Aix and its surrounding area, a stable market

Boosted by its economic and cultural appeal, the property market in Aix-en-Provence - both intramuros and on the outskirts - continues to see rising prices, especially for the top end of the range. Hardly surprising for this flagship town in Prov­ence, synonymous with an address of genuine charm and a sound long-term investment, even in its surrounding areas.

Based since 2012 in Châteauneuf le Rouge, the AT Home agency run by Florence Leze specializes in sales of old and new villas around Aix, on the communes of Chateauneuf, Peynier, Gardanne, Rousset, Trets, Peyrolles-en-Provence, Meyreuil, Mimet, Bouc-bel-Air, Rognes, Rousset…. “Today’s clientele, mainly comprised of families of employees transferred to the region and retirees, is confronted by a rather limited supply of available homes,” says Florence Leze, a qualified real-estate consultant. The stock of housing is beginning to age, with most of the properties up for sale built from 1975 to 1985. “Not very attractive, they only meet with moderate success, and if they are not offered at fair market price, they can stay on the files for many months, and even longer, before finding a taker.” She therefore emphasizes the importance of offering a property immediately at its correct price. “On the other hand, houses which have been renovated in modern style sell very quickly.” Most of the agency’s clients have budgets ranging from 450,000 to 650,000 €.

“Aix’s property market is still attractive thanks to its economic and multi-cultural liveliness, and also its geographic position,” says Marc Fabre of the FIP Fabre Immobilier Prestige agency, opened at the end of 2014 at the heart of the Pinchinats neighbourhood in Aix-en-Provence, proposing outstanding properties on the outskirts of Aix, particularly to the north in Les Pinchinats and on the communes of Le Tholonet, Puyricard, Célony, as well as in the hyper-centre. “Buyers are also reassured by the fact that prices remain steady, and are even showing a slight rise in the case of properties of quality. The local authorities maintain this trend through an ambitious urban planning policy, well-balanced and non-speculative. Our clientele is mainly comprised of executives and senior executives, senior citizens and newly-formed families in the high income bracket. Some schools with international sections (Collège Mignet, Lycée de Luynes, EBS...) make integration easier for English-speaking residents, and fuel the attractiveness of the town and its nearby area,” adds this specialist, whose core market consists of properties priced between 700,000 and 1.2 million euros. “The difficulty lies in estimating the value of properties entrusted to us by sellers, at their real market price, and carefully selecting potential buyers. We work with a modest number of mandates, mainly on an exclusive basis, in order to provide the best possible service.”

Recent sales and current negotiations bear witness to the fact that prices in the hyper-centre of Aix-en-Provence are high, ranging from 5,500 to 6,500 € per sq. metre. Houses of character with living space of over 200 m2 in grounds of under 2,500 m2, but requiring renovation, in the sought-after areas of Puyricard and Célony, are pegged from 3,500 to 4,000 € per sqm. In quality environments, houses offering refined appointments with no work required can be found from 4,500 to 5,500 € per sqm. As for the top end of the range and really outstanding properties, in the neighbourhoods of Les Pinchinats and on the commune of Le Tholonet, prices seem to be dictated solely by their rarity, location and appointments.