What is the real impact of criteria such as parking, elevator or terrace on the sale price of a property?

Balcony and terrace: a now essential valuation criterion

According to data collected by Casavo in several major French cities, the presence of a balcony or terrace has a direct impact on the value of real estate. In Nantes, an apartment with an outdoor space sells for an average of 8,5% more than an equivalent property without one. In Lyon, this increase reaches approximately 7,2%, with an even higher premium for smaller apartments.

In the Île-de-France region, the gap is more nuanced but very real: +6,3% on average, with a particularly marked effect in well-served residential areas. In the PACA region, where sunshine naturally enhances the appeal of outdoor spaces, the added value climbs to +12,1%, and can exceed +15% for properties with a terrace or balcony of more than 10 m².

These figures confirm an underlying trend observed by the Casavo teams: outdoor comfort has become a key factor in value, particularly in urban areas where the search for light, private space and well-being is increasingly decisive.

For Arthur Rollin, CEO of Casavo France: "Today, a balcony or terrace is no longer seen as a bonus, but as a differentiating element. It's a real lever of value in most cities."

Parking: price differences and expectations vary by city

Casavo's analysis shows that the presence of a parking space can significantly vary the price per square meter, but also reflects the urban characteristics specific to each city and the expectations of its residents.

Thus, in major French cities, the presence of parking generally reflects housing that is further from the historic center or less sought-after because it lacks the same charm. Whether in Paris (-8.8%), Marseille (-5.6%), or Lyon (-18.2%), housing with parking spaces is less valuable per square meter.

In the suburbs, however, parking is a must! A home with parking in Argenteuil sells for an average of €3.231 per square meter, compared to €2.838 for an equivalent without parking, a difference of 13.9%. This observation is confirmed in Saint-Cloud (+18%), Issy-les-Moulineaux (+14.9%), and Boulogne-Billancourt (+9.9%).

While for two perfectly equivalent properties, the presence of a parking space will always add value, these more macro, and sometimes counterintuitive, results can be explained by several structural market factors. On the one hand, homes without garages or parking spaces are often located in older buildings, located in the heart of central and highly sought-after neighborhoods, which pushes their price per m² upwards despite the absence of these amenities. Conversely, properties with parking are generally associated with more recent developments, often more spacious, but also more remote, which tends to moderate their valuation per m². On the other hand, in dense and well-connected cities like Paris, the proximity of public transport considerably reduces car dependence. As a result, the perceived value of a parking space is lower, and demand is focused more on location, brightness, or architectural quality than on the possibility of parking.

For Arthur Rollin, CEO of Casavo France: "These figures show how expectations vary across markets. In high-demand areas where space is scarce, parking is a real driver of value. But in very dense urban centers, it may be less of a priority than other criteria such as location or brightness."

Elevator or not? A criterion that weighs...almost everywhere

Casavo's study reveals that the presence of an elevator does not have the same impact on the price per square meter depending on the city. In Paris, where real estate listings often highlight the presence of an elevator, this feature makes a significant difference in prices: properties with an elevator sell for an average of €9.619/m², compared to €8.883/m² without one—a difference of 8,3%. This difference even reaches 19.8% in Nice and 15.4% in Nantes.

But be careful not to generalize: in Lyon, for example, properties with an elevator are on average less expensive than those without. This surprising fact can be explained in particular by the absence of elevators in several historic and sought-after neighborhoods in Lyon's historic center.

Renovated properties: up to +9% on the price per m²

According to Casavo's analysis, a renovated property in France sells for an average of €5.969/m², compared to €5.475/m² for an unrenovated property. This represents an average increase of +9% in the price per square meter.

This trend is particularly evident in high-demand areas such as Paris, where the differential reached €1.073/m² (+12,5%) and in the rest of the Île-de-France region, with an increase of 13%.

For Arthur Rollin: "The level of renovation has become a key criterion for buyers. In a more attentive market, a renovated property sells better, faster, and for more money—especially if it meets current comfort standards."

Be careful, however, that valuing renovation work is more complicated in markets where real estate is less expensive. Indeed, major renovations, which can currently cost €2.000 per m2, will be more difficult to fully reflect in cities where the cost per m2 is lower. In Nantes, for example, the average valuation is only 5.8%.

Ground floor: a unanimously unfavorable criterion

The Casavo study ultimately unanimously confirms one criterion: ground floors are valued less than properties on upper floors, and this is true in all French cities. From Paris (-4% valuation per square meter) to Villeurbanne (-10%), no city seems to be an exception to the rule. A negotiating element to keep in mind for future buyers!

For Arthur Rollin: "This study confirms what many sellers suspect without being able to measure it: certain criteria have a real, quantifiable impact on the sale price and the time required to complete a transaction. This data allows individuals to better position their property on the market and adjust their expectations."

(1) Methodology: Study conducted by Casavo in March 2025 based on more than 7 advertisements analyzed in the main French cities. The data comes from a cross-referencing of the characteristics of the property and the average prices observed per square meter.

Illustrative image of the article via Depositphotos.com.