Stéphane Plaza affair: double punishment for its network of agencies, in the midst of a real estate crisis

The trial of Stéphane Plaza for domestic violence opens this Thursday, January 9. A case which complicates the situation of the eponymous real estate agency network, hit like the entire sector by the crisis for more than two years.

Capital Video: Stéphane Plaza affair: double punishment for its network of agencies, in the midst of a real estate crisis

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“Completely disappointed.” This is the feeling that drives this director of an agency Stéphane Plaza Real Estate (SPI) in the region and his team at the start of 2025, which will see the television host appear before the Paris criminal court from this Thursday, January 9, for violence against two former partners. Accusations refuted by Stéphane Plaza, who faces 10 years in prison and a fine of 150,000 euros according to Agence France Presse. “This Plaza affair adds to a real estate market that is anything but euphoric”sighs the franchisee to Capital. In the current context of real estate crisissales of old homes in France fell – by 11% – in 2024, for the third year in a row, according to the National Real Estate Federation (Fnaim). A difficult situation for SPI as for its competitors.

“Several other agency directors are not reassured. I regularly receive calls from colleagues telling me that they may have to liquidate their agency. I recently closed one myself to reduce my costs”relates this manager, citing the average monthly fee of 1,800 euros paid by each real estate agency to SPI, in addition to the 30,000 euros in entry fees paid upon opening. According to an article from theIs Republican from October 11, the three Stéphane Plaza Immobilier agencies in the Greater Nancy metropolis lowered their flag. In August, the Saint-Lô (Manche) agency announced its closure via a post on the social network Facebook. “Around mid-December, SPI management organized a videoconference for franchisees. She sent around 300 connection links only…”worries the agency director. SPI management indicates to Capital always count 655 franchise contracts at present, as in late August, and “does not wish to express himself” any further “For now.”

Join a competing real estate network at the cost of compensation

In a few weeks, this agency director will in turn bow out at SPI. Not in the form of a closure but by joining a competing national network. “It’s a question of survival for the agency. Our bank told us that it would no longer follow our investments because we are a risky brand.explains the manager. At risk due to the poor real estate situation? Or the possible consequences of Stéphane Plaza’s trial on the image of the network, whose star host is one of the co-founders and shareholders, with 25.5% of the capital? For the moment, SPI remains one of the three favorite real estate networks of the French, behind Century 21 and Laforêt, according to a survey carried out by Ifop last November.

Since the start of the “Plaza affair” in the fall of 2023, with the publication of revelations from Médiapart then the opening, by the prosecution, of an investigation into domestic violence, “we have had discussions with quite a few Stéphane Plaza Immobilier franchisees. Some joined us, others gave up because of compensation to be paid for the termination of a franchise contract, still others are under discussion”confirms to Capital the competing network that the SPI franchisee will integrate in a few weeks. And “we are not the only network to be contacted by them”underlines this sign. What confirms Capital another large competing network, also contacted by SPI franchisees wishing to change creameries.