Attractive area

The real estate market in the Villefranche sector continues to grow, despite its slowdown. However, prices remain affordable, especially compared to the Fidjeak pool. Gabriel Tarrou, a negotiator at the Immo de France Tranier real estateagency in Villefranche, notes that real estate is becoming a valuable asset during periods of economic growth, as its value reflects the attractiveness of the region or country, as well as the wealth of its residents.

In France, real estate prices have been rising almost continuously for twenty years. Does this mean that all French people have significantly enriched themselves during this period? Unfortunately, no. There has been a transfer of wealth from modest properties to more prosperous ones. They were able to use the money provided by the European Central Bank, thanks to lower interest rates. When the ECB lowers interest rates, the wealthy can borrow more. With this easy and cheap money, they are buying up real estate en masse, which leads to rising prices. As soon as interest rates start to rise, as is happening now, they sell their properties for a nice profit, which ultimately causes a sharp drop in prices. This explains the crash of the real estate market in major cities like Paris (-5% over the year) or Lyon (-5.3%). It also explains the improvement in the situation in smaller towns like Villefranche, where many new homeowners from big cities are moving in and buying properties with cash. It is clear that after selling their properties in time, they move to quieter places where they can acquire an equivalent or even better property while keeping free funds. Unfortunately, this phenomenon has a limited duration. When it ends, it will no longer be able to hide the grim reality.

With high interest rates, banks are issuing fewer loans, at higher rates and for shorter terms. As a result, they are no longer providing mortgage loans. This effectively forces several families, who are quite capable of repaying a loan, to become renters for an indefinite period.

The real estate market in Villefranche

The real estate market in Villefranche has the peculiarity of offering several properties in the bastide. Although it is recognized as a precious architectural treasure, it has not been in high demand in recent years. There are many reasons for this. Many buildings do not meet the requirements of potential buyers: inaccessibility, lack of light, lack of space, and in some cases, an unacceptable outdated setting. This, of course, affects the prices. A two-room house with an area of 50 sq.m costs 22,000 euros. Another example is a 7-room house with an area of 130 sq.m, with a garage, which is currently for sale for 59,000 euros. This amount should be supplemented by expenses for the kitchen and plumbing, which are somewhat outdated. Some properties renovated in the early 2000s offer wonderful conditions. For example, a 10-room house with an area of 227 sq.m featuring antique parquet flooring, visible beams, a fireplace with an insert, and updated kitchen and plumbing is offered for about 90,000 euros.

Low prices and recent measures taken by the municipality (see the interview) are restoring the appeal of the bastide and giving a new boost to the city center.

The real estate market in Western Avaron

After a quarter of a century of almost continuous growth, property prices in France are falling. Currently, this phenomenon is felt quite weakly in the department. Although price growth is no longer as dynamic as in 2022, it is still quite noticeable, especially in Western Aveyron. According to Yanport, a company specializing in real estate analysis, the Villefranche-de-Rouergue sector shows a price increase of 12% in the second and third quarters of the year. The price per square meter there is estimated at around 1850 euros. This price is the average for the entire territory of Western Aveyron.

Of course, there are significant variations depending on the municipalities. Villefranche, with a price of 1913 euros per square meter, does not have the highest price. That honor belongs to three villages located to the west of the bastide: Martigues with a price of 2317 euros/m2, La Roquette with a price of 2242 euros/m2, and Savignac with a price of 2163 euros/m2. This difference is explained by the proximity to the industrial zone of Gleb, where several major employers in the area are concentrated. Among other municipalities with high real estate prices, Malaville (2086), Sainte-Croix (2048), and La Capelle-Balaghi (2000) can also be noted.

On the contrary, the lowest prices can be found in the south of Segala, where isolation matters, such as in Lescure-Jaoul (1174) or La Salvetat-Peyralès (1249). However, these prices still exceed those found in the Basin, where Decazeville (966), Aubin (990), and Viviez (992) remain below the symbolic mark of 1000 euros/m2.

The real estate market in Lote

If we consider a broader area with an active pool, covering Figeac to the north, Laguépie to the south, Rignac to the east, and Saint-Antonin-Noble-Val to the west, it can be noted that the highest prices are in Lot. Although the price per square meter in Figeac is "only" 1964 euros, it is rising in neighboring communes, especially in Fayssac, where it reaches 2521 euros. In Capdenac, it is interesting to note the price difference depending on the bank. The upper, Lotois part of the town is significantly more expensive than the area around the train station, which is located in Aveyron (2300 versus 1964). The development of the Mechanical Valley undoubtedly plays an important role in assessing these figures. But the trend is also observed in Cajarc (2300) and Limogne (2003). As for Lalbenque (2516), the direct access to the A20 turns this village, known for its truffle oaks, into a suburb of Cahors, allowing for quick access to Montauban and even Toulouse. This, of course, affects the prices.

Communes located on highways that provide quick access to a major city are highly attractive, and this affects prices. This is especially true for the northeast of Tarn-et-Garonne, where Saint-Antonin-Noble-Val and Septfonds have prices of 1857 and 2008 euros/m2, respectively. High prices are also observed in Parisot (2049) and Puylagarde (1971). However, in these communes, the figures can also be explained by transactions with citizens from the UK or the Netherlands who wish to purchase a second home in Occitania.

The real estate market in Averno

At the departmental level, Aveyron is more affordable than its neighbors. The average price in Rouergue is €2006/m², in Lot it’s €2235, in Tarn-et-Garonne it’s €2197, and in Tarn it’s €2166. Of course, for these two departments, the presence of large agglomerations like Montauban and Albi, which can practically be considered part of the greater Toulouse urban area, significantly alters the local real estate market.