Brief

Our client, who works in the legal profession, was looking for a ski chalet in Switzerland with a budget of CHF 3–5 million. The brief called for at least four bedrooms, ski-in/ski-out access, good views and a sunny aspect, while being within walking distance of a resort and within four hours of an airport.

A quiet location and strong rental potential were also important, with Verbier and Andermatt specifically excluded from the search.

Result

Following a country-wide search, which we narrowed down to three key areas, we identified a substantial off-market chalet in a quiet resort within one of Switzerland’s largest interconnected ski areas.

The chalet offered five double bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms, a double-height open-plan living area, sauna, hot tub and garage, together with extensive balconies and terraces overlooking the valley and mountains.

The property initially appeared too large to comply with the Lex Koller foreign ownership rules. We arranged for an architect to confirm conformity and, after two alterations to the layout, the living areas were deemed compliant.

Our due diligence and local market knowledge also enabled us to establish a fair price. When the chalet subsequently came to market below this level, we advised our client to make an offer, which was accepted. Six months later the Act of Sale was completed, with federal authorisation and final completion following ten months later.

Your Unfair Advantage

Buying in Switzerland as an overseas purchaser involves navigating a highly regulated market where local knowledge and specialist advice can be as important as finding the property itself.

In this case, our understanding of the market allowed us to identify an off-market opportunity, establish the right price and resolve potential Lex Koller issues before recommending the chalet to our client. We also introduced and coordinated the bank, insurance company, accountant and local and international rental agents, helping to manage a complex transaction through to final completion.