Swiss property moratorium – Canton Valais

On Tuesday, December 19th, the Canton Valais government announced a 12 month moratorium on sales of second homes to foreign buyers in seven communes. This will take effect from January 2007. According to a government spokesman, this action has been taken to eliminate the backlog of nearly 1000 applications currently outstanding in the Canton.

Following the announcement, Chesterton International has established the following information:

- Current permit C applications will proceed. If a buyer has signed a sales contract (exchanged), the purchase will not be affected by the moratorium.

- Buyers who have reserved but have not yet signed a sales contract must sign the sales contract at the notary’s office before the end of the year or the sale will not go ahead until the moratorium is lifted.

- This action appears to be limited to the Bagnes (Verbier), Grimentz, Heremence, Nendaz, Riddes, Val d’Illiez and Veysonnaz communes in Valais.

- Local objections to the moratorium have been registered and the outcome is not yet entirely clear.

Andy Hawkins, Senior International Property Consultant, Chesterton International, states that “Chesterton is actively seeking further information and clarification on the moratorium and what effect it will have on property sales in Switzerland and will provide an update when more information is available.”

Chesterton currently has properties available for sale in areas unaffected by the moratorium:

Le Domaine De La Foret, Bluche :
This perfectly positioned development has panoramic views over the valley and is located moments from the centre of the fashionable Crans-Montana. Located between a river and forested area, the plot maintains a natural Swiss feel. The area is directly south facing, providing the maximum level of natural light. Alpin Chalet has created four individual chalet designs, each offering ample living space. Alpin Chalet is happy to work with each purchaser to create their dream home away from home.

During the winter season, the area boasts a skiing domain of at least 170km. There is a free shuttle bus from Bluche to the slopes with access to at least 30 lifts. In the summer, the resort of Crans offers a range of activities including walking, hiking and mountain biking, not to mention the PGA Golf Course and Omega Swiss Open. In addition, Crans has the largest tennis centre in the Swiss Alps. With the comprehensive shopping centre of Crans-Montana only moments away and the Funiculaire connecting with Crans and the rest of the valley, this development fulfils all requirements.

Plots 2 and 4 remain, with prices from £900,000
Geneva - 2 hours (186km)
Crans-Montana - 7 minutes (5km)
Verbier - 1 hour (81km)
Sion - ½ hour (28km)

Les Mayens De Sion, Les Agettes:
Situated 1300 metres above the valley, amongst mountain woodlands, Les Mayens de Sion offers breathtaking views in the popular '4 Valley' ski domain. Just 90 minutes from Geneva, Les Mayens de Sion offers excellent all year round activities for the entire family. Les Mayens de Sion is located moments from the Piste de l’Ours ski lift. Along with the neighbouring resorts of Veysonnaz, Nendaz and Thyon, every amenity is at your doorstep.

Alpin Chalet’s development of five bespoke chalets here will be designed and constructed by to the highest standards, blending traditional style with luxurious modern design.

Prices from £740,000
Geneva - 90 minutes (170km)
Sion - 25 minutes (16km)
Nendaz - 20 minutes (11km)
Veysonnaz - 10 minutes (6km)

Les Chalets De Marie, Ovronnaz:
A development of luxury one, two and three bedroom apartments set in the mountain resort of Ovronnaz with views down to the Rhone Valley. This traditional village at an altitude of 1,350 metres is one of the rare mountain resorts to attract visitors during all four seasons due to its variety of activities. Thermalp Les Bains is a famous thermal spa complex in the area, offering indoor and outdoor pools, sauna/hammam, and fitness centre, the ideal way to recharge after a day’s skiing or hiking.

Les Chalets de Marie will be built by one of the most reputable builders in Valais. The residence will comprise a beautiful south-facing chalet, with eight apartments made of traditional wood with authentic stone roof finishes. Each apartment has a private south-facing balcony or terrace with stunning views to the mountain peaks and down to the valley. The apartments all have cellar, ski storage room and a laundry room.

Located in the heart of the Canton Valais with views down to the Rhone Valley, Ovronnaz is renowned for its sunny aspect. The village is set amongst orchard and vineyards, on a wonderful south-facing plateau, offering the very best of sport and nature. At 1,350 meters, the village is one of the only mountain resorts to attract visitors during all four seasons due to its variety of activities, with an abundance of powder snow for lovers of skiing and snowboarding. Sun worshipers will have the choice of nursery slopes to the high Tsantonnaire ski runs including carving- and freestyle runs and 25 km of cross-country skiing. Ovronnaz enjoys spectacular colours in autumn and there are 150 km of hiking paths and more than 50 km of mountain bike trails. Visitors can also enjoy river fishing, volleyball, a fitness course and much more.

Prices from £155,000 for a one bedroom apartment, from £215,000 for a two bedroom apartment and from £355,000 for a three bedroom duplex apartment.
Geneva - 1 hour 40 minutes (156km)
Sion - 30 minutes (25km)
Verbier - 1 hour 51km)

Les Rhodos, Ovronnaz:
Les Rhodos are located at 200 metres from the thermal baths in Ovronnaz and approximately five minutes drive from the slopes. In peak season, a free shuttle will drive skiers from doorsteps to the slopes. This is one of the most desirable locations of the resort comprising two beautiful south-facing chalets, each of 12 apartments, made of natural traditional wood. Each apartment has a private south-facing balcony or terrace with panoramic views to the mountain peak and down to the valley, a personal cellar and ski-locker and a common laundry room. Les Rhodos is perfectly located on the sunny south facing side of the valley. The development is moments from the thermal spa and only a short ride away from the slopes.

Prices from £282,000
Geneva - 1 hr 50 mins (156km)
Sion - 30 mins (25km)
Verbier - 1 hr (50km)
Nendaz - 40 mins (30km)

Sun Brook, Zweisimmen, Bernese Oberland:
At Home in the Alps, a Swiss company that specialises in designing and constructing exclusive holiday homes, is offering 12 bespoke luxury chalets on plots in the traditional Swiss village of Zweisimmen, located in the Waadtlander Alps, at the heart of the picturesque Bernese Oberland, near Gstaad. Located on the mountainside at the top of Zweisimmen village, facing the slopes of the Rinderberg, with panoramic views across the valley and to the peaks, these homes are within a five minutes’ walk of the village centre and five to ten minutes’ walk of the ski lifts. The chalets take their name from Zweisimmen’s nickname, ‘Sonnendorf’ (literally Sun Brook), bestowed on account of its glorious year-round sunshine. These homes will provide the perfect all-season holiday destination for families with a vast range of winter and summer activities, sightseeing opportunities, spas, shops, restaurants and nightlife. Year-round sunshine and easy, low-cost access from the UK make the area even more attractive to those seeking a second home abroad. Plots ranging in size from 600 square metres to 1,000 square metres. Each chalet provides from 150 to 200 square metres of living accommodation.

Prices from £500,000

With more than 90 years of experience in construction, At Home in the Alps enjoys an excellent reputation for quality and service. At Home in the Alps is a brand name of the Swiss German company Staempfli which is an ISO 9001:2000 accredited company. The construction period on the Sun Brook chalets starts in March and will run for 10 to 12 months.

For more information, visit chesterton.co.uk.