According to the Observatory of Ance, the potential demand for new residential properties is around 582,000 units. However among the main causes of the real estate downturn, the difficulty for families to be granted a mortgage plays a major role. In 5 years, between 2007 and 2011, the number of mortgages distributed to families to buy a home has shrunk by 21.5% and by 11.8% in 2011. The percentage of financing granted to families has also been sensibly reduced: from around 80% to 50% for residential properties.