2024-05-10 16:47:28
Who said that the real estate crisis was hitting in Belgium? According to the notaries barometer, house prices fell by 0.3% in nominal terms in the first half of 2023. This is the first time house prices have fallen in over 10 years. Yes, but from there to being almost free, there is a step. However, that is more or less what is happening in the Namur region with exceptional properties on display at a ridiculous price. 10 euros. This is indeed the price to pay for the hope of one day being able to settle down in this historic residence located in Godinne, on the banks of the Meuse.
In Brussels, we take you behind the scenes of the Astoria hotel, the first 5-star palace:
Whether you are looking for a property or not, this is the kind of offer you inevitably have to stop: according to Statbel, the average Belgian price for a house is 239,886 euros in Balloon and 545,210 euros in Brussels. Prices that make the dream of one day buying your own home almost impossible, especially when you know that prices keep increasing. So, of course, when we find an ad where you only have to pay 10 euros, you have a little trouble positioning yourself. On the one hand, there are the skeptics who think it’s a big scam, on the other, there are people who go for it because after all, why not?
The house in question is called the Richmond Estate. Built in 1710, it belonged to Prime Minister Paul-Henri Spaak. It is located on an area of 67 acres with a living area of 900 square meters. The main house of the estate has 12 bedrooms, but in addition, there are also 4 other accommodations and 5 guest rooms that can generate an estimated income of 6600 euros per month. Outside there is a park, a pond, a tower and even a fountain. Not to mention the XXL swimming pool that offers ultimate comfort to future owners.
How to explain this price?
The owner of the place is none other than Valère Duchenne, a real estate agent for over 35 years, who had the idea to put his house up for sale in the form of a competition on the site. www.1000or.com. To register for the competition, all you have to do is pay a small sum of 10 euros and answer two questions, as well as a sub-question, estimating as accurately as possible the total value of this exceptional property. The only tip offered? We know that the house is worth more than 1.5 million euros. The game that started on April 24 has already collected 980,000 euros, thanks to participations, an amount that already exceeds the expected amount of the sale. “If I do not meet my financial expectations, as the owner, I reserve the right to withdraw the property from the game. Each candidate will have the option of being refunded or transferred to the secondary lot, a beautiful convertible car.” »
An attractive contest, but one that raises questions nonetheless. In France, this type of competition would be banned because it would be considered unfair competition with the French games. In Belgium, however, this type of competition is unclear from the legal point of view, although it is apparently authorized. In the United Kingdom, the country addicted to games of chance, this type of practice is not new, it is even the name “Raffle House”. The thought? Of course raise the offers in the hope that you will sell your property for more than the appraised value of the property. It is still to be added to these 10 euros also the registration fees, the notary fees, as well as the cadastral income, which corresponds to the net rental value over 1 year of the property… You will understand, don’t. It doesn’t matter if they can’t afford to participate in this competition. For those who are still looking for the scam in this story, the Gaming Commission has opened an investigation, which will determine the legality of Mr. Duchenne’s business. The real estate agent risks being fined up to 800,000 euros if a breach is revealed. A word of advice: wait for the verdict before starting to bet!
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