“Unprecedented in forty years… In Nîmes, we need to review the PLU”, Karen Winkler's cry of alarm in the face of the uncertainties of new real estate in Nîmes

“Sur un programme de 40 logements rue Puech-du-Teil, 5 sont toujours vacants”, explique la directrice d’Habitec

Pour la directrice générale d’Habitec, entreprise familiale de promotion immobilière, la situation est anxiogène…

“On n’a jamais connu une situation aussi difficile depuis quarante ans”, says Karen Winkler, head of Habitec in Nîmes. “The new-build market is completely sclerotic, even if a recovery in the old market gives us hope for a revival”, analyses the one who, like her colleagues (read above), points the finger at political instability, the lack of a budget and the end of aid schemes.

200% Deposit Bonus up to €3,000 180% First Deposit Bonus up to $20,000

She herself had to stop two programmes, “building permits that were nevertheless obtained but which will not come to fruition”. These were projects for around fifteen housing units “which attract more buyers but whose exit price is too high”.

Karen Winkler, head of Habitec: “The situation is anxiety-provoking.”

Because prices are a deterrent for buyers: “We are on average at €4,200/m2 but we can't go any lower otherwise we lose money. A colleague recently told me that he is selling too expensive but has no choice.” Especially since local developers have been shaken up by the land boom. “Montpellier developers have increased prices by 30%, even 50% on a Chemin des Limites project that ultimately did not come to fruition.”

“A revision of the PLU “is essential”

The abandonment of the zero-rate loan (PTZ) also blocks sales.“In a small 40-unit residence that we have just completed on Rue du Puech-du-Teil, five units are still vacant, and three sales have failed due to a lack of PTZ or because the buyers are unable to sell their own property. It is anxiety-provoking for us.”

Karen Winkler also expects a lot from the upcoming revision of the PLU. “The regulations require us to build 70% of P3 and P4 apartments, but we are not selling them. While we have a real demand for P2 apartments. This constraint is contrary to the market, we really need to free up the space…” And she explains that today the PLU standards are not being applied. “We are even 50% below: we are building R + 2 instead of R + 4 and we have projects with a footprint of 40% instead of 85% allowed. But if we presented a project within the maximum standards, it would be refused”. But we will have to wait at least two or three to have a new PLU.

I subscribe to read the rest