First-time buyers tell of their struggle to obtain a mortgage

Julien B.: "totally ridiculous"

Sports coach in Mantes-la-Jolie (Yvelines), Julien B., 28, started looking for a home to buy from the beginning of 2022. But his status as a self-employed entrepreneur has aroused apprehensions in the banks he approached.

"They explained to me that even if I earned a good living (between 3.000 and 5.000 euros per month) it was not enough because I did not have the guarantee of employment, whereas it has been eight years since my business is running," he says.

“With all the files that I presented, I could be granted up to 120.000 euros, even 140.000 euros. It is totally derisory, since it would not even cover half of a house purchase”.

Discouraged after two tries, he and his partner preferred to put their acquisition project "on stand-by to focus on a professional project".

Juliette T.: "a big stop"

Creator of virtual content for three years, Juliette T., 24, has always wanted to become an owner because being a tenant, "it's a bit to fuck up 600 euros per month".

If she thinks she has everything it takes to buy her first apartment – ​​including a handsome monthly income of 10.000 euros on average – her bank has been reluctant because of the nature of her job.

"I had found a real crush and despite everything, I took a big stop from my bank when I started to make appointments to find out if my project was feasible. The argument? We have a poor visibility on my future because of my job, not viable in the long term. I tried once and I gave up for the moment.

"I'm going to go back to looking for goods that I like," continues the young woman. "But I plan to go through a broker even if it costs me a little more money, so I don't have to face the judgment of being a micro-influencer. I'd rather that than experience humiliation."

Pauline C.: "buy cheaper"

Pauline C., 22, administrative manager in a car garage in Thoiry (Yvelines), has been looking for a house with a garden for five years.

Despite his good knowledge of real estate, his project has still not materialized. "I earn quite a good living (between 2.000 and 2.500 euros) but I can't find anything good because it's very expensive."

At best, she could only borrow 118.000 euros, her adviser told her. The rules on indebtedness indeed prohibit repaying monthly payments of an amount greater than 35% of one's income.

"I will have no choice but to buy cheaper," she concludes. "I will stay on a house, a garden with my criteria, but further or with more work, I don't know but I will manage as I can..."