Interview with Laurent Demeure at Le Figaro, the president and CEO of Coldwell Banker

At the start of 2021, what is your assessment of the high-end real estate market with the coronavirus crisis?

After the first lockdown, we saw many city dwellers leaving big cities to settle in homes with large exteriors. Many executives and senior executives have integrated a significant portion of their working time remotely. They therefore no longer need to live near their workplace. We have therefore seen strong demand, particularly in La Rochelle, Antibes, Biarritz and Perpignan. 

 So the real estate market is still doing well?

Demand has been strong since May and has not abated. Some predicted sharp price drops and this did not happen. As we have seen, property prices rose 6% nationwide, with some cities at + 16%.

Are prices going to drop in 2021?

I do not believe that. Demand continues and will continue to be strong. Some companies have taken the time to reorganize and implement a telework pace, buyers are still looking, investors want to put their money in real estate which is a safe haven. We have many requests for buyers and ultimately few goods for sale. The rates are still very low.

So now is the right time to sell? Exactly, with rates low and demand high, now is a good time to sell. Our mission at Coldwell Banker® is to support and advise our clients in the sale of their property. We implement the right marketing strategy for commercialization in order to find them the right buyer. We work for sellers, defending their interests. Today we have a lot of requests from French and also international buyers.

Coldwell Banker® is a rapidly developing network?

We opened 12 new offices in 2020. We are now expanding to Luxembourg, Switzerland and Belgium. We are maintaining our ambition to become the leading French player in luxury real estate by 2023, and a leading European player.