France’s cooling property market has pushed some owners into uncharted territory, and a couple in Tarbes is leaning in. Their 130 m² apartment has sat unsold since January 2025 at 300,000 euros, prompting an unconventional plan that swaps silence for participation. The move is designed to spark buzz, broaden the crowd and keep everything within the rules under professional oversight. What began as a stalled listing is being recast as an event with a twist.
Onverkocht appartement brengt creatieve oplossing
By late January 2026, a 130 m² apartment in Tarbes had sat on the market for 12 months at 300,000 euros. The property, a 3-bedroom with a terrace in the Hautes-Pyrénées, checked the usual boxes yet drew few serious offers. Tighter credit and cooler sentiment have slowed transactions across parts of France, and the owners felt the drag firsthand. Instead of trimming the price again, they pivoted to chance.
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Tombola als verkoopstrategie
The couple launched a raffle: tickets at 10 euros, the prize a deed to their home. The goal is to sell 40,000 tickets for total proceeds of 400,000 euros, surpassing their original ask while creating broad access. A notary-supervised drawing is meant to guarantee legality, certify the winner, and oversee funds. Who wouldn’t gamble 10 euros for a shot at a 130 m² home?
Toegankelijk en participatief
The tombola is open to any adult residing in France, widening the pool far beyond local buyers. If the ticket target is not met, organizers say the winner will receive the full amount collected rather than the apartment, a detail spelled out to avoid confusion. Terms and eligibility have been published, and the notary’s role is central to reassuring participants. Coverage by French media has amplified the project and pushed interest well beyond Tarbes.
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Meer dan alleen een financiële oplossing
What began as a stalled listing has turned into a participatory event, reframing a private sale as a public moment. The buzz could surface traditional buyers who prefer a straightforward deal, even as others chase the raffle’s outsized upside. The approach carries risks, from public scrutiny to the logistics of managing thousands of micro-contributions, yet it offers momentum that price cuts rarely deliver. In a slow market, imagination can be as valuable as square meters.
