Headlong rush to “Le Pays d’Aix”

With 300 days of sunshine per year, a lush environment, proximity to an international airport and the TGV station, Le Pays d’Aix offers arguments that convince buyers in search of a town-and-country lifestyle.

“Since the onset of the pandemic, the market in the region around Aix has seen extensive and rapid changes,” says Valentin Huc-Debat, at the helm of the Agence d’Aix-en-Provence on Cours Mirabeau.

As well as its traditional clientele comprised of residents of Aix and young retirees from other regions, many Parisians have joined the growing number of buyers.

“Benefiting from comfortable Parisian salaries, many of them have sold their apartments in the capital. Backed by coherent budgets and sound borrowing capacities, they are looking for family homes ideally located near the TGV station, the airport, and international schools. Éguilles and Luynes are thus now very highly-prized. Furthermore, an excellent Internet network has become an important factor for the new profile of teleworkers.”

Valentin Huc-Debat - L’Agence d’Aix-en-Provence. (04 42 21 09 59)

Faced by this enthusiasm, the market reflects a deep gap between supply and demand, with prices of the most sought-after properties soaring by up to 20% in the past 12 months. “Houses top the list, then large apartments extended by terraces or gardens. Apartments with no outdoor areas are largely ignored.”

In this context requiring a very fast response on the part of buyers, the majority of sales are concluded off-market. By way of example, Valentin Huc-Debat mentions the rapid sale, at asking price, of a bourgeois house of 250 m2 with a garden of 800 m2 large enough to take a pool, just 5 minutes from the centre of Aix. Endowed with noble old features and generous volumes, this property of character, in need of some modernization, sold for 2.3 million euros.

“Today, we are working on a tight schedule, frequently handling on-line sales with video tours. Serious, highly motivated clients are out there, and we have managed to adapt. As witnessed by our agency posting growth of over 25% in 2021.” Sylvie Remazeille, Manageress of the John Taylor agency based in Aix-en-Provence since 1999, agrees :

“2021 has indeed proved to be very positive for the middle and top ends of the market. Since the start of the pandemic, houses have been widely sought-after, especially by Parisian clients and ex-pats preparing their return to France.”

Sylvie Remazeille - John Taylor (04 42 91 54 00)

Confronted by increasingly scarce offerings, the search area has naturally grown to cover communes such as Rognes and Lambesc north of Aix-en-Provence, as well as Bouc-Bel-Air. “They offer charming properties meeting today’s requirements. Puyricard and Luynes are very popular among families who appreciate their amenities, school transport, and proximity to renowned establishments such as the International School of Provence in Luynes.”

What about apartments ? “Large appartments offering generous outdoor areas still appeal to a clientele looking for a practical lifestyle.” For example, Sylvie Remazeille mentions the recent sale of an apartment of 196 m2 benefiting from a terrace of over 30 m2, facing in three directions. “In a recent high-end residence with a garage in Bouc-Bel-Air, it sold for over 1 million euros.”

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