who wants to buy these homes for over a million?

Isabelle fell for this mansion in downtown Marmand in the middle of Covid with its spiral staircase going back years. At the time, interest rates were low and the property was a bargain for the merchant. To the point of investing in important works. “What I like above all is renovation, like in decoration shows. The goal was to praise her. Since then, we have welcomed the actors from the film “Fêlés”, partners of the Garorock festival,” says the owner. But she never thought of living there.

Four years later, like many buyers of this type of luxury goods, she wanted to “move on to something else”. “La Charmeuse”, with an area of ​​300 m², has been on sale for six months at a price of 1 million on the website of a real estate agency. But La Bazeillaise does not intend to hand it over to just anyone, even if she has no sentimental memories within these walls.

A lower median price here

“The only way to make money here in Lot-et-Garonne is to renovate the old property to create added value,” confirms Alexander James Green, real estate agent in Duras. Large residences, a few castles and above all gîte complexes: his agency has 17 “prestige” properties in its portfolio, that is to say with a sale price above 700,000 euros, while in regions Like the Côte d'Azur, the Atlantic coast or cities like Paris, the median price of these properties exceeds 1.4 million euros. Because the department is not necessarily a destination favored by the wealthy. But could the situation change a bit?

In Marmandais and the country of Duras, we can in any case see a “Trump effect”. Yes, already. “The Americans anticipated his election six months before the votes and, in fact, were looking to buy in France and why not here. Surprisingly, many buyers come from Florida,” adds Alexander James Green.

Large areas

What are they looking for? “Properties with a surface area greater than 200 m² and with room to build a swimming pool, if one is not already present. They arrive with good budgets and do not negotiate: a virtual tour may be enough for them. It’s a market that didn’t exist before. This will continue for the duration of his mandate, but after? », asks the Duraquois again.

Exchange rates are favorable for British and US customers.

One of his most expensive possessions? A castle near Casteljaloux on an estate of 35 hectares which includes 25 rooms including 10 bedrooms, and whose owners prefer to remain anonymous. Starting price: 1,990,000 euros.

Still according to the latter, the average age of these buyers is around 55 years old and the Duras sector attracts foreigners within a 15 km radius around the ducal city. “Generally, we sell them in three weeks, it's quick, especially since the exchange rates are favorable to the British and the United States. »

Everyone agrees that in terms of transactions, prices are stagnating. “The year 2024 was a little calm in Lot-et-Garonne and elsewhere. The political situation of 2024 in France has something to do with it, in my opinion. I think 2025 will see an increase in sales, especially for houses or castles that do not require renovations,” assures Jane Vernon, sales representative for Maxwell-Baynes/Christie's International Real Estate. In business for eighteen years, it has around 30 prestigious properties in its portfolio. For 1.16 million euros, you can treat yourself to a small turreted castle with more than 2 hectares of land and a heated swimming pool in Marmandais, or even a castle dating from the 12th century with its infinity pool, displayed near of 1.5 million euros.

For the latter, transactions can last between six and twelve months. “Many buyers, from the north or the Paris region, have acquired them as second homes or vacation homes and if they part with them, it is because they can no longer really move around,” adds the person concerned. .

Between 100 and 150 properties

Parisians, British and buyers from northern Europe are also the majority clients of Franck Chatelet, president of Amepi du Lot and Lot-et-Garonne, the largest group of franchised and independent agencies, (30) which brings together 140 employees. “It’s a market of tremendous opportunities,” recognizes the professional, “even if it only represents 3% of overall sales today. »

According to the latter, 100 to 150 properties of this type are available in the department and several criteria motivate the choice of buyers, whose average age fluctuates between 50 and 70 years.

The climate works in our favor and we do not suffer from water shortage.

“They are heading towards Lot-et-Garonne, because on the one hand, here, you can afford something remarkable with a much larger living space than in their region of origin. Then, the climate works in our favor and we do not suffer from water shortage. And then in the department, they benefit from “facilitated” integration”, rejoices the director of the Maison de l’immobilier, in Villeneuve-sur-Lot.

Beyond a sector, it is the calm and the absence of vis-à-vis, as well as the presence of a village nearby for “living in the French way”, which guides them in their purchase. The properties are also often equipped with accommodation, which allows them to carry out an activity and “meet people”. The most expensive home he sold? A 600 m² building, with 20 hectares of land, sold for 1.5 million euros. But the new owners, to live happily, prefer to hide…