High-end real estate: a thriving market

Rising interest rates, increasing difficulty in obtaining financing… The situation in France may appear complicated. Many of you are therefore opting for rental, as buying seems out of reach. Yet in the long term, it is financially more advantageous to purchase your primary residence than to rent your home. How can one break free from this vicious circle? Perhaps by first understanding that there is not one single real estate market, but several—and that not all of them are struggling, particularly in the Île-de-France region. Let us explain.

“General" residential versus "high-end" residential

“This is more of a return to normal than a real crisis.”

With rising interest rates, and above all the tightening of lending conditions, becoming a homeowner in Paris and Île-de-France is increasingly difficult. Clearly, prices are beginning to stabilise or even drop slightly in certain areas. Sales timelines are lengthening. However, beware of doomsayers: one must compare today’s situation to the past ten years, not only to last year or the year before. It is important to recall that we experienced nearly a decade of exceptional conditions in real estate, with highly favourable access to financing and ownership. Today we are facing more of a return to normal than a genuine crisis.

The general residential market in Île-de-France is subject to the same constraints and opportunities as elsewhere in France, with one notable difference: this region is particularly impacted by the ban on renting properties with an energy performance rating below E. This opens up valuable opportunities for those capable of transforming these energy-inefficient dwellings into rental-worthy homes… And that happens to be Maison Kyka’s specialty.

High-end residential: a thriving market

“Timelines can be very short, and the best apartments, ideally located and without flaws, are sold within a single day.”

If there is one segment that functions differently and continues to perform well, it is the high-end residential market. Buyers, for the most part, do not require financing. The “Amélie Poulain effect,” and more recently the “Emily in Paris effect,” make the French capital highly attractive to foreigners dreaming of living in Paris. The high-end—and even luxury—real estate sector has never been stronger: flawless properties are rare, and record prices per square metre are regularly achieved. Timelines can be extremely short, with the best apartments, ideally located and without defects, selling in a single day.

There is therefore no better strategy than purchasing in the general residential market and upgrading the property into the high-end segment to maximise capital gains.

And for that, there is no secret—only expertise.

• Expertise in acquiring properties with high renovation potential, located in sought-after districts, within remarkable buildings; rethinking layouts where possible: co-ownership rules, exposure, or surrounding noise cannot be changed, but for everything else there are architectural and design solutions.
• Expertise in showcasing period features while combining them with modern comfort, adhering to the highest ecological standards—renovating a Haussmannian apartment, for instance, is an excellent strategy.
• Demanding flawless execution of renovation works.
• Investing in select, high-quality elements—bespoke joinery, custom-made furniture, or iconic pieces that elevate the space.

There are thus clearly two parallel markets in France today: the general residential segment and the high-end residential market, with radically different dynamics and opportunities to seize. By moving from one market to the other, Maison Kyka distinguishes itself and helps you invest wisely.

So—are you ready to buy your apartment?