Bordeaux : new-found stability

A soft landing for prices and the reappearance of bargaining : Bordeaux’s property market is back to normal. Sandra Roussel, manageress of Rousselle Immo Prestige, takes stock of this market she has worked with for more than 9 years.

After experiencing total frenzy for over two years, Bordeaux’s property market has settled down and has been posting lower prices over the past few months. Sandra Roussel, manageress of Rousselle Immo Prestige, explains : “From the end of 2016 to 2018, we were dealing with a market clearly on the rise, with prices for desirable properties in the most sought-after neighbourhoods which exceeded 7,000 € per sq.m in the case of outstanding examples”. The clientele was mainly comprised of the urban community of Bordeaux and that of France with, in particular, the very notable presence of Parisian buyers. Since late 2018, the market has stabilized. “Except for rare properties, all the ones I sold are being systematically renegotiated, initially with the seller, then with the buyer. Just recently, an apartment of 140 m2 with a terrace and 3 bedrooms, in the centre of Bordeaux, on offer at 5,000 € per sq.m, found a taker after a spell of bargaining, at 4,800 € per sq.m. Clients have become demanding and picky. For two reasons : in 2018, Bordeaux introduced regulations on seasonal rentals, such as Airbnb, leading some owners to place their properties back on the market. Which was suffering from very scarce offerings, and thus got its breath back. Furthermore, the political and economic context in France does not encourage escalating prices, so the property market began to calm down. Under such conditions, estate agents retrieve their rightful place, as our role is to negotiate prices, check that they are coherent, reassure the buyer, and re-establish trust at the core of each transaction.”

Rousselle Immo Prestige, 7 rue Buhan, Bordeaux (06 17 48 45 01).

A short walk to the Quais des Chartrons, this magnificent private mansion offers impressive volumes. On three floors reached by lift, its surface area of 750 m2 benefits from a courtyard with a glass roof, a vast living room, a large kitchen giving onto the terrace and patio, 3 bedrooms and a self-contained apartment. Top floor suitable for conversion. A garage of 108 m2 completes the property. 3.590.000 €.

Following preparatory studies at first and second level, then management experience in mass distribution and for a luxury firm, Sandra Roussel lived and worked abroad for 10 years, in Italy, China and Ukraine. Returning to France at the end of 2009, she started to work in real estate, launching her agency at the very heart of the historic centre of Bordeaux in 2012.

Ideally located in a neighbourhood near all amenities (tramway, shops), this loft-style house, fully renovated and basking in light, is laid out around a vast terrace with an elegant lap pool. Its living space of 267 m2 consists of a living-room/kitchen/dining-room, a study of over 30 m2, and two master suites. 1.339.000 €.