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Real estate: how to take advantage of bargains

Tuesday, April 6th, 2010

Realtors? A good indicator of the economy. Today, the stone as the economy heads out from the water, but both of them are not yet fully recovered and remain afloat in midstream. Tails, the good news, transactions leave. This year, Fnaim, the federation of estate agents, believes that the bar of 600 000 transactions could be completed. But the market remains mixed. The nine was widely supported by the success of Scellier law, which allows investors to benefit from a tax of 25% within an investment of EUR 300 000. The former, he, still suffers. Because the coin has two sides. Front side, the bad news, the former has not solved the fluidity necessary for proper functioning of the housing market.Those professionals call the secundo-time buyers, that is to say, households who sell a property to buy another, are still not massively back on the market. In many places and on many products, it is still often difficult to match the expectations of those sellers with buyers.

After a blip like this has crossed the housing market, have a good idea of the price of a property is difficult. All the buyers and sellers are determined based on their expectations about future price developments. Roughly speaking, professionals assume a status quo prices. The most optimistic evoke certain properties, the most sought increases in the order of a few percent. Others believe that the balance should tilt towards a price reduction. Mathilde Lemoine, director of economic studies of HSBC France, and expects a decline in prices of the old 4% this year.For its part, the Land Bank expects "a drop in prices of 3% in the former and stability in the new." And pout Mouillart Michel, Professor of Economics at Paris X-Nanterre, "there is no risk of sudden fall of the market.

Another less quantifiable changed with the crisis and must be taken into account. In real estate, as elsewhere, households are determined to buy at the right price, to be smart consumers and investors informed. The beating of the heart are more difficult. Today, we buy more with his head than his heart. The ball is still in the camp of buyers. They have attractive credit terms. It is indeed possible for those who have the best records, to find a fixed rate loan over fifteen years to 3.5%. It will be hard to beat. "Interest rates will necessarily undergo one or more increases in 2010," said the broker CAFP.In a market recovering, prices are difficult to read. We publish in this case the numbers of notaries, those of the Credit Foncier Fnaim and according to our tour of France prices in Ile-de-France and its regions. Searched information, necessary but not sufficient. For now, the price changes between a product with and without defects, good or bad situation, are becoming wider. To help you better understand these variations, we have pushed the investigation further. With concrete examples of prices that are resistant and those who decline (page 114) and a tour of France that you can buy if you're lucky enough to have a budget of EUR 500 000 (page 142). On most goods, prices have declined from their level two years ago. But they have not collapsed.In the Ile-de-France, for example, notaries emphasize that "the decline in prices recorded between autumn 2008 and summer 2009 was about 10%. But the downward trend in prices has "interrupted". "On an annual basis, the decline in prices between late 2008 and late 2009 is more than 5.6%," they add. This year they expect a stabilization of prices. And sounding the alarm. "The resumption of construction of new housing in the private sector is essential to stabilize the market. The shortage of quality housing appropriate to the needs of Parisians is short-term risk of a return of speculation.

The network Orpi evokes a "real recovery, but fragile." A word that recurs in several experts. Mathilde Lemoine and speaks of a "housing demand remains fragile because of imbalances persist. Yet the French like stone.After the fall of shares in 2008, the erosion rate of return on financial investments, many households have even rediscovered the charms of real estate, which enjoys a level of trust greater than financial markets. If market participants, professionals and individuals, are reasonable, it could therefore grown out of this crisis.

The purchasing power of households holding back price increases

In the nine programs are, at least for this year, many to sprout and marketing is well underway (see page 148), and some programs, proponents talk about buyers sleeping room not to miss the opening the sales office. Others talk of bidding on the price of land currently for sale. We find places for runaway phenomena. Sign of fine weather sets found for Real Estate? Nobody dares to translate it well.Because we have not yet met for the recovery that is taking shape into a market stabilized and restored. "A major risk of the recovery is that sellers reflect recovery by rising prices," says Orpi. For the market to find its stride, the sellers should stop dreaming about trees that rise to heaven, and that construction professionals are able to reflect the changing purchasing power of buyers in their projects. In a recent study based on the relationship between prices and incomes, Patrick Artus (Natixis) estimates that property prices are still too high (10 to 15% in France). Today, many proponents say, if prices rise too far, the application will not be there because the acquisition of a home no longer go into the budgets of many households. This constraint incomes and high unemployment limit the potential for price recovery.Managing the crisis will be difficult for the economy as a whole and real estate. This is the challenge of coming months to policies and professionals. For individuals who have the means to, global rates, market and taxation are conducive to a real estate purchase. If they have a project, they have a vested interest in the reality.

