Property in switzerland

Buying Property in Switzerland is more popular than ever before with British skiers, as the French market hardens and becomes more expensive. There are restrictions on foreign ownership — Switzerland is not a member of the EU — but these are loosening up and it is now possible to buy in most resorts. Simon Malster, who owns the specialist ski chalet agency Investors In Property, says that Switzerland offers much better value than France.

One reason is that Most British people ski in France, so they are inclined to buy property in France. But this has pushed the prices up. I am convinced that some of the smaller resorts in Switzerland offer much better value. You get more for your money and you’re often not very far from the airport.

Do not, however, imagine that anything will be cheap. “You will need at least £200,000 for a decent place anywhere in the Alps. The fact is there isn’t much land left to build on — and prices will continue to go up.” Malster recommends Villars and Verbier as reasonably priced Swiss alternatives to Chamonix and Morzine.

ON THE SLOPES

Chalet Lärche in Klosters, with panoramic mountain views. It has six bedrooms, five bathrooms and three balconies and is £1,265,308

The Balcon des Alpes, just above Villars, is a spacious first-floor, two-bedroom apartment with a large balcony and a garage. It is £232,000

The last phase of these apartments, in Les Arcs, will soon be available. Studios are from £150,000, two-, three- and four-beds are from £250,000

If you are thinking of buying an apartment, consider its transport links. Don’t assume that deals on low-cost flights are on permanent offer but at least they are always on time.

Interestingly, i would rather look away from buying in the slopes but actually buy in the main cities such as Zurich, Bern or Basel.

In zurich a recent sale of a one bedroom flat resulted in £230.-/sqf. In comparison a similiar property in London would be priced at £560.-/sqf. Zurich having the Googlers coming over now is definitely good investment!