent spreads out at the mouth of the Var and along the Mediterranean. If the road to La Baron-ne is an integral part of the project, Le Puget, Les Rascas and Saint-Joseph have to content themselves with observing the river,” explain Delphine Jugault and Hans Nieuweboer of HD Immobilier. La Baronne plays host to both companies and homes. While offering quality, the latter tend to suffer from a bad reputation. Les Pugets and Les Rascas still offer an excellent ratio between price and surface areas. Apartments with 4 or 5 main rooms in refurbished and well maintained residences in fact range from 220,000 to 280,000 €. Finally, Saint-Joseph, where the municipality has made considerable efforts, offers affordable accommodation. Local residents and estate-agents are eagerly awaiting the development of the plain. At the heart of the Alpes-Maritimes, the address has real potential. The experience, which should serve as a basis for other French regions, could provide a solution to housing problems faced by local residents.