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Sarkozy calls Obama "listen Europe

Tuesday, March 30th, 2010

From one of our correspondents in New York

Sarkozy the American, the return. Dampened by the failure of regional confronted with doubts of his majority, battered in the polls, the president could not find better than this visit to the United States to escape the burdens hexagonal. The chances of diplomatic agenda sometimes things well. A discreet arrival Saturday in New York, along with Carla Sarkozy, the ritual of jogging in Central Park on Sunday morning, then a family day, away from cameras and microphones before the official on the scene Monday morning, with a speech at Columbia University.

The opportunity for Nicolas Sarkozy to urge "a friend" the United States to "work with Europe to invent a new global model", in order to regulate capitalism, stabilize currencies and improve governance World."If Europe and the United States do not invent this new model, nobody will," argued the head of state before several hundred students and professors from the prestigious University of New York. Amount to the podium in an imposing neoclassical dome, Nicolas Sarkozy has openly made his speech to his aide – "if you read this kills creativity", he said, before launching into a very controlled improvisation. "The crisis we've known we offer extraordinary opportunities," said the head of state. By asking the regulation of capitalism, I lay the groundwork that will save capitalism without rules is killing freedom, "he said, a few" blocks "of Wall Street, the epicenter of the financial earthquake.

"Irresponsible"

In the field of environment, access to raw materials, Nicolas Sarkozy has also called for support of the United States. "In two years, the price of oil has risen from 30 to 150 dollars, is this normal?," He noted. Have we no interest in laying the foundations for a regulation that would have a barrel to 80 dollars? "Even imperative of transatlantic cooperation for reform of global governance" that the United States and Europe must request. It will, he said, the resolution of major challenges such as Iran, against which "the alliance with the United States is fundamental, but also the fight against terrorism.

"We love you, admire you, we expect a lot from you," Nicolas Sarkozy has launched the Americans.A friend, therefore, but a demanding friend, who also does not hesitate to lecture the United States, calling for tolerance, "not closing" on themselves and listen to Europe. For, he launched the first world power, "no nation, however strong it is, can the twenty-first century impose its views to the world."

"Some hundreds of irresponsible done anything with the money of others is indefensible," he also said the French president, warned that "the same are ready to begin. "There are hundreds of thousands of Americans who lost their jobs because of this crisis, is this normal?" Asked by a student on the reform of the health system, Nicolas Sarkozy congratulated Barack Obama. But he also gave a pike: "When we see this debate on health, it was sometimes hard to believe, in Europe it is fifty years we have solved the problem.In France, we do not ask your credit card before going to hospital ", he shackled, before launching his audience:" Welcome to the club of states that do not allow people to fall sick! "

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Minutes Zacharias: pugnacious defense of the former CEO of Vinci

Friday, March 26th, 2010

Three-piece suit, white shirt and dark tie, the former CEO of Vinci, Antoine Zacharias, has always understated elegance of a great boss. Yet this 70-year-old retiree, who wears a hearing aid, had presided at Thursday yet another board. He appeared for abuse of company property before the fifteenth penal court of Nanterre. Specifically, he complains of having put his own men in the compensation committee of the group to inflate his fees have skyrocketed: a severance bonus of 12.5 million euros, an annual retreat of 2 1 million, gains on stock-option 124 million …

Faced with such accusations, it was expected that Antoine Zacharias lose its superb. After all, it is the first French skipper prosecuted for excessive pay, while his business was booming.In fact, he kept his legendary pugnacity and always distills his little quips. When the President, Isabelle Prevost-Desprez, asks him to track his career, thanked the engineer by Vinci in June 2006 took the opportunity to give a few scratches. Guy Dejouany, his former boss at the General Society of waters in the 1990s? "The man was a tyrant. Perhaps the most difficult period of my life. "Alain Minc who sat on the board of Vinci? "He has a big ego."

