46.0968, 7.2292
07° 13' 75 " E | 46°5'81" N
French Leaseback:
How It Works
In France the government encourages new owners of properties only intending to use them for a few weeks each year to rent them out under a scheme known officially as Résidences de Tourisme. This is more commonly known as leaseback.
The purchaser buys a new Résidences de Tourisme-designated property freehold (and saving 19.6% VAT) then leases it back to a management company for a minimum of 11 years. There are two variations: you can lease it for rental income (typically 3.7-5%) and have minimal personal use annually, the owner having first choice of which weeks to spend at the property, stating their preferred dates before the start of each season. Alternatively, you can purchase at a discount and get more weeks of usage, but without the rental income. After the lease has finished the property becomes yours to use and do with as you wish.
More information here: Erna Low Property.
Highly Desirable:
Life in Briançon
We look to the highest town in Europe and see why so many people are considering Briançon as a 4 season destination and a shrewd investment opportunity.
New Releases:
Schappe, Briançon:
An extraordinary investment opportunity in an historic building guaranteed to be the most exclusive in the region.
Traditional Living
We visit an old mountain chalet near Abondance which has been eclectically furnished and equipped as a holiday retreat.
Luxury Chalet at
Les Contamines
The Chambres d'Hôtes Chalet Chovettaz combines traditional style with modern luxury
in the ski resort of
Les Contamines Montjoie.
Mountain People:
One of the oldest bars in all France reopens in the Val d’Abondance.
Notoriously difficult for foreigners to invest in property, Switzerland has now opened its doors to ‘residence de tourisme’ style investments following the hugely successful ‘leaseback’ formula in France encouraging foreigners to purchase holiday homes in the Swiss Alps.
Erna Low Property is delighted to announce the release of the brand new 5* development ‘Les Mayens d’Hérémence’ located in the picture-perfect alpine village of Les Masses, linked to world renowned Verbier to form part of the 4 Valleys ski area of 410km of slopes. Due to canton restrictions, it has been increasingly difficult for foreigners to invest in Switzerland but a freehold purchase of an apartment at Les Mayens d’ Hérémence comes attached with a 15 year management lease to provide the buyer with a guaranteed index linked rental return for its duration.
Architects impression of Les Mayens d’ Hérémence, Verbier.
Image courtesy of Erna Low Property
Those familiar with French property sales will know that this mirrors the ever-popular French leaseback system available on property purchases introducing the ‘warm beds’ concept to encourage tourism to areas of Switzerland and providing the investor with an annual guaranteed rental return of, in this case, up to 3.5% of the purchase price.
“Les Mayens d’Hérémence offer a rare chance to own in the 4 Valleys, where planning and development are not often granted” says Joanna Yellowlees-Bound, CEO of Erna Low Property, “Verbier currently offers very limited opportunities to purchase due to heavy construction regulations but incredible demand to own in this fantastic ski area has been met by the release of these apartments offering an alternative to owning in sought after Verbier itself.”
View from Les Mayens d’Hérémence site. Image courtesy Erna Low Property.
Les Mayens d’Hérémence will feature 64 high end furnished apartments spread over three buildings all boasting complete ski-in ski-out access and all finished to exemplary standard with large south east facing windows looking over the Matterhorn. 5* facilities include spa, (indoor pool, steam rooms sauna and spa treatment rooms), bar and restaurant as well as the residences’ own ski hire shop and lift pass office. Complete underground parking ensures the development stays car free. Completion is expected in winter 2010 and the properties range from two bedroom apartments up to four bedroom duplexes with prices starting from CHF 748 000 (£444,321) for a two bedroom apartment measuring 75msq including ski locker, parking space and owner’s storage.
Nearest airports: Geneva (2.5 hours) and Sion (UK flights expected in 2010 – only 30 minutes away).
Available through Erna Low Property
www.ernalowproperty.co.uk
Tel:
+44(0)207 590 1624.
Profile: Verbier, Switzerland
The internationally renowned ski resort of Verbier covers a large portion of the sun-covered plateau
facing south-west towards the
mountain ranges of Les Combins and Mont Blanc.
Its ski slopes are world-famous and it is
regularly ranked among the top ten ski resorts on
the planet. The 4 Vallées region, with its 410 kms of
runs, offers snow fans a wide
variety of options featuring various degrees of
difficulty.
Image: View of Savoleyres, Verbier - François Perraudin ©Verbier/Bagnes Tourisme
The summer season is becoming increasingly
important. During this period, life in Verbier is
characterised by active leisure pursuits and major
events. Hiking, mountain biking, golf and paragliding are interspersed with a
classical musical festival, an
off-road car show and cultural visits to discover the region’s
traditions. The typical villages of the
Val de Bagnes, along with its nature reserve, offer countless
opportunities for authentic and often
unexpected encounters.
Image: Hole no.14 - François Perraudin ©Verbier/Bagnes Tourisme
The variety of the gastronomic delights offered by the resort’s restaurants is known for miles around. From the traditional Bagnes cheese raclette to cuisine prepared by the chefs highlighted in the gourmet guides, Verbier is able to please even the most demanding tastes.
Due to its central location, Verbier is an ideal departure point for numerous excursions within in Switzerland as well as nearby France or Italy. Verbier’s key assets lie in promoting relaxation and enjoyment of life, tailored to individual desires in a warmly welcoming mountain environment.
History
It all began very quietly in the 1920s, with only a handful of skiers regularly trekking up on foot to the snow-covered slopes of the Verbier plateau. In the 1940s, construction of a road between Le Châble and Verbier accelerated tourism and more and more visitors began to flow in. Certain family homes were converted into guest houses and the more sporting locals began to offer ski lessons. In 1950, the newly formed company, "Télésiege de la Croix des Ruinettes", inaugurated its first ski-lift between Médran and Les Ruinettes.
This link remains the backbone of the ski area developed by the company which was soon renamed Televerbier SA, and which entered the 21st century as the largest Swiss ski-lift operator with a turnover of 40 million Swiss francs. Along with its neighbouring villages of La Tzoumaz, Nendaz, Veysonnaz and Thyon, Verbier is part of the 4 Vallées, the largest ski area in Switzerland with 410 km of downhill runs.
The Verbier plateau changes constantly. Former pastures give way to
hotels and chalets.
Fortunately, the political authorities established strict building
regulations right from the start of
the construction boom. As a result, Verbier has preserved its alpine
village charm. The resort has
all the necessary infrastructure to live there year-round or for
excellent vacations: restaurants,
shops, a cinema, swimming pools, supermarkets, medical facilities etc.
Today, more than 2,500 people live there year-round and this number
sometimes nears 30,000 in
peak season. Even though Verbier is situated in a French-speaking
area, a lot of English and
other languages are spoken, including German and Italian, which gives
the resort a
cosmopolitan, convivial atmosphere. In this respect, as well as many
others, it cannot be
explained; Verbier simply has to be experienced.
Image: View of Verbier with la Catogne - Annick Pautex ©Verbier/Bagnes Tourisme
Information courtesy of Verbier/Bagnes Tourisme
Find out more:
Property Sales Enquiries:
Erna Low Property www.ernalowproperty.co.uk +44(0)207 590 1624
Official Tourism Website: