Investing in Roquebrune-sur-Argens

Comprised of three zones - the village, the residential area of La Bouverie and Les Issambres -, Roquebrune-sur-Argens offers lots of charming features. Covering an area of 26,182 acres, it is the largest commune in the eastern part of the Var.

A paradise for fans of water sports, Roquebrune-sur-Argens is a delightful town in the eastern part of the Var. It got its name from the Provençal term “Roco Bruno”, meaning “red-coloured”, a reference to the Massif des Maures. The 12,500 year-round residents enjoy a pleasant lifestyle with shops, public transport and infrastructures designed for both family life and that of retirees. Apart from a few properties that are over-valued, Roquebrune’s property market is buoyant. Prices are appealing, the homes of quality, whether apartments in the village, houses in La Bouverie, high-end villas on the seafront or homes offering spectacular views.

Nathalie Jahier, manageress of the family-run agency Ottonello based in Roquebrune for 50 years in the village and 22 years in La Bouverie, knows the local market by heart. She and her team have devoted themselves to it 100 % for three generations. “Despite a slowdown this autumn, we have had a good year. The market is undergoing some changes. There are fewer transactions, but they are of good quality,” says Nathalie Jahier, who appreciates the seriousness of the local clientele. “The town is ideal for first-time buyers. In the village, a young couple can acquire a small 1-bedroom apartment for 90,000 €. And with a budget of 250,000 to 300,000 €, a house of 100 m2 opening out to a garden.”

This opinion is shared by Lionel Benbatouche, manager of the agency 4 % Immobilier - Frais d’Agence Réduits, based in Roquebrune for 3 years and, as of this month, in Saint-Aygulf. “The market is favourable for buyers. Thanks to advantageous mortgage rates, sometimes even with zero interest, we see many people working in Fréjus, Saint-Raphaël, Draguignan, even Sophia-Antipolis, looking for a main home in Roquebrune.” Lionel Benbatouche has observed that the budget in the main target range is from 350,000 to 450,000 €. “Roquebrune is very well placed as compared to neighbouring communes. For this budget, in residential areas, you can well expect a house of quality of about 100 m2 with a garden and pool.” Roquebrune also has a micro-market comprised of high-end properties which can attain several million euros. Some contemporary villas offer breathtaking sea views. This segment starts at around 500,000-700,000 €.

Jean-François Metreau of the Agence Era Immobilier draws the seller’s attention to the importance of correctly estimating his property. “An over-valued house can stay for up to 2 years without finding a taker. In the suburban area of La Bouverie, a house will sell from 300,000 to 600,000 €, depending on its condition. In the village, an apartment costs from 1,700 to 2,200 € per sq. metre.” With a mostly French clientele, Jean-François Metreau assures us that when sellers agree to offer their properties at market price, estimated by a professional, they sell quickly because the buyers are there. He sees Roquebrune-sur-Argens as a fall-back market for Fréjus. As well as the actively employed, many pre-retirees from the centre and north of France are won over by the town’s charm and aim to settle there. Thanks to good control of prices, Roquebrune-sur-Argens proves to be a commune in the eastern part of the Var where one would now be wise to invest.