And as Isabelle Prevost-Desprez do not let them count, this gives rise to a few passages of arms tasty payday loan . Especially when it comes to whether Antoine Zacharias has ensured that the remuneration committee Vinci is completely renewed."Mr Faure, who was sitting there says you have transferred to establish a committee more complacent. So, did you collect? "Asks the president. "No," replied tit for tat the former CEO of the CAC 40. They lie. "

A retreat "exceptional"

Gradually, Isabelle Prevost-Desprez is accumulating evidence that endanger Antoine Zacharias. Thus, it is disturbing that this new committee has ignored the advice of Towers Perrin warned against "inflation risks" associated with a change in the calculation of salary Zacharias.Also troubling that the point of view of the firm Cardif estimating the amount of the pension provided for ex-boss "exceptional" has been ignored.

In response, Antoine Zacharias has a clear line of defense that summarizes in one sentence: "One thing that is ignored by any board, and they do not know an ounce is the pay of the boss. "He received the unexpected support of Vinci, yet civil party in the record. "When they vote earnings for 2004 by Zacharias, administrators know that all this makes up 14%," said Georges Jourde, counsel for the construction group. This morning, it was the turn of the attorney to his indictment. It is surprising that it shares the same view.

Tidjane refuses the offer by Societe Generale

Saturday, March 20th, 2010

The announcement of the ambition of Societe Generale to enter the boss of iconic Prudential to its Board of Directors has made much noise on the Paris market. The leader of the British insurer eventually declined the offer of the French bank yesterday, twenty-four hours after Societe Generale said it had offered a seat on its Board of Directors.

Tidjane was "very flattered to have been chosen for the post of independent director at Societe Generale," calling the bank "remarkable company."He justified his decision by the challenges it faces today: "My priority is to continue to focus on achieving strong results for our shareholders, and the success of the strategic transaction with AIG, and the 'integration resulting payday advance .ยป

More than a personal choice, his refusal would have been motivated primarily by strong opposition from shareholders of Prudential to this project. These are indeed alarmed at the proposal of Societe Generale, fearing that Tidjane not dispersed at the crucial moment of the acquisition by Prudential's Asian operations of AIG.

"PORTRAIT – Tidjane breaks through glass ceiling

Sarkozy: "I believe in voluntarism"

Wednesday, January 6th, 2010

In 2009, France "has avoided the worst," said President Nicolas Sarkozy during the presentation of his wishes to the economic forces at Cholet, on Wednesday. The Head of State recalled that "a year ago, we were among the worst crisis since the 30s.

If "we have avoided the worst, because we made the right decisions despite the controversy," he claimed. "For six months, growth has returned."

These decisions were taken because "I believe in volunteerism, has hammered the head of state. We must "regulate capitalism to create the right conditions for our prosperity," he said, praising "dialogue and reconciliation."

"No French has seen its savings challenged. No financial institution has gone bankrupt, "he said. "I made a commitment: that the support plan for banks will not cost anything to the French."Better still, the plan "has reported 2 billion euros to the French government by interest" donated by the aided institutions.

Nicolas Sarkozy also attacked the "Malthusian" raging in France, "idea that we could reduce unemployment by sharing work", a reference to 35 hours. He also taunted "the illusion that the decline would be the only solution to preserve the environment."

More to come …

Three mediators to avoid the conflict of road

Tuesday, December 8th, 2009

The risk of a strike by truckers threaten to block the deposition of large retailers from next Sunday is taken very seriously by governments.

Moments after receiving the Department of Transportation delegated Inter (CFDT, CGT, CFE-CGC and CTFC) of 500 000 employees, the Secretary of State for Transport, Dominique Bussereau, has appointed a mediator, not as planned but three.

Members of the firm Mensia Council Martial Belon, Herv? Nadal Muir and Eric have the difficult task of finding common ground – including on wages – between truckers and their companies.

Unions want the transition to a wage of 10 euros gross per hour for the highest coefficients, 4% increase for executives and 4% more for travel or 13th month for free.Claims deemed unacceptable by the companies badly affected by the slowing economy.

Dominique Bussereau is optimistic. A schedule is considered. "I think some points of view can be reconciled, he said. We hope to reach a first agreement of good will to avoid blocking of deposits, then in a second stage, discussions will be conducted on other points from the start. We promise. "

Dating successive

At work since Monday evening, the facilitators meet successively unions and employer organizations.Wednesday morning, they will provide their preliminary findings at a meeting bringing together the two sides to the ministry, just before the Cabinet tomorrow.

