St-Raphaël and Grimaud, two highly-prized addresses

Radia Amar - 07 March 2022

With its five yacht harbours and renowned golf-course, Saint-Raphaël has long been an ideal destination for fans of sport. Set between land and sea, the multi-facetted Grimaud offers the charm of Le Var with a Provençal accent.

The leading network for prestige properties in Le Var, now also active in the Bouches-du-Rhône, Canat & Warton disposes of three agencies in Saint-Raphaël - Littoral, Centre-ville, Les Golfs - managed by Jean-Philippe Bossy and Karim Cordelier.

“Currently, clients are looking for all types of properties ! In Saint-Raphaël, buyers have traditionally given priority to high-end homes, comprising the core of our market. However, lovely houses and fine apartments are not necessarily the most expensive. We can propose a studio for sale, on condition that it stands out for remarkable appointments such as a prime location or a fabulous view. We offer 1-bedroomed apartments ranging from 280,000 to 400,000 €. Though availabilities are extremely rare : in 2021, we recorded the equivalent of two years of demand in just one year of transactions.”

Karim Cordelier - Canat & Warton. (04 94 54 05 40)

This market now presents the characteristics of a “bubble”. With sellers becoming aware of being in a strong position, properties previously considered too expensive ended up finding takers. “Over the past year, some properties saw their prices rise by 10 to 20 % as they met buyers’ requirements. Henceforth, demand is so high that the concept of location takes second place if the property on offer corresponds to today’s search criteria. For the past six months, we have also seen the return of foreign clients, which can only bode well for sustained activity on the Var’s property market.”

A family-run agency created in 2006, Jager Immobilier is a flourishing structure with 12 members in its team. “Already buoyant, our market has met with unprecedented popularity since the pandemic,” explains Thomas Jager.

“Over the past two years, many clients from French cities and large towns have wanted to “go green”. Our area appeals to them from all points of view. Couples aged from 50 to 60, beginning to look forward to retirement, set their sights on pleasant villas as second homes with potential to become their permanent residence later on. Others, more in their forties, want to move to the South of France, opting to work from home. In all events, so-called “desirable” properties are in short supply, especially as some sellers, aware of the significance of owning a house in the South, are not really in a hurry to sell if they are not faced by any urgency.”

Thomas Jager - Jager Immobilier. (04 94 43 71 44)

Confronted by such strong demand, buyers are obliged to exercise patience. “Today, a property of quality on offer at market price sells in less than a month. Tension is such that the sales we handle are now concluded without any bargaining. We have a waiting-list of serious buyers with coherent criteria.”

What about prices ? “Even with rarer offerings, prices have remained rather stable, but firm. Only properties that are irreproachable from all points of view can envisage an offering price bosted by 10%.” Remaining cautious in the face of excessive euphoria, Thomas Jager is confident with regard to the equilibrium and undeniably high potential offered by his superb area.