Real estate credit: The in-between... The banks are looking for each other!

For the second consecutive month, banks are trying to increase their attractiveness but the movement is more moderate or more dispersed depending on the region. With significant fluctuations in the cost of money, some banks attempt marked reductions, others play patience by proceeding in small steps, finally the last ones proceed with increases after having been a little too rapid...

Results, out of 117 rates (minimum rate and average rate, over 5 durations and 13 regions), as many decreases as stability and still 20 rates increased. If we go into detail, the increases mainly concern short durations of 7 and 10 years. The lowest rates reserved for the wealthiest households are all decreasing regardless of the region: 16 basis points over 15 years, 7 basis points over 20 years and 8 basis points over 25 years. The only exception is the Occitanie region, which saw its rates fall by 19, 16 and 17 basis points respectively. This is the region which today offers the best conditions, at least on paper. For average rates over 15, 20 and 25 years, near consensus on 3.85%, 4% and 4.15% with the exception of Hauts-de-France and Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur (4.2% over 25 years) , and Nouvelle-Aquitaine (4.10% over 25 years)!

Analysis by Cécile Roquelaure, director of studies

“The situation is complex:

- Banks are very intentional, they especially do not want to let opportunities pass, even if it means having “too many” files at once and having to constantly adjust their rate strategy. Even though the cost of money has not stabilized, which does not make their lives easier: the variations are significant, OAT at 3% today.

- Competition exacerbated by the return of all players and a market which remains slow, expectations surrounding government announcements and yet no reopening of the HCSF criteria.

Positive signals which can give households renewed hope, but which must be reinforced by actions from public authorities. The announcements are going in the right direction, but in terms of financing, it will take better than the 2nd chance commission or the idea of a partial infine loan with mortgage guarantee. » specifies Cécile Roquelaure, director of studies.