A buyer signing a preliminary agreement in September 2026 is not negotiating under the same conditions as eighteen months ago. Credit rates are rising slightly after a lull, energy renovation assistance is collapsing, and new regulations on telemarketing change the game for agencies. Here are the concrete points to watch in the real estate market in France.
Real Estate Prospecting: The End of Cold Calling
Since August 11, 2026, decree n° 2026-662 of July 23, 2026, imposes an opt-in regime for telemarketing in real estate. In practical terms, an agency can no longer call an individual without their explicit prior consent. The Bloctel logic, where consumers had to register to refuse calls, is gone.
The consequences are direct. Any mandate obtained through an unsolicited call is legally null and void. Sanctions can reach up to 375,000 euros for a legal entity. Outsourcing to call centers does not change this: the mandating agency remains responsible.
For professionals, an entire segment of commercial prospecting is collapsing. Networks that regularly publish news from the Chasseur Immobilier site were already relaying the information as soon as the decree was published. Agencies must now rely on local SEO, social media, or qualified contact databases to feed their flow of mandates.
MaPrimeRénov’ in 2026: Drop in Major Renovation Applications
The Anah report for the first half of 2026 reveals a dramatic drop. Only 20,265 major renovation applications were submitted between January and June 2026, compared to around 95,000 in the same period in 2025. This is an approximately 80% decrease in assisted major renovations.
The aid granted has decreased from 1.9 billion euros to 1.4 billion, a drop of 26% in one year. This contraction directly impacts the value of energy-inefficient homes. A property rated F or G on the DPE becomes harder to sell if the buyer can no longer rely on such generous assistance as before.
What This Means for Real Estate Purchases
Owners of energy-inefficient homes have less and less room to negotiate on price. Buyers, on the other hand, must factor in the real cost of renovations into their budget without relying on assistance that is shrinking from one semester to the next.
We also observe a wait-and-see effect. Some owners prefer to postpone their work in hopes of a recalibration of the assistance scheme, which freezes part of the old housing stock in a poor energy state.
Transaction Volumes and Real Estate Prices in France: Recovery Remains Fragile
About 940,000 transactions are expected in 2026. This figure represents a rebound from the low point of 780,000 sales recorded in 2024, but it is still far from the record of 1.1 million transactions observed in 2021. The million sales mark is unlikely to be reached before 2027 or 2028.
In Paris, volumes are picking up with a 15% increase in the first quarter of 2026 compared to the first quarter of 2025. Buyers are returning, but selectively. Well-located properties that are properly rated on the DPE find buyers. Others stagnate.
New Builds in Trouble, Old Properties Under Conditions
In new builds, construction is struggling to recover after two years of crisis. The French Building Federation anticipates a slight rebound, but the volume of new housing remains insufficient to meet demand, especially in tight areas.
In the old market, the quality of the property makes a difference:
- A property with a DPE rating of A, B, or C sells within timelines close to those before the crisis, sometimes with a slight margin for negotiation
- A property rated D or E suffers a discount that varies by location, but which is widening in medium-sized cities
- Energy-inefficient homes (F and G) accumulate price discounts and longer selling times, especially since the drop in MaPrimeRénov’
Mortgage Rates: A Rise That Complicates Applications
After several months of relaxation, mortgage rates have started to rise again since the summer of 2026. This increase, even if moderate, reduces households’ borrowing capacity. A buyer who could finance a property at 250,000 euros six months ago sometimes finds themselves forced to lower their budget.
Banks remain selective about profiles. Personal contribution, job stability, and debt-to-income ratio are closely scrutinized. First-time buyers without significant contributions struggle to secure financing in major urban areas.
Adapting Your Purchase Strategy to the Rate Context
Negotiating the price of the property rather than the rate often remains the best option. An eager seller will more easily accept a discount of a few percent than a bank will agree to adjust its lending conditions. Feedback on this point varies according to local markets, but the general trend favors the well-prepared buyer.
- Compare loan offers from at least three institutions before signing
- Encourage competition between brokers and direct banks
- Check the total cost of the loan (including insurance) rather than just the nominal rate
The real estate market in France this fall 2026 is read through these operational signals: regulations that redistribute the commercial methods of agencies, renovation assistance in free fall, cautious sales volume recovery, and tightening rates. Each purchase or sale project benefits from being calibrated to these ground realities rather than overly smooth national averages.
