Real estate: how to sell your thermal strainer quickly and well

The energy performance diagnosis (DPE) is now at the heart of buyers’ concerns. It must be said that the worst thermal strainers, classified G+ on the DPE, i.e. housing whose final energy consumption exceeds 450 kilowatt hours per square meter, have been prohibited for rental since January 1, 2023. The most energy-intensive properties (classified F and G at the DPE) will then be gradually prohibited for rental by 2028.

In such a context, and aware of the tight timetable imposed on landlords, many investors are trying to obtain good discounts from owners in a hurry to sell their energy-intensive homes as quickly as possible. A category of goods that has become a breeding ground of choice for buyers since according to the Superior Council of Notaries, the share of thermal strainers in sales increased from 11% in the second quarter of 2021 to 18% in the second quarter of 2023.

The gradual ban on the rental of thermal strainers therefore constitutes an opportunity for investors. Especially since they do not hesitate to negotiate the purchase price downwards. Corollary for the owner: selling your energy-intensive home while limiting the discount on the price remains a complicated operation. Here are some tips to achieve this.

Activate the good plan of the “projected DPE”

Contrary to some popular belief, it is not always necessary to carry out major renovation work to improve the DPE rating of your home. Sometimes, a few minimal improvements or works are enough to boost the energy class of your apartment or house. But you still need to know what work needs to be done to achieve this. If you wish to sell a home classified F or G in the DPE, it is therefore advisable to carry out a “projected DPE”. This is a diagnosis which evaluates the energy consumption of a home, and which also estimates the energy performance of the property once certain renovation work has been carried out.

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“Sometimes, changing a window or a hot water tank is enough to earn a letter or two in the DPEexplains Alexandre Fitussi, founder of the company Beanstock, specializing in turnkey rental investment. A planned DPE reassures a buyer by providing them with a list of work to be carried out to improve the energy class of the property.» In this way, the seller will not necessarily be obliged to apply a significant discount to sell their energy-intensive property. He even has the possibility of carrying out the work before the sale, so that his home is no longer considered a thermal sieve. Note that the cost of a planned DPE is around 500 euros, compared to generally 100 to 250 euros for a classic DPE.

It may also be interesting to have a qualified craftsman accompany you when carrying out the “projected DPE”. A professional will be able to confirm that the work recommended by the diagnostician is feasible, and possibly estimate the amount. A way to avoid unpleasant surprises and reassure potential buyers.

Contact the diagnostician before the visit

But be careful, a DPE is in preparation. In theory, diagnosticians are required to send you a document to complete before the visit. This booklet allows the seller to provide valuable information to the professional, which can in some cases be enough to earn a letter or two. For example, the insulation of the ceiling of your floor by the co-ownership can work in your favor and improve the DPE of your home.

But the diagnostician still needs to be informed of this potential gain. However, the professionals who carry out the DPE do not systematically send this famous form in advance, often due to lack of time. So don’t hesitate to take the initiative and ask your diagnostician several days before the visit to ask for the booklet. This simple request can in some cases save you several thousand euros.

Contact the right real estate agency

Finally, to increase your chances of selling your energy-intensive home, it is essential to find a buyer… and therefore to address the right category of buyers. “No one takes the risk of buying a thermal strainer as their main residence anymore,” remarks Alexandre Fitussi. So don’t waste time and energy trying to sell your property to a first-time buyer (an individual making a first purchase) and favor investors, who will be much more interested in purchasing housing at an attractive price in the aim of renting it and obtaining a good profitability. With this in mind, entrust your property to an agency specializing in rental investment, which will offer your property to informed investors, rather than to a traditional agency.