Despite ongoing political uncertainty and a volatile international context, France’s real estate market is staging a remarkable recovery at the end of 2025. According to new data from the GH Transaction Observatory (Guy Hoquet and YouGov), the market will record 940,000 property sales—an impressive 11% jump from 2024. Stabilized mortgage rates, increased personal savings, and shifting buyer preferences are fueling a dynamic, evolving marketplace.
Transactions Bounce Back Amid Stability
After a sluggish 2024, transaction numbers are up. FNAIM projects 940,000 sales in 2025 compared to 845,000 last year. Two key factors underlie this revival: mortgage rates stabilized at 3% since March—a far cry from the volatility of previous years—and buyer confidence is returning.
Interest is clearly rebounding: A Guy Hoquet-YouGov survey of 1,000 prospective buyers found that 67% are now actively seeking a property purchase, up from 63% at the start of the year. Even against a tense political backdrop, the combination of stable financing and slightly lower property prices is reinvigorating demand across the country.
Improved Purchasing Power for Homebuyers
French buyers can now afford more space for their money. The average household can purchase 84 square meters—an increase of 6 sqm over last year. The national average price per sqm is down 1.1%, from €3,319 in 2024 to €3,283 in September 2025, while the average budget has steadied at €347,000.
Houses are holding steady in value (+0.3% to €2,809/sqm), but apartments are more affordable (-2.1% to €4,755/sqm). This improved surface-to-price ratio is making ownership more accessible, encouraging more families to take the leap into home buying.
Barriers Remain—But Buyer Strategies Evolve
Despite the resurgence, certain obstacles persist. 28% of prospective buyers still feel prices are too high, 25% have trouble finding the right property, and 16% encounter financing difficulties. Still, the picture is getting brighter for many; buyers are now more pragmatic, focused, and realistic about their priorities—a trend confirmed by Stéphane Fritz, president of Guy Hoquet l’Immobilier.
Shift in Financing: Savings Play a Bigger Role
While mortgages remain the main route to homeownership (62% use a bank loan, down from 69%), personal savings are increasingly a linchpin. In 2025, 44% of buyers are relying on their own funds—a 10-point increase over last year. Buyers are responding to stricter lending criteria and seeking to weather financial uncertainty by bulking up their down payments.
At the same time, the appetite for professional advice is strong: 61% of buyers now seek help optimizing their financing—up 6 points from 2024—while 55% enlist expert guidance to secure the best loan.
Professional Support: More Essential than Ever
Professional real estate agents have become crucial partners for both buyers and sellers. In September 2025, 77% of sellers sought a professional property value estimate (up 8 points), and a growing share relied on agents for managing visits, creating listings, and handling negotiations.
Customer trust in agents is high—especially for handling legal and regulatory matters, with a remarkable 79% approval rating. Agents are now viewed not just as intermediaries but as comprehensive advisors, handling everything from valuations to renovation estimates.
Big-City Slowdown, Medium-City Surge
France’s real estate story in 2025 is one of regional contrasts. While traditional hot spots like Île-de-France and Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur have seen prices stabilize or fall slightly, affordable regions are experiencing robust growth. Bourgogne-Franche-Comté (+1.7%), Hauts-de-France (+1.4%), and Normandy (+0.7%) have shown the most dynamic price increases, while high-priced regions are flattening out.
Among big cities, Paris remains expensive (€12,485/sqm, +1.9%), while cities like Lyon (-2.4%), Strasbourg (-3.6%), and Nantes (-1.4%) are seeing corrections. Meanwhile, medium-sized cities are outperforming: Dunkirk (+7.6%), Colmar (+5.2%), and Villeneuve-d’Ascq (+5%) lead the way, benefiting from renewed attention due to their affordability, jobs, and quality of life.
The Bottom Line: A Market Rebalanced
In 2025, France’s real estate landscape is redefining itself. The market is more accessible for many, medium-sized cities are thriving, and both buyers and sellers are seeking expert support. With stabilized interest rates, cautious optimism, and new buying strategies, France’s property market is set for a dynamic year, marked by ingenuity, adaptability, and fresh opportunities.
