Le Pays d’Aix, a sound investment
Radia Amar - 20 March 2017
Around Aix-en-Provence, an area consisting of communes steeped in history offers charming, up-market addresses. A countrified region endowed with treasures of architecture, these communes surrounded by nature enjoy magnificent panoramic views between mountain ranges and Mediterranean forest land.
Opened in Peyrolles in 2007 and taken over by Florence Meisson in 2013, CIMM Immobilier recently moved its office to the centre of Peyrolles. Specializing in the area north of Aix-en-Provence, the agency presents properties in Jouques, Meyrargues, Saint-Paul-lez-Durance, Venelles, Le Puy Sainte-Réparade, as far as the Luberon via the Var. “2016 proved to be productive in terms of transactions,” says Florence Meisson. “The market remained stable, and we saw strong demand for new-builds as well as detached 3-bedroomed houses with gardens of 500 to 1,000 m2, priced on average around 330,000 €. In the case of apartments, those with 2 bedrooms are the most widely sought-after, priced around 150,000 €.” Involving first-time buyers, the locally employed moving on to second acquisitions, and a few investors, transactions recently orchestrated by CIMM Immobilier bear witness to varied offerings at reasonable prices. For example, a 4-bedroomed house of 140 m2 in excellent condition, with a garden of 500 m2 in the centre of Peyrolles, just sold for 360,000 €.
Freshly installed in Aix-en-Provence, the Revolim agency (Révolution Immobilière) is an innovative concept based on direct marketing. “The property market is changing, the profession too. Which is why our independent agents build up a network of prescribers. Those bringing in business thus earn extra income, or even a fully fledged living,” explains Madeleine Pontat, backed by sound experience in property dealings. She proposes many high-end villas and properties priced from 1 to 1.5 million euros all over Le Pays d’Aix, together with a wide array of more classic homes in the 300,000- 600,000 € bracket. “Our clients are people working locally, as well as buyers from Paris and Lyon looking for high-quality properties often intended as year-round homes. Communes such as Eguilles, Puyricard, Le Tholonet, Saint-Marc-Jaumegarde and Rognes are sought-after addresses. Buyers with budgets starting from 900,000 € have a really good choice. Today’s prices are steady, and some properties represent genuine opportunities.” By way of example, Madeleine Pontat mentions a residence of 300 m2 set in almost 2.5 acres of grounds with several annexes and a heated 14-metre pool. Comprised of 10 main rooms including a reception of 80 m2, this prestigious home in Rognes is on offer at 1,149,000 €. According to our expert, it offers excellent value for money.