A couple is looking for an old T2 in a medium-sized city, visits three properties rated F on the DPE, hesitates, and postpones their project. A few months later, the reform of the DPE for small spaces changes the game: one of these apartments moves up to class D. This type of turnaround illustrates well why following real estate trends in 2024 is not just a simple monitoring exercise, but directly conditions the success of a buying or selling project.
Reform of the DPE for small homes: what changes concretely for a purchase
Since July 1, 2024, the calculation rules for the DPE for homes under 40 m² have been modified. The old calculation method overly penalized studios and small T2s, which ended up rated F or G even though their actual consumption was not so far from better-rated homes.
See also : How to Succeed in Real Estate Investment: Tips and Tricks for Beginners
The correction allows certain properties to move up one or two energy classes without any work. For a buyer, this changes two concrete parameters: the negotiation price (a previously classified thermal sieve depreciates less after reclassification) and the possibility of renting without falling under the progressive ban on thermal sieves.
We still see many sellers who have not had their DPE recalculated and display an outdated class. If you are targeting an old studio or T1, always ask if the diagnosis was done after July 2024. An earlier DPE may hide a good deal, or conversely, a recalculated property may justify a price that the old label did not support.
Read also : Finding the Ideal Property in France: Tips and Market Trends for 2024
To cross-reference listings and compare updated diagnostics, you can visit maisoncrea.fr for real estate to filter properties according to their actual energy class.
Correction of real estate prices: where do we really stand after 2023
After the continuous rise in the post-Covid years, the market experienced a marked correction in 2023-2024. Feedback varies on this point depending on the areas, but the underlying trend is the same: sellers who refused to adjust their prices saw their property stagnate for several months without offers.
What we observe on the ground is that negotiation has become the norm again. In medium-sized cities and on the outskirts of major metropolitan areas, the margins for discussion between the listed price and the signed price have widened. Buyers now have a leverage they haven’t had for several years.
Real estate estimation: the mistake that blocks a sale
The most common mistake remains the initial overestimation. A property listed too high does not generate visits during the first weeks, which are the most strategic. Then, even after a price drop, the listing loses visibility on portals. The result: you end up selling for less than if the price had been right from the start.
To establish a realistic estimate, we cross-reference three sources:
- The price per square meter of recent sales in the neighborhood (DVF database from notaries, accessible for free)
- The positioning of comparable properties currently online, taking into account their publication duration
- The opinion of a local real estate agent who knows the actual transaction timelines in the area
Real estate financing strategy in 2024: preparing your file differently
Interest rates have risen significantly compared to the 2020-2022 period. For the same salary, borrowing capacity has decreased. This is not a surprise, but the practical consequence is often underestimated: the real purchase budget has decreased significantly for the majority of households.
On the ground, the files that get approved in 2024 have one thing in common: they are prepared in advance, often several months before the first visit. Personal contribution, job stability, and bank management over the last three months weigh heavily in the bank’s decision.
What banks prioritize
- The debt-to-income ratio after the project (credit charges compared to net income), capped by the HCSF
- The remaining disposable income once all charges are deducted, which must remain sufficient according to the household composition
- The absence of bank overdrafts on statements from the last three to six months
- The coherence between the project (primary residence, rental investment) and the financial profile
A broker can help structure the file, but preparation starts well before the bank appointment. Paying off a small consumer loan, saving regularly even small amounts, stabilizing accounts: these simple actions change the analyst’s perception of the file.
Real estate sale: adapting your strategy to the current market
Selling in 2024 requires accepting that the balance of power has shifted to the buyer’s side. Marketing the property becomes a real issue. Professional photos, a structured listing with technical highlights (DPE, condominium charges, recent work) and a coherent price right from the listing make a difference.
We also see that the properties that sell the fastest are those whose seller has anticipated objections. A pre-diagnosis, an up-to-date maintenance log, quotes for already priced work on identified weaknesses: everything that reduces buyer uncertainty accelerates the sale.
Seasonality and timing of listing
Spring remains the most active period in terms of search and visit volume. Listing a property at the end of February or early March allows capturing the first wave of motivated buyers. Conversely, listing in August or December mechanically extends the timelines, except in very tight markets.
The success of a real estate project in 2024 relies less on a unique recipe than on the ability to adapt to the new rules of the game: recalculated DPEs, correcting prices, more demanding financing. Each step requires specific preparation, and both buyers and sellers who take the time to structure their approach in advance come out ahead.