À Béziers, en moyenne, les volumes de ventes restent plutôt stables et les prix augmentent dans l’ancien. Antonia Jimenez – ML
How is the real estate market in Béziers and the Biterrois region doing ? The point with Perval data from the Hérault chamber of notaries.
After strong real estate activity observed in 2022 in Hérault, which was mainly explained by this desire for “green” among many city dwellers during the Covid period, sales volumes fell slightly in 2023 (-13%), before decreasing significantly in 2024. The “suffering” amounts to -29% of real estate transactions (all properties combined) between July 1, 2023 and June 30, 2024 (Perval data from notaries). With a big drop in new apartments (-51%) and building plots (-40%) (read below).
Béziers stands out from its neighbors
Fortunately, Béziers stands out from its neighbors, especially regarding old buildings. Marin Laval, real estate agent (Daure agency), creator of the Centre immobilier biterrois (CIB) confirms this: “Béziers has the particularity of being attractive in old properties, apartments and houses. The volume of sales remains more or less stable. This can be explained by various factors: an attractive region, a central city in Occitanie, not far from the coast, served by three motorways and above all very attractive prices.”That is €1,480, the median price per m2 of old apartments, compared to €3,240/m2 in Sète, €3,530/m2 in Agde, €3,310/m2 in Montpellier. And, the record, €5,360/m2 in La Grande-Motte.
“Béziers is one of the most dynamic cities in the department in terms of sales volume and the least expensive”, specifies notary Maguelonne Escande-Cambon.
However, it is necessary to qualify: the prices of the properties depend on the district. For example, in the historic center of Béziers the price is €1,270/m2, it is the least expensive district. “We still have some margin, as the prices are so low, specifies Marin Laval. I even have properties, admittedly in need of renovation, offered for less than €1,000/m2.” The northern districts are the most expensive (€1,880/m2).
“In the pavilion, the most expensive districts remain the arenas, the Pech de la Galinière and the painters. For apartments, it is the Champ-de-Mars sector, with the Allées, the Place Jean-Jaurès and the Rue de la République which are very popular today.”
200% Deposit Bonus up to €3,000 180% First Deposit Bonus up to $20,000“We are narrowing our ambitions, due to the crisis”
Of course, since prices are low in the town of Riquet, its real estate market stands out from those of neighboring Hérault towns in terms of price increases per month2With an average increase of 4.7% (the highest increase in Hérault, which is mainly experiencing price drops, i.e. a general average for old apartments of -0.7%), old properties continue to hold their own in Béziers. Still with differences, depending on the neighborhoods: +5.7% in the historic center, +2.6% in the aviators, but -4.2% in the southwest and stable prices in the northern neighborhoods.
As for the prices of old houses in Béziers, even if the median sale price in the city of Riquet is lower than that of Hérault (€194,100 against €260,000), they are falling like those of neighboring municipalities (-3%, -9.1% in the high cantons, but +1.8% in the surrounding villages). With disparities: +19.5% in Maraussan, 16% in Pomérols but –18.4% in Servian or –15% in Saint-Geniès-de-Fontedit.
“Small surfaces are mainly sold, tempers Maguelonne Escande-Cambon, studios and two-room apartments. We are narrowing our ambitions, due to the crisis.”
In the Béziers hinterland
The same dynamic can be seen in the Béziers hinterland at the level of the old. Laurent Jeannin, president of the Vends du Sud group and co-director of Lamalou immobilier with Richard Moerland, explains: “Even if the market in the Grand Orb basin, and particularly that of Lamalou, is totally different from that of Béziers, sales and prices in our sector follow the same curves. In Lamalou, real estate revolves primarily around investors in non-professional furnished rentals (LMNP, i.e. buying for rental to spa guests). In the basin, the properties for sale are mainly intended for second homes for local French people and others, but also foreigners, with also main residences. After a big slowdown during the post-Covid period, it's started again. Transactions remain stable and prices are increasing. As in Béziers, they remain inexpensive since a 20 m2 sells for €40,000. However, they are sometimes more expensive than in Béziers, with, for example, a median price of €2,200/m2 at Lamalou.”
“The new build and building land market in the Béziers region remains attractive because it is more accessible and more profitable”
At the end of June 2024, the median price per m2 of new apartments in Hérault reached €4,680. In Béziers, it is €3,660/m2, with an increase of +8.9%. Compared to €4,200 in the surrounding villages and €3,590 in the upper cantons. Prices of building land in Hérault have increased by 6.8%.
As in the old market, Béziers also stands out in its new market which “are holding up much better than those of our neighbours, as indicated by the Béziers developer Roch Angelotti. The volumes are maintained in production of apartments and land compared to previous years, as well as the values. Prices remain stable. It must also be said that prices in Béziers were low compared to other markets such as Montpellier or Sétois. It has therefore reacted better and held up to a drop in the ability of buyers to finance. Simply because the properties are more accessible for buyers as a main residence. And, for investors, these prices lead to having still very attractive returns, in any case higher than borrowing rates after their increase. So, whether for buyers of a primary residence or for investors, the Béziers new-build market remains very attractive, because it is more accessible and more profitable."
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