Value and sell your property

What a seller needs to know

The first thing: everything sells. Whatever the condition of the property, its location, whether it is vacant or let, in good or poor condition… everything sells. The price achieved will depend on the level of « pressure » from buyers for this type of property. Four fairly distinct areas can be identified: sea accessible on foot, sea accessible by bicycle (from 1 to 5 km), sea accessible within 10 minutes by car (up to 10 km), and beyond.

Not everyone has the same sensitivity, fortunately, but there are trends. For a house, for example, the vegetation in which it sits, the immediate surroundings and the charm of the location have a significant impact on how quickly and at what price it sells.

The second-home market can also fluctuate significantly from one month to the next, most often for no apparent reason: patience is an essential quality for a seller.

Finally, and this may be the most important point: the buyer does not distrust what they are told, but what they are not told. Providing all the information, positive of course but also negative, is not only a legal obligation, it is also essential for a successful sale.

Soudey knows the region perfectly and will be able to guide and advise you on putting your property on the market or finding your property. Our valuations are immediate and free: do not hesitate!

The online valuation will give you an indication of the price but must under no circumstances be taken as a genuine valuation.

Thatched cottage, asbestos, septic tanks…: the specific features of homes on the Alabaster Coast

Thatched cottage

The Alabaster Coast, but not only there, is rich in thatched cottages that have retained their original characteristic—the thatched roof—or have evolved towards a more conventional roof. Thatch, used for hundreds of years, is made from cereal stems or sometimes reeds. When laid, it is 30 to 40 cm thick, which decreases over time because of maintenance (it is scraped or combed to remove moss and fungi). A thatched roof can last up to 50 years if properly maintained.

Advantages: it is a natural material that provides excellent insulation against both cold and heat, and it has unique charm. Disadvantage: it requires more frequent maintenance and the roof's lifespan, although considerable, is shorter than that of a conventional roof. The risk of fire, which had led to thatch being banned under Napoleon, has been reduced by the disappearance of oil lamps and the systematic use of flames for lighting or heating: insurance companies do not charge an additional premium for a thatched roof.

Asbestos

Many thatched cottages have replaced their thatch with conventional roofing, and “fibre cement” roofs are common. This material contained asbestos until 1997, when it was banned, and asbestos roofs are still frequently encountered. The owner must regularly ensure that they are in good condition and, if they deteriorate, repairs must be carried out using asbestos-free material. The seller's only obligation is to inform the buyer of its presence (the mandatory technical surveys are intended for this purpose): the buyer is under no obligation to have it removed. In practice, most asbestos roofs are in good condition and require no special maintenance.

Septic tanks

The problem is different. Detecting a septic tank that does not comply with standards requires its owner to bring it up to current standards. However, the assessment of non-collective sanitation systems has been compulsory since 2011: the condition of the tank is therefore officially recorded at the time of sale if this has not been done previously. If it does not comply with standards (or if, as is often the case, there is only a « soakaway pit » being used as a septic tank), regulations require it to be brought up to standard within 1 to 4 years, depending on the local authority. This obligation applies to the buyer… as well as to the seller if they ultimately decide not to sell. Depending on the configuration, installing a septic tank costs between €7,000 and €10,000. Important note: almost systematically, septic tanks do not comply with standards, even if they work perfectly well.

Soudey knows the region's housing very well and can give you precise insight into the strengths or weaknesses of the property you are considering selling or buying.