Luxury alpine apartments

1. Which countries do your buyers come from and what are they looking for?

Our buyers are international and, of course, Swiss. It often happens that they have fallen in love with one of these villages and would like to look for a real estate property to purchase in the region. Alternatively, they are buyers who are looking for a real estate investment, indeed our «Mrs Miggins» rental programme allows them to quickly achieve a return on their investment.

2. Tell me about the Swiss mountain villages where you offer real estate property?

Champéry – les portes du soleil is one of the largest ski areas in Europe, with more than 650km of ski slopes! It is the leading destination for ski fans. It incorporates access to locations such as: Morzine, Avoriaz, Chatel, les Crosets.

In total 12 ski resorts are interlinked. All types of piste are available: from greens for beginners to blacks for experienced skiers.

After a day skiing it is also nice to be able to relax in the Wellness Centre in Val d’Illiez, it is less than 5 kilometres away, (Thermes Parc – Val d’Illiez).

CNN has rated it as being the 2nd most beautiful skiing village in Europe, (just after Zermatt).

Grimenz, is also the realm of high-altitude skiing, around 200km of pistes and it is the winter station where one can ski until the latest time in the year. Indeed, skiing starts in November and closes around 2-3 weeks after Easter.

The resort is at 1570 m and its mountain peaks go up to 3000 metres, guaranteeing record snow fall and fantastic off-piste skiing.

Nendaz - les 4 Vallées.

On a plateau of between 1300 and 1400m altitude, Nendaz benefits from an exceptional panorama of the Brenese, Valais and Vaud Alps and a unique sunshine rate.

Nendaz is part of the 5 resorts that form the “4 valleys”, with Verbier, (thee most well-known), La Tzoumaz, Veysonnaz and Thyon. It is from Nendaz that the highest point of the ski area, Mont-Fort, (3330 m), can be accessed.

Half way between Chamonix and Zermatt, Nendaz is easily accessible thanks to its immediate proximity with the town of Sion, (15 km), served by motorway, rail and aerial networks.  It’s plain proximity to Sion, the capital of the Valais region, makes it very attractive even for commuters.

Finally, Nendaz  sets itself apart with its family atmosphere.

Thanks to its infrastructures, accommodation, activities and entertainment programmes adapted to children, it has been awarded the “Families Welcome” quality seal.

The seal groups together holiday destinations which focus their offering in a targeted manner on the needs and wishes of families.

3. What types of property do you sell the most often and what services do you offer?

They are usually very spacious apartments, comprised of 2–3 bedrooms, for families of between 4-6 people.

The Mrs Miggins hotel service:

The rental programme allows homeowners to achieve a return on investment whilst avoiding “empty beds”. Indeed, various measures, (taxes), are taken by the local authorities in order to avoid resorts finding themselves with empty apartments at the height of the ski season. Thus, our rental agency «Mrs Miggins» allows our homeowners to achieve a return on investment for their second homes during their absences via custom-made rental programmes.

The Mrs Miggins service also includes:

• A reception service: that starts at the hotel by performing the check-in and the check-out for the tenants.
• The ordering of ski packages, meals, shopping or even a home Chef!
• Reception also takes care of the complete management of the apartments: payment of bills, cleaning, maintenance, etc.

4. What is the price range for such an apartment in the Swiss Alps?

The smallest: 2 bedrooms, 1 lounge, 2 bathrooms, 90m2, outdoor jacuzzi, starting from CHF 700 000.-

The medium sized: 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 150m2, starting from CHF 900 000.-

The largest: 4-5 bedrooms, 4-5 bathrooms, 250m2, 90m2 balcony and 10m2 terrace, sauna, outdoor jacuzzi, starting from CHF 2 200 000.

5. Why is it a good investment?

Our customers are very satisfied. The occupancy rate for rentals is very high and it is difficult for us to meet demand in the high season. It is one of the reasons for which we have decided to undertake a second phase with a dozen new apartments in the les Rahâs chalet, in Grimentz.

Additionally, in terms of an investment, the interest rates in Switzerland are very attractive and depreciation is good with long repayment terms.

6. What would be the procedure to purchase such an apartment in Switzerland?

• Contact us and come and visit the property
• Sign a letter of intent to purchase
• Undertake the relevant procedures with a Swiss bank, (our agency can put buyers in contact with a bank)
• In case of a mortgage, a minimum of 30% of equity capital is required
• If a mortgage is not required, a bank account ensures the receipt of rental incomes and payment for local charges to be made
• The sale must take place before a notary
• The written legal fees are around 3% of the total amount of the cost price of the apartment