SIX THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT BUYING A SWISS SKI HOME IN 2023

Swiss mountain property remains both the gold-chip investment of choice for many people and also their top lifestyle preference. Interest rates have moved out of negative territory for the first time in 15 years but at 0.5 per cent have so far had little impact on the market.

Now is a time full of opportunity for buyers and the good news is that you haven’t missed your chance to find a new second home, especially in the Four Valleys, Switzerland’s largest linked ski area. Here is what you need to know.

FOREIGNERS CAN STILL BUY A SECOND HOME, DESPITE RESTRICTIONS ON NEW BUILDS.

If you act now, it’s still possible to find a new ski-in, ski-out home perfect for spending flexible winter or summer weeks in the Valais. In Veysonnaz, a charming village in the Four Valleys, you can buy a two-bedroom, two-bathroom attic apartment in the Balcons du Soleil (with sunny balcony, naturally) 900m from the slopes for CHF 650'000.-; or a ski in, ski out, two-bedroom apartment for CHF 790'000.- at Les Mayens.

ANDERMATT – ABOVE THE LAW.

The visionary transformation of the mountain village of Andermatt into a successful, dual-season resort has defied some sceptics. Vail Resorts Inc has acquired a stake in the resort, a move that promises to further transform Andermatt into a ‘prime Alpine destination’. Uniquely, there are no restrictions on purchasing a second home in the resort because it is outside the federal Lex Weber Law. The Chedi has just launched a new section, with one-bedroom apartments starting from CHF 2'150'000.- to CHF 2'750'000.-.

LOOK FOR TOURIST CLASSIFIED PROPERTIES.

There are further exceptions to federal Swiss restrictions. In new schemes in tourist areas designed to encourage ‘hot beds’ it’s possible to purchase a second home. These are hotel style residences with managed amenities, concierge and a flexible rental obligation. It’s an ideal hands-free and hassle-free form of ownership. At the Dent Blanche wellness resort in Les Masses in the Four Valleys’ Les Collons, prices start from CHF 336'800.-.

LAST CHANCE TO BUY WITHOUT THE RENTAL OBLIGATION…

Maybe you love the idea of the advantages of a managed, hotel-style residence but do not wish to make your home available for rentals? Homes at the Dixence Resort in Les Collons are amongst the very last to be completed and available in the Four Valleys after the Lex Weber legislation of 2016. Two-bedroom apartments at Le Cervin around the boutique hotel are from CHF 1'150'000.-.

IT’S A GREAT TIME TO SELL YOUR SKI HOME.

After the universal ‘race for space’ following the lockdowns of the pandemic, stock levels in the Valais are low. Yet we know there are still plenty of buyers out there, many waiting for the right property in their favourite ski resort such as Verbier or Gstaad, to become available. If you sell after five years of ownership there is no capital gains tax to pay. With interest rates predicted to rise further, it might be wise to act sooner rather than later.

FOREIGNERS CAN ONLY OWN ONE PROPERTY.

If you are looking to upsize or downsize your Swiss home you will need to sell your property before acquiring another one. Have you considered that you can purchase an additional property in the name of a child over 18? In Switzerland it’s legal to inherit a second property home but not to buy more than one. In the popular town of Crans-Montana, hard to beat for full-time relocation, you can get a new three-bedroom semi-detached chalet- with a home office – for CHF 1'050'000.-.

About Alpine Homes: We can advise on how to find your ideal property, how to find specialist tax or financing advice or to price your home to sell. To get in touch, click here.