The discussions will continue until agreement is reached, but the secretary general of the CFDT, Maxime Dumont, believes a quick solution. "The situation seems more committed than in the previous conflict two years ago, says he. The government invests. I think some employers' organizations have proposals to make to break the impasse. "

On the employee side, there is, however, still doubtful. "We are conducting a fight but in fact they are the companies that benefit from the advantages offered by the government," said Fr?d?ric B?rard (CFE-CGC). FO-Secretary-General Transport, Gerard Martinez is also on the reserve."How do we get in two days that we could not have in a year and a half?" He questioned Monday before resuming discussions with the mediators.

New Real Estate: Sales up 65% yoy

Friday, November 27th, 2009

With just over 26,900 new homes sold, the third quarter of 2009 should give a little smile on their promoters. The new home sales have indeed increased by 65.2% compared to the end of 2008 days for the sector. In one year, the average time for disposal of real property increased from 18 months to 8 months for the group and 18 months over 10 months for houses. In the second quarter, sales were already up 29.6% over one year after a decline of 5% in the first quarter.

However the number of starts of new homes continued to decline by 18.1% over the period August-October over the same period of 2008, the ministry said. The number of building permits granted for new housing also appears to decrease (-17.2%) over the period from August to October over the same period of 2008. Over the period from May to July, the decline was 29.6% a year.

Price later, a new home sells on average 241,900 euros, a figure lower than 4.4% in the third quarter 2008. The decline affects all sizes of homes – excluding houses fewer than four parts whose price is higher than the third quarter 2008 (+2.4%). For new apartments, the average price per square meter record in the third quarter of 2009 reached 3382 euro, less than 1.2% from the third quarter 2008 (EUR 3 423).

"The sales increase is a good sign"

Nevertheless, the Secretary of State for Housing Benoist Appearing sees soaring sales in a year "a good sign." "The demand increases, buyers found a solvent and the sites will be able to restart," he told AFP.However, although sales picked up, the number of new homes sold by developers in the third quarter was down 9.6% on year to 19,300. According to the FPC, the government measures that have stimulated investment rental must be extended to allow real sector recovery. "The doubling of interest-free loan for six months will only exacerbate the imbalance between investment and rental assumption, sorry Marc Pigeon, president of the Federation of Property Developers.

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PPR plans to sell the Fnac and Conforama

Friday, November 27th, 2009

The distribution sector, which has particularly suffered from the crisis last fall, seems increasingly difficult to find its place within the PPR Group. In an interview with the Wall Street Journal, Fran?ois-Henri Pinault has reported a "bold plan to sell its European distribution subsidiaries, including the very popular Fnac and Conforama," details the economic daily. "The sooner the better," said the businessman, saying "wish to transform the group into something more homogeneous. "We have a great weakness distribution. This is not an area that can be easily developed abroad, and says the son of Fran?ois Pinault.Following this publication, in the group attempts to relativize statements Fran?ois Pinault: "In the short term, there is no process of transfer of those signs that is committed," says a spokesman for the group.

Fran?ois Pinault jamaisn had been explicit about the fate of brands Conforama and Fnac. In an interview with Echos November 17 last, he said "I remain committed to our balance between consumer and luxury."He added: "When I became the CEO in 2005, I continued this development momentum by choosing to turn the group into global brands of equipment from the person, less dependent on their domestic market as is not the general public distribution. "

Twenty buyers would have already manifested

With the possible assignments of the Fnac and Conforama the band broke up nearly 40% of its turnover. In 2008, Fnac has indeed represented nearly 23% of group sales and Conforma just under 16%. Suffice to say that the sale of its two brands would change even further aspect of the group after the sale of spring 2006, the sale of YSL Beaute in 2008 and the flotation of a majority stake of CFAO. Meanwhile, the group has seized control of Puma in 2007.

More than focusing on the luxury sector, this change is also akin to a risky bet. Distribution activities have benefited the group in recent years to counterbalance the luxury business, which remains volatile.

Twenty buyers would have already shown in a takeover, although the head of PPR does not the IPO, as was the case for CFAO. The sale, if it occurs, should earn $ 5.9 billion (about 4 billion euros), enough to increase thereafter in the world of luxury accessories. A dozen companies are already targeted.