The French and Real Estate: Market Stabilizes as People Await Supporting Measures

The study “The French and Real Estate,” conducted for Laforêt in June 2024 among a representative sample of 1,036 people aged 18 and older, highlights a possible stabilization of the real estate market in the short term. 

Despite economic and financial uncertainties and the onset of summer, intentions to purchase real estate remain stable, with 18% of French people planning to buy a property, including 6% who have already begun their search and 3% who have already made a purchase this year.
 

People from higher socioeconomic groups, particularly executives (45%), are the most likely to want to buy real estate this year. Young adults aged 25 to 34, parents, Parisians, and apartment owners are also more interested than average.
The French are paying slightly more attention this month to interest rate trends as they consider buying a home, with 55% of respondents stating that mortgage rates would factor into their decision on whether or not to make a purchase. This interest in current mortgage rates is particularly pronounced among those who wish to buy a home this year (80%).
 

There is widespread demand for supportive measures to facilitate homeownership. 64% of landlords plan to carry out renovations on at least one of their properties so they can continue to rent them out, but they acknowledge that they may not be able to manage this on their own. A relaxation of the current criteria for obtaining a loan would encourage 42% of those surveyed to embark on a real estate project.
In conclusion, this study reveals that the outlook for the real estate market at the end of the year is favorable, with a possible stabilization due to households’ continued intention to purchase. However, homeownership remains difficult for a significant portion of the French population, who are calling for measures or support programs to help them embark on a real estate project.