The real estate landscape has undergone notable transformations in recent years, shaped by structural developments and changes in buyer preferences.
These adjustments gave rise to a redistribution of the cards, highlighting two particularly resilient segments: the high-end market and properties located in resorts.
From this perspective, Léana Covarel, founder and director of BEVEL Immobilier, an agency present in Savoie and the Gulf of Saint-Tropez, positions herself as a privileged observer of these trends.
Specializing in classic and high-end transactions, Léana offers us her take on the real estate market in these two seemingly divergent regions, but which in reality reveal many similarities.
Why did you choose to specialize exclusively in real estate transactions, that is to say sales, rather than including rentals in your services, as most real estate agencies do?
Léana Covarel: We made the decision to devote ourselves to real estate transactions because we realized that there was a real market to develop and that clients had high expectations regarding the transaction.
The end of the Covid period has brought about significant changes in the real estate market, giving rise to increased expectations from clients for support that can keep up with these developments.
This requires time, which motivated our decision to optimize our time and devote it entirely to our clients, whether they are sellers, investors or buyers.
It was a priority for us.
It is also enough to understand the scale of the transaction market in France, characterized by a great diversity of goods, each with its own particularities.
And where each client has their own project, with unique requirements.
This creates a clear need for research and work, even if only at the transaction level.
Thus, Bevel positions itself as a real estate agency specializing in high-end and classic transactions.
When our clients come through our doors, they know that they will benefit from all of our know-how and experience for their project.
Since you mention support, how do you ensure that of each buyer, whether an investor or a purchaser?
Do you systematically adapt your approach depending on the transaction to be carried out?
Léana Covarel: Adaptability is a fundamental aspect of our profession.
This flexibility is of great importance, particularly because customers are not always on site and are not necessarily familiar with the local market.
To respond to this, we are implementing innovative technological tools, such as virtual tours and drone video.
The virtual tour allows the seller to see the unique enhancement of their property, while the drone video offers potential buyers the possibility of projecting themselves into the property, even from a distance, in addition to the photos.
Prospects typically spend between three and five seconds on an ad, so our role in creating an effective call to action is crucial.
There is also the human character, specific to our profession, which we must be able to master.
We may indeed have to sell a house that has been in a family for decades, and that the children or grandchildren decide to sell.
In such cases, emotional support is necessary.
Attentive listening is a value that we consider essential, and we are committed to offering personalized and unique support, advising the client from the first contact until the signing of the authentic deed at the notary.
You can also consult our reviews which reflect this approach.
Your expertise focuses on real estate transactions in Savoie and the Gulf of Saint-Tropez, two regions with fundamentally disparate, even opposing, criteria.
What was the motivation behind choosing these two regions, and what particularities do you notice in the local real estate market?
Léana Covarel: Despite divergent appearances, real estate in these two regions shares two very strong points in common, namely the presence of second homes and properties intended for seasonal rental.
This similarity is striking, and we note that many clients from the South wish to acquire a property in a resort, in Savoie, and that our Savoyard clients aspire to own a residence by the sea, in the Gulf of Saint-Tropez.
There is real connectivity between these two markets.
As for the choice to specialize in high-end and work in these two sectors, it goes back to my youth.
At the age of twelve, during a visit to Saint-Tropez, I stopped in front of a real estate agency and knew, at that precise moment, that this was what I wanted to do, without any hesitation.
This idea has never left me since.
Thus, the choice of Saint-Tropez, Savoie, and of course, the development project in other regions stem from this founding experience.
Regarding the second part of your question, it is undeniable that the real estate market in these two regions is experiencing constant changes, as I mentioned previously, and this is a reality that we continually face.
That is to say, how has the real estate market evolved in recent years?
what did you observe?
Léana Covarel: After the Covid period, we observed significant changes, with a new development in 2022 and 2023. More precisely, with the increase in interest rates, we observed on the one hand a decrease in the capacity to loan for purchasing customers.
At the same time, the prices of materials have increased, impacting the costs of construction and rehabilitation of real estate, leading many clients to postpone their projects.
Currently, the market is showing signs of stagnation, with a particularly notable slowdown in towns and villages outside ski resorts and coastal areas.
On the other hand, high-end properties by the sea, such as resort chalets or villas with swimming pools in the Gulf of Saint-Tropez, maintain a positive dynamic.
This resilience is partly explained by our collaboration with foreign clients, who continue to show a marked interest in these exceptional properties.
What type of property are buyers moving towards today in the classic and high-end market?
Léana Covarel: In the traditional market, we are currently seeing a pronounced orientation towards the acquisition of houses.
Demand for properties with outdoor spaces has increased since the Covid period, with customers looking for the opportunity to enjoy fresh air.
For example, we supported families from Lyon who were looking to leave the city to settle in the provinces, favoring the purchase of houses with exteriors, in particular to offer a suitable environment for children.
This category represents the majority of our clientele in the traditional transactions sector.
As for the high-end market, buyers are turning more towards second homes or properties intended for seasonal rental.
Popular properties in this category include villas and larger chalets located in ski resorts.
Ski resorts have particularly gained popularity since the Covid period.
What do you think is the mentality to have in real estate?
Léana Covarel: In my opinion, the mentality to adopt in real estate transcends the sector itself;
rather, it is a philosophy of life.
Mindset represents 80% of success.
You have to set specific goals, establish deadlines, develop a long-term vision, and above all, take action, because no one else will make your dreams come true for you.
I believe in resilience, perseverance, and a mix of hard and smart work.
Many people have aspirations and goals, but few take action.
The first step is to dare, then you have to be willing to make mistakes and start again.
It is a natural process, similar to our first steps as children, trying to learn to walk.
We took that first step, which was rarely successful, but we eventually got there.
So, go for it, make your dreams and goals come true.
And what about the objectives of BEVEL Immobilier?
Léana Covarel: Our medium-term objectives include recruiting in Savoie, in order to devote more time to our expansion in the south.
In the long term, we aspire for BEVEL to be synonymous with transactions in the minds of customers, throughout France, and even abroad.
We give ourselves the means to achieve these ambitions.