Real estate credit: will rates fall down after the BCE’s decision?

The European Central Bank once again decreased its key rates this Thursday, April 17. Good news for borrowers, who could see mortgage rates bend in the coming weeks.

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The decision was eagerly awaited by the actors of the real estate market. For the seventh time in a row, the European Central Bank (ECB) announced on Thursday, April 17, a drop in its guiding rates of 0.25 points. A decision which is mainly explained by the slowdown in inflation in the euro zone in recent months. This is good news for future buyers, who may well see mortgage rates slightly back in the coming weeks. Indeed, with the drop in guiding rates, the cost of money will drop for banks, which largely finance themselves with the ECB. Consequently, the latter should pass on this drop in the cost of money by stabilizing, or even lowering mortgage rates for their customers.

So what should we expect in the coming weeks for borrowers? Note that after months of decline, mortgage rates increased on average from 0.10 to 0.50 points in April according to banks to reach an average of 3.30% for borrowings spread over 20 years, according to the youfinance broker. An increase which is explained by the recent increases in the rate of assimilable Treasury bonds (OAT) to 10 years, which directly affects credit rates.

The lights are green for borrowers

“”The ECB’s decision to lower its key rates in April could counterbalance the increase in the OATs and thus allow banks to maintain their mortgage rates, or even lower them in the coming weeks», Analysis Sandrine Allonier, spokesperson for youfinance. In addition, most banks have not yet fulfilled their file objectives to be financed and are therefore conquering new customers, in a period conducive to real estate transactions. “”The best profiles should be able to negotiate rates down next month“Continues the expert.

Same optimism for Maël Bernier, spokesperson for the Bestaux broker. “We have had a big hot stroke in April with q banksUI have raised their rate but the situation will improve in May. We will find small rate drops depending on the banks, she explains. With the ECB that lowers its guiding rates, the 10 years that should also lower and the inflation that slows down, all the lights are green for borrowers.»»

Note that the economic situation is rather favorable to borrowers in this spring since the conditions for granting the loan at zero rate (PTZ) have been extended since April 1. Thus, new individual houses become eligible for this interest-free loan, with a maximum duration of 25 years, helped by the State and reserved for first-time buyers, while it only benefited new apartments in 2024. In addition, Several banks offer first-time promotional offers allowing them to double the amount of the PTZ.