Rising price per square meter, notary fees, impossible loans… The real estate sector has been going through a difficult phase for several months, with apartments on the market struggling to find takers. The equation becomes almost impossible when adding new housing. Promoters and real estate agencies must then compete with ideas and good plans to succeed in selling. 20 Minutes takes a look at some improbable techniques for successfully selling apartments.
The bonus gift technique: “one apartment bought, one apartment to win”
When we build 400 homes, we can fit in a small studio on top of that. This is the calculation of the developer Interconstruction, who launched a competition in November. Buyers of a lot of 400 apartments in Ile-de-France will be able to participate “in a draw to win” a studio with parking in Drancy. Ideal if you want to get started in renting a property.
“For the same budget, either I offer 1,500 euros to 100 families, but that will not change their lives, nor the amount of monthly payments” of their loan to become an owner, “or I offer an apartment to a family”, explains the promoter. A second “nicer” option and which mainly plays on the psychological motivations of buyers. Or when buying an apartment takes on the appearance of gambling at the casino.
The Macronist technique: real estate leasing
Emmanuel Macron had praised the merits of “leasing”, a new practice, to encourage the French to equip themselves with electric cars. The concept is now arriving in real estate, with an equivalent formula: rent then buy. A formula which allows buyers who are refused a loan to still enter their new apartment, as demonstrated by a couple on TF1.
Clearly, the “accessing tenant” pays a standard rent, while making a contribution via a leasing company, and has three years to improve his file with the bank. The rents paid during these three years are not deducted from the sale price, and if the loan is still refused, the rental contract ends. A move to try when one in two loan requests is refused at the bank today.
The ready-to-wear technique: private sales like at home
What if focusing on loyalty was the right plan? At the beginning of September, the private sales platform Veepee, which generally offers offers on ready-to-wear, beauty products and even travel in its repertoire, joined forces with the start-up Handee. “More than 100 new properties” were thus offered with significant discounts, of up to 89,000 euros.
All offered with turnkey support to navigate between offers from different developers, calculate credit capacity or even reserve accommodation. A great opportunity for regulars of the platform, even if an apartment is less likely to be purchased on impulse than a pair of boots.
The raffle technique: a mansion for ten euros
Direction Belgium and an already existing accommodation, this time, but which can inspire the agencies which drag unsaleable accommodation. In April, real estate agent Valère Duchenne set up a competition to win the “Le Richmond” estate, former property of the former Belgian Prime Minister and founder of Europe Paul-Henri Spaak, as tell Capital.
Our file on the real estate crisis
In exchange for ten euros, a correct estimate and a few questions, participants had the opportunity to win this villa dating from 1710, offering in particular five guest rooms to generate a comfortable income. Enough to change your life for the price of a pizza, provided that the number of participants is high enough for the agency to cope, of course. In Belgium, the competition was finally canceled.
