Lourdes, the second city in which to invest, two hours from Toulouse
Lourdes was ranked second in the list produced by Prello, which calculates the gross return on seasonal rentals in towns two hours from Toulouse.
12.46% gross return: this is the result of the calculation of the company Prello, which has drawn up a regional list of cities where to invest in seasonal rentals, located two hours from Toulouse. Lourdes therefore ranks second, after Narbonne and before Port-la-Nouvelle. This company proposes to create SCIs bringing together several co-owners who wish to invest in this area.
A result obtained using two indicators, the income revealed to the Airbnb rental platform, by municipality, linked to the price per m² of the city. Cities with more than 3,000 inhabitants and with a secondary residence rate of more than 10% have not been taken into account.
An interesting price per m²
On the side of real estate professionals, like Rémi Monfreda, director of the heavy agency of Human Immobilier, we are “not really surprised”. “The price per m², relatively interesting and the rental potential, with sanctuaries, ski resorts, hiking in Argelès, spas…” mean that the city benefits from a certain attractiveness. Especially since “the closer we get to Luz or Barèges, the more the price per m² increases and makes the yield less attractive”, he notes.
Hence “increasing demand for Airbnb investment projects,” he explains. Karine Parson, real estate expert and head of the Arthur Immo agency, also feels this enthusiasm. Negotiator Yoann Fournier, who works with her, notes an increase of 10 to 15% in demand this year: “The demand is still there. Many investors are looking for properties.”
But the crisis is over…
However, Karine Parson notes that, in connection with the Covid period and the crisis of the Marian city, some may have been “a little disappointed with their investment, because they thought they had a much higher occupancy rate”, despite, According to his figures, a net return of 10%.
Some customers have even ended up reselling their property, or renting it out for the year. Today, she believes that you need a property that stands out to be sure of obtaining a good occupancy rate.
New investors from big cities
For Luc Roque, who has just opened an Era Immobilier agency in Argelès, Lourdes is indeed “a market not to be ignored”: “Prices are low and demand is still just as strong for rentals, with rents not falling “, he says. Especially since the high property tax can scare the locals…
So much so that it is often investors from Toulouse, Bordeaux, Paris, or even from abroad who take advantage of this seasonal rental market. The people of Lourdes benefit from it in a roundabout way, through the way of the tourists who arrive.
“Real estate gains in value, while money loses with inflation”
But the year-round rental market remains tight. Several agents report difficulties and few properties to offer for rent. There remains “the exclusive bourgeoisie clause” which somewhat protects the market, notes Rémi Monfreda. Condominiums that prohibit seasonal rentals.
Éric Allouche, executive director of Era Immobilier, slips: “It is during this period of inflation that you have to invest in real estate. Real estate continues to gain in value when money loses it. are still well below inflation. Real estate is painless savings!”