Ski Property For Sale
Area Guide
For those looking for a ski chalet for sale in France, the Grand Massif area of the Haute Savoie region of France offers many superb chalets and apartments in charming, traditional Alpine villages such as Morillon, Montriond, Morzine and Samoens as well as the pretty town of Taninges, nestled below the majestic immensity of the Alps.
The major attraction for those looking to buy a ski chalet for sale in France is, of course, the fantastic pursuits that can be enjoyed in both summer and winter. Samoen, at an altitude of 720m, is active all year round, with access to 265km of superb winter pistes from 900m to 2,500m high. With such a range of pistes, whether you are a beginner or advanced skier, and many other activities such as climbing and hiking, caving or just shopping and soaking up the Alpine life, buying a ski chalet for sale in the Grand Massif is well worth considering. Samoen is linked to 4 other resorts – Sixt, Flaine, Morillon and Les Carroz. These boast free shuttle buses, extensive car parking, picnic areas and restaurants offering both local and international cuisine.
Morillon has many fine ski chalets and apartments for sale that take advantage of the beautiful and spectacular scenery whatever the season. The nearby slopes offer some of France’s best skiing, and there are flower meadows and tranquil lakes to explore at other times of the year. The village is renowned for its child-friendly approach, and offers many diversions to keep them happy. Throughout the year there are music concerts and festivals to keep you entertained, sports facilities such as tennis and hiking trails and water sports at the nearby lake, Le Lac Bleu.
The small, chocolate-box village of Morzine has been built to blend in with the stunning natural scenery. Originally a simple mountain village, its inhabitants grazed their sheep and goats in the summer and extracted slate from the rich sources of the nearby mountains. In the 1930s the village was rejuvenated by Francois Baud who established hotels and encouraged tourism to the area. The village has grown since but it has retained its traditional character, and now boasts many superb ski chalets for sale. These are typically around the 800 to 1 million EUR price range due to high demand and the desirability of the location.
Spectacularly set in the French Alps, Taninges is a small and historic town offering all the amenities one might wish for. Popular as a tourist base, it represents a great opportunity to buy a ski chalet for sale more cheaply than in the ski resorts while taking advantage of a wider range of potential rental income. The resort of Les Praz de Lys lies above the town, with 24 lifts and 60km of cross country runs. Like all the Grand Massif resorts, the Taninges area offers summer as well as winter pursuits such as mountain biking, swimming, fishing and walking.
Ski chalets for sale vary in price but, as you would expect, values remain firm in the most popular areas of the French Alps. With careful searching you may find a traditional ski chalet for sale for less than half that you might pay in more famous areas such as Chamonix or Val d’Isere, yet you will enjoy a long skiing season and stunning mountain scenery. There are also lovely and affordable ski apartments for sale, often with ski equipment storage and cleaning areas. Morzine is probably the more expensive place to find property due to its desirable character, but you will find that the quality of properties is, on average, high. Around Taninges, ski chalets are a little more reasonably priced than their neighbours on the larger purpose-built resorts. There is an abundance of ski apartments and studios in new chalet buildings on the outskirts, ideal for rental purposes or as a second home.
Buying a Property in France
1. Signing the Agreement (Compris)
On finding a property you wish to purchase you will need to negotiate the terms, price and conditions of the sale with the owner.
The next step, once you are in agreement, is to sign the preliminary contract (Compromis de Vente). This is a legal document and after ten days will be binding on both parties. Rules change frequently in France and it is best to consult with your notary about when this period starts. Generally the compris will be signed in France with the Agent.
Variants can be included in the compris, for example an Acte (clause) can be added if the name or names to go on the title deed have not been finalised. If a mortgage will be required to purchase the property, the details for this, including the name of the mortgage company, must be on the compris.
2. Paying the Deposit
Generally the deposit will be 10% of the agreed purchase price. This will normally be paid to the notaire. There are exceptions to this, if the agent holds a carte professionelle, is bonded and fully registered then you may pay them, but do not hand over the deposit to anyone else. If for some reason the purchase does not go through, for example, if you write to the notaire and the agent that you do not wish to go continue with the purchase before the contract is binding (within seven days of signing the compris), then your deposit would be repaid. This would also apply if a condition had not been met, or the mayor or S.A.F.E.R. (a government agency that has the right of first purchase on most rural property that comes onto the market in France) could oblige the purchaser to give way. If you decide after the seven days 'cooling off' period that you do not wish to complete the purchase and pull out of the sale you would lose your deposit. If however the vendor pulls out of the sale then you will receive your deposit back plus the same amount from the vendor.
3. On Completion
Generally it will take around two or three months to complete the purchase.
During this time the balance of the purchase money must be paid into the account of the notaire, this must be done well ahead of the completion date. The notaire will prepare the documents, check that the deed of sale (Acte de Vente) is in order and have the legal title ready to be signed over. It is possible to have someone sign on your behalf if you give them power of attorney. An interpreter may be of use at this point if your French is not very good and many Notaires will suggest (or insist) that an interpreter is